What torch

**Ed W** · 04-10-2005, 21:37

Hi,

I was wondering what torch you think I should get? I don't want to spend loads but I do like surefire torches so could stretch, I need it also to have red filters or for there to be filters made for it. Also does anyone know of good retailers of the surefire torches?

Thanks.

**g4ghb** · 04-10-2005, 21:44

It's a petzl every time for me (my headtorch 'collection' is almost as large as my knife!

)

The new LED ones are ace - bright enough to see what you are doing and last aaaaaaaages! (you can also get red (and green) filters for most models I beleive

Once you have used a headtorch you will wonder why you ever bothered to put up with a hand out of action!!!

**Spacemonkey** · 04-10-2005, 21:52

Petzl Tikka Plus everytime! Used mine sooo many times and it's ace. The batteries just refuse to die. Comes complete with built in flip down red filter and four white LEDs. And for abour £30 a bargain! You'll never want a hand held torch again.

**Motorbike Man** · 04-10-2005, 22:01

Depends what you want it for really, the led ones are superb for close up stuff but just don't have the throw of an incandescant torch. I use a Petzl Zoom and it's a superb piece of kit. Mine is the older Bora model and runs on 4 C size cells on a belt mounted battery pack so run time is superb, however it's just too bright fpor close up work so I have a 2 CR123 cell Nuwai which has a two stage switch on it which makes it great for getting round camp and has that bit extra as well if you need it. As for red filters, I got some red gels (The stuff they use in lighting rigs) and made my own for the Petzl and it just so happens that once you scrape off the printing and pull out the pastic seal from the inside, a bottle top from a 500ml CocaCola bottle makes a superb red filter for the Nuwai and anything else that size, such as the Surefire KL1 head.

**addyb** · 04-10-2005, 22:06

Torch, now THAT'S English! heheheh

We call it "flashlight" or a "headlamp".

In all seriousness though, go for a Petzl. I have one, been hellishly rough with it, it just doesn't want to break.

Also, I, of the 'old-school' crowd still prefer good old incandesent bulbs. I've never been a fan of LEDs, even if they do have a "150 hour battery life." They just don't do the trick in terms of illumination. (Even when they're grouped in multiples)Halogen is awesome, my headlamp normally runs on incandesent bulbs, with a 30 metre light range. Well, pop a halogen in there, that range is increased to 100 metres. But....it kills my batteries. Oh well, 11 hours from a a battery pack isn't TOO too bad.

My $0.02!

Adam

**Motorbike Man** · 04-10-2005, 22:20

You could of course go for a Petzl Duo and get the best of both worlds in a head torch, halogen bulbs for long distance stuff and leds for close up work as well

**Goose** · 04-10-2005, 22:31

For an led head torch it has to be the zipka, same head as the tikka, but with a nifty, compact, adaptable band.

**mojofilter** · 04-10-2005, 22:44

Originally Posted by Ed W

Hi,

I was wondering what torch you think I should get? I don't want to spend loads but I do like surefire torches so could stretch, I need it also to have red filters or for there to be filters made for it. Also does anyone know of good retailers of the surefire torches?

Thanks.

Why not go for a Surefire A2 Aviator with red Leds? That will give you a good high beam with the red low level illumination.

I love torches!

**Jared** · 04-10-2005, 22:53

Ah, Surefire A2 Aviator, that reminds me.

Whats the difference between http://www.supremeco.com.hk/catalog/...oducts_id=2787 which is seemingly <70 quid and a standard A2, which seems priced ~150quid over here?

Edit: Apart from the colour of couse

**mojofilter** · 04-10-2005, 22:56

Originally Posted by Jared

Ah, Surefire A2 Aviator, that reminds me.

Whats the difference between http://www.supremeco.com.hk/catalog/...oducts_id=2787 which is seemingly <70 quid and a standard A2, which seems priced ~150quid over here?

Edit: Apart from the colour of couse

No difference whatsoever, that is a hot deal which has set CPF alight

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=92307

**Hellz** · 05-10-2005, 08:01

Originally Posted by mojofilter

Why not go for a Surefire A2 Aviator with red Leds? That will give you a good high beam with the red low level illumination.

I love torches!

That reminds me, I really must get round to taking a picture of all my torches

If I were to recommend a headtorch then it would have to be the Princeton Tec Eos, absolutely brilliant.

For a handheld, like Mojo says, the Surefire A2 sounds ideal if you're after red light. Otherwise the E-series lights are always worth a look and have plenty of accessories. I love all me E-series lights to bits (E1, E1e, E2, E2e plus the LED heads KL1 and KL4. I've recently got a vital gear 1 cell body for my KL1, my new favourite!)

It's early, I'm rambling...

Hellz

**AJB** · 05-10-2005, 08:30

Listen Mojo, you can’t just keep posting that picture, wily nily - it hurts me. So many things I covert in one picture!

I’m using satellite triangulation to position your backyard and I’m coming to get one of them, if you don’t stop flaunting them!

;o)

**WNZer** · 05-10-2005, 09:19

Torches with filters on them are good as they save your night vision, pupil dialtion..., a softer light will stop that so you dont have to adjust as much

**Lurch** · 05-10-2005, 10:22

Ed, if you are after a Surefire then Lighthound is definitely worth a look. Great service and turnaround.

**soa_uk** · 05-10-2005, 12:29

If you're going to spend Surefire sort of money [I have several, but not as many as mojo] and it's for bushcrafty activities, can I speak up for the Petzl Myo XP?

I use one, and am quite taken with it.
I wibbled on about it in another place .

**CM Burns** · 05-10-2005, 12:35

best value Surefire is the Nitrolon model - $34 (but typically around £28 in UK) uses CR123s which can be ordered from batterystation in USA at $1.25 a piece and ony around $8 postage for up to 40 cells!

the A2 is superb, if i only carry one light it is always the A2, but its relatively expensive.

as for headtorches, sorry if i offend some here but petzel headtorches have been left way behind by the offerings from princton tec etc - as hellz mentioned the EOS is quite superb and is considered by all who have used it to be by far the best 3xAAA headlamp on the market. fantastic vaule at $40, ripoff at £40

**mojofilter** · 05-10-2005, 23:50

Originally Posted by AJB

Listen Mojo, you can’t just keep posting that picture, wily nily - it hurts me. So many things I covert in one picture!

I’m using satellite triangulation to position your backyard and I’m coming to get one of them, if you don’t stop flaunting them!

;o)

Sorry mate, I won't post that one again, but I thought you might like these!

**AJB** · 06-10-2005, 08:19

Oh, I’m going to have to go and have a good think about those!

**mojofilter** · 06-10-2005, 14:03

**AJB** · 06-10-2005, 14:07

Stop it, stop it, stop it

**CM Burns** · 07-10-2005, 12:30

no means to post photo as I'm at work but I've just checked my backpack (I cycle to work) and have discovered that I have got the following items with me today (most of which I'd forgotten were still in the bag after a weekend trip...)

M6 (with MN21)
M3 (with MN11)
A2
ARC LSHF
Peak Solutions Matterhorn (not quite the build quality of an ARC AAA but superior output)

Leatherman Wave
SOG Crosscut
Large Sebenza
Lone Wolf Jeff Angelo Fluted Folder
AW Tamarack
Bisonbushcraft Woodcraft (with sumptuous curly birch handle)

piccie to follow....

**steven andrews** · 07-10-2005, 12:48

For bushcraft I find that I rarely need much throw, so I favour LED lights with a good flood and a long runtime.
I use a Petzl Tikka Plus headtorch and usually have an MiniMag fitted with an Opalec Newbeam LED conversion as back-up, and an Arc AAA to back that up.

My Surefires stay at home/work.

**Sickboy** · 07-10-2005, 12:53

Personally i always carry a petzl zipka, had the same batteries in it for longer than i can remember, stunning! Otherwise it's my black diamond headtorch, can't remember the name of it but it's got a xenon bulb for the distance work and 2 led's for the close up work, runs on three AA's, more comfortable on the head than the bigger petzl's but at the best part of £50 i'm glad i got a 40% discount

**CM Burns** · 07-10-2005, 13:00

Originally Posted by Sickboy

Personally i always carry a petzl zipka, had the same batteries in it for longer than i can remember, stunning! Otherwise it's my black diamond headtorch, can't remember the name of it but it's got a xenon bulb for the distance work and 2 led's for the close up work, runs on three AA's, more comfortable on the head than the bigger petzl's but at the best part of £50 i'm glad i got a 40% discount

i've got a BD with single xenon and LED - runs off 4 AA's. Not over impressed with the xenon but often use it on LED around camp. being a larger unit than is usual on a headlamp it has a decent reflector which works well with the LED. Heavy & bulky though!

**Wayland** · 07-10-2005, 13:47

For bushcraft I find low level illumination much better for finding stuff as it leaves your night vision reasonably intact.

I hate head torches because they blind you to everything outside the illuminated area.

I hate them even more on other people as they inevitably shine the things straight into your dark adapted eyes

Why people want to light up the wilderness like a football ground defeats me.

What's wrong with a campfire and a candle lantern?

**steven andrews** · 07-10-2005, 16:53

Originally Posted by Wayland

I hate head torches because they blind you to everything outside the illuminated area.

Lost me there..
Doesn't any torch do that?

**mojofilter** · 07-10-2005, 18:48

Originally Posted by CM Burns

no means to post photo as I'm at work but I've just checked my backpack (I cycle to work) and have discovered that I have got the following items with me today (most of which I'd forgotten were still in the bag after a weekend trip...)

M6 (with MN21)
M3 (with MN11)
A2
ARC LSHF
Peak Solutions Matterhorn (not quite the build quality of an ARC AAA but superior output)

Leatherman Wave
SOG Crosscut
Large Sebenza
Lone Wolf Jeff Angelo Fluted Folder
AW Tamarack
Bisonbushcraft Woodcraft (with sumptuous curly birch handle)

piccie to follow....

You are certainly well prepared!

Please post a pic

**CM Burns** · 09-10-2005, 13:41

OK!

[IMG]

[/IMG]

**CM Burns** · 09-10-2005, 13:46

and here's my pride and joy...

[IMG]

[/IMG]

the M6 not Homer!

hmm... must clean that screen

**CM Burns** · 09-10-2005, 13:51

forgot to mention that i slagged off Petzl headlamps earlier...

the new issue of TGO (the great outdoors...) (Nov 2005) has a review of headlamps - the Tikka XP gets the "best buy" award and the Myo XP "recommended"!

my Princton Tec EOS also gets a "recommended" but the Petzls are rated better in the writeup.

Note that this is an excellent issue - includes reveiws on GPSs and large backpacks too! Highly recommended!!

(edited to add full title of magazine...)

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