I want a nice bright torch for late night walks in the woods / camping that I can also strap to my head for the occasional night ride.

Too much choice and not enough understanding is hurting my little brain. Please can someone tell me what is bright enough to ride with, can be held in the hand or zip tied to the head and has a burn time of 2+ hours.

Thank you intelligent and knowledgeable people.

How much do you have to spend? I have bought two of the 900 lumen torches in the past (one a p7, another a spiderfire) and whilst they are bright enough to ride with, they both developed faults where by they flickered alot and cut between very dim and very bright.

Im not sure whats a reliable torch, perhaps have a look on the candlepower forums.

Go for one with only 1 power option, ie on/off. Lot less likely to cause problems. Also, tend to be physically smaller, so nicer as a helmet light.

they both developed faults where by they flickered alot and cut between very dim and very bright.

Usually fixed by screwing in the internal spring cover within the rear switch cap.
My two P7 torches, are still working fine 3 years on, one was even pulled out for emergency use on last nights nightride.

EDIT: I ‘ve alway, alway found the multi level (5) ones to be of more use, as the single beam one can be too high for round the house use, and the high/low ones too low on low beam. So a torch with a medium setting is more use IMO, as the high can also heat up the body too much if your ‘just’ walking with it or using it statically & the annoying ‘flashing’ modes can be easily ignored once you know the button cycle.

My 2 mode (High/low) MTE P7 is ace, use on the helmet and for general wandering in the dark duties, the low mode is sufficient for 90% of what I need it for… I think it was ~£20 + the cost of an 18650 battery and a charger, all in it was under £30…

Okay. Can you clarify some terms for me then

CREE
Fenix

are these different brands, technologies or what?

CREE is the light LED manufacturer.
Fenix is a brand.

This is the one I’m ordering: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-c1-xm-lt6-5-mode-510-lumen-memory-white-led-flashlight-with-clip-strap-1-18650-904455237

This is the P7 torch I bought last (3 years ago to be fair), better than my previous MCE version. The new XM-L LED units will be brighter, as per the post above ^^^^^

Not the one I bought, but a very very similar design:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/aurora-ak-p7-5-ha-iii-ssc-p7-c-5-mode-900-lumen-led-flashlight-with-assault-crown-1-18650-16091

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.05790 – TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.06105 – Digital Li-Ion 18650 Battery Charger
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.02709 – Universal UK Travel Power Adapter Plug

Thanks.

Has anyone managed to attach a torch to a 661 recon helmet? Whats the best mount for it?

Also what is this like: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160636012012?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649&clk_rvr_id=265238492249#ht_5580wt_1037

I use this on my Uvex helmet:

Works really well. Much better than zip-ties.

Oh, and no need to buy a travel adaptor plug for the charger, just cut the US plug off and wire a UK one on.

Usually fixed by screwing in the internal spring cover within the rear switch cap.

Oh yes, I messed about with them for ages. Tried everything, still hit and miss. I think they’re ok if you’re careful with them but if you bash them about then they’re not so great.

Fenix are supposedley a decent brand I think.