United Cavers Exploration Team

Cave and Mine Exploring => Technical Information => Topic started by: Tony Salusbury on Feb 16, 2013, 01:59 PM

Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Tony Salusbury on Feb 16, 2013, 01:59 PM
I mentioned this in the Royal Oak the other night after going done the Spar Mine, and one of the lads (sorry can't remember your name) said he had bought a light from China which he said he couldn't fault.

Does anyone have any links to these lights?
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Tony Adams on Feb 16, 2013, 06:18 PM
This is the one I've got. They are ok, but hate water, Expect it to last 6 months, but for a tenner, its got to be worth it to get you started.
I'll prob buy a water resistant lamp next, maybe spend a bit more on it.


Headlamp (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Good-1600lm-3-mode-CREE-XML-T6-LED-Headlamp-Head-Torch-Lamp-light-Flashlight-NEW-/400412761893?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item5d3a75df25)

Tony.
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Danny Sutton on Feb 16, 2013, 06:39 PM
there are LOADS of powerfull lamps from china, but....

would you really trust your life to a cheap chinese built light?

Now i'm not totally knocking them, it's all i used for a couple of years, but depending on your budget, you may be wiser to look at something like a fenix or one of the petzl ones.

obviously there are the custom built items, i use a roy fellows light which £ per brightness probably cant be beaten, I know a few people on here love their stenlights, the Scurions are very good, and Dylan's got a Rude Nora, i fancied one of these, but they are near impossable to buy... theres also a viper light, never actually seen one in use though. None of these are cheap, some of them nearing £700, and you probably at the moment would have no use for one, but i would deffo recomend you look at one of the petzl or fenex items.
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Ali Wiseman on Feb 16, 2013, 06:42 PM
If You know what end of a Soldering iron is hot, You can probably build one too.

Roy Fellows lamps are very good indeed, and the Scurion's are nice (but £££).
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: John Oh on Feb 16, 2013, 07:03 PM
I have something like this

Lamp (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cree-XML-XM-L-1600LM-LED-Bicycle-Bike-Front-Torch-Head-Cycle-Lights-HeadLamp-/200855313497?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item2ec3e8dc59)

It is very bright and the lamp is ok in water, the battery pack need would need extra waterproofing. But on full brightness only lasts about 2 hrs so you need to use it on the lower setting most of the time and take a spare battery pack.

I also always carry a spare helmet mounted waterproof torch and spare batteries for that too.
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Ali Wiseman on Feb 16, 2013, 08:48 PM
[quote="JohnO" post=14667]I also always carry a spare helmet mounted waterproof torch and spare batteries for that too.[/quote]

This. Always carry a spare.

I usually have a small torch in my pocket too (in addition to many other lights) that is purely to get me out of the mine, should I manage to lose my lid with main and backup on it.
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Tony Salusbury on Feb 25, 2013, 12:45 AM
I've gone for the Petzl Duo's, 14 Led's for the kids, and a Custom Duo Omni mod for me.
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Les Williams on Feb 25, 2013, 10:14 AM
A new batch of Rude Noras is going to be made soon...
Thay are made in batches as it is very costly to have all the machining done otherwise.

Biff has the machining done in the UK, not China, as he likes to be in control of the quality...

Not sure on timescales but he is definitely having more made.

Mick, the next batch of pit lamp modules will have support for Fx5 batteries as well. I'll keep you informed.
Welsh Sossy, have you purchased your omni module yet? I may be able to get you a bit of a deal if not...
Title: Caving Lights advice
Post by: Tony Salusbury on Feb 25, 2013, 11:33 AM
[quote="LesW" post=15072]Welsh Sossy, have you purchased your omni module yet? I may be able to get you a bit of a deal if not...[/quote]

Yes, already ordered  :( Should be here tomorrow.