Buying a new head-torch

[HorseGuy]

I need to buy a head-torch and hopefully some of you knowledgeable people with experience of using them can help me select which one to buy. It will mostly be used at home rather than outside so does not need to be powerful or anything fancy. One thing which it must have though is either its own built in battery or be able to accept 2 x AA batteries (3 batteries makes it awkward to charge because my charger only accepts 2 or 4 AA batteries at a time).

There is no real budget for it but as it will only be used indoors and does not need to be powerful a cheap one will probably be fine. The shortlist I have made so far is the Petzl e-LITE torch, the Sofirn HS10 or the Olight Perun 2 Mini but other suggestions are welcome too.

 

[Pattree]

For what you are describing I’d just go to GoOutdoors or Lidle and take whatever they have on offer.

I can imagine all sorts of horror stories about quality and customer service but I wouldn’t worry about that.

I have a little emergency torch by the phone. I use it when I take the bins out in the dark and for searching for dropped pins etc. It cost £2 nine years ago and is going strong.

If you’re not used to a head torch then you can get used to one without paying to have a brand name on the thing.

 

[British Red]

I need to buy a head-torch and hopefully some of you knowledgeable people with experience of using them can help me select which one to buy. It will mostly be used at home rather than outside so does not need to be powerful or anything fancy. One thing which it must have though is either its own built in battery or be able to accept 2 x AA batteries (3 batteries makes it awkward to charge because my charger only accepts 2 or 4 AA batteries at a time).

There is no real budget for it but as it will only be used indoors and does not need to be powerful a cheap one will probably be fine. The shortlist I have made so far is the Petzl e-LITE torch, the Sofirn HS10 or the Olight Perun 2 Mini but other suggestions are welcome too.

I have the full size Perun & wouldn't advise it. It takes a non standard battery & uses a proprietary charger. Honestly I won't buy another Olight.

Wr use headlights all the time. You won't go wrong with a Petzl. We like the light band type like these. They are cheap as chips & you can get them everywhere but give a brilliantly diffused area light that's great for reading, cooking, dealing with livestock in the dark

Hotline Explorer Rechargeable Head Torch with LED light bar and side light.

COB LED band light XPE LED side light Touch free sensor control 5 lighting modes USB charging Adjustable head band Max 350 lumens

englishcountrylife.com

 

[HorseGuy]

There's the Nebo Einstein Flex 1000 Headtorch for sale at half-price at The Bushcraft Store at the moment which is another option to consider.

 

[HorseGuy]

I have the full size Perun & wouldn't advise it. It takes a non standard battery & uses a proprietary charger. Honestly I won't buy another Olight.

Wr use headlights all the time. You won't go wrong with a Petzl. We like the light band type like these. They are cheap as chips & you can get them everywhere but give a brilliantly diffused area light that's great for reading, cooking, dealing with livestock in the dark

Hotline Explorer Rechargeable Head Torch with LED light bar and side light.

COB LED band light XPE LED side light Touch free sensor control 5 lighting modes USB charging Adjustable head band Max 350 lumens

englishcountrylife.com

Thanks. I'll knock the Olight of my list then.

That Hotline head torch looks good though (and cheap!). I'll see what other suggestions people give but so for now that one is at the top of my list.

 

[Chris]

I need to buy a head-torch and hopefully some of you knowledgeable people with experience of using them can help me select which one to buy. It will mostly be used at home rather than outside so does not need to be powerful or anything fancy. One thing which it must have though is either its own built in battery or be able to accept 2 x AA batteries (3 batteries makes it awkward to charge because my charger only accepts 2 or 4 AA batteries at a time).

There is no real budget for it but as it will only be used indoors and does not need to be powerful a cheap one will probably be fine. The shortlist I have made so far is the Petzl e-LITE torch, the Sofirn HS10 or the Olight Perun 2 Mini but other suggestions are welcome too.

I have an HS10 for keeping in the car just in case and I do like it - cheap and cheerful but seems robust and does the job nicely, though I REALLY like my Sofirn HS21 with the rotating beam adjuster rather than pressing/holding buttons in various combinations. Just twist it until it's at the setting you like. It also has a red light setting if that's useful to you. It is a bit more expensive though.

 

[matarius777]

Sofirn are great budget torches, they do a range of headlamps starting at less than £20. They don’t use proprietary batteries, just commonly available ones. I buy direct from China using their web site, they arrive in less than 2 weeks, they’re a lot less than the same torches on Amazon, plus they often have sales or discounts.

 

[grainweevil]

Yeah, I was disappointed in the Olight too; proprietary charging doodahs are now to be avoided. The Petzl e-Lite is good, has a red light and easy to read (and understand) setting switch, but takes two button batteries and the head band is very thin. I use it as my back-up/emergency option because it's so small.

Not a fancy choice at all, but Energizer head torches are a cheap, no frills option that just works. Used mine for years as the "putting the bins out" torch.

 

[IainB]

Been using Black Diamond (American climbing/skiing/outdoor brand) for years .. good reliable and better than the petzl ones we had previously.

I’d also look at Nebo offerings - got one of their torches for a gift a few years ago and it’s great .. they seem to have a really good range at decent prices

 

[Billy-o]

H25LR LED Headlamp Rechargeable 660nm Deep Red Headlight

Character: 1. High CRI White Deep Red Emitters: The D25LR headlamp utilizes dual LED Emitters. One of which is the LH351D 5000K CRI 90 High for a nice comfortable white beam. The other LED Emitter is the SST20-DR Red LED, which produces red light in the wavelength of 660nms which helps to...

www.sofirnlight.com

This is a very good red/white option. Very

 

[stonepark]

Nitecore NU33

Nitecore NU33 Triple Output USB-C Rechargeable Headlamp | Nitecore.co.uk

Nitecore NU33 Triple Output USB-C Rechargeable Headlamp. Max output 700 lumens. Uses a built-in li-ion battery. UK Supplier. Next day delivery available.

www.nitecore.co.uk

Can be had bought from Aliexpress for £30.

NITECORE NU33 USB-C Rechargeable Compact Headlamp 700Lumens Lantern Headlight High CRI LED Triple Output Built-In Battery - AliExpress 39

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[slowworm]

I often use a head torch and have collected a few over the last couple of years. I like a small, light torch, so I tend to use the Sofirn HS10 the most as it's very bright on the highest settings and the lower settings are good enough to work by. The main downside is battery life if you use high power or turbo. My last one cost £9 delivered and they charge quickly via a USB-C socket.

Another option might be the Wurkkos HD12, mine cost £11 and comes with a rechargeable 14500 battery and can run on a single AA if required.

 

[demented dale]

I need to buy a head-torch and hopefully some of you knowledgeable people with experience of using them can help me select which one to buy. It will mostly be used at home rather than outside so does not need to be powerful or anything fancy. One thing which it must have though is either its own built in battery or be able to accept 2 x AA batteries (3 batteries makes it awkward to charge because my charger only accepts 2 or 4 AA batteries at a time).

There is no real budget for it but as it will only be used indoors and does not need to be powerful a cheap one will probably be fine. The shortlist I have made so far is the Petzl e-LITE torch, the Sofirn HS10 or the Olight Perun 2 Mini but other suggestions are welcome too.

Go direct to Nice 65 on here. He is called Rich. He is to torches what Jesus is to love. xxxxxxx

 

[Stew]

I have the full size Perun & wouldn't advise it. It takes a non standard battery & uses a proprietary charger. Honestly I won't buy another Olight.

Wr use headlights all the time. You won't go wrong with a Petzl. We like the light band type like these. They are cheap as chips & you can get them everywhere but give a brilliantly diffused area light that's great for reading, cooking, dealing with livestock in the dark

Hotline Explorer Rechargeable Head Torch with LED light bar and side light.

COB LED band light XPE LED side light Touch free sensor control 5 lighting modes USB charging Adjustable head band Max 350 lumens

englishcountrylife.com

I have one of that style but with a beam light on both sides.

Pretty good!

 

[British Red]

I have one of that style but with a beam light on both sides.

Pretty good!

This one has one beam, one band. They are cheap but I find the band comfortable & the wide led strip gives a great area light for jobs like cooking or dealing with live stock. It's a couple of years on & still takes & holds a decent charge. I have stupidly expensive head torches but I reach for this one