Good headlamp for running / walking

Maidhci · 25-01-2018 5:03pm #1

Looking for suggestions for a reasonably priced basic headlamp for walking / running.

Any suggestions or advice appreciated.

DubOnHoliday · 25-01-2018 5:41pm

https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/slv64/silva-cross-trail-2x-350-head-torch/

Coffee Fulled Runner · 25-01-2018 6:30pm

I've a rechargeable Petzl head light. It adjusts automatically so if I look at a signpost I'm not blinded etc. It has a booster button too which makes it very bright and light weight . Not sure the model number but most Petzl lights seem pretty good

BeepBeep67 · 25-01-2018 11:21pm

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/slv64/silva-cross-trail-2x-350-head-torch/

Have this one, very comfortable and as much light as you'll need for most circumstances. Flies through the charge on maximum, so you'll need to recharge after every 2 runs or so.

If you are only looking for a basic one keep an eye out in Lidl or Aldi or pop into TKMaxx and you'll pick up something for 10-15€

TFBubendorfer · 26-01-2018 9:49am

I have a "Led Lenser SEO H7R", which I bought for one particular race over 2 years ago. It comes with a rechargeable battery pack (very handy!) but also takes standard AAA batteries.

It's a great lamp and most likely I will still be using it in years to come but for running on the road the €3 or €4 camping headlamp from Lidl/Aldi I had used before that was doing perfectly fine as well.

If you want to go off-road I'd strongly recommend something sturdier than a €3 headlamp, though.

cullenswood · 26-01-2018 9:59am

I got one of these of late and its a great job. Nice and light, doesn't move around when running, and is very bright. Normal batteries too and they seem to last for ages.

Maidhci · 26-01-2018 12:18pm

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Have this one, very comfortable and as much light as you'll need for most circumstances. Flies through the charge on maximum, so you'll need to recharge after every 2 runs or so.

If you are only looking for a basic one keep an eye out in Lidl or Aldi or pop into TKMaxx and you'll pick up something for 10-15€

Thanks for all suggestions / recommendations. I am looking for a basic lamp, mostly for walking etc. I have been using a LIDL one for some years, it was good enough for my purposes, but the ones on offer on the last few occasions were not good at all. Thanks again for advice.

04-02-2018 3:15pm

Maidhci wrote: »

Thanks for all suggestions / recommendations. I am looking for a basic lamp, mostly for walking etc. I have been using a LIDL one for some years, it was good enough for my purposes, but the ones on offer on the last few occasions were not good at all. Thanks again for advice.

the energizer one seems like a good cheap option then.

Maidhci · 04-02-2018 5:04pm

glasso wrote: »

the energizer one seems like a good cheap option then.

I haven't bought one yet - the energizer one seems to have a low battery run time, otherwise seems good. I am thinking about the Petzl Tikka which seems to have good reviews and reasonably cheap etc. etc.

Any experience of it here?

TFBubendorfer · 05-02-2018 9:50am

Maidhci wrote: »

I haven't bought one yet - the energizer one seems to have a low battery run time, otherwise seems good. I am thinking about the Petzl Tikka which seems to have good reviews and reasonably cheap etc. etc.

Any experience of it here?

I had a Petzl Tikka a few years ago and it was fine. I'd have no problems recommending one.

Thing is, in my experience the more fancy headlamps barely last any longer than the flimsy looking ones from Aldi/Lidl but can easily cost 10 times as much. If you're heading into the wilderness then I wouldn't trust the really cheap ones just for safety issues but for running/walking within touch of civilisation they work perfectly fine and getting anything fancier seems like wasted money

JohnDozer · 05-02-2018 3:08pm

Bought the energiser one recently and in terms of the light output alone it is far better than most of the other cheap ones, and I’ve tried a few. I’d nearly always carry a replacement set of batteries once I’ve gone beyond 3/4 hours of use. You wouldn’t even notice 3 AAA’s once they’re taped together. It takes time to get to know each headtorch too and what usage you will get from it. Depends on what modes you use it in as well.

Maidhci · 06-02-2018 10:26am

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I had a Petzl Tikka a few years ago and it was fine. I'd have no problems recommending one.

Thing is, in my experience the more fancy headlamps barely last any longer than the flimsy looking ones from Aldi/Lidl but can easily cost 10 times as much. If you're heading into the wilderness then I wouldn't trust the really cheap ones just for safety issues but for running/walking within touch of civilisation they work perfectly fine and getting anything fancier seems like wasted money

I have a LIDL lamp which I have been using for the last 7/8 years, found it great for what it was etc. etc. The newer model, on offer last year was a much more inferior model, no comparison to previous models, bought one and subsequently returned it. Similar with ALDI, the strap lasts for a couple of weeks.

The Petzl Tikka is currently on offer @ €25, therefore not hugely expensive. It is stated in the info that it has a burn time of 60 hours @ 200 lumens with incremental increases in burn time as the output decreases. I think the LIDL one that I have had output of 80 lumens max., which was quite sufficient for walking etc. etc. It is based on these that I am considering the Tikka.

Did you experience good burn time with the Tikka?

Maidhci · 06-02-2018 10:32am

JohnDozer wrote: »

Bought the energiser one recently and in terms of the light output alone it is far better than most of the other cheap ones, and I’ve tried a few. I’d nearly always carry a replacement set of batteries once I’ve gone beyond 3/4 hours of use. You wouldn’t even notice 3 AAA’s once they’re taped together. It takes time to get to know each headtorch too and what usage you will get from it. Depends on what modes you use it in as well.

Thanks for that info. Unfortunately, a small screwdriver is required to undo the battery cover on the LIDL lamp hence not very handy for changing batteries in the dark. Does the battery cover on the Energiser slip off easily. How do you find the burn time etc. etc?

JohnDozer · 06-02-2018 9:18pm

Maidhci wrote: »

Thanks for that info. Unfortunately, a small screwdriver is required to undo the battery cover on the LIDL lamp hence not very handy for changing batteries in the dark. Does the battery cover on the Energiser slip off easily. How do you find the burn time etc. etc?

I’ve only had it out for 2 runs so far so can’t answer about burn time, but it was recommended by a friend who reckoned he had 8-10 hours up on his one with no issue. No issues changing batteries or any extra tools required. To be honest, if you can get the Petzl one for €25 I’d be inclined to go with that.

06-02-2018 9:39pm

Petzl Tikkina here for 15.50 sterling. 150 lumen. apparently 80 hours at 150 lumens.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01KYTRHLQ/ref=asc_df_B01KYTRHLQ49915247/?tag=prie0f-21&creative=22374&creativeASIN=B01KYTRHLQ&linkCode=df0&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

TFBubendorfer · 06-02-2018 10:03pm

Maidhci wrote: »

Did you experience good burn time with the Tikka?

It was several years ago, so it might have changed for newer models, but the batteries lasted for ages. No issues on that front.

BeepBeep67 · 07-02-2018 12:32pm

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

It was several years ago, so it might have changed for newer models, but the batteries lasted for ages. No issues on that front.

I had one for several years also, I've adapted it and have it on a bike helmet still.
I would use it, 2 maybe 3 times per week in the winter for on average 1hr at a time and I think I only changed the batteries once over the winter (takes 3 x AAA).

Good headlamp for running / walking

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