Myopicus Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Hi all, Any recommendations for very dim red head-torches? So far, in the brief amount of observing time that the clouds have allowed, I've used my Petzl with it's single red LED. It seems really glare-y tho, so I'm curious as to how people get around this.Thanks, m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_D Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 i use one of these with white LEDs but i popped off the front clear plastic and cut 2 pieces of rubylith to fit inside. works a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGC 1502 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 One solution for overbright red lights is to dim them with red cellophane or plastic. I've used bits of those red containers that Christmas puds come in, or sweet wrappers. Lots of other options too, including nail varnish.For dimming too bright red dot finders you can fit a resistor in the circuit. I've tried cellophane in front of the LED, but that's no good, makes for a fuzzy out of focus dot, instead of a precise dot. Nail varnish works for that as it flows to a layer before it dries.Regards, Ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 You will get used to the "glare". Its not normal for us to observe the world around us at night using red LED, so it will seem strange and glaring at first. Very soon you will get used to setting up and reading star charts/books etc in red light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey-T Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I use one of these, swops from white to red, mine has built in dimmer but they don't seem to do it anymore, got mine in COSCO for £10.00Dave http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/coast-head-torches/HL4.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxheadroom Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Petzl taktika has coloured screens (including red) and variable brightness settings. Not the cheapest but they are bomb proof and last for ever. Highly recommended Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Rowland Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 One thing that helps is to run them on rechargeable batteries, they are 1.2V each instead of 1.5V. That cuts the brightness down a bit.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myopicus Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Petzl taktika has coloured screens (including red) and variable brightness settings. Not the cheapest but they are bomb proof and last for ever. Highly recommendedI think that might be the way forward, combined with Chris Rowland's idea:One thing that helps is to run them on rechargeable batteries, they are 1.2V each instead of 1.5V. That cuts the brightness down a bit.ChrisAlso thinking that if I were to create a light shroud / dew protector type assembly, involving a cable tie and a short length of bicycle inner tube - it might help to cut down the lateral glare from the clear torch casing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxheadroom Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I think that might be the way forward, combined with Chris Rowland's idea:Also thinking that if I were to create a light shroud / dew protector type assembly, involving a cable tie and a short length of bicycle inner tube - it might help to cut down the lateral glare from the clear torch casing.I just checked on eBay. I bought mine ten years ago and it's still going strong (despite huge downpours and being dropped in water once!) but the band is a little bit umm "unstretchy" from saltwater like my best underpants so I may buy a new band. Batteries need changing barely ever and I've used it on countless night fishing sessions. I was surprised to see the price of them now at circa £45 but you will not find a better head torch. It's one if those rare great purchases that I've made in my life where the thing seems to have survived beyond logic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxheadroom Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 It's the xp I have. If you can get one do it!Seems they may be discontinued..http://www.backcountryedge.com/petzl-tactikka-xp.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langy Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I've also heard that using the thin brown packing tape over the light also helps to reduce the brightness. As it is so thin you don't get a brown glow but may need a few layers.Never tried or actually seen it done but have heard about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxheadroom Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 This is the one. Very little stray light but the screens diffuse it a bit. 3 clicks to dimmest setting and you won't be throwing light everywhere.Tactikka XP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGC 1502 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I just checked on eBay. I bought mine ten years ago and it's still going strong (despite huge downpours and being dropped in water once!) but the band is a little bit umm "unstretchy" from saltwater like my best underpants so I may buy a new band. Batteries need changing barely ever and I've used it on countless night fishing sessions. I was surprised to see the price of them now at circa £45 but you will not find a better head torch. It's one if those rare great purchases that I've made in my life where the thing seems to have survived beyond logic.You are not supposed to mention your underpants on here The mods will be along soon...... Regards, Ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxheadroom Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 You are not supposed to mention your underpants on here The mods will be along soon...... Regards, Ed.I thought that May have raised a few eyebrows...XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
void Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I bought this one I think it was from argos. Quite nice, it has a couple of different brightness settings and red leds as well. So its well suited for nights observing.http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9280481.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knobby Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Don't know any 'dim red heads' but if you do you could borrow their red nail varnish :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickshere Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Ive got a petzl headtorch with a flip down red filter, works great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owmuchonomy Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Just buy a tin of Quality Street. The wrappers give you a rainbow of options and the chocolate is comforting while you view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skywatcher58gb Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I use the standard head torch from Asda white light in one direction Red in the other, for £3 it well worth it, and the red is bright enough.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyWB Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I found the red LED on my Petzl was too bright, so I painted over it with red nail varnish. That dimmed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGC 1502 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Don't know any 'dim red heads' but if you do you could borrow their red nail varnish :-)There's loads of 'em in Southend Cheers, Ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarp15 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Which version of Petzl have you been using? I use the Petzl e+lite, which has a single dim led red light setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyWB Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Mine's a Petzl Tikka Plus. It's good, but the red was a bit too bright for my liking. But I prefer a really dim light - I feel like just 'cos it's red doesn't mean it won't trash your dark adaption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarp15 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Yes that is true, I use the elite head torch for changing e.p's, adding filters etc. I also use it for looking at charts, but sometimes I have to employ an additional regulated and dim hand held torch for this task. The elite basically stays on my head / hat, being very compact it does not interfere when viewing through the eyepiece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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