UKC

What’s a good head torch these days, preferably off Amazon as I’m going in a few days.  Ice climbing, so cold conditions, simple to use not too bulky.

price, cheap is fine but also don’t mind paying for something really good that could be used for other stuff.

Thank you thank you thank you

Toby

In reply to Toby_W:

This is an excellent torch and can't be beat for the price https://www.screwfix.com/p/ledlenser-h3-2-led-head-torch-black-red-120lm/83...

In reply to Toby_W:

I have one of these as my 'in rucsac' spare...
Very simple 2 mode stuff.. nice and bright..
Less to faff - less goes wrong!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Energizer-Vision-Headlamp-Batteries-Included-Green...

In reply to Mr Lopez:

I had one of those but even though I would lock it it'd still drain the batteries when not in use.

In reply to Toby_W:

Thanks guys, you’re stars

Toby

In reply to Mike-W-99:

Mine doesn't have a lock, and didn't notice any battery drain, but then again i use it very regularly so wouldn't know if we are talking the span of months. Maybe it is an H7 or an older model you had?

In reply to Mr Lopez:

Took a closer look on my laptop. It is a slightly different model.

The "lock" is activated by holding down the power button.

In reply to Toby_W: Petzl Pixa (various models, on Amazon) bombproof and from experience, good in the cold. Big switch operable with mitts on is helpful.

In reply to Toby_W:

Either get one that has a lock or one that doesn't have a push button.

Saturday week ago, somehow my emergency torch that has a push button on the end (https://www.olightstore.uk/perun-2-head-torch) came on. Stupidly... I'd not locked because it was in a plastic click lid sandwich box with my first aid kit and survival bag in a dry bag at the bottom of my rucksack and I didn't imagine it could get switched on. The benefit of hindsight!

As a subset of Murphy's Law: if a torch can come on in a bag - it will.

In reply to Toby_W:

I really like this Decathlon one. £40 but it can chanrge via USB, or you can fit AAA batteries if you can't get a charge. Nice big buttons that I can use with gloves/mitts on. I like the red light mode that's less intrusive the white light.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rechargeable-headlamp-600-lumens-hl900-usb-v3...

In reply to chris_r:

I use two of these, I like it a lot.  It's not the anti-aircraft searchlight that some of the expensive fenix and lenser units are but it's simple and reliable and switches to red light first when you turn it on.  Can't stand the ones that only give you red mode after you've cycled through a few blinding white modes.

In reply to Toby_W:

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/winter_climbing/winter_head_torch_suggest...
 

In reply to Toby_W:

Having worked through a few unreliable ones from Ledlenser and others with incomprehensible sequences of button presses to lock them or escape from pointless flashing or red modes they invariably get themselves stuck in, I am now very happy with a Petzl Actik Core. Rechargeable but takes AAA's as backup. Three brightnesses easily cycled through and just hold the sole button down to lock or unlock. Has a red light but seems easily avoided.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PETZL-Actik-Rechargeable-Front-Unisex-Adult/dp/B09...

In reply to Toby_W:

These are good if you don’t mind paying £40 for something that’s designed for the outdoors.

https://alpkit.com/products/qark-usb-rechargeable-head-torch

In reply to Mike-W-99:.

Ah, didn't know that was a thing. Just tried on mine and it still doesn't do it though. Guess cheap means less gucchi stuff, haha.

Still, never had an issue as the button is recessed and well protected, and probably less to go wrong as well.

In reply to Summit Else:

I like the expression "bat cooker" for over powered lights 🤣. Gives me mental images of smoking bats dropping from the sky (poor little things)

In reply to Toby_W:

NU27 👌