australia:headlamps
rechargeable headlamps for hiking
Introduction
LED headlamps have changed the safety profile of outdoors activities and they are generally light, powerful and with good battery life of around 15hrs on a charge
aim for:
a beam distance of at least 80m (beam distance depends on the optical lens system which concentrates the light into a beam and the maximum output)
a maximum output of at least 200-300 lumens/m
10-25 lumens for reading
25-150 lumens is generally all that is needed for around the house, for hiking, backpacking, and camping
aim for 200+ if you need a navigational aid in complete darkness
aim for 250+ if you’ll be traveling at higher speeds, such as a night trail run or mountain bike ride
beam needs to be able to have a wide angle flood light for when working in close spaces
adjustable beam spot and ability to tilt the beam is essential
if you are wanting to conserve your night vision, a red mode is needed
hunters may want a blue mode to differentiate between green foliage and the blood of their wounded prey (most do not have a blue light mode)
most have a emergency strobe function
water resistance to at least IPX 4 or preferably IPX 6 - it is going to rain on your head!
IPX-4 Can handle splashing water (10-litre/min) from any angle – that’s most rainy conditions.
IPX-6 Protected against splashed and pressurised water from any angle from a 12.5mm nozzle at 100-litre/min.
IPX-7 Full immersion in one metre of water for up to 30min.
IPX-8 Full and continuous immersion, up to and within the manufacturer’s specifications.
light weight - under 200g, and preferably under 100g - if only front mounted unit, even a little extra weight can make it awkward on the head, especially if you run
lithium ion battery USB chargeable plus option to use regular AAA alkaline batteries
some have the battery mounted at the rear of head but this generally means more weight and bulk
LED Lenser SEO 7R
lightweight design - only 93g and 29mm diameter head
watersealed to IPX6 level
lithium polymer rechargeable 3.26Whr battery which lasts 5-20 hours depending on output
optionally can use 3x AAA batteries
USB chargeable via USB power packs
white light:
red light mainly for reading without affecting your night vision
Transportation Lock
RRP $AU185
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LED Lenser MH6
presumably a much more affordable replacement for the SEO 7R - I just wish it wasn't all black!
lightweight design - only 93g and 29mm diameter head
20-200 Lm
wide beam and spot beam (40m to 120m) - Advanced Focus System (AFS), Rapid Focus single handed
5-20hr 3.26Wh 3.7V lithium polymer battery life depending upon output with low battery warning and charge indicator (optional 3xAAA batteries); USB chargeable via USB power packs
dimmable, tiltable
red reading light
Transportation Lock
IPX6 water resistance
Smart Light Technology
cons: all black - you won't find it in the dark when it is off!
$AU109
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LED Lenser MH6
36mm and weighs 158g, and again it seems to only come in black
10-600Lm
20m to 150m spot - Advanced Focus System (AFS), Rapid Focus single handed
10 to 120hr battery life via rear mounted 12.58Wh 3.7V rechargeable battery USB chargeable via USB power packs
only IPX4 water resistance
dimmable, tiltable
red tail light! color filters for various different uses
Transportation Lock
low battery warning and charge indicator
$AU175
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reviews:
Petzl Reactik+
115g, 300lumens, 110m,
lithium battery 2.5-17hrs
has a sensor which analyses the ambient light and adjusts the beam pattern and brightness accordingly (reactive lighting mode)
3 different battery modes – Max Power, Standard and Max Autonomy
Bluetooth so can optionally control beam from smartphone app
travel lock feature
red light
requires adapter to use alkaline batteries
$AU149
Petzl Nao+
state of the art features and very expensive and heavier, great for runners
185g, 700 lumens, 135m
rear-placed rechargeable Li ion battery - takes 6hrs to recharge
top strap for improved security when doing technical climbing
Bluetooth so can optionally control beam from smartphone app
$AU309
Black Diamond ReVolt
97g, 300 l/m, 80m, 3x NiMH AAA rechargeable batteries (or alkaline)
three-level battery power indicator
one TriplePower LED, one DoublePower LED and one DoublePower Red LED
six different modes – proximity, distance, dimming, strobe, red and lock mode.
water- and dirt-resistant IPX4
$AU119
australia/headlamps.txt · Last modified: 2018/03/24 01:24 by gary1