To keep in my photo backpack in case of auroras (aurorae?) and whatnot. Lightweight. Rechargeable (pref USB-C). Not too spendy if possible. Ideas?
I can only 'bring what you've got' so any version of the Petzl Tactikka would probably see you right.
Rechargeable battery pack that you can swap out for AAA batteries, dull colours and simple to use as it was designed for crayon-eaters in the field.
I'm sure there are others but that's all I've ever used and it's never failed. KISS innit.
I just got the new Nitecore NU20 Classic from Ali Express.
It's tiny, cheap and really bright.
£17 and under a week to arrive.
Petzl Tactikka seconded. Simple does the job and robust enough to be relatively squaddie proof.
Petzl Bindi, brilliant little torch. Not USB-C afaik, but otherwise about right for your intended use I think. Around 30 quid, but very good.
https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Sport/Headlamps/BINDI
Energizer do a range, mine is normal usb but has green and red as well as white. A charge lasts ages, think it was about 20 quid. Small and light, probably even better these days.
I have a petzl bindi, excellent, lightweight and bright enough.
Micro usb charging tho.
I have an alpkit something or other, which is insanely bright, with a great adjustable beam, rechargeable, but can also take 3x AA.
There are other petzl ones which do red also.
If you want something to leave in your bag and not worry about whether its charged , Decathlon do a dynamo head torch with red beam for under a tenner.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/dynamo-head-torch-15-lumens-hld100-dynovation/_/R-p-187951
I got a decathlon one that ticks all your boxes, think it was £12. Battery seems to last forever and I can’t think of a train to spend any more money.
Yeah the ptzel aktik core, same as mentioned above apart from colours. 3 levels plus red.
The core battery is great, swaps out for AAA. Only negative is micro USB but it comes with lead and can charge in or out of torch
Plenty to look into there - thanks all. I'd previously ruled out the Nitecore ones cos of £££ but maybe Ali Express puts them into play again.
I have the tactikka also with two core batteries,one is on charge in the van at all times.i am an electrician and have it on pretty much all the time as i can see jack shxt now in my fifties.Works great and the battery easy lasts a full day on the mid setting
Anything Petzl - saw an astronaut on the ISS using one so immediately went and bought one to replace my cheap and broken heavy/shite one. It’s ace but does take aaaaaaages to charge fully.
What you need is a Petzl Zipka, but for some insane reason they have been discontinued.
If you can find one for sale somewhere go for it.
https://alpkit.com/products/qark-usb-rechargeable-head-torch?variant=40435683491945
red light on this is good. I use it for night sailing, you can switch the red light on without toggling through blinding white which is useful for night vision.
I almost bought this, sofirn 24, as i read some good reviews. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006919105721.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.3d4138dahmKxDC&mp=1
Knog Bilby works well for me in a variety of settings.
The tactikka also has a yellow/orange map setting.
I’ve got the Qark, great little light, it’s mostly used for when I go out to feed the ‘pets’ once it starts getting darker earlier, I like the fact it throws a nice clean white circle of light with no ‘rings’ or artefacts. Mine doesn’t seem to have direct access to the supplementary red light, which may be just the way I switch it on, but I seldom use the red light anyway, so it’s no biggie.
Have a look at Sofirn H25LR, very happy with mine.
I really like my little Petzl Bindi, which gets carried on nearly all my trips in a little dry bag. But if I was buying right now, I'd also be considering the Silva Smini Fly
(both are ultralight, rechargeable torches with both white and red lights)
A Ledlenser HF4R Core arrived with me yesterday
Great quality and apparently 7 year warranty...
One thing I really like about the Petzl Bindi is that the torch is mounted in the cradle that allows some adjustment on the angle. So depending on what you’re doing you can point it further up the road or closer to your feet.
Count Zero - hold the button down and it goes into red mode and then stays red.