Having trouble finding the best caving headlamp? Don’t worry! We just put together a helpful buying guide to run down all the features you’ll need, and we’ll give you some of our favorite picks in each category below.
Table of Contents
What factors to consider when choosing a caving headlamp?
Bulb Type: Mirror image options include LED, Xenon, or halogen.
Light Color: Colors range from white to red to blue. Lights with narrow beams will illuminate specific areas inside the cave.
Power Consumption: The battery life will vary from product to product.
Durability: Decide if you need a well-built lamp for rough caving terrain.
Price: The average cost for a solid-quality headlamp ranges from $30 to $130.
Read the reviews thoroughly before purchasing a headlamp. Here are a few of the most popular caving headlamps on Amazon.com.
Xenon-Mag LED Headl When picking a caving headlamp, consider: Life Span, Working Distance, Brightness, and Narrow Beam. The work distance indicates how far the light can shine; the brightness level is measured in candelas, and the narrow beam will allow you to see where you’re going well without switching modes like a wide beam which would blind your partner. You’ll need a rugged, waterproof headlamp when navigating the passageways of a cave. Some caving headlamps contain special LED optics to increase illumination in close quarters, while others provide powerful chargers for standard technologies such as camera batteries and phones. You’ll need to be careful about battery size and weight when purchasing a caving headlamp is the battery size and weight – you don’t want to strain your neck with a heavy pack!
How big of an object would the light need to illuminate fully?
Firstly, let’s start with the candela versus lumen level. A given light might have an output of 200 lumens or together with 1,800 cd could be sufficient. Many manufacturer websites will list the maximum beam distance for each listing, so checking this before purchase is recommended.
Does the light have adjustable brightness levels?
One of the essential features to look for in a headlamp is that it allows you to adjust its brightness. As Mike says, many fans of caving have “learned the lesson about being certain about being able to see in absolute darkness.” I first tested head lamps’ brightness on a day hike on Mount St. Helens, where the air was thick with volcanic ash, and it was necessary to see the light from about 30 feet away should the occasion arise. I had to find a fire exit. In other words, If you will be, for example, spelunking, caving, or mountaineering, you may need a headlamp that changes its level of brightness over time. The headlamp with adjustable brightness levels is key if you want one that lasts for a long time. If the light only has one or two settings, it will either be too bright or too dim, so you’ll have to change it when looking at something farther away.
How long is its battery life?
A good headlamp has a battery life that ranges from 8-32 hours of continuous use, depending on the product and its lumens. Waterproof and drop-resistant lithium-ion sealed batteries are your best bet when it comes to finding one that’ll last for a while.
Is it waterproof?
When examining the best-caving headlamps, you should know that it needs to be waterproof. If you are exploring or hunting in a particular area with standing water, you need to have a headlamp that can handle it. This is why most people with caving headlamps usually spend money on those rated as water-resistant. You want to ensure that the lamp is waterproof so it can be submerged underwater without shorting out. This also provides that it will work when snow, dirt, or other debris might be dropped on it.
Pros and cons of specific best caving headlamps
There are a few different types of headlamps to consider when selecting the best caving headlamp. LED headlamps or headlamps with naturally long battery life work great for caving while being able to withstand being dropped onto rocks. However, Cree-style LEDs have a high turnover rate and didn’t have a good reputation for being water-resistant until recently. The type of caving headlamp you choose will depend on what tasks you need it for. Four different types of lights are available: 1) Zoom, 2) Flood, 3) Red, 4) Blue. Other headlamps vary in the quality and features they offer. However, not all headlamps are created equal, and many differences in their beam distance and battery life. When purchasing the best caving headlamp, it is absolutely necessary to make sure that those needs are met and choose a comfortable model to wear. The most important consideration, however, is safety. As movement is intentional, lengthy, and often in the dark, it is essential to have a reliable headlamp. They are so important because some areas will not receive any natural light once you are too deep into the cave system. The good news is that good caving headlamps are not only helpful but also reasonably priced.
You’ll want to look for specific features that can vary significantly by price point. Weights of headlamps differ depending on the type of activity they are meant to support (i.e., tasks requiring light-touch dexterity like tying knots) and the output power (lumens). Today’s minimum requirement seems to be 200 lumens potency, with some flashlights available for tending up to 2000 lumens.
Fenix HM65R Rechargeable Headlamp
Immediate circle to get the perfect light for whatever you’re doing. The smooth twist action of this Fenix ring lights up 115 times max, down to 1 lumen for up to 6 days straight; then it takes 4 hours on high or 18 minutes on low. Three different brightness levels make checking out details easy enough for kids. And like all PIXA 2-meter waterproof headlamps, this has stood the Fenix UA Military Standards–just one more reason why Oregon’s Zane MacBryde won gold in Rio with this light.
Key points :
- The Fenix HM65R rechargeable headlamp is the only headlamp of its kind that includes a Lithium-Ion battery with intelligent protection circuit, which charges two standard AA batteries. The HM65R also has 3 lighting modes.
- Everything you need is right here: 3 light settings and a red spotlight that can be used to signal for help, all wrapped up in a water-resistant, lightweight headlamp that’s designed to stash comfortably on your head.
- The Fenix HM65R Rechargeable Headlamp functions as both a headlamp and flashlight. Three brightness levels, constant illumination up to 130 lumens, and 176 hours of runtime make this the perfect companion on any adventure.
Petzl Duo Z1 Waterproof Rechargeable Headlamp
The Petzl Duo Z1 Waterproof Rechargeable Headlamp is the best in the market. Made of high-quality aluminum, this headlamp is guaranteed to be sturdy and last for many years. It’s also relatively lightweight at only 133 grams! The grip, which can be adjusted to fit any head size, is made of gutsy rubber with an indentation for the bridge of your nose.
Key points :
- The Duo Z1 is cleverly designed with an OLED tap control to select constant lighting, strobe lighting, infrared distance markers, and flashing modes. Petzl’s Constant Beam Technology™ (CBT) ensures that the beam is always well-formed.
- The Duo Z1 is a rechargeable headlamp that can be used even when it’s raining. Its intensity and power settings allow you to manage the brightness depending on how close you are to your objective.
- The Duo Z1 headlamp is small and lightweight, ideal for close-range activity: making camp in the dark, cooking after dark, reading a trail map in the dark. With 150 lumen max output and night vision performance-optimized TIR
ThruNite TH30 LED Rechargeable Head Torch
It’s not ‘sticks and stones that hurt most- those words from your boss that lower your self-esteem work just as well as a physical blow. And they usually last longer. A psychologist would say these verbal wounds can’t be healed with a single apology. A good mental health strategy is to step back and rebuild your confidence, starting with a high-quality headlamp so you can enjoy caving at night.
Key points :
- Compact, lightweight and universal, this smart headlight is the perfect travel companion on adventure trips! Whether you need nighttime illumination for your campsite or find yourself on an extended hike in the dark, this hands-free light accessory will lead the way.
- With an up to 100,000 hrs lifespan, the TH30 is the perfect torch for outdoor enthusiasts. The waterproof makes it great for any adventure.
- A headlight with a head clip for hands-free use. It has 3 modes of brightness and a strap that is very easily removable to be turned into a hand light.
FAQs
The most popular types of headlamps for caving are LED Electronic Touch Switch battery-powered models and Chip-On-Board rechargeable battery models. What’s the difference?
- LED lights are brighter than their Electronic counterparts but take up more space on your head.
- ECHO models are self fluorescent lamps, saving you money in the long run with their single life span.
- An average battery can last 20 hours with an ECHO model or up to 10 hours with the LED model. Too much time on your hands is no good.
Warning: If you plan on wearing glasses, it is advisable to talk to the folks at your optometrist before purchasing battery-operated models.