Australian Rogaining Association

What is your pick for the best rogaining head torch?

Mine is the PrincetonTec Apex. (Note - there is also an "Apex Pro" which is otherwise identical but only runs on lithium batteries which are expensive, disposable and hard to come by.)

Features:

• 3W LED spot - high setting claims 56m beam


• 4 x superbright LEDs spread beam claims 23m


• regulated voltage - constant light output for life of batteries


• low settings on both light options for extended battery life when high power not required


• runs on 4 x AAs batteries - alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeables or lithium disposable - battery pack at back of head


• waterproof to 1m


• 3 head straps for stability

They can be picked up on ebay for around AUD 75 including shipping, or AUD 150 in outdoor shops.

I've compared this with other 3W LED based units such as Silva L1, Black Diamond Icon, Petzl MYO XP, Min Min and ViciousPower LED and it beats them all on the above features - none come close at the price.

If you are still using a 1W LED or xenon/halogen/incandescent head torch, it's time to seriously look at upgrading.

What's your choice?

I'm using a 3W Min Min Light and am exceptionally happy with it. I haven't tested it for distance but I know it beats the Petzl, Silva, ViscousPower hands down for intensity and distance. I'll check out the Apex.

I have had a Min min for 4 years and it's a good light - the beam is excellent - however the finish on the rest of the product is extremely basic and not exactly "user friendly". You could call it "functional" if you were being kind, or else primitive. What I don't like about it compared to the Apex:

• no switch - the supplied in-line Vistalite bike light switch doesn't count for me - you just plug the battery into the end of the lamp cable


• not waterproof - but it is reasonably water resistant at least


• no voltage regulator - light slowly dims as battery runs down


• battery mounting is primitive - in your backpack/camelbak if you are wearing one or squeeze it into loop at the back of the elastic head band


• cabling is just spaghetti on top of your head, and cable connectors get dicky over time - I have replaced my connectors once already, and it's on the blink again


• supplied batteries are expensive at $80 for 3-cell 4000mAh unit - I can buy another Apex for that, and use 2500mAh NiMH AAs - a set can be had for AUD 10 or so


• requires special charger for supplied batteries - which at least has other uses which is a plus, but it is not even supplied with a 240V supply, runs off 12V DC - I know someone who charges hers in her car driving to and from work because of that!!


• external battery box for using AAs is clunky - bulky pelican case with 3 cell AA case inside


• not dimmable - no power saving options


• lack of superbright LEDs isn't a major deficiency for rogaining, but having them on the Apex makes it a much more versatile unit


• way more expensive and the light is no better

It was a great unit compared to anything else on the market when it was released 4-5 years ago, but a lot has changed in the meantime!

I used both the Apex and Min Min in last weekend's NSW champs at Goulburn River NP.

Used the Apex for most of the night until the batteries ran out for the 2nd time - maybe the 2000mAh NiMH AAs I was running are getting on a bit, but it seemed to suck the batteries pretty hard. I was mostly using the superbright LEDs and only pumping out the spot when I needed it for distance. The difference in colour between the two beams is a bit of an adjustment but not dramatic. The spot lacks peripheral spread which is a trade off. The broad spread of the superbright LEDs is great, although it is quite bright for looking at the map.

It was quite nice to swap to the Min Min to compare. There is a lot to be said for not having to switch beams, and its beam pattern with its gradual fade to the edges allows you to look at the map without destroying your night vision. Having the distance beam on full time allows you to see a lot more, even if most of the time it doesn't make much difference.

The Apex definitely gets the award for best value and user convenience, but on balance I prefer the beam of the Min Min.

Just updating this topic. I'm still using the Min Min, but only after having replaced all the connectors again which were now so flaky due to corrosion that it was hard to get consistent light out of it anymore. I swapped them for the white plastic locking block connectors you can get from Jaycar, which also solves the problem of them coming undone sometimes in the scrub.

I compiled a bit more of a list of requirements for a good torch:

• LED is preferable technology - high quality LEDs will last 10000+ hours of operation - no need for replacement bulbs


• head torch much more versatile than hand-held


• batteries - using rechargeable NiMH AA or AAAs rather than alkaline disposables. More expensive lights often use custom rechargeable Lithium ion or Lithium polymer which are expensive but higher capacity and lighter. Avoid lights which use lithium disposables since they are both single use and expensive.


• voltage regulator - light maintains brightness rather than gradually fading


• power consumption (watts) is not the same as light output (lumens). Light ratings in watts are not comparable even between LEDs (due to dramatic efficiency improvements) let alone vs halogen, etc. 200 lumens is a good starting point for a good light level.


• beam pattern - spot vs spread determines effective usable range - a sharp edge to the beam pattern also makes it hard to use for reading the map due to intense reflection - some websites have pictures of beam pattern


• variable light levels - able to switch between lower light = longer battery life and high beam = spotting in one unit is very convenient


• multiple lights in one unit - e.g. high intensity spot and short-range spread beam also gives increased versatility if you also want to be able to use it for stuff like camping or reading in a tent.


• waterproof preferable, especially for a head torch. It's hard enough navigating in the rain in the dark without your torch playing up!


• get the best light you can afford - the difference between being able to see 5m most of the time and 50m makes a massive difference to navigation. You can actually see landforms at night and maintain much better contact with the map.
  

Now that AYUP have released variable power level batteries they are looking very promising. Prior to that the battery life was still a bit short, and if anything the light was too bright!

Time moves on. My current pick for a rogaine head torch is without question an Ay-Up.

The intermediate beam lamp and a half-epic battery on low beam pumps out a huge amount of light for 6 hours, and then gradually dims. Even at 9 hours it's still way better than most lights out there.

Setup is really simple and bomb-proof. All head mounted and weighs less than 200g! Changing the battery is really simple too.

They cost a bit, but you can use them as a bike light when you're not rogaining - comes with handlebar and helmet mounts. Also comes with charger for 240V (mains) and 12V (car).