My last headtorch was one of those cheap "books at work" jobs - it didn't last. The tilt on it kept getting sloppy as well.
My Black Diamond Cosmo has been going great. You can pick up decent BD ones cheap at Bivouac every now and then. I needed one with a red mode for nightflying (it also has strobe, dimmer).
I also have an Olight I3S EOS which is a tiny little handheld thing that only uses a AAA but is VERY powerful. Also has a moonlight mode which is good for not disturbing others. Oh and a strobe which would be very good in emergencies.
My current torch is handheld. Anyone got reccomendations for a headlamp?
I was looking at maybe the nitrcore hc50 or hc90. Expensive, but I know they will last, and perform.
Bit heavy, but Would be used in situations outside of tramping where the higher output and larger battery etc, would be of use.
I don't think there is any one flashlight for all purposes. I have a selection and it depends on the trip which one I take. The one main feature is multimode. For summer trips when there is a lot of day light I have a little AAA torch 26g 40mA on low, twist the head to turn on so less likely to to start accidentally. I have just done 3 days tenting in the snow so going to bed when it gets cold and I took a Fenix AA headlamp 94g Push button on the side but if you unscrew the cap a little bit it will not switch on. For longer walks a torch that takes 18650 is good as the energy density is higher in the li-ion. If going that way you need to get a good charger as well and make sure you get protected cells.
My current handheld runs off an 18650. Best batteries around Imo. They run a torch for hours and hours on low modes. (Or around 40min on 840Lm. But that tends to be a bit excessive).
@Size12,
I can recommend the Zebralight range of headlights.
I use the H52w that takes a single AA battery, preferably a rechargeable or lithium. Small, light, highly efficient particularly on the medium levels that you use for night tramping, waterproof, robust, handy glow-in-the-dark holder.
@nzpixie is right about the 18650 having the highest energy density so if you want a lot of really bright light for a really long time then consider the zebralight H600w.
The "w" means that the LED has a warmish tint to the light, making colours look closer to their appearance in sunlight. It also reflects back less when walking in mist or rain.
If you are tramping at night try ting your headlight to your pack's hipbelt. i find the lower angle of light makes the contours (dips, hollows,rocks roots) stand much better because you see the shadows that those hazards form.
I`m addicted to headlights,handhelds & pocket-knives.Sales staff usually recognise this & hover until I`ve satiated the desire for `another`model!I`ve had the best,the worst,the latest,the oldest but I still keep buying `em.The headlights get a lot of use but my sharebroker still extolls that I max-out on Bivouac shares.Could have worse addictions...
Another Bivouac shareholder… there's sure to be a few of us on this forum :-)
Anything I get will run off 18650. Already got a few 18650s and they are about the best battery format Ive ever used.
Im tempted by the neutral white or outdoor white tint leds personally. Warm tints get a bit orangy for me sometimes, and The slight drop in lumens from the warm tints is a bit of a tradeoff.
I might be a closet light nerd. Dont judge
Ill have to try that tip about attaching in to hipbelt. And I had forgotten about zebralight as a maker.
"I might be a closet light nerd. Dont judge"
I won't, I'm one too...
"I might be a closet light nerd."
Cripes! - I have a manky, 12 year old headtorch with straps which have lost all elasticity, a cracked end cap held together with cellotape, a 'dicky' switch, BUT IT STILL WORKS!, and I fight/curse it every time I go to use it.
You guys have inspired me to contemplate buying a new one. I spotted a 'builder's special' headtorch, in ITM, the other day for $20, I'm sure it will be excellent. lol
(You might be able to gather that I grew up in poverty, in postwar, rationed, Britain. Parsimony is very hard to shrug off!)
