Which head torch?

[Leebert]

Hi All,

I'm looking to get an LED head torch so my hands a free when setting up.

I would like a switchable one (red and white) that's got a reasonably good, strong output and not going to fall apart in the first 5 minutes. What are people using that they are happy with please?

Many thanks

[mallorcasaint]

I use this one. Does the job well. http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=150470&Referrer=googleproductlisting&gclid=CN7qoI7wirICFcYKfAod8FAAGg

[Stephen]

Cheapo off fleaBay (took the white LEDs out)

[Qualia]

Some things I do on the expensive, other things on the cheap. Head torches fit into the latter category. I red nail painted something like this which I picked up in a local shop for around €2.

[faulksy]

i use a petzel one has 3 out puts in white so great for setting your kit up then a nice red one for viewing

[RikM]

El cheapo Energizer one from Tesco. The red is too bright (luminous) on many head torches really.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I have an energizer also. I dont use it now because my battery pack has a red torch on it.

[BargeGazer]

I really am not that keen on my Red / White light head torch. Maybe I should just leave it on red all the time but I want to do the actual observing with all light off forobvious reasons. Then when I want to turn it on again it goes Bright White - Even Brighter White - Red. Even keeping eyes closed I feel I am being deprived of much of the dark sensitivity that I have built up. And it is easy to make a mistake and get a bright flah that destroys it totally. And it is no good if there are others around.

I think I will snip out the white LEDS and see how I get on with that.

The head torch idea is a good one if only it didn't cycle through the leds.

David

[LukeSkywatcher]

If you dont plan on using the white lights on the head torch, you could paint over the cover plastic with red nail varnish. Then no matter whenever you turn it on...you will have red light.

[scarp15]

Petzl E+Lite , wear it on your head, wrist, cap etc, compact with one LED light setting

[Leebert]

Thanks for all the fast replies - plenty to check out there. I have a Heath Robinson one currently made from a very cheap white LED one with a red filter but it's just too dim. Prior to that was a 2 white and 1 red LED one. That was also a bit dim and didn't last very long. This time I think I'll spend a bit more on one and get a brighter one that lasts.

[BargeGazer]

Paul, yes thought about that and tried red insulating tape first but still white light got out the sides of mine. I think your paint idea, or maybe nail varnish, would be better. Now where does the wife keep her nail varnish!

David

[Woking]

This is the one I use Lee.

It uses a red flip filter and has different brightness settings. Still on the original 3x AAA batteries when purchased a year and a half ago.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Petzl-Tikka-4LEDs-Headtorch-E49P/dp/B0007Q3R3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346234910&sr=8-1

[acey]

At my dark site I use an energiser while setting up (because the red light is very bright) then switch to a cheapo 12-led white headtorch covered with dark red filter gel. This gives a broad, even, dim illumination, rather than a small over-bright spot. For map reading I use a magnifying glass - that way I can make do with a dimmer light.

[Freff]

Thanks for all the fast replies - plenty to check out there. I have a Heath Robinson one currently made from a very cheap white LED one with a red filter but it's just too dim. Prior to that was a 2 white and 1 red LED one. That was also a bit dim and didn't last very long. This time I think I'll spend a bit more on one and get a brighter one that lasts.

Spend as much as you can afford and get a good one. I bought one of these and they are great. They are adjustable for brightness, red and white light, tiltable and the batteries last forever.

If you go to star parties other gazers will apprieciate you not having a cheepo that blinds everyone regardless of it being red.

[Leebert]

Thanks All. After some looking around, I think I'll go for the Energizer one and relegate my current one to back up status (although it seemed to be working quite well last night!).