LED Headlamp

[AndrewStarfish]

For your Elcheapo touring needs.

Anaconda selling a cheap 7 LED Headlamp $3.50 sale ends 15th jan 2012.

http://catalogues.anaconda.com.au/porta ... geview=two

[HappyHumber]

The couple of times I've bought cheap LED lights like this (and I have one very similar to this at the moment, in fact) I find part of the cheap design is that they are often prone to being turned on accidently in your bag or pack and then prematurely flattening the batteries....

It ticks me off, as it's the only thing that ruins their value for me

Only thing I have thought of, but still yet to try is inserting some sort of small, insulating piece of rubber (inner tube?) in between the battery contacts when not in use. Kinda removes a bit of the convenience to remove it and then later remember to put it back in when you're finished with it though.

[Aushiker]

The couple of times I've bought cheap LED lights like this (and I have one very similar to this at the moment, in fact) I find part of the cheap design is that they are often prone to being turned on accidently in your bag or pack and then prematurely flattening the batteries....

When backpacking/touring I tend to pack mine in my pot. Reduces the chance of this happening. Guess that will not work for you but

Andrew

[HappyHumber]

When backpacking/touring I tend to pack mine in my pot. Reduces the chance of this happening. Guess that will not work for you but

I'm not about to give up on the cheap & cheerful ones just yet. Another idea I had was to put a strip of folded duct tape loosely over the switch, with a bit of a slight air-gap. So it requires a bit more "oomff" to turn it on.

I tend to carry one in my day bag on my winter commutes or odd night MTB ride as emergency torch or worst case headlight. Haven't thought of a need to carry a cooking pot between home & the office just yet.

[RonK]

Haven't thought of a need to carry a cooking pot between home & the office just yet.

Well this is actually the touring forum, and the OP suggested this light as an inexpensive touring solution.

It's not at all uncommon for tourists to be carrying a pot.

[il padrone]

In the world of led head-lamps, that one is a positive antique. I passed the same light on to my son about 3 years ago, after I'd been using it for 5 years or so myself. Also I never experienced it being turned on surreptitiously in the pannier.

For the last 3-4 years I have been using the Princetontec Eos 1W led lamp. There are now even better brighter lights out there but I have found this to be compact, reliable and bright enough for most uses in the tent and around the campsite.

Apparently it can even be used as a bike light

[Aushiker]

On the subject of headlamps, Snow Peak have come out with a lapel torch. Not sure of its value to camping but still an alternative to headlamps I guess.



According to Gizmag

The Lapel Torch packs up to 60 lumens of light output into a 1.4-ounce (39.7-gram) package. Sort of a multi-functional utility light for campers and outdoor users, it uses a magnetic clip that can be attached to your shirt, hat, tent pocket, etc. to offer a little more flexibility than a headlamp.

Andrew