Bushwalk Australia

Up until today, I was convinced that my old Black Diamond "Ion" was the best head torch available in its class (I think Corvus uses the same one). Keep in mind that what's important for me with a head torch is size, weight and cost. I'm not concerned if it doesn't light up the entire campsite all at once - all I need is enough to cook by, and to settle into my tent, etc.

For my old Ion, I paid a mere $25 for the tiny light weight, 2 LED torch. It had a simple elastic band with a tightening toggle, which never needs adjusting for your head size after the first time (the elastic is enough to hold such a tiny device in place).

Unfortunately, when packing for my last walk, I found that my head torch was missing, so I had to borrow my wife's (fancier with more functions - and more expensive). I think I must have left mine in Ironstone Hut on my previous walk.

In any case, today I finally replaced my old head torch.

However, this time around I found something even better than my old Ion: The new Black Diamond "Ion". Yes, that's right. The new model cost $35, but for my needs it is still the best value for money. The new model has only 1 LED (so presumably uses less power), but has a much more tightly focused beam (very tightly focused, which may not suit some people). The new model also has a high and low function (hold the button down for a bit to turn on/off, and press quickly to toggle between high and low).

Oh, and the battery is included (a single standard 6v battery - the one that looks like half a AAA battery).

Here's a couple of images showing the old and new Ions...

Old Ion:


New Ion:


Sure beats my first head torch, which was a large incandescent Petzl with a huge battery back on the back of the head.

What do other people use, and why?

well done sob you beat me to the punch on this one and I cant even find a discounted 2008 ION in USA as yet ,looks the goods and I will be checking it out

I found a very small eveready head torch in the local supermarket for $8 including batteries --quite bright and very light.

Next to it were replacement batteries for $9 . Makes you wonder, doesnt it.

Cheers John

Wow! John, that sure sounds like a winner for unit price (although probably not battery price ). I'll have to look out for it in the supermarket next time I go shopping. I couldn't find any pictures of it after searching for a bit.

I didn't have a pic but I've knocked up a quick one.

I use a Priceton Tec Corona light.
I'd get one again, too. Runs on 3 x AA batteries. Now that I use Sanyo Eneloop batteries, I have never run out of battery on a walk yet. For extended walks I might take one extra battery set, but even on the Overland track in winter we only needed the one set.
We generally use them on one LED with the lowest light setting -
they have a button that turns all 8 LEDs on, press it again within 5 seconds and you get 5 LEDs, again you get 3, and again you get 1.
Press it at longer than 5 seconds and it turns off.
There's a smaller button - it changes the LEDs (however many you have on) from full power, to half power, again to flashing, then back to full power.
So to get it to half power on 1 LED, you press the big button 4 times then the small button once.
The LED head pivots on a stiff hinge setup that works well. The straps are adjustable. They come with (I think) a 5 year warranty.
Yoy can get them in lots of places of you google them - here's one link I found -
http://www.basegear.com/coronaheadlamp.html
And here's a pic I found on the net...

Son of a Beach wrote:What do other people use, and why?

When researching head torches my requirements were:

Robust
Lightweight
No battery pack on the back of head
Really long battery life
Standard batteries, preferably AAA (not sometimes hard to find, expensive coin cells etc)
Excellent lighting performance, but didn't need to be the absolute brightest

I ended up with the Princeton Tec Aurora http://www.princetontec.com/products/index.php?id=3&type=1&use=0

I sometimes like to read a book in the tent. With 3 lighting levels the lowest setting provides enough light for most tasks without blinding anyone else.

I've now had this unit for a few years and been quite happy with it. It still seems to sell well and price has come down to about $40 RRP. Not the flashiest but a good solid performer. All the reviews and tests I read at the time rated it quite highly.

Kind regards,
John W

tasadam wrote:Runs on 3 x AA batteries. Now that I use Sanyo Eneloop batteries, I have never run out of battery on a walk yet. For extended walks I might take one extra battery set, but even on the Overland track in winter we only needed the one set.

These batteries look really interesting. I found some info about them here http://www.sanyo.co.jp/koho/hypertext4-eng/0511/1101-2e.html but not the batteries themselves so far. Although I did find some VARTA ones in Woolies supermarket that seem more or less the same spec. Where did you get the Sanyo ones?

Kind regards,
John W

Son of a Beach wrote:Up until today, I was convinced that my old Black Diamond "Ion" was the best head torch available in its class (I think Corvus uses the same one). Keep in mind that what's important for me with a head torch is size, weight and cost. I'm not concerned if it doesn't light up the entire campsite all at once - all I need is enough to cook by, and to settle into my tent, etc.

I've got one of those "old" Ion torches too - and think its fantastic (a tad tricky for night-walking, as you don't get quite enough distance, but you can't have everything in such a small package).

Had quite a bit of trouble sourcing a new battery a little while ago. MD (Hobart) used to sell 2 types: Black Diamond ($9 - which I'm too stingy to pay for) and a generic one ($3ish). They were fresh out (as were EVERY other outdoor shop in the strip) on the day I went - something about a supplier not on-selling them anymore. Hope was all not lost however, as I found a generic DSE branded one at Dick Smith for around $4.50.

Good post kramster re batteries I usually get my generic from Mountain Designs in Devonport but I will be noting your advice re Dick Smith for my ION's

I have about 3 Led Dorcy head torches. About 15 dollars from Bunnings. They run on 3 AAA and have 3 leds. I have been very happy with them for around the camp.
I was given a Black Diamond Spot for Christmas. it is a good light and you can use it for walking at night if you had to.
3AAA and has 3led plus 1 superbright led for long distances. So far I have been very happy with it.

roger

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Hi All,
Yep...good one SoB....have just ordered an Ion for $28.00 delivered free...if anyone interested it's from
http://www.cliffhanger.com.au/product/E ... adlamp.php
Cheers...sirius

I use the princeton tec fuel... which i really like. retails at $50 or so, and has three light level settings plus a flash for safety and attracting attention which i think is a worthwhile feature to have. Nice and light weight, has a push style button which i see to be less prone to breaking than a slide button and is water resistant.. the body actually looks water tight unlike some petzl ones i've seen where you can see the batteries through the cracks in the body. I've noticed you seem to get more for your buck with princeton tech over petzl, i've done a fair bit of comparing between the two brands.

dee_legg wrote:I use the princeton tec fuel... which i really like. retails at $50 or so, and has three light level settings plus a flash for safety and attracting attention which i think is a worthwhile feature to have. Nice and light weight, has a push style button which i see to be less prone to breaking than a slide button and is water resistant.. the body actually looks water tight unlike some petzl ones i've seen where you can see the batteries through the cracks in the body. I've noticed you seem to get more for your buck with princeton tech over petzl, i've done a fair bit of comparing between the two brands.

My wife has one that sounds similar. It is a princeton with the same functions as yours. It uses 4 button-type batteries (which stack on top of each other, I think) which means the whole thing is fairly flat. It's a great head torch. It cost about twice as much as mine, but is several times brighter than mine (but the batteries don't last as long as mine).

How about this one. Uses one AA battery. Lasts 10h. On or off only. Adjustable angle. Gives off a nice bright light (but if reading it does have a dark ring around the "circle of light" that took me a few minutes to get used to). Only weighs 80g and that includes the battery! $34 purchased locally.

I've been going through a light weight phase & bought a Petzl e-LITE. Paid $44.95 at Mountain Designs. It is marketed as an emergency light, something you might keep in a first aid kit, however I have found it to be perfect for bush walking. It weighs only 27 g incl batteries and takes two CR2032 3V button cells which last up to 45 hrs or 35 hrs on max brightness. Spare batteries can be picked up cheaply on good old Ebay.

Cheers,
RJ

I recently purchased an Energizer LED head lamp which has a wide beam, focused beam and red light. I think I paid $35 for it at BCF. First use was on the NSW Sth Coast camping over xmas / NY and it worked a treat. It has a 50hr burn time, swivel adjustment (was good for reading) and uses 3xAA batteries. Not too bulky either.



ange

Just got a Princeton Tec Quad, 96g $55 and just was silly enough to turn it on while looking at it! Good thing I can touch type

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Thanks Brett, I liked the idea of having a waterproof headtorch for Tassie's wonderful weather.
Have a great Christmas

rohjoe wrote:I've been going through a light weight phase & bought a Petzl e-LITE. Paid $44.95 at Mountain Designs. It is marketed as an emergency light, something you might keep in a first aid kit, however I have found it to be perfect for bush walking. It weighs only 27 g incl batteries and takes two CR2032 3V button cells which last up to 45 hrs or 35 hrs on max brightness. Spare batteries can be picked up cheaply on good old Ebay.

Cheers,
RJ

These are a great little light, very robust for their many functions. They are a freeby from Moontrail.

Tried a few 'bulk order' 2032 batteries with them. There are some dodgy ones, the panasonic batteries seem good quality.

Iv'e always had petzl, kinda supprised that they dont seem as popular here on the forum.
They were definitely the most popular when i was guiding. Used a princeton tec for about 3 days before the battery housing broke....

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I have read that rechargables shouldnt be used with one of the model petzls but we have for a few years now (so the effect on LED life must be minimal?) Performance isnt really an issue, they last so long anyway...

Yer, sure, well be eating dry rice and pasta

Merry Xmas

saijef wrote:I recently purchased an Energizer LED head lamp which has a wide beam, focused beam and red light. I think I paid $35 for it at BCF. First use was on the NSW Sth Coast camping over xmas / NY and it worked a treat. It has a 50hr burn time, swivel adjustment (was good for reading) and uses 3xAA batteries. Not too bulky either.



ange

I use one of these- the red light is great too.

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Brett wrote:

as many people of northern climes are known to use a battery and light level that requires you strike a match to see if the lamp is working



Cheers Brett

Here Big yin r'u havin a go eh I like to maximise my dollar now that I am a self funded retiree and my Black Diamond Ion still emits light to the very end
corvus

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Brett wrote:

corvus wrote:

Brett wrote: as many people of northern climes are known to use a battery and light level that requires you strike a match to see if the lamp is working
Cheers Brett

Here Big yin r'u havin a go eh I like to maximise my dollar now that I am a self funded retiree and my Black Diamond Ion still emits light to the very end
corvus

Great to see you are back safely. I consider it you just doing your best to reduce your carbon footprint Speaking of this I must get to bed to get up to cook Christmas diner tommorrow.

Merry Christmas Brett

PS you an Aussie from Southern climes are you not

By choice unlike those of you with no choice
corvus

Brett wrote: Speaking of this I must get to bed to get up to cook Christmas diner tommorow

Yes must do the same, however must empty my sack first - err..(I'm playing Santa tonight)
Edit - Wish the kids would get to sleep otherwise I will have to use my HEADTORCH (Whew - back on thread)