what is the best farming headtorch?

Bodacious · 30-10-2014 12:06am #1

I must have three energizer head torches which are a gift but fed up replacing batteries.

is this @ E70 as good as you can get?! anyone recommend a better deal online anywhere
or a better product
http://www.handyhardware.ie/product/50847/LED%20Lenser%20H7R.2%20Rechargeable%20Head%20Lamp%20Gift%20Box

greysides · 30-10-2014 12:32am

I've recently bought one of these.

Rechargeable Head Lite comes with car and mains charge, uses 3 watt cree led 4400mAh lithium ion rechargeable battery 5 hrs on high beam 24 hours on low beam 12 hours recharge time.

Haven't used it much but my comments are:

The weight is all on the front; some behind would be more comfortable.

Both power setting give a strong spot beam with a more diffuse outer light.

I'd prefer the spot to less defined/focused and the outer area to be brighter.

I can see the usefulness of them and in future will look into other types to see if they offer the same brightness but in a more even fashion.

Farmer Pudsey · 30-10-2014 1:52am

LED head torches are best. Most now work of 2-3 AAA battery's. Battery life is quite long. Biggest disadvantage with LED lights is when voltage drops they shut down completely rather than reducing light.
10-20 euro should buy you a good quality one. The way I look at it I have gone throught 4-5 before I have spend 60 euro.

Connemara Farmer · 30-10-2014 8:25am

Nitecore HC50

Will post the candlepower forums review from laptop.

Used it this year at lambing, loaned it to the ould fella who liked it so much I had to give it to him and buy another.

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend it.

dar31 · 30-10-2014 8:33am

Lens laser head torch
Blue one is rechargeable €70 prob a bit cheaper online
Very small/ lite/ powerful
Mains and USB charging

jmrc · 30-10-2014 8:35am

Those cheta ones are good but at already stated they are a bit heavy out front. brother had his sown on to the hat..... worked for him.
great light for the lambing

einn32 · 30-10-2014 8:58am

Halfords do one for 15e. Mine is five years old going strong. Batteries last longer compared to the energizer headlamps.

bogman_bass · 30-10-2014 11:03am

http://www.ledlenser.com/redirect/ledlenser_iframe.php?url=http://www.ledco.co.uk&cntry=United%20Kingdom

I got one of these last year and its a great job. The focusable lens is great when trying to spot cattle at a distance.
Cost me about 70 yo-yos but you get what you pay for

Cow Porter · 30-10-2014 11:21am

+ for the led lenser, have a h5 here

https://www.flashlights.ie/headlamps.html?sef=

Cattlepen · 30-10-2014 12:45pm

I have a lenser and a clulite. Both pretty good. Rechargeable and spares for the clulite are easily got

Farmer · 30-10-2014 5:09pm

I have this
http://www.raphoehardware.town.ie/products/13383
I had a led lenser but the elastic went dead after a while. This does all I need for a tenner.and is just as good. At a tenner, you can throw it away when finished. Box of 24 AAA batteries in woodies for €12 does most of the winter but rechargeable is probably worth it if you're out alot

Count Mondego · 30-10-2014 5:12pm

Anyone ever use any kind of night vision goggles for checking cows in a field at night? Would be handy around calving as they get spooked by the light.

Connemara Farmer · 30-10-2014 5:37pm

Link as promised:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?375703-NITECORE-HC50-565-Lm-Headlamp-REVIEW

DarByrne1980 · 30-10-2014 5:44pm

Count Mondego wrote: »

Anyone ever use any kind of night vision goggles for checking cows in a field at night? Would be handy around calving as they get spooked by the light.

We tried them years ago. They were only a cheep pair. They didnt have great range on them so you still did have to trudge down the field for them to be any use. kinda defeated the purpose. but if the cattle were up close to the yard they were handy. id say youd get much better ones cheaper these days. the ones that aldi/lidl have occasionally seem fairly good for about 100 euros

kowtow · 30-10-2014 7:52pm

For headtorches I swear by silva - expensive, but small, well made and really bright. I think the climbing shops have them. A boat builder put me on to them years ago and I have never looked back. Only problem is, if you keep one in your pocket as I do, you can sit on them and turn them on accidentally leaving the batteries to empty...

Before headtorches used to always have a big clu-lite - great for lamping rabbits as well as everything else. Saw one in the co-op recently and beginning to miss my old one.

Genghis Cant · 30-10-2014 9:26pm

Count Mondego wrote: »

Anyone ever use any kind of night vision goggles for checking cows in a field at night? Would be handy around calving as they get spooked by the light.

I've used all kinds of night vision gear, including thermal imaging. It's relatively expensive gear and not near as versatile as a good torch. I've a bit of Led Lenser gear and find it great, particularly the rechargeable stuff.

feartuath · 30-10-2014 11:33pm

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

Link as promised:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?375703-NITECORE-HC50-565-Lm-Headlamp-REVIEW

Where would one purchase one of these, Amazone will not ship outside the US

Farmer · 30-10-2014 11:58pm

feartuath wrote: »

Where would one purchase one of these, Amazone will not ship outside the US

Google threw up this lot
http://ledpowerhouse.com/nitecore-hc50-led-head-lamp.html
.
.
right here in Ireland

Connemara Farmer · 31-10-2014 12:27am

feartuath wrote: »

Where would one purchase one of these, Amazone will not ship outside the US

I got two from the same spot, only in the door now, I'll throw up a link for you tomorrow.

Connemara Farmer · 31-10-2014 12:32am

kowtow wrote: »

For headtorches I swear by silva - expensive, but small, well made and really bright. I think the climbing shops have them. A boat builder put me on to them years ago and I have never looked back. Only problem is, if you keep one in your pocket as I do, you can sit on them and turn them on accidentally leaving the batteries to empty...

Before headtorches used to always have a big clu-lite - great for lamping rabbits as well as everything else. Saw one in the co-op recently and beginning to miss my old one.

Get yourself a Thrunite TN31, one with a warm white LED. The cool white LED throws farther but it's a harsh bluish beam. The warm white LED throws a softer yellower beam like a lamping lamp, great for picking out colours and detail.

I have a modified one from the USA, can see out to 700 yards on a dark night. But the standard stock TN30 is excellent on it's own.

It takes the same type of rechargeable battery as the Nitecore HC50 above. TN31 takes three of them where as the HC50 takes just one.

Connemara Farmer · 31-10-2014 12:47am

Link to HC50

http://www.illumn.com/nitecore-hc50-xm-l2-565-lumens-1-x-18650-2-x-cr123a.html

Unfortunately I see they now also do a HC90, I really, really wish I hadn't seen that

http://www.illumn.com/nitecore-hc90-micro-usb-xm-l2-900-lumens-rgb-1-x-18650-2-x-cr123a.html

Farmer · 31-10-2014 9:22am

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

Link to HC50

http://www.illumn.com/nitecore-hc50-xm-l2-565-lumens-1-x-18650-2-x-cr123a.html

Unfortunately I see they now also do a HC90, I really, really wish I hadn't seen that

http://www.illumn.com/nitecore-hc90-micro-usb-xm-l2-900-lumens-rgb-1-x-18650-2-x-cr123a.html

Good prices! We really pay a premium for living this side of the Atlantic.

Looking at the modes for the HC90
"Modes: 900 / 530 / 0.2 lumens"
unless you're only ever using it as a search light, those settings are too dazzling for general close up work IMO

Edit: Oops missed this bit
"True variable output with a unique ‘infinitely variable’ sliding switch"

Connemara Farmer · 31-10-2014 10:42am

Farmer wrote: »

Good prices! We really pay a premium for living this side of the Atlantic.

Looking at the modes for the HC90
"Modes: 900 / 530 / 0.2 lumens"
unless you're only ever using it as a search light, those settings are too dazzling for general close up work IMO

Edit: Oops missed this bit
"True variable output with a unique ‘infinitely variable’ sliding switch"

I'd pass on the HC90 myself after doing a bit of reading. The HC50 is the one to get. You can see up to 100 yards on the highest setting and the lower settings are good for any close work.

Bullocks · 31-10-2014 10:53am

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

I'd pass on the HC90 myself after doing a bit of reading. The HC50 is the one to get. You can see up to 100 yards on the highest setting and the lower settings are good for any close work.

Did you buy online Con , or is there any shop in Galway that would have the like of that torch ? I hate buying on line if I can help it

Connemara Farmer · 31-10-2014 11:54am

Bullocks wrote: »

Did you buy online Con , or is there any shop in Galway that would have the like of that torch ? I hate buying on line if I can help it

I buy online, usually the cheapest spot, don't know if any bricks & mortar shop would have them but can imagine they'd be a lot more expensive.

Kovu · 31-10-2014 11:57am

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

I'd pass on the HC90 myself after doing a bit of reading. The HC50 is the one to get. You can see up to 100 yards on the highest setting and the lower settings are good for any close work.

That's the fathers present sorted for this year! Thanks Con

Connemara Farmer · 31-10-2014 12:04pm

Kovu wrote: »

That's the fathers present sorted for this year! Thanks Con

Get two "protected" 18650 batteries and a charger off ebay as well. Make sure they are "protected" cells.

Bodacious · 31-10-2014 9:00pm

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

I'd pass on the HC90 myself after doing a bit of reading. The HC50 is the one to get. You can see up to 100 yards on the highest setting and the lower settings are good for any close work.

good man Con,

what would that hc50 $59 work out with delivery , taxes etc and would I need a 110v adapter to charge it?

greysides · 31-10-2014 9:06pm

One good thing about a head torch............ helps keep your cap on in windy weather..............

Farmer · 31-10-2014 9:18pm

greysides wrote: »

One good thing about a head torch............ helps keep your cap on in windy weather..............

I imagine there must be enough heat off them 500Lm units to dispense with the need for a cap at all

Connemara Farmer · 31-10-2014 9:54pm

Bodacious wrote: »

good man Con,

what would that hc50 $59 work out with delivery , taxes etc and would I need a 110v adapter to charge it?

Inc delivery the torch cost me €60, then it's a gamble as to whether customs will nab it or not, you could add something like 23% I think it is.

You'll need a charger and two "protected" 18650 batteries off Ebay as well, think the brand I bought was Xtar, would recommend as had no problems with chargers or batteries.

Farmer · 01-11-2014 3:47pm

For €72 I'd give the Cork man a throw. (I don't know him from Adam)

No customs risk, includes delivery, charger and battery.

You'd never know, he might buy one of our steaks in return!

Edit: Was on offer this morning at 72. Unfortunately they've upped the price to 80 so not as tempting now

Connemara Farmer · 01-11-2014 5:24pm

Farmer wrote: »

For €72 I'd give the Cork man a throw. (I don't know him from Adam)

No customs risk, includes delivery, charger and battery.

You'd never know, he might buy one of our steaks in return!

I had to look back, never even seen that link. Make sure before you buy that it's a "protected" battery you're buying. Also get a second battery, LED's don't dim, they just go out.

what is the best farming headtorch?

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