I'm going to buy a new headtorch for night orienteering. What should I buy?
My requirements are as follows: I am a punter level orienteer but would prefer plenty of light as I have an iffy ankle and would like to see where I'm going. Also Id rather not be out in a forest with flat batteries, broken electrics or a blown bulb. Rechargable batteries would be nice to help reduce my unsaving of the planet.
Mila, Silva, Petzl? The other treads in this section dont quite tell me....
what headtorch?
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what headtorch?
I'm in the same position and have found two other commercially available lights. Speleotechnics make the Nova 3 at about £175, and Vision Adventure (an offshoot of Hope Technology who make bike lights) have also just produced one based on the Hope bike light. Speleo reckon the Nova 3, which uses a single LED, gives the equivalent of a 6W halogen compared to the Silva/Mila 10W, but they also say they will be bringing out another version in time which will be about twice as bright.
I haven't found anything out about the VA/Hope one yet but expect it will be very bright like the best bike lights, and I have heard that they will be making an adaption to make it interchangeable from head torch to bike light.
I think many people at our club make their own whereas I am not confident to put my money into doing so as I'm not brill at that type of thing. A few others use equally expensive bike lights mounted on cycle helmets but I can't bear the thought of running wearing a bike helmet!
The cost is great but I'm getting fed up using my standard mountaineering style headtorch!
I haven't found anything out about the VA/Hope one yet but expect it will be very bright like the best bike lights, and I have heard that they will be making an adaption to make it interchangeable from head torch to bike light.
I think many people at our club make their own whereas I am not confident to put my money into doing so as I'm not brill at that type of thing. A few others use equally expensive bike lights mounted on cycle helmets but I can't bear the thought of running wearing a bike helmet!
The cost is great but I'm getting fed up using my standard mountaineering style headtorch!
- Graham
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Re: what headtorch?
I'm also needing to get myself a headtorch in the next two weeks, and it would seem that its either Mila or Silva (although the lupine ones look nice, they're a bit pricey!)
Will probably spend around £150 or so I guess, so any pro's & cons of each would be handy...
(and yes, I have skimmed through previous threads, but we haven't had one for a while)
Will probably spend around £150 or so I guess, so any pro's & cons of each would be handy...
(and yes, I have skimmed through previous threads, but we haven't had one for a while)
“Success is 99% failure� -- Soichiro Honda
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brooner - [nope] cartel
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Re: what headtorch?
Rocky was looking at headtorches for me when he was at the 25Manna at the weekend. If he doesn't post here soon, an email might get some up-to-date info.
- SIman
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Re: what headtorch?
there's nowt wrong with the Mila in my experience - comfortable, reliable, good light. I have mentioned previously though, to check that you have a proper connection when charging, and to charge it fully, to avoid a premature and benighted end to your run. I have charged mine up now that evening light has gone - looking forward to the Deeside O-league starting in December this year!
- AndyO
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Re: what headtorch?
I also need to buy a headtorch; for a long dark winter in Norway. I want to get an HID / LED torch. But I also heard about XENON upgrades to regular Milas / Silvas to squeeze more light out of a cheaper torch.
How much is an HID torch?
How much is an HID torch?
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pyrat - [nope] cartel
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Re: what headtorch?
pyrat wrote:How much is an HID torch?
I wouldn't bother - you'd be buying yesterday's technology, given HID has already been just about surpassed by LED technology.
Unfortunately it seems all the commercially available LED headtorches apart from Lupine are still using the old-technology LEDs, which are less than half as bright as the currently available ones. Meanwhile there is plenty of choice in bike lights with the new LEDs, so if I was buying a commercial one I'd get one of those and rig up a headband mount.
I should just point out in case grubby is reading this that my new 4 LED home-made job with almost the latest LEDs is 50% brighter than the one I had last season!
British candle-O champion.
- Adventure Racer
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Re: what headtorch?
AdventureRacer: Your new baby sounds pretty ace.
Any chance you could post up a little guide on how to make your own LED headtorch using todays technology? I would like this to be posted as a story on the front page.
Any chance you could post up a little guide on how to make your own LED headtorch using todays technology? I would like this to be posted as a story on the front page.
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pyrat - [nope] cartel
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Re: what headtorch?
All I need is AR having a brighter light still.... Still given my curent from I think he would stand a good chance with a tika...
Still looking forward to the first night event of the season this weekend though...
Ifor
Still looking forward to the first night event of the season this weekend though...
Ifor
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ifor - brown
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Re: what headtorch?
You could try the Silva L1 as an off the shelf good all rounder, only around £60-70. Granted have not tried it Orienteering but it last me all night biking and running on the hills. All this off 4 AA batteries, hard to beileve. Only downside it doesn't have a wide arc of light.
- Seamus
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Re: what headtorch?
now you all come out of the woodwork with suggestions after i've spent a ridiculous amount of money getting kitted up!
At the weekend I got the Mila pls100 in the end, didn't have a huge amount of choice as needed it urgently. Shall be giving it a test run tomorrow night most likely, but its lightweight and it lights up so its all good!
At the weekend I got the Mila pls100 in the end, didn't have a huge amount of choice as needed it urgently. Shall be giving it a test run tomorrow night most likely, but its lightweight and it lights up so its all good!
“Success is 99% failure� -- Soichiro Honda
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brooner - [nope] cartel
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Re: what headtorch?
I'll have a think about it, pyrat. Problem is I can't give an easy guide to making one exactly like I have, as it's all very custom, and the hardest bit is the headband - I'm using the one from my old Tiga. However there are some new kits out which should make it easier, and I did come up with some headband ideas. Would probably be a guide to what you can do rather than a step-by-step.
Ifor - what the Western Night League event list doesn't reveal is that you've got 6 weeks to get fit to race me, since I'm planning (that's one way to guarantee you and grubby turn up now)!
Ifor - what the Western Night League event list doesn't reveal is that you've got 6 weeks to get fit to race me, since I'm planning (that's one way to guarantee you and grubby turn up now)!
British candle-O champion.
- Adventure Racer
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Re: what headtorch?
Thanks for the replies, but too late for me too. I bought a Mila from Ultrasport in the end as it was being sold as a kit. Got a bit confused by the CompassPoint website. Bit surprised it came with a two pin plug but I had an adapter. Although expensive I'm happy so far, its powerful and comfortable. Thanks to Nick Barrable there will be a night event in Kent every week until April, so I will get my moneys worth.
I didnt like the look of the battery carriers so am using a hydration rucksac which has room for a spare torch in case my batteries fail.
I didnt like the look of the battery carriers so am using a hydration rucksac which has room for a spare torch in case my batteries fail.
- SeanC
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Re: what headtorch?
So, has anyone else been inspired to make a LED headtorch? Bikers seem more industrious in this area and there are various articles (of variable quality) on the web. The LEDs and other components are easily available and not expensive but, as AR has said, the main hassle is the headband. The ones from smaller head torches aren't stable enough for running, and I might end up re-using a 'proper' Silva one which sort of defeats the purpose.
I tried just two 3W LEDs (recent design ones) and this gives similar illumination to a 20W halogen. It's difficult to compare the two because the light colours and beam patterns are much different. Indeed, being able to play around with lenses to get light where you want it and not at the top of trees seems to be one of the advantages of LEDs.
And of course , trying four or 6 LEDs is now almost irresistable..........
I tried just two 3W LEDs (recent design ones) and this gives similar illumination to a 20W halogen. It's difficult to compare the two because the light colours and beam patterns are much different. Indeed, being able to play around with lenses to get light where you want it and not at the top of trees seems to be one of the advantages of LEDs.
And of course , trying four or 6 LEDs is now almost irresistable..........
- Paul T
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Re: what headtorch?
I am sitting here looking at various lenses and heat sinkes waiting to start experimenting with. Just waiting on the driver before getting down to proper messing. As you say housing is the complex part. I have an old big silva head frame I could use, I am going to check out over xmass if there is an old double headtourch lying around at my parants.
Ifor
Ifor
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ifor - brown
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