Recommended Head Torch
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| John J Barry | Aug 11 2009, 1:40pm | Hi all, Could someone recommend a Head Torch for off road winter running. I have the IMRA one from last year but not sure if that's good enough. /John |
| Colm Hill | Aug 11 2009, 4:40pm | It depends on the running you intend on doing. A few of us do alot of off trail running in the dark winter nights and the silva headtorch is the king of the night. Its favoured by orienteers and mountain rescue http://www.sailgb.com/p/silva_478_lightweight_headlamp/ The down side to this torch is battery time. You'll get 4hours on full power, but full power is equal to a car on full beams! If however you think thats a bit of over kill for just running on the trails, there are hundreds of high power LED head torches out there. Mila also do a headlamp that turns night into day. This is one of the newest silva head torches out there. http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/silva_ultra_bright_headlamp_l1/ Haven't used it but LED is getting better that massive Halogon torches - although they have withstood the test of time. |
| Brendan O'Connor | Aug 11 2009, 5:31pm | Hi John, shame to be thinking of the winter already, but last winter I kept up a routine of running in Bushy Park at night, and the IMRA torch (...powered by Version 1) was quite adequate for that type of terrain. Talk to Marcus Geoghegan - he has some contact in China, where apparently Silva quality LED torches are available for a fraction of the price...Colm, maybe you're familar with this? |
| Kevin O'Riordan | Aug 11 2009, 9:17pm | I used to go running around Fairy Castle/Tibradden at night last year and I found the Petzyl Myo XP (top of the Petzyl LED line) was the minimum I needed to run at a decent pace with breaking an ankle. I think it was probably the best LED torch on the market last year (the 2008 Myo XP gave more than twice the light of the 2007 model). Since LEDs seem to be a rapidly advancing technology at the moment, someone may have produced an even better LED torch this year. You could look at hybrid standard bulb/LED torches as well, they may give better contrast at the expense of some battery life. |
| Gavan Doherty | Aug 11 2009, 11:40pm | Hi John, I've used the IMRA head torch around 3 rock at night and it's fine. That said I wouldn't be keen to use it for night-orienteering (a bit more off-road, off-path than your average mountain run), so I use the Silva 480 that Colm mentioned, which is like a car headlight. Against: expensive & cumbersome. The one that Marcus got (from Hong Kong) is branded Ultrafire. It's pretty impressive, also like a car headlight (LED based), but small, lightweight & cheap. Against: the annoyingly small headstrap. I'd say Kevin's right - the LED ones seem to be getting better & are generally cheaper, but you could kick off with the IMRA one & see if you want to upgrade from there. Gavan |
| Stuart Scott | Aug 11 2009, 11:54pm | Like Gavan, I found the IMRA torch grand last winter. It coped fine with the likes of Kippure, Djouce, 3rock etc. Good battery life too. Its not good with distances though, so night-orienteering wasn't the easiest (though I could see my feet perfectly!). |
| Marcus Geoghegan | Aug 12 2009, 10:43am | Try to get one of these Ultrafires if you can - they are dirt cheap, super bright and run for ages on 3 AA batteries. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15688 as Gavan said, the headstrap is strangely short - but that is easily fixed. However I suspect that they are not being manufactured any more - I tried to buy some recently via eBay but nothing was delivered and my money was refunded with no explanation a few weeks later. Note that there is another Ultrafire headtorch that runs on 3 AAA batteries, but it is nowhere near as good. I covet this headlamp and plan to buy one for the coming winter: http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix-hp10-headlamp.html https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=1774 220 Lumens (in burst mode) is approaching car headlamp intensity. $67 in the US. It has only just been released and there is no stock in the UK yet, but I'm sure that come September/October it will be available for purchase. In general there is a headlamp luminosity war between manufacturers going on at the moment, every few month there is a new innovation in LED technology making them shine brighter and dissipate less heat (i.e. run for longer on one set of batteries). This market is not driven by adventurous types who like to bike/run/orienteer/kayak at night; the big market worldwide is hunters - killing animals at night seems to be a strangely popular pastime. |
| Brendan O'Connor | Aug 12 2009, 1:41pm | Good stuff Marcus, I knew you'd have the inside track on this intriguing market ! |
| Diarmuid O'Colmain | Aug 12 2009, 2:51pm | I know this is not strictly relevant, but I am consumed with curiosity. Do the animals not take fright at the sight of what appears to be a truck approaching them in the foest? I know I have leaped 10 feet in the air on seeing what turned out to be Marcus, ploughing his way through the forest. And do the hunters not need to prserve night vision? (e.g. by using filtered lights (red). More relevantly, I would recommend getting bright lights - with faint lights your 3D vision is compromised and injury beckons. |
| Colm Hill | Aug 12 2009, 3:56pm | I reckon its more shock than anything else. imagine yourself as a deer casual going for a walk through beautiful open mountain.. the BANG. All you can see if white light everywhere from massive LED monsters. Shock tactics! The torch i really want is a white phosphorus torch- main use is in flares! |
| John Barry | Aug 12 2009, 4:57pm | Hi All, After reading "Born to Run" (highly recommended) and reading the comments in this forum I now know all I need to hunt wild animals in the night.. I also picked up a hint or two on Head Torches Regards John |
| John Barry | Aug 13 2009, 10:16am | UltraFire can still be got very cheaply at: http://www.bestofferbuy.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=UltraFire+UF769 |
| Ed Niland | Aug 13 2009, 3:26pm | The Phrase "Caught in the head lights" comes to mind. I would say the torch light reflected in their eyes (as they stand their wondering what that light is) would make a good, clean shot. As for the Ultrafire, I have a spare one i'd be willing to part with. Open to offers! Ed |
| Brendan O'Connor | Aug 13 2009, 5:19pm | 'Lamping' is, apparently, a hunting technique - "Spotlighting or shining (also jacklighting ) is a method of hunting nocturnal animals using off-road vehicles and high-powered lights, spotlights, lamps or flashlights, that makes special use of the eyeshine revealed by many animals" |
| Kevin O'Riordan | Dec 7 2009, 12:35pm | Question for Marcus: Just noticed the Fenix headlamp is back in stock and I plan to get it for Christmas this year. Although looking at the specs for both the Ultrafire and the Fenix, they both seem to use the same LED: The Cree XR-E. Does this mean that they're effectively the same torch, or do you still reckon that the Fenix is a significant improvement? |
| Kevin O'Riordan | Dec 7 2009, 2:03pm | Actually just checked the detailed specs. The Ultrafire uses the P4 version of the XR-E, whereas the Fenix uses the better Q5 version. I think I'll keep the Fenix on my christmas list :) |
| Kevin Duffy | Dec 7 2009, 4:03pm | If you want a real bargain, you can buy my spare one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Petzl_Myobelt_XP_Head_Torch/5360023811/ It's been used 3 times, then forgotten when I moved to Scotland, where I had to buy a new one, making it surplus to requirements. Yours for €30 and you can get me on 0eight6 8O9O228. Cheers, Kevin. |
| Diarmuid O'colmain | Dec 8 2009, 11:00am | A question for those of you who are more expert on internet security. One of the above links for headlamps is to a Hong Kong (I think) site which uses Paypal as a payment option. Does this mean it is guaranteed to be safe, or could a ruthless business record your logon details to Paypal and then milk your paypal account later? Or sell the details to another person? My question is a) a general question relating to the security of PayPal and b) a specific question about the particular sites mentioned in this thread. Regards |
| richard Nunan | Dec 8 2009, 11:20am | Hi Folks, I have sucessfully purchased 4 of these Ultrafire Headtorches from , Lai kwan king of Hong kong. I have had regular contact with Lai, and I will be ordering more from Lai at the end of the week. If anyone wants to purchase a torch, I am happy to order it on their behalf and you can pay me the 30euros when you pick it up from me at the next IMRA race. We used these on the Cooley Raid, 24hour race (IMRA team)and they were fantastic. (Thanks Marcus) If you require one just email me at richard.nunan at gmail.com Rich |
| Kevin Duffy | Dec 8 2009, 1:45pm | Headtorch above is sold. Cheers, Kevin. |
| Marcus Geoghegan | Dec 14 2009, 10:55am | Kevin asked about the main difference between the ultrafire and the fenix headtorches: the fenix has a digitally regulated output while the ultrafire doesn't. This means the fenix will try to keep the same brightness as the batteries drain and then quickly fail, while the ultrafire will gradually fade away. That is, the ultrafire will only give the rated brightness for the first few minutes on fresh batteries, after that it's a very slow decline. There are some fancy graphs about this on the fenix website. The fenix has a three minute boost mode (but I have to admit that I haven't noticed a big difference when using it). Marcus |
| John Langan | Sep 22 2010, 12:42pm | @ Ed Niland - "As for the Ultrafire, I have a spare one i'd be willing to part with. Open to offers! " I know this thread is a year old now but if you still have a spare ultra fire I'll give you a reasonable price :) Saves having one shipped accross the globe and might save me a few euro too! Let me know zero8five 7zero311two3 - or if anyone has a number for Ed Niland? |
| John Langan | Sep 22 2010, 12:49pm | In fact if anyone has a second hand decent head torch they would be willing to part with (for about 25euro or less) I'd really appreciate it - I'm bew to this mountain running stuff and now I guess I'll be "new" to the night running once I get myself a decent head torch :) Cheers |
| Edward Niland | Sep 28 2010, 3:03pm | Hi John, Sorry, I cannibalised it to make a dual beam monster which I prefer for running and Orienteering - no need to sweep the head from side to side looking and its more natural feel- stops feeling like your running in a tunnel, never a good feeling If your looking to buy, here is a list of lights: For the Bike: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29489 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.36018 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.44676 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25149 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23490 For the Head: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39912 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.37102 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5495 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42424 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12275 For Going home to the missus: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.46240 |
| TIERNACH GILBERT | Apr 7 2011, 1:56pm | TORCH-L-771 HQ ULTRA BRIGHT LED HEAD LIGHT This head light is made of a strong plastic housing and a very flexible and adjustable headband. The head light is moveable for a better illumination at the short distance. The used LED’s are emitting a white light (12000 mcd LED’s). Can burn like a flashing mode, LED group mode or only red LED light. SPECIAL PRICE 8.95 EACH PLUS VAT FREE DELIVER WHEN PURCHASING QUANTITY OF 10 M & E Supplies LTD. Hills Industrial Estate Lucan Co. Dublin Ireland Tel: +353 (0)1 628 3888 Fax: +353 (0)1 628 2999 Email: Tiernach@mesupplies.com |
| Ronan Hickey | Apr 7 2011, 2:26pm | There is an interview on the "Marathon Talk" podcast with Hywel Davies (Inaugural Double Ironman UK winner) here where he talks about running with a headtorch, and also using some interesting points on using a small handtorch to help at times. Thought it might be of interest. http://www.marathontalk.com/archive/2010/10/26/episode-42-ben-davis-hywel-davies.html It's at 18:20 if you want to skip straight to it. Some other interviews that might be of interest to IMRA folk are with Jez Bragg (UTMB winner last year. Holder of the West Highland Way Summer and Winter records), Scott Jurek, Bruce Fordyce and Prof Tim Noakes Ronan |
