Which Headlight

[Dave Farrant]

Well here is a question to get you thinking. Even though it is a simple one.

What I am looking for is a relativly inexpensive (6 Needed) but robust (4 Children) Headlight.

I am looking for experienced users opinions on what is a good product.

Just so you know I took a quick look on Evilbay and found a plethora of cheap lights. But with no pedigree to recomend them I could be wasting my money.

Over to you (The great masses)

 

[jdlenton]

hi Dave well not cheap but they will last and last "petzel tika XP" can't be beaten IMO and if mine is like the petzel i bought 15 years ago ( i retired it only a couple of months ago for the tika) it will do me until I'm in my 50's

James

 

[beamdune]

Not used one personally but Alpkit (www.alpkit.com) LED heads torches may fit the bill. £4.99 each - they look pretty basic and chunky but are well regarded for the price (see outdoorsmagic.com and ukclimbing.com for reviews)

Don't get distracted looking at their new titanium range though.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Princeton Tec Yukon head torch.

you can't go wrong!

has a strong normal bulb for long distance work and 3 LED's for close long life (100+ hours) work i have used mine for about 2 years now it's 100% waterproof and spot on for nearly everything i have done!

very good torch!

 

[Goose]

I use the petzl zipka, same light unit as the tikka but with a different head band, and can't reccomend it enough. I think if it is for kids the tikka might be a better bet, as the headband is less distracting the tikka having a straightforward elasticated band and the zipka an extending "string". My six year old uses the zipka without a problem, except playing with the string .

 

[AJB]

Hey, I'm 38 and I enjoy playing with the string.

 

[Goose]

If it is your torch that gets tied to the dog, or twirled round your head, thats fine!

 

[neo_wales2000]

My son and I use really cheap ones off ebay, think I paid £2.50 with postage (each), used for over a year, no problems at all. The main difference between these and a Petzl is about £25 cash

 

[fred gordon]

I would vote for the Petzl Tika too. Had it for years in all weather and abused it a lot. Still works and is very reliable. I know its on the expensive side but well worth it in my opinion. It's also very light, pardon the pun, so doesn't weigh you down and it uses AAA betteries and they last for ages. What more can I say!

 

[Mantic]

I bought a headlamp from eBay (just like this one but not from this ebayer : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-5-LED-H...23431020QQcategoryZ106984QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

I've used it for the last few years, cost 6 quid and works just as well as my Petzl. It's been treated fairly roughly and still works a treat.

 

[mercury]

I have one of the alpkit head torches and its ok for under a fiver, I have managed to break part of the harness, the loop on the baseplate that the top harness strap goes through but htats not a huge problem as the torch itself is light weight. I have used it considerably throughout the winter months during my marathon training, not changed the batterys yet and am basically impressed.

I also have one of the "wee airic" inflating mattresses. Also good kit at £15 ish

How do these guys make a living ?

 

[Dave Farrant]

Thank you all very much.

This has been a great help.

In Conclusion then....
For me... the expensive one
For my Wife...the good looking one
For my children (4 of them) the light ones (probably without string)

Wish me luck

 

[Dougster]

Get yourself down to the local aldi - register for emails on the .co.uk site - they do a 5 led cracker, very much like the tikka in black for £3.99. I'm impressed.

 

[Pablo]

If you buy the tikka xp for yourself, don't forget the filters (an extra £4.99). Great for wildlife watching.

Pablo

 

[Hoodoo]

I have two of these and can recommend them 100% Ok, maybe 99.9%

 

[Hellz]

I agree with Hoodoo, the EOS is a cracking head torch! 1 Watt LED with an excellent beam... it's like wearing a Surefire on your head

Good value, but not cheap

Hellz