I wasn't sure if there was a general ultra gear thread but I find that what is good on shorter runs doesn't cut it on longer ones!
im after head torch recommendations! I need something comfy, light so that it doesn't move and with a long battery life! Any recommendations?
ive been using a lenser h7 but after a few hours it really irritates me, i have no grumbles anout the brightness but am looking for something comfier!
Comments
Alpkit .... cheaper than most and fabulous quality
I have an alpkit too but I dont like that after a few hours either
Have you considered a new head?
Well that would solve my problem and probably stop me entering silly races but I think another torch might be less bother!
What's the problem with the headtorches you've got already? Weight, comfort or tunnel vision syndrome?
Weight is a tough one if you want long battery life. Maybe one with a remote battery (Hope?)
Comfort - have you tried aplying a buff under the strap/lumpy bits.
Tunnel vision - try one with a difuser (Petzl MYO) to spread the beam.
Thanks that's helpful!
The problem is battery life and comfort with the lenser and comfort and tunnel vision with the alpkit! Although the alpkit is moderately comfier, but both slip and dig into my ears and annoy me after a few miles!
not sure what to try next but happy to spend more for the right one
Mine has a strap over the top of your head aswell as the band that goes round, this stops it moving down your head so once you've got it adjusted it stays in place. 4AAs which sit in a pack on the back of your head so it's heavier than most, but well balanced and I've happily used it overnight a few times. Advantage of 4AA is you get the battery life. I can run at ~120 lumen for 8 hours, which gives you a nice bright wide circle (not diffused), or ~50 lumen for 30+ hours (can't remember the number quoted). It's waterproof to a degree too and regulated so stays bright until the end.
Model is discontinued but look at the Fenix website if interested in what has replaced it, cost somewhere around £40-50.
Alpkit has a strap over the head also so don't think that's the issue.
I'm wondering whether an external battery pack might be better!
i haven't tried over a buff I guess that is worth testing, I hate wearing anything on my head really!
Shawk 120 lumen for 8 hours sounds good!
ive been struggling to find data for mid lumen settings most of them state amazing battery life on the lowest setting that is just not enough to run with unless you enjoy not seeing where you are going! I like to see as much as I can!!!
Roger that.
Nice CB protocol there cougie, could catch on.
Over.
Touie: if it's wearing the light on your head that's the problem, have you considered seeing whether you could attach one round your waist? I did that during Lakeland 50 and found it useful - okay, I'm small enough that I could wear an Alpkit Gamma round my waist (with the over-the-head trap removed of course!).
Thats brilliant! I'm going to try that. Thanks Cougie.
That is an idea Debra I'm small too!
touie2: Hope it woks for you. Note; if wearing a backpack, and doing this with an Alpkit Gamma, you need to slide the light round on the strap so it's closer to the battery pack, so you can have the battery pack on your side, not your back, or you get the battery pack pushed into your back. (Okay, you'd work that out yourself the first time you tried wearing the combination, but I'm all for learning from other people's experiences rather than wasting time.)
Thanks
I have Alpkit Gamma too and just found out after 2 years that it has different coloured LED's I also do a spot of cave diving and use Fenix lamps and they are proper hardcore, extremely bright if thats what you are after, just that most people seem to think headlamps start and end with Petzl. People also run carrying a torch in their hand. Not sure about that though
Im also on the petzl myo, with a cyberlite backup
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
My favourite running torch is a Black Diamond Storm, which is more of a climbing/mountaineering torch, but it seems to be prefect for ultra running.
Have been looking at the black diamond icon, looks like it has great battery life!
Hang on !! Didnt we hdve an ultra kit list thread a while back ? Ben , I'm sure it was you or Jeremy G that started it ? Hang on Touie, will see if I can find it , might be I useful stuff on it
Thanks
Have been sent a lovely Mammut running pack by the Irontrail organisers today. Annoyingly I probably won’t use it at StourValley this weekend, because I won’t have time to trial it.
I have the new salomon s-lab hydration pack in the post! And have been testing out the sense mantra to go with it! Which I am finding brilliant so far!
Trail running magazine are doing the high 5 pack if you subscribe too! Received mine yesterday
still need to decide on a torch!
oooo Touie thts exciting !!!
Touie I have used the Silva Trail runner for a couple of years now and it is a fantastic bit of kit. You can pick one up for about 40 quid at the moment. Trail runner 2 is out in Nov can't wait for that.
I also use a LED lenser P3 hand torch which I use as a back up light source but on short runs I will use it on its own. I think you can get a P3 for about £12. I personally didn't like the Alpkit gamma, the light beam is way too narrow.
Yes I find the beam really narrow on the alpkit tooused did borrow a silva torch for short run once and found the wide band comfy! I wasn't sure about the battery life though. I did look at he x-trail plus but it is so expensive! Ill have a look at the trail runner