Head Torch Recommendations

[WH308]

So my cheap head torch died last night, the corner that holds the batteries in snapped and is not salvageable.

So can anyone recommend a decent head torch. Nothing too massive, as I mainly wear it for shutting the hens in! but something that is good enough to put in a pocket for stalking and would be good enough to gralloch by, and have enough beam to walk in the dark with.

 

[User00040]

petzl tactikka plus

There are brighter, but they will be heavier and more expensive.

Best compromise for weight, price, brightness, battery life.

Has a red light too which is handy

 

[Sika98k]

I have bought LED head torches on eBay for a few quid. They take 2 18650 rechargeable batteries. Made in China. They last a good while and are great value.

 

[Utectok]

No nonsense water proof and basic petzl pica 1

https://m.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Compact--durable-headlamps/PIXA-1

About £35 (the model 3 is not worth the upgrade imo)

 

[Bowland blades]

I have an LED LENSAR . its works very well and has a charging port in the casing if you prefer to use re-chargeable batteries. Been in service 5 years plus in Wildfowling , stalking, Sea Angling, working in tight confined spaces and genral getting around the grounds of my home more safely at night. I strap spare batteries two a side to the bands. It will do a winter session from low through high to the fishable portion of the ebb. Pan out and zoom in on the torch head and brightness adjustment

 

[Woodsmoke]

I know a few members (including myself) bought these after @gixer1 mentioned them. SO far I've absolutely no complaints. I bought two, and they've been great!

Maybe of interest…

Just bought one of these - Wide Beam Rechargeable COB LED Headlamp Headlight Head Torch Super Bright Band | eBay A whole £10…and the light is ridiculously bright. The main thing is it’s motion activated by waving your hand near it - great for in the dark gralloched after last light and not...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[FISH BOY]

Nitecore NU25.

Red/white bright light - so small and light, I’ve often stalked for hours from dawn not realising it’s still on my cap.

 

[Dorset Shakari]

I've got several including a LED Lenser that is visible from space. Best size/brightness in my Petzl Taktikka.

 

[VSS]

Nitecore NU25.

Red/white bright light - so small and light, I’ve often stalked for hours from dawn not realising it’s still on my cap.

Me too. Often popped into the garage around lunchtime between am and pm stalks with my torch still on my head!

 

[Pelyma]

Olight. They are small, can be very bright but have a fantastic moonlight mode great for not disturbing things when you need just a little light. Head Torches: Repairing, Night Fishing & Running & Caving | Olight UK

 

[User00035]

I've had one of these for a few years now and it's been excellent. The lamp is quite large but not heavy and I've never found it cumbersome.
It's got two power settings and a powerful central spot which is good for spotting and picking up at night, with a softer wide flood which is ideal for general purpose short range visibility. It has built in rechargeable batteries which haven't missed a beat in years. Run time is excellent and when depleted it doesn't die on you suddenly. Firstly it goes onto the lower power setting and gives you a good half hour or so to get finished and get it charged.
You can also get an excellent red filter which gives a really low diffuse red glow that is ideal for reloading when NV shooting.
Hard to beat for the money.

Clulite HL13 Pro Beam 510 Rechargeable Headtorch

Stay illuminated with the Clulite HL13 Pro Beam 510 Headtorch! Rechargeable, lightweight & powerful—shop now!

www.charlies.co.uk

 

[Ratten]

I buy these all the time Amazon product ASIN B09C64P4YH (linke doesn't seem to work - Omeril head torches. 2 for 14 quid)
Cheap, bright and tough (banging around under the car). Recharge off USB cable.

I expect everyone has their favourites and they're all much of a muchness - these are the ones i've gravitated to!

 

[patrickstar]

i use fenix or led lenser for everything mate they cost bit more but you get want you pay for

 

[flatliner]

I've used a Tikkina Petzl for several years now. Compact and light, you almost forget you're wearing it. Also have a Fenix HL60r, which throws light out further, but I much prefer the Tikkina

 

[Sharpie]

So my cheap head torch died last night, the corner that holds the batteries in snapped and is not salvageable.

So can anyone recommend a decent head torch. Nothing too massive, as I mainly wear it for shutting the hens in! but something that is good enough to put in a pocket for stalking and would be good enough to gralloch by, and have enough beam to walk in the dark with.

No question in my mind. And I have had a lot of other head torches that are now relegated to other uses.

What I have is the Nitecore NU17. Good main beam, more diffuse high CRI alternative beam, perfect for gralloching and inspection, the high CRI means it is as close to daylight colour rendering as you will get, unlike the typical low CRI LED beams from lesser things. Ideal for following blood trails too, where usual LEDs are not very good. Red LEDs also.

The main, and the red beams can be varied in power from ultra-low to very bright indeed. Many other features too, SOS and beacon modes, blinky red mode like a bicycle rear lamp, battery level indicator etc. USB rechargeable so never need to go out with spare heavy batteries, lasts 9 hours on high beam. Tiny, featherweight (46g) waterproof to 1m submersible.

Currently on Amazon for £15.

Alternative might be Nitecore NU25. Very similar, same battery, less powerful high CRI white and red (it only has one LED for each, rather than two of each on the NU17) Officially a more powerful main beam, in turbo mode, which can only be sustained for 30 seconds. Otherwise same 130 lumen main beam. Same battery size. But costs about £37.

Both of these will also continue to operate, whilst re-charging. So even if you did run one flat, but had a powerbank and cable, they would keep on going indefinitely.

Plenty of reviews online.

NU17: Amazon product ASIN B07WGGK6Q3 £15

NU25. the rare yellow one, you don't want to be dropping a black torch with a black headband in the dark, or even just finding it buried in a bag.. The NU17 is black, but has a yellow strap, so just as good.:

Amazon product ASIN B09YXYC9NN £37.

Edit, for some reason this forum seems not to allow links to Amazon, So maybe this will steer you:

NU25: Product code B09YXYC9NN Description NITECORE NU25 Yellow 360 Lumen Lightweight Headlamp 3 Light Sources USB Rechargeable Headlight with NITECORE Tag

NU17: Product code B07WGGK6Q3 Description Nitecore NU17 Headtorch - Black

 

[muddy42]

Decathlon do a brilliant head torch for £5 with just one setting on/off (which I like).

 

[Longstrider]

Whichever option above you choose my advice would be to go cheap. LED's are universally good these days and if all you need is occasional and 'around the home and garden' use then splashing for a Petzl or similar is like buying a Blaser when all you do is humane despatch.

If you're anything like me one of two things will happen anyway .. You'll leave the batteries in during Summer and they'll leak and knacker the torch completely, or you'll stick it in a pocket from which it will fall, never to be found again. Cheap ones are better in both scenarios

My own is an Ever Ready job from B+Q. It does red or white light and was cheap as chips. It still works despite once being worn during an unexpected moonlight swim which resulted in it having to be emptied and dried out in the oven.

 

[WH308]

Thanks all for the input, I was leaning towards a nitecore before all the recommendations came in. Thanks to @Sharpie for the heads up on the NU17.

I’ve gone for one of those and I’ll see how I get on.

Cheers.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

My pal is a stalker & a vet, he swears by his fenix with the red leds option he uses it a lot doing operations in his practice as well as stalking so it must be good. 65 Euros here.

 

[rem284]

I have thrunite head torch. I use it alot and it has lasted years. There is no external wires and it runs a single 18650 battery, so you can easily change and keep going. I also have a olight hand torch which is very bright so that would be another make I would personally look at. I have had various other makes but non of the really lasted more than a season or two at best