Searching for the best head torch sailing, Fox Morgan gathered together a hot selection of some of the most popular head lamps on the market and reveals which one really is the best.What makes the best head torch for sailing? Is it the red light facility? How about the ability to dim the white light? Or do you want an ultra bright light for picking out mooring buoys in the dark? Does it really need to be waterproof?<\/p>\n
All of the head torches I\u2019ve gathered for this group test have multiple modes of lighting and each has a notable speciality, from focusing spot light, to an array of red or boost power flood lighting. But all have at least one red light function and all have more than one white light setting. All are rechargeable and some offer waterproofing.
\nThere\u2019s a diverse range for all budgets and practical uses. From \u00a320 to \u00a3120.
\nI compare their style of illumination, their longevity and waterproofing, their ease of use and eco credentials in this group test.
\nAt a glance
\nBest for red light power \u2013 Exposure lights Raw Pro \u2013 Buy USE Raw Pro from Tweeks
\nBest head torch for sailing on test \u2013 Forclaz HL900 \u2013 Buy Forclaz HL900 from Decathlon
\nBest for spot light \u2013\u00a0 Ledlenser MH5 \u2013 Buy Ledlenser MH5 from Go Outdoors<\/p>\n
Petzl Tikka<\/p>\n
300 Lumens head torch \u2013 read the Petzl Tikka review
\nThe Petzl Tikka is a lightweight but pretty powerful head torch. It easily illuminated a small target at 25m and the beam shape is a good flood shape illuminating a general area. The three power settings on white allow for a reading lamp, a medium brightness and a max brightness.
\nThe red is low powered for night vision and can be use in strobe mode too.
\nThe head torch is comfortable on the head and is contoured to remain comfortable for lengthy wear time. There\u2019s no padding, but it uses the strap against the skin to avoid sweating too much and it slipping.
\nWhilst this isn\u2019t waterproof, in my experience these torches can take quite a lot of rain and weather before you have to stop0 to dry the battery compartment.
\nIn the battery compartment there\u2019s 3 x AAA batteries. These could be swapped out for a Petzl core, which is a USB rechargeable power cell, this doesn\u2019t come as standard with this budget range Tikka, but if you see one for sale with the \u201ccore\u201d part in the name, then this means the head torch comes with the powercell.
\nI liked this head torch very much for its shape, weight and functionality. The glowing housing was a real plus point, making it easier to find in the dark.<\/p>\n
Light Modes
\nMode One (White): 6 lumens \u2013 10 metres \u2013 120 hours
\nMode Two (White): 100 lumens \u2013 40 metres \u2013 9 hours
\nMode Three (White): 300 lumens \u2013 65 metres \u2013 2 hours
\nMode Four (Red): 2 lumens \u2013 5 metres \u2013 60 hours
\nMode Five (Red): strobe \u2013 700 metres \u2013 400 hours
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
Weight: 82g
\nBeam Pattern: Flood
\nEnergy: Three AAA\/LR03 batteries (included)
\nWater Rating: IPX4 (IPX4 \u2013 Protects from splashing water, no matter the direction)<\/p>\n
Results of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 4\/5
\nFull beam illumination 4\/5
\nLow level light for reading 4\/5
\nRed light 4\/5
\nWater proofing 3\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 5\/5
\nOverall rating<\/p>\n
Reasons to Buy
\nLightweight, lamp housing glows in dark, easy to replace head strap
\nReasons to avoid
\nNot fully waterproof, uses disposable batteries as standard.
\nBuy now from Wiggle<\/p>\n
Ledlenser MH5<\/p>\n
Best on test for spot light function \u2013 best head torch for sailing<\/p>\n
Read review of Ledlenser MH5 here
\nOn full beam focused, the Led Lenser was able to easily illuminate a small target at 25m and far beyond it.
\n400 Lumen head torch
\nLight Modes:
\nMode One (white): 20 lumens (flood) \u2013 35 hours
\nMode Two (white): 20 lumens\u00a0 (spot) \u2013 35 hours
\nMode Three (white): 400 lumens (flood)\u00a0 \u2013 4 hours
\nMode Four (white): 400 lumens (spot) 180 meters \u2013 4 hours
\nMode Five (red): low level for night vision
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
Weight: 94 g (including batteries
\nBatteries Required: 1 x 14500 lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included) \/ 1 x AA NiMH or 1 x AA alkaline battery
\nCharging Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
\nWater resistant to IP54 standards (IP54 Protected from limited dust ingress. Protected from water spray from any direction)
\nWarranty: 5 years standard or 7 years with product registration (torch), 2 years (battery)<\/p>\n
Results of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 4\/5
\nFull beam illumination 5\/5
\nLow level light for reading 2\/5
\nRed light 3\/5
\nWater proofing 3\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nOverall rating<\/p>\n
Reasons to Buy
\neasy magnetic attached charger, detachable lamp with belt clip, bright spot beam
\nReasons to Avoid
\nThe beam focus ring is fiddly, not many brightness options (dim light isn\u2019t very dim)
\nBuy Ledlenser MH5 from Go Outdoors<\/p>\n
Exposure Lights Raw Pro Head Torch<\/p>\n
Best on test for red light functions : best head torch for sailing<\/p>\n
Read the review of Raw Pro Head torch here<\/p>\n
Light Modes:
\nMode one: Red \u2013 2 lumens, 25 hours
\nMode two: Red \u2013 15 lumens, 6 hours
\nMode three Red \u2013 50 lumens, 1 hour
\nMode four White \u2013 15 lumens, 10 hours
\nMode five White \u2013 50 lumens, 3 hours
\nMode Six White \u2013 200 lumens, 1 hour
\nMode seven -White strobe 200 lumens, 5 hours
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
\u00a04 x XQE LEDs
\nBattery 700 mAh Li-Ion
\nCharging Time 3 Hours
\nRuntime 1 \u2013 25 Hours
\nAluminium casing
\nWeight 76g
\n2 year warranty
\nLifetime LED guarantee
\nIP rating IPX8 (IPX8 \u2013 Protects when immersed in water over 3 feet)<\/p>\n
Results of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 2\/5
\nFull beam illumination 2\/5
\nLow level light for reading 5\/5
\nRed light 5\/5
\nWater proofing 5\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nOverall rating<\/p>\n
Reasons to Buy
\nRed light optimised, USB rechargeable, robust and very waterproof
\nReasons to Avoid
\nNot very powerful white beam, fiddly recharging, easy to lose when unclipped
\nPrice: \u00a3120
\nBuy USE Raw Pro from Tweeks<\/p>\n
Nebo Einstein<\/p>\n
Read the review of Nebo Einstein Flex 1500 head torch
\nLight Modes
\nMode one: Turbo (1500 lumens): 30 seconds \/ 64 meters
\nMode two: High (750 lumens): 2 hours \/ 35 meters
\nMode three: Medium (250 lumens): 6 hours \/ 25 meters
\nMode four: Low (10 lumens): 18 hours \/ 8 meters
\nMode five: Red COB (5 lumens): 12 hours \/ 1 meters
\n*Runtime is reduced by about 20% when using 2 x CR123A batteries
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
750 Lumen head torch (with 1500 turbo)
\nWater resistant IPX4 (Protects from splashing water, no matter the direction)
\nPowered by 1x Li-ion 18650 2200mAh 3.7v or 2xCR123A batteries
\nweight 165g<\/p>\n
Results of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 4\/5
\nFull beam illumination 4\/5
\nLow level light for reading 2\/5
\nRed light 3\/5
\nWater proofing 3\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 1\/5
\nWeight and comfort 2\/5
\nOverall rating<\/p>\n
Reasons to Buy
\nPowerful boost light, slim profile, rechargeable
\nReasons to Avoid
\nnon-user replaceable head strap, fiddly recharging, easy to be blinded by bright white light accidentally between modes
\nPrice \u00a354.99
\nBuy Nebo Einstien flex from Cotswold Outdoors<\/p>\n
Forclas HL900 USB<\/p>\n
Best on test overall: best head torch for sailing<\/p>\n
Read the Forclaz HL900 review here<\/p>\n
Light Modes:
\nMode One : Red light, 3 lumen , 24hours
\nMode Two : White, 30 lumen, 20 hours
\nMode Three : White, 80 lumen, 8 hours
\nMode Four : White, 200 lumen, 3 hours
\nMode Five : white, 400 lumen, 10 minutes
\nMode Six : white strobe, 400 lumen, 28 hours
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
Weight: 102g
\nBatteries Required: 3x AAA if not using the rechargeable power cell supplied.
\n3 hours charge time
\nwaterproofing IPX7 (IPX7 \u2013 Protects in water up to 3 feet (1 meter)<\/p>\n
Reasons to Buy
\nwaterproof, good range of beams and power, rechargeable and has ability to use 3 x AAA batteries, excellent value for money
\nReasons to Avoid
\nnone
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 5\/5
\nFull beam illumination 5\/5
\nLow level light for reading 4\/5
\nRed light 4\/5
\nWater proofing 5\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nOverall rating<\/p>\n
Buy Forclaz HL900 from Decathlon<\/p>\n
Forclaz HL500 USB<\/p>\n
Read the review of Forclaz HL500 head torch here
\nLight Modes:
\nMode One : Red light, 4 lumen , 40 hours
\nMode Two : White, 20 lumen, 30 hours
\nMode Three : White, 80 lumen, 8 hours
\nMode Four : White, 200 lumen, 3 hours
\nMode Five : white strobe, 200 lumen, 20 hours
\nSpecifications<\/p>\n
200 Lumen head torch
\nWeight 89g
\nwaterproofing IPX 5 (IPX5 \u2013 Protects from water jets at any direction)
\nUSB rechargeable built in battery<\/p>\n
Results of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 5\/5
\nFull beam illumination 4\/5
\nLow level light for reading 4\/5
\nRed light 3\/5
\nWater proofing 4\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nOverall rating<\/p>\n
Reasons to Buy
\nGood level of waterproofing, easy USB charging, great value for money
\nReasons to Avoid
\nmay lack sophistication of more powerful head torches
\nBuy Forclaz HL500 from Decathlon
\nThe post Best head torch for sailing \u2013 Gear Test appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Searching for the best head torch sailing, Fox Morgan gathered together a hot selection of some of the most popular head lamps on the market and reveals which one really is the best.What makes the best head torch for sailing? … <\/p>\n