Any recommendations for a head torch?

[Acm]

Hi all, I’m after a head torch, my old fenix finally gave up after 3/4 years of Stirling service! Im about to order a replacement but just wondered what you guys were all using?
I’d ideally like it to have the following features
Runs on an 18650 battery or it’s own rechargeable pack
A few different brightness levels
150-200metre spot beam
Water resistant construction
Many thanks all!

 

[Tom D]

I have the petzl nao, which isn’t cheap but I got it for work really so I can justify the cost. It’s not a spot but it’s crazy bright, Like having a car headlight on your head. The reactive technology is good, it extends battery life. Charges off a usb too.

 

[alasdair]

I'm a great fan of Zebralight head torches.
They meet your criteria.
My deer stalking one is:

H600c Mk IV H600c Mk IV 18650 XHP50.2 4000K High CRI Headlamp

bright, warm white (much better for gralloching and finding blood trails), regulated (stays bright rather than slowly fading as battery runs down), easy user interface (double click between high and extra high - useful for searching etc.,) light weight and compact (fits into a pocket), really waterproof (so no USB charging!). And in my experience to date: robust and reliable.
Cost me £70 direct from china via www.zebralight.com

also worth getting a spare elastic head band/holder at same time - I favour the GITD one! ZLHS_GITD_H602 GITD silicone holder and headband with removable top strap for H600 H602/H603 your torch will outlast the elastic!

Save on shipping cost if all ordered together.

In my experience zebra lights are better made, more reliable than some other makes - worth the extra £s

alasdair

 

[Lateral]

Another vote for the Zebra light. It's not so much a spot, more of a flood, but very bright on it's high setting. It can also be turned on REALLY low, for reading seeing something close up.

I use this one Zebra Light

 

[Alantoo]

Hi all, I’m after a head torch, my old fenix finally gave up after 3/4 years of Stirling service! Im about to order a replacement but just wondered what you guys were all using?
I’d ideally like it to have the following features
Runs on an 18650 battery or it’s own rechargeable pack
A few different brightness levels
150-200metre spot beam
Water resistant construction
Many thanks all!

I can thoroughly recommend Ledlenser torches...if you had bought one of them 3 or 4 years ago instead of the Fenix they would have replaced it if it had given up...

Ledlenser provide a 7 year warranty on their torches I have been buying them for the last 20 years and each time I have had any problem...normally with the cable flexing there has been no quibble replacement. I have 4 or 5 of them now.

The Ledlenser H14R2 which has a twin pack 18650. 60, 450 and 1000lumens. Beam is 300m on boost, 200m on high and 70m on low power.

I have just received a totally new torch, all complete boxed with headband, charger and battery pack from them as a replacement, because the H14R2 I bought in July 2016 for around £75 started to flicker occasionally. I sent the old one back in and received the new torch four or five days later. They are now selling at £90 on Amazon

Ledlenser have couple of new torches which may also suit you. Both have a single 18650 battery and which will be lighter than the H14R2

The MH10 10-600 lumens range and a 10 to 150m beam, which just meets your spec.

MH10 Rechargeable Head Torch

LED lenser MH2, MH2 head torch

www.ledlenser-store.co.uk

The MH11 which has the battery built in to the lamp unit so no cables to fail, produces a 10-1000 lumen range 10m to 320m beam, which exceeds your spec.

Ledlenser MH11 Head Torch- Grey

Turning night into day, the MH11 has been developed with adventurers in mind. Up to 1000 lumens and a beam distance of 320 metres.

www.ledlenser-store.co.uk

Alan

 

[Acm]

Thanks guys , appreciate you taking the time to post links and reply!

 

[FISH BOY]

Thrunite TH10.

Bulletproof...

 

[Gm81]

Led lenser. They back their products with out a receipt. I've not bought any other torch for the last 10yrs. I use them for work too. So they get a rough time.
H7 you can lock the button so it won't turn on. Tells you what charge it has on switch on. Adjustable power and beam. Plenty of light for a head torch.
Edit. Just check the beam distance on a H7 you may need to go bigger.

 

[Freeforester]

If you need one that starts up red, then the £20 decathlon forclaz USB rechargeable head light is great.
If light weight is your thing, look at Nitecore 25, the strap is as heavy as the USB rechargeable unit;
For robust excellence the thrunite th10 (uses 18650 rechargeable)

 

[Tom D]

I'd always go USB rechargeable, batteries are a pain, Ive had loads of battery powered lamps over the years and the Nao is miles better. when using the reactive light the burn time is 15 hours which is more than enough, then you can charge it from the socket in the car. The reactive lighting is really good too, look at something close like a book and it dims right down, look up across the fields and it goes to max power, you don't have to do anything it just does it by itself. I have had manual adjustable torches before but the buttons are always small and fiddly, especially with gloves on. You usually end up having to take them off your head to adjust them. One final thing the head strap on the Nao is really comfortable and easy to adjust.

 

[benjrush]

Black diamond Storm. Very bright, has a red mode and most importantly, seeing as all my previous head torches died due to water ingress, is waterproof (IPX67 i think).

 

[weimaraner]

Olight Wave H15 or H16 head torch.

You turn it on / off by a quick hand wave across its sensor, very handy when gralloching etc, no messing with an on / off button, whilst your hands are covered in blood + goo.

 

[BryanDC]

+1 for the Black diamond. Been using it for a couple of years duck shooting and it has lasted where others have failed and not stupidly expensive

 

[Glendine]

I have the petzl nao, which isn’t cheap but I got it for work really so I can justify the cost. It’s not a spot but it’s crazy bright, Like having a car headlight on your head. The reactive technology is good, it extends battery life. Charges off a usb too.

+1 I have the Petzl NAO+ Its really good it has a excellent locking system and sensors that regulate the amount of light distributed by the head torch.
I had a Led Lenser head torch and found numerous times it switched itself on leaving you in the dark when needed most !

Regards,
Glendine.

 

[rem284]

Thrunite. Had one for about 5 years now and in use almost every night. Works on a single 18650 battery so when it goes flat just change it and carry on working. It well made and no external wires.

 

[Acm]

thanks guys, i hadn't heard of them before but i googled thrunite and they look great! I've ordered one. thank you all!

 

[243varmint]

Coast torches headtorches are very good Andy.
Worth looking at

 

[Longstrider]

I'm going against the grain here but for a reason ... Cheap 'Ever Ready' brand head torch from B+Q. It runs on AAA batteries that simply last forever, has red or white light options and is light to stick in the shooting bag. I invariably loose the ruddy things or drop them and stand on them long before they die a natural death so a cheap option is better for me. I had one that I used whilst insulating a loft in hot weather and it filled with sweat to the point of distorting the light as it swilled around inside but it still worked for about another 3 years after that !

 

[Hulse]

Olight are great all I use now

Great customer service too

 

[Scotty99]

Mine cost £7 from Decathlon about 5 years ago still going strong. It has spot and flood settings and gives a good white beam and also a red beam. It was designed with runners in mind (athletes not birds). If you have one near you go in and have a look.