Headlight and Handheld Lights for Mine and Cave Exploration?

[raccoon]

@meeshu

The HL3A light... might be possible for the light to be accidentally pushed out (one side) from its two retaining straps on the headband.

That isn't going to happen.

The light is held tightly.

@meeshu

Also the two retaining straps may be subject to cut/break with consequent loss of the light.

Only if you cut it with something like a knife or scissors.

It's not going to happen spontaneously.

[raccoon]

@meeshu

the FW3A... reliability and durability is questionable.

Mine works fine for me, reliability and durability-wise.

[Ryzbor]

@raccoon city

Would these work?

Lumintop FW3A & HL3A

Using these as a main light is not the safest idea since these are toys designed to be fun to use and not as tools for providing light in harsh conditions. As an additional light, why not, but the main headlamp should be reliable. Plus always carry a backup or two.

[Henk4U2]

Maybe this one option is more than you asked for, but I’ll suggest it anyway.

My XTAR D06-1200 dive light has an XP-L2 V6 emitter that is doing 1200 lumens.
But it is more or less built like a mule.
Almost flat white colored “reflector”, and a convex lens in front. Just like a zoomie.

Result: an even white beam of app 90° wide and an unusual “throw”of about 50 meter.
It uses a magnetic slide that is not very well defined. More like rather abrupt.
But no menu, no blinkies. Very solid feel. Only two parts, head and body, 140mm long.

It is IPX8 rated for 100 meter. You either love it, or you’ll hate it.

[raccoon]

@Ryzbor

@raccoon city

Would these work?

Lumintop FW3A & HL3A

As a main light it’s not the safest idea since these are toys.

Mine are high quality tools that work very well--not toys in the least.

What's with all the hating on the FW3A & HL3A anyway?

Makes no sense to me.

[Bort]

@meeshu

@raccoon city

Would these work?

Lumintop FW3A & HL3A

Thanks for the suggestions.

Although the FW3A seems to have a wide beam angle (around 30°, good), the light reliability and durability is questionable.

For any discount Chinese light the reliability is questionable. I have had several lights with gremlins at the worst possible time. And some i have yet to explain.
If you need reliable then spend the money for a higher end brand.

And frankly you should double up, in the prepper world there is a saying, two is one and one is none.
Of course this gets very pricey and you have a weight constraint but don’t expect our fun discount lights to be life preservers.
Since you are going to carry more than one light at least try to have cross tolerant lights.

[Ryzbor]

It’s not hate, just commons sense.

You don’t use a FET light when you go for a couple of hours underground.

For that you want a flashlight that can provide a stable output for a long time, behaves well on an almost empty cell (Zebralight beats everything in this matter), has a simple UI and is waterproof.

Well, my cat managed to kill a FW3A by throwing it from a table on a concrete floor from 1 meter. Whilst my AT Wizard headlamp once flew from three meters on a steel plate and was fine.

For a headlamp I would choose a Zabralight, Armytek of Skilhunt, and carry the FW3A, HL3A or whatever fet light as an additional high power fill light.

[meeshu]

@gravelmonkey

Depends what you’re doing. I mapped a disused underground mine for a university module a number of years ago. I found a handheld spot and floody headlamp were good for the 6-8hour days. Lights were Zebralight H600W and a Xenolight G42. Nowadays I’d recommend a zebralight and a convoy C8+. Good belt holster with secure but one-handed closure is vital. Two years ago, I worked on a site with an underground mine, I used a Skilhunt headlamp and an Emisar D1 for 1-4 hour work long trips. All trips also included multiple spare cells and AA light for backup.

For several reasons, I've eliminated Zebralights as possible lights for my purposes.

Currently looking into Convoy lights.

I've had a quickish look at Skilhunt lights, but no lights of interest have as yet been found.

The Emisar D1 is not a suitable light as it is a definite thrower with an almost laser like beam I believe.

[meeshu]

@goshdogit

I’m not a caver but I love ZebraLights. Here’s a YouTube video demonstrating a dual-ZebraLight setup like YuvalS mentioned:
https://youtu.be/MyBWYd_2Ha0 In the video’s comment section, Derek mentions his mount is from “Inner Mountain Outfitters.”:https://www.innermountainoutfitters.com/ I checked their site but had no luck finding the mount. Perhaps you could contact them for more info. In another comment, Derek mentions that he has learned that the mount is actually meant for mounting a scope to a rifle. There is also “one designed for 3D printing on Thingiverse,”:https://www.thingiverse.com/ but the method of fastening the lights seems a bit less sturdy compared to Derek’s mount. I’m having trouble pasting a direct link to the page, but it is thing number 2271391. EDIT: I found some mounts similar to Derek’s by searching for ‘barrel scope mount’ and ‘tube scope mount.’

Thanks, but Zebralights are not an option as they are not really suitable for my purposes.

[meeshu]

@crn3371

I’d want redundancy, multiple lights that all take the same type REPLACEABLE battery, and spare batteries.

Yes. Thanks for that!

Actually I was aware that extra/backup lights and cells are really required for safety reasons.

[Bort]

@meeshu

@goshdogit

I’m not a caver but I love ZebraLights. Here’s a YouTube video demonstrating a dual-ZebraLight setup like YuvalS mentioned:
https://youtu.be/MyBWYd_2Ha0(https://www.thingiverse.com/) but the method of fastening the lights seems a bit less sturdy compared to Derek’s mount. I’m having trouble pasting a direct link to the page, but it is thing number 2271391. EDIT: I found some mounts similar to Derek’s by searching for ‘barrel scope mount’ and ‘tube scope mount.’

Thanks, but Zebralights are not an option as they are not really suitable for my purposes.

Why?

[meeshu]

@zoulas

Unless you want to throw your money away, don’t get the Nitecore E4K. Complete garbage. Light overheats, and UI is a$$ backwards.

Thanks for that!

Yes, I was aware that the Nitecore E4K has an unusual UI which is not really user friendly. I wasn't aware that the light overheats!!

[meeshu]

@Lightbringer

Diffusion Film Is Your Friend. Very little loss, and makes a hella nice floody beam. Grab a diving light (about as waterproof as you’ll get) from Sofirn and/or Wurkkos, especially with a mag-ring selector (as simple a UI as you’ll get), and be done with it.

Thanks for the tips!

I have already looked at some Sofirn lights, but still looking at other lights there.

Diving lights are also being considered (from various manufacturers), as they are indeed the best in terms of being waterproof!

[meeshu]

@texas shooter

Your headlight choices are pretty good. I’ve worked in some pretty bad weather and I’d imagine caves/mines are going to be tough on equipment. Your hand held lights are a little too light and will be limited in long run times without getting to hot to hold. Handheld I’d go a little heavier more durably (dropping, water, heat management) Olight Warrior X Pro, has a recessed lens, lots of drop test, very water proof, good gripping. Down side propriety battery and charger. Convoy also makes some tough budget lights. Greasing threads and o-rings, tightening inner locking rings goes a long way into water proofing lights. My personal duty light for three years has been an Astrolux FT01/Mateminco TK01 A bit heavy at 191 grams but nearly indestructible and able to run at high 1300 lumens for about 30 minutes without getting to hot. It’ll do two days at the bottom of my pool without issue.

Thanks for the suggestions.

The Olight Warrior X Pro light has a very narrow (spotlight like) beam, I believe. So this light is unfortunately not really suitable.

The Astrolux FT01/Mateminco TK01 has a standard/slightly narrow beam and again is not really suitable.

[meeshu]

@Twisted_Saint

I don’t have any experience in caves or mines but the Acebeam H30 is one of my favorite headlamps. I’d imagine you have a helmet if you’re going into caves and mines. If you’re willing to drill a hole into it theres this mount that is printable from user u/freed_o_gram on reddit Acebeam H30 helmet mount by Freedexplore - Thingiverse I believe the H30 is buyable from Illumn (if you’re in the states) with the coupon “Reddit” Have a good day/night

Thanks for that suggestion!

I have just checked out the Acebeam H30 headlight and it has a beam of about 40°! So this light is a definite possibility!!

[meeshu]

@Bort

@meeshu

The Xtra Moon RC2 light, thanks, but not really the style/type of light that I really want.

You would be surprised how useful this light is, until i had one i never would have realized it. Its actually my most used light. I EDC it often and carry it even when i an EDCing another light. For close quarters, working with gear or walking in the dark its hard to beat.

Noted, thank you!

[meeshu]

@stephenk

I do underground urban exploring, and use a Nitecore HC65 headlamp and Convoy S2+ LH351D handheld torches (2x2700k and 2x5700k) with diffusers for photography. Answers may vary based on the runtimes you require? i.e. how long you will be underground. I’m rarely underground for more than 3 hours. You might need more professional caving lighting gear like Scurion.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I have just had a look at the Nitecore HC65, and it has a beam of around 37.5°. So this headlight is also a definite possibility.

There are quite a few variations in the Convoy S2 series of lights I believe. However, there seems to be a substantial lack of technical information for these lights (no lumens, no candelas, no throws, no runtimes)! Without this information I can't make a determination as to whether the lights are suitable or not. So, these Convoy S2(+) lights are subsequently eliminated from consideration.

The explorations would be limited to a day trip, so no more than about 7 or 8 hours runtime at the very most (in "medium" level) would be required.

[meeshu]

@raccoon city

@meeshu

The HL3A light... might be possible for the light to be accidentally pushed out (one side) from its two retaining straps on the headband.

That isn't going to happen.

The light is held tightly.

@meeshu

Also the two retaining straps may be subject to cut/break with consequent loss of the light.

Only if you cut it with something like a knife or scissors.

It's not going to happen spontaneously.

Noted, thanks.

[meeshu]

@Henk4U2

Maybe this one option is more than you asked for, but I’ll suggest it anyway. My XTAR D06-1200 dive light has an XP-L2 V6 emitter that is doing 1200 lumens. But it is more or less built like a mule. Almost flat white colored “reflector”, and a convex lens in front. Just like a zoomie. Result: an even white beam of app 90° wide and an unusual "throw"of about 50 meter. It uses a magnetic slide that is not very well defined. More like rather abrupt. But no menu, no blinkies. Very solid feel. Only two parts, head and body, 140mm long. It is IPX8 rated for 100 meter. You either love it, or you’ll hate it.

Noted, thank you!

I'll have to research this light further.

[crn3371]

I would want something with a basic UI, and preferably all lights with the same UI, or at least very close.