headtorch help

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13-12-2023, 08:08 PM
Rees

headtorch help

shopping for head torch.

want more than a camp lamp, but dont need to be spotlighting with the thing.

ideally interchangable with Standard batterys aswell -- this can be challenging.

MH8 ? O lite perrun 2 ? somethin else?

not looking to break the bank either, got good use out of my $30 energizer one but has lost its grip. ok for camp light but want something to get around with, good battery life - possibly swap with AA/AAA / have a low and high mode, not heavy....

what you guys running?

know alot of yas do walk in big distance in the dark, thanks!
13-12-2023, 08:41 PM
yeah_na_missed

Every now and then you get a good thing from Ali Express... This runs on 18650, and came with a USB-C charging port (even though it shows the micro-usb). Keep a spare batt in a plastic tube to prevent it shorting in your pack, and you should be good for 2-3 days. You can get others without the focus ring (I think D2 model has this), but this is good enough for the odd posso at 70-odd metres - not bad for $16!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...42eff19c3FDYkr

Recommend getting a good quality 18650 batt, not the ones they offer.
13-12-2023, 09:19 PM
McNotty

Nitecore. Just don’t get one with too many bells and whistles. Fark me H65 needs an inch thick book to drive it.

I like the ones with battery mounted in the front unit like the Nitecore or the old Maxtoch

I don’t like the cheap ones. A reckon a head torch is a bloody important piece of kit if you get in the shit or can get you in the shit if it dies on you.
14-12-2023, 12:32 AM
yeah_na_missed

I'm with you on the cheap shit McNotty... however, in fairness to the cheap shit, the last three (not cheap) led-lenser head torches I have had have all shat themselves in quick order with not significant use. One of these has lasted longer than all three led-lenser torches put together... maybe just lucky, but still.

All about expectation I guess. I carry two of these (they're cheap enough to make a perfect storage compartment for the spare battery), and a little nitecore t360 as an emergency light in my belt kit. If these let me down I'll think about upgrading, but they haven't yet.
14-12-2023, 01:14 AM
JessicaChen

1 Attachment(s)

I like the aliexpress ones that run on 18650 batteries as yeah_na_missed mentioned. The ones I got are a bit bulkier than the ones he posted, lasted me years and havent let me down yet, but trouble is the ones I bought back then might be different from the ones being sold now. Usually I carry two anyway, and a bunch of extra batteries all charged up.

The ones i got look like this Attachment 239350
14-12-2023, 01:40 AM
Zedrex

1 Attachment(s)

Go to piercing the darkness and get one of these, bright, versatile, good run time. Has got me out the shit more than once
Attachment 239351
14-12-2023, 07:23 AM
evoke.

I haven't used the torches you mentioned, so wont offer an uneducated opinion on them. They may be great. I have a Fenix HM65R-T, which I have used very regularly for over a year now. You can't interchange the battery's with AA or AAA, but you can buy an extra 18650 that you can swap out if it runs out of juice. To date I can not fault it at all. Easy to operate, the battery lasts ages between charges, it's waterproof etc etc. Definitely worth considering. https://www.gearshop.co.nz/products/...iABEgJJvPD_BwE
14-12-2023, 07:30 AM
johnv308

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zedrex

Go to piercing the darkness and get one of these, bright, versatile, good run time. Has got me out the shit more than once
Attachment 239351

AS Zedrex said go to https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.nz/ --- you won't regret it.

Jacob stands by everything he sells.
14-12-2023, 08:02 AM
16Tontovarish

Quote:

Originally Posted by evoke.

I haven't used the torches you mentioned, so wont offer an uneducated opinion on them. They may be great. I have a Fenix HM65R-T, which I have used very regularly for over a year now. You can't interchange the battery's with AA or AAA, but you can buy an extra 18650 that you can swap out if it runs out of juice. To date I can not fault it at all. Easy to operate, the battery lasts ages between charges, it's waterproof etc etc. Definitely worth considering. https://www.gearshop.co.nz/products/...iABEgJJvPD_BwE

seconding the Fenix, I use it on low out hunting and it'll light your way for days. I also use it on the bike to work on the spotlight function, it throws enough light that I'll happily bike along at 35kmh and the hour it takes me to get there uses about half a battery
14-12-2023, 09:37 AM
HarryMax

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16Tontovarish

seconding the Fenix, I use it on low out hunting and it'll light your way for days. I also use it on the bike to work on the spotlight function, it throws enough light that I'll happily bike along at 35kmh and the hour it takes me to get there uses about half a battery

Was tossing up the Fenix or the Nitecore HC65V2 and think I'll go for the nitecore due to having a red led option.

Big fan of the larger 18650 batteries.

Whats the battery life like for you? How many days/nights before it runs out?
14-12-2023, 12:32 PM
XR500

Really the days of running head torches on AA's has past. Ledlenser weaned everyone off those, by manufacturing AA powered headtorches that shat themselves quite quickly. Then quality, cheap 18650 head torches came along, and the rest is history. A good bit of kit will run for days in the bush on just 1 or 2 18650's. Especially on low power.
14-12-2023, 12:46 PM
zimmer

First thing - have had great service from Jacob at Piercing The Darkness. Patronise him if possible. He also has the product techical knowledge that none of the local resellers have and will provide excellent support.

Now having said that look at the Sorfin HS40, on their site. Recently bought a HS40 (Jacob didn't have that model) on recommendation of another forum member. It is a brilliant torch. So pleased with the HS40 I immediately bought their SP336.
https://www.sofirnlight.com/products...a-9dc26b722b74

My other favourite brand is O-Light.
14-12-2023, 03:34 PM
Rees

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer

First thing - have had great service from Jacob at Piercing The Darkness. Patronise him if possible. He also has the product techical knowledge that none of the local resellers have and will provide excellent support.

Now having said that look at the Sorfin HS40, on their site. Recently bought a HS40 (Jacob didn't have that model) on recommendation of another forum member. It is a brilliant torch. So pleased with the HS40 I immediately bought their SP336.
https://www.sofirnlight.com/products...a-9dc26b722b74

My other favourite brand is O-Light.

that sofirn sp40 looks like the olight perun model..... might be interested in that- hmm, being in aus an kind of in need of it id like to buy from pierce the night , his prices are good- but shipping will negate the cost
14-12-2023, 03:37 PM
zimmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rees

that sofirn sp40 looks like the olight perun model..... might be interested in that- hmm, being in aus an kind of in need of it id like to buy from pierce the night , his prices are good- but shipping will negate the cost

My first choice was the Olight Perun 2 but couldn't justify it on the amount of use versus the cost.

Sorfin are more of a boutique producer but according to reviews are responsive to users' feedback.
Yeah, Jacob not really an option.
14-12-2023, 03:44 PM
Rees

couple other options....
fenix hm23 ?
https://www.liteshop.com.au/content/...-led-headlamp/

dont mind this, perun sorta style.. but no red light might be deal breaker.. for this price i can get the olite perun 2 mini ??
https://www.liteshop.com.au/content/...ning-headlamp/
14-12-2023, 03:46 PM
Rees

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer

My first choice was the Olight Perun 2 but couldn't justify it on the amount of use versus the cost.

Sorfin are more of a boutique producer but according to reviews are responsive to users' feedback.
Yeah, Jacob not really an option.

roger, so my situation, the sorfin V olite perun 2 mini are same price at moment, what would you do
14-12-2023, 04:09 PM
zimmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rees

roger, so my situation, the sorfin V olite perun 2 mini are same price at moment, what would you do

I'd probably favour the Olight as long as it wasn't much more expensive than the Sordin. Not that I'm that familiar with the mini. The Perun 2 had some nicer features than the Sordin I got but at the prices here for the Perun 2 I couldn't justify the extra.
The other thing is who are you looking to buy off, will they be around if you have problems etc?
I guess with the likes of Sordin if there are problems getting warranty recognition may not be easy. Could be wrong on that though.
14-12-2023, 04:43 PM
Floundering Around

https://dwights.co.nz/products/fenix...gaAnG4EALw_wcB

I got this on sale from PB tech originally. Super stoked with it, great all round hunting headlamp for moving at night and spotlighting. You can swap out the batteries with fresh ones, or charge them via USB-C while they are inside the headlamp. Highly recommend.
14-12-2023, 05:19 PM
Micky Duck

I got given a really simple fenix head torch from landsar...far and away the best bit of kit ever...takes 1 single AA battery that is housed inside tube body of torch...one single led, 3 modes all on push button....great for walking etc..could shoot within shotgun range no worries and it lasts for ages on that single AA.
SOMETIMES SIMPLE IS GOOD.
14-12-2023, 06:00 PM
Ryan_Songhurst

Have nitecore HC33 and it's been brilliant torch, have it on pretty much every morning for 6 months now, good battery life. Also have a Fenix HM70r and it's a good torch but chews batteries really fast, just leave it on boat now where it can be charges regularly.
14-12-2023, 06:02 PM
Rees

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer

I'd probably favour the Olight as long as it wasn't much more expensive than the Sordin. Not that I'm that familiar with the mini. The Perun 2 had some nicer features than the Sordin I got but at the prices here for the Perun 2 I couldn't justify the extra.
The other thing is who are you looking to buy off, will they be around if you have problems etc?
I guess with the likes of Sordin if there are problems getting warranty recognition may not be easy. Could be wrong on that though.

yeah, i hear ya an think thats whats leanin me toward the olight , i think for what i want out of a head torch they both would be sweet, any of them would be actually..

theres a few there that do the interchangable thing with the AA , an have rechargable in it which could be also purchased seperatley too which floats the boat i think.

ideally ive gotta take something decent into fiordland, i am due for a new banger anyway an so will be good to familiarise with it beforehand, dont know how much i would use the red light, but it is desirable at the moment, but could get away with out it easily..
14-12-2023, 06:41 PM
zimmer

I have an Olight Baton series torch. Not a headlamp type but one of the features of it is contactless charging. No wee rubber flap to a USB charging port to let water in.
15-12-2023, 07:02 AM
Hayden C

https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.n...s-rechargeable

Honestly, this is all you need and even if you don't then get one anyway. They are brilliant.

No spotlight or ability to focus the beam but a good red light and the ability to adjust light levels make it perfect for camp or walking about in the dark.
15-12-2023, 07:05 AM
7mmsaum

NZ made Glo-worm gear hasn’t let me down

Very powerful
15-12-2023, 08:28 AM
16Tontovarish

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryMax

Was tossing up the Fenix or the Nitecore HC65V2 and think I'll go for the nitecore due to having a red led option.

Big fan of the larger 18650 batteries.

Whats the battery life like for you? How many days/nights before it runs out?

on a 3200mAh cell I'd get about 6-10hrs on the second highest spotlight setting. on the lowest flood I've never needed to use my backup battery, the manufacturer claims about 280hrs runtime on that setting, even if you halve that a week in the bush isn't going to scratch the surface.
15-12-2023, 09:16 AM
RV1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayden C

https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.n...s-rechargeable

Honestly, this is all you need and even if you don't then get one anyway. They are brilliant.

No spotlight or ability to focus the beam but a good red light and the ability to adjust light levels make it perfect for camp or walking about in the dark.

:thumbsup:

I have one of these and they're very good value for the money. I use a smaller Black Diamond one for pottering around camp but this one for walking in the dark. $45 bucks including the battery is a great price for a lot of torch.
15-12-2023, 05:40 PM
Rees

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayden C

https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.n...s-rechargeable

Honestly, this is all you need and even if you don't then get one anyway. They are brilliant.

No spotlight or ability to focus the beam but a good red light and the ability to adjust light levels make it perfect for camp or walking about in the dark.

yeah, i like it... ive emailed abot shipping.
16-12-2023, 05:09 PM
Snoppernator

Have a couple of options. Black.Diamond Spot 400R. Usb micro rechargeable. Prefer this to batteries as carry a battery bank. Liggt weight. Will do for track work. Prefer a small hand torch though if not using trekking poles. More comfortable than the head band
16-12-2023, 06:58 PM
Bullers243

I’m using the Fenix hm23 and I honestly can’t fault it. I also use the Fenix hm70r,although it is more expensive it comes with the red light,I also have found the Fenix straps to be very user friendly.
16-12-2023, 07:24 PM
terryf

if you don't think you need a metal case then have a look at the newer range of Nitecore light weight NU series
The downside is the reduction in warranty from 5 years for a removable battery to 2 years for those with a built in battery.

If you can, get USB-C, there's less drama a few years down the track with them than micro USB.
30-12-2023, 02:51 PM
Hugh Shields

1 Attachment(s)

I've been using NITECORE since Oct 2020 for full-time rabbit culling and won't buy anything else.
The HC68 has 4 or five brightness settings, which means you can use it around camp, but still spot eyes 150 - 200 metres. Functionality plus! Simple, not complicated like some. Fully rechargeable from 230v or USB via you car console or cigarette adapter. Excellent battery life. 10/10!Attachment 240519

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