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I'm wanting to get in some regular(ish) running over the winter and it'll often be full-on dark. I'll be away from street lights and roads, so I need something that will light up paths and "singletrack". I'd prefer it to be head-mounted and it seems I'll need a better beam than the Petzl Zipka torch I have.
Anyone got some good (cheap?) suggestions? E.g. exposure used to do a headband for the Joystick, is there anything else like that, or a Petzl for runners?
How much is cheap?
See this kilt?
I'm not a user (for running anyway...scared of the dark) but I thought Alpkit's Gamma was the go-to headtorch for running.
(Jamie's had a bit of experience with these I think.)
For dirt cheap, yeh probably the Alpkit.
What are you running? Are we talking forest tracks, singletrack, rough steep paths, bounding through heather, or some nightmarish boulder strewn near vertical plummet?
Thinking forest tracks mostly, but singletrack options.
Edit: Gamma looks OK ( I like the rear LED) if it is stable enough and has sufficient throw.
Alpkit for well built cheapness and a really good mount. As in it doesn't bounce about and you can adjust the angle of the beam.
I do wish they could boost the lumens a touch, though.
Petzl Myo XP is about £50.
Spotty dog, and plenty bright enough.
Alpkit will probably do, just about. A few quid more gets a Lenser H7 which is what id go for.
I use a Petzl Tikka XP2 sometimes and it's ok, but is a little lacking in light. I have a 1000 lumen jobby as well, but that just takes the fun out if it. There's a distinct advantage to have spare batteries in your pocket. Especially where you live.
To be honest, I've always been underwhelmed by the Gamma. But it's cheap cheap.
This is new to me
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=17007&category_id=253
Is the Lenser H7 stable enough without the third (over the head) band?
Don't own one so can't comment really. But they seem to chuck out some good light, and folk seem happy with them. And for a reasonable price.
i'll forget that i've had 2 dodgy alpkit gammas, they're ok for running offroad.
some of the design details are perfect: batteries on the back, 'that' strap over the top, a little red led on the battery pack so you've got some rear *presence*, intuitive button functions.
but not [u]quite[/u] bright enough for my slightly shonky eyesight, on properly offroad technical stuff. Especially when I get a bit lost, and need to see a bit more of the world around me to get my bearings.
(it's one thing being able to see the rock/root/ditch in front of you, but sometimes it helps to see a bit further)
i treated myself to a hope vision1 and it's absa-lootly-bloomin-fantastic.
i don't mind the price tag, and i'm a naturalised yorkshireman with scottish ancestry.
Lenser H7.
Done me fine for a year in all seasons on all terrains in the Dark Peak. Fine without the 3rd strap.
I bought a gamma to replace an older petzl zipka. Really pleased with the alpkit and it's pretty bright. Does what I need it too...
H7 user here.
Prefer the h7 to my h14 which has been resigned to dog walking duties.
The h7 sits snug and doesn't bounce, beam stays at focus that you set and can be dimmed variably rather than hi/lo.
Little red light on the back for driverists too
Budget? How fast are you? How technical are the downs? Silva's running headtorches are ace, mix of flood and spot beams and remote battery pack options, but not cheap, especially the top-end ones. Ideally you'd want a regulated one for longer runs.
S****s at the thread reading fail. 😛
S****s at the thread reading fail.
'Cheap?' is kind of relative though and in brackets like it's an option- so what does that mean? That's why I asked about budget.
'Lights up paths and singletrack' ain't really Gamma territory tbh. Doesn't say how long he's running for. Petzl's TIKKA RXP does all that pretty well and is rechargeable and reactive and regulated.
Maybe you should try reading more carefully 😉
Sorry for trying to be helpful 🙂
I use an old Silva L2 for trail running - it's been great for forests and singletrack trails in the Lakes. The newer versions are a lot smaller and presumably lighter so may well be worth a look?
The Alpkit thing is rather feeble to be honest (I have 2)
You want cheap? Try this:
http://dx.com/p/zooming-cree-q5-200lm-2-mode-1-led-white-light-headlamp-3-x-aaa-3-6-4-5v-117193
(Lenser clone afaik)
'Cheap?' is kind of relative though
Have you seen his kilt?
The Petzl Tikka or similar is not great for running, as it bounces about a lot. Something with the batteries at the back is better.
eg the Petzl Myo RXP is good, bright enough for most off road running, costs about £60.
Been using the light below following recommendations, seems ideal so far.
[url= http://www.lightmalls.com/ultrafire-uf-h6-cree-xm-l-t6-5-mode-800-lumen-led-headlamp-1-18650 ]Ultrafire UF-H6[/url]
How about Fenix?
http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/fenix/fenix-hl30-head-torch.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fenix-HP25-Cree-XP-E-LED-360-Lumens-Dual-Light-Headlight-Headlamp-FREE-SHIPPING-/261236753998
I'm using the Lenser H7, I like it, does move about a bit but I have a pea head.
I've got a Petzl, a Tikka or Taktikka, can't recall which. Sits perfectly, doesn't move and I don't notice it there. Bright enough for path and roads, a little lacking in light for trails though.
I just picked up an H7 rechargeable from Amazon for about 32 quid - cheapest I could find it. Not run with it yet but loads more light than the petzl it's replacing...
one of these, obviously
[url= http://www.propstore.com/product/battlestar-galactica-1978/original-classic-cylon-helmet/ ]Ultimate running helmet[/url]
MrNutt - I heart you!!!
H7 (or a clone) looks like a decent option in my sort of price range. I'll give that a go and pass on some feedback.
The Silvas look lovely, though more than I want to spend (at the moment 🙂 )
I've used and still use the following for running, which includes anything from a quick hour around the local woods on the fire roads to all night ultras in the Lakes, Peaks and Alps coving technical ground, with fast descents.
Petzl Myo XP - Good light throw, boost mode for navigating/picking out features, careful management, one set of batteries will last a night. Good build quality, light weight and well balanced on the head.
Alp-Kit Gamma - Cheap, but seems to last. Decent run time. Rear red LED so really handy if running on the road or in a group. Good as a spare/shorter/less tech runs.
LED Lenser SEO5 - Very light & compact, bright, good run time, comfy, better build quality than the H7, lasts all night, but when it runs out of battery there is minimal warning (It does flash, but then goes, no taper in light). My current light of choice for most ultras and tech running.
Glow-Worm X2 - Slightly heavy, external battery pack which is rechargeable, good run time, but heavy battery... but these are mega bright being MTB lights, which convert to a head lamp. Over kill for running, unless well you can... I rarely take these out, but sometimes its fun to light the world up. But only used on shorter 4-5 hour runs. The X1 would be a better option, which I'm planning on getting this winter, again mostly for the bike, but also some harder runs.
Have a look on the FRA forum, loads about night running and illumination on there - do a search though first rather than just asking the question as some of the more militant members will flame you quite readily...!
Here you go:
[url= http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?15581-Head-torch-recommendations ]FRA Head torch discussions - all 41 pages of them...[/url]
I got one of these for t'other half last year:
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silva-Trail-Runner-Running-Headtorch/dp/B00388OHVO ]Silvia[/url]. They aren't too bad coming in sub £50 but the remote battery pack really helps with stability. Gives plenty of light for trail running too.
Keep thinking I should get one for myself too!
Hope R4, pick them up for £125 or so now. "cheap I said" I hear you say, well look at it this way, they're a bayonet fitting so it's easily swapped from head torch to bike in seconds with no tools. Two lights for the price of one. Bargain.
>Hope R4, pick them up for £125 or so now.<
Honestly? You must be having a laugh...
Just received those DX lights I linked to @ £6.67 a pop.
Seriously bright (rated @ 200l but probably half that) and very dinky. Has both intensity and focus controls (even a tilting mechanism) so you can opt for the full on searchlight or the more authentic experience some of you are so fond of 😉
Ridiculous level of power and features for the money.
I've used a gamma for years and it's a nice package, very use to wear. It's always been pushed on more technical ground (hesitate to say faster!). I don't know if I'm just getting old or general light inflation when you're with others, but my eyes were starting to strain a bit after an hour. I've used one of the generic Crees for the last month or two, something like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lumens-Headlamp-Headlight-18650-Torch/dp/B007Y2PXKY
Heavier and who knows how long it'll last, but worth a punt to me.
Have a look on the FRA forum, loads about night running and illumination on there - do a search though first rather than just asking the question as some of the more militant members will flame you quite readily...!
What, that accusation is a bloody outrage.
There all too busy in the 'new rules' thread
There all too busy in the 'new rules' thread
Hmm... Just wading through that one myself now...
Good luck.
To be honest, just read one page. The rest are largely repetitions.
Like Piemonster, only focus/zoomable
Mine's still going strong after 3 years 🙂
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1800Lm-Cree-XML-T6-LED-Zoom-Adjustable-Headlamp-Head-Torch-2X-18650-Charger-/291005424760?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&var=&hash=item43c1466478
Plagiarism Piemonster, that is all I have to say... 😉
ay up lights do a specific running kit thats worth a look at
What did you get?
Dithering on what to buy myself.