Headtorch Question - Alpkit Gamma Vs Lifesystems Intensity

[TeeDee]

Does anyone have this Lifesystems Intensity Headtorch??

http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN90005


< Looks a lot like this >

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16345&category_id=253



Is the only difference a "Hands free motion operation"

< and price >

 

[gsfgaz]

I have the gamma head torch bud , and it is a brilliant bit of kit , for the money you cant beat it ...

 

[TeeDee]

I have the gamma head torch bud , and it is a brilliant bit of kit , for the money you cant beat it ...

I agree , I have ,.. Four Gamma's ( had to count ) , great bit of kit for the money , but as the design of the two headtorches are SO alike , ( as in , I imagine pushed out of the same factory ) I was just wondering if their we any other significant differences.

The motion sensor would be an interesting little extra .

 

[khimbar]

There should be a sticky thread which basically says 'Want a headtorch and have under £20? Aplkit Gamma it is then'.

They are just brilliant.

 

[resnikov]

It says wave your hand in front of the motion sensor.
Is it just me or does that sound fun when using the torch in wood and branch gets near the torch and it turns its self out ?

 

[filcon]

Gaz put me onto the Gammas, bought 2 they are the best headtorches I,ve ever had.

phil

 

[gsfgaz]

They are great for the price ...

 

[Old Bones]

Outdoor Magic pointed out the similarity when the Lifesystems model came out. They even reviewed it (which I can't link to because the website is responding at the moment), the gist of which seemed to be that you were paying double the price for the LIfesystems becuase you could switch it on and off by waving your arms. Everyone who commented thought the same as Resnikov, and wondered what would happen should you go near a branch etc, and find yourself in darkness...

Having used my Gamma for the past couple of months for doing work up in the loft, I can say that a) Its a cracking bit of kit for the money, and b) any motion sensor would have been useless, because I would have been in the dark about every 30 seconds.

Note to Lifesystems - if your going to charge £25 for a headtorch, it has to be do more, and be different to the opposition. Double the cash for a 'feature' most of use dont want is not going to move product. And copying is a no no.

 

[TeeDee]

Good stuff Old Bones.

The only thing I don't like about the Gamma is that I would like a way to fix the light to a certain colour rather than having to cycle through, It would be useful for the current Military boys and stop me from losing my Night Vision once I have got it at night.

So Alpkit , just a little switch to one side to fix that please!!! Excellent kit other wise.

 

[Lost in civilisation]

Outdoor Magic pointed out the similarity when the Lifesystems model came out. They even reviewed it (which I can't link to because the website is responding at the moment), the gist of which seemed to be that you were paying double the price for the LIfesystems becuase you could switch it on and off by waving your arms. Everyone who commented thought the same as Resnikov, and wondered what would happen should you go near a branch etc, and find yourself in darkness...

Having used my Gamma for the past couple of months for doing work up in the loft, I can say that a) Its a cracking bit of kit for the money, and b) any motion sensor would have been useless, because I would have been in the dark about every 30 seconds.

Note to Lifesystems - if your going to charge £25 for a headtorch, it has to be do more, and be different to the opposition. Double the cash for a 'feature' most of use dont want is not going to move product. And copying is a no no.

These torches are most likely made in the same factory and I believe were originally marketed in the UK under the Ring brand name. They were available at 7dayshop years ago before Alpkit stocked them. Alpkit do not make their own kit, they just find a far east factory that either already has a product which is then rebranded or they give a specification to a company already producing that kind of product.

Here is another reseller http://www.batteryjunction.com/egear-hl-130.html

Everyone does it from Berghaus to Tesco as they don't own their own electronics/bbq/self inflating mat brand etc.

As the Chinese factory is churning out hundreds of thousands of one product it makes it cheap to produce, this means a big profit when a trusted outdoor label slaps their badge on it and sells it for twice the price. One such manufacturer is Nuwai who have made a number of Blacks/millets own brand stuff, most of the kit is designed and made in China and then the line is sold to buyers for retailers here.


Teedee - These head torches come in a few different variations (different leds etc.)

If Alpkit were to say we want our own design, then the tooling/moulds etc need changed, electronics redesigned. For a small buyer like Alpkit this doesn't make sense as the price will have to go up for wanting a bespoke design. Alpkit exists as a buy cheap and sell in volume business.


The Chinese are that cut throat that they do copy other Chinese brands not just American and European brands, even though we would think there is little money in copying cheap items

 

[Scout]

Its interesting how the prices differ from company to company.

Still great torches though



Nathan