Head torches have been a part of my kit for a long time, whether I’m out lamping, wildfowling or simply walking the dogs in the evening.
Having a hands-free way to illuminate the area is very useful. Head torches come in a range of designs and prices, making it a little tricky to sort the wheat from the chaff when trying to find the perfect model for your needs. In this article I’ll look at some of the ones in my collection and the roles they play.
Energizer HD+
A good starting point is a budget product that will certainly suffice in most situations. Energizer head torches have been a staple in my wildfowling gear for many seasons.
They are compact, powered by three AAA batteries, and are surprisingly effective given their low price.
The HD+ model is bright enough for a variety of tasks, particularly with a fresh set of batteries. Its simple two-button function makes it effortless to switch between the red and white LEDs. The former offers sufficient illumination for medium to close work without disrupting your natural night vision. I often use it for quickly organising gear on the foreshore in the dark. When finished, a second click turns off the torch without having to cycle through the full range of brightness levels, which can be both annoying and detrimental to your natural night vision.
The brighter white lights are ideal for scanning a little further afield if necessary. Although the HD+ isn’t as bright as some other headlamps in my collection, it’s still adequate for most situations.
While I’ve moved away from using an Energizer headlamp daily, I do keep one in my emergency kit, which I carry on the foreshore and hills. It has proved invaluable on numerous occasions when I’ve accidentally left my primary head torch at home. The lightweight design and ease of use make it a great secondary torch to have on hand, especially considering the price. A minor drawback is that it runs on standard AAA batteries, but you could always use your own rechargeable ones.
Ledlenser SEO 7R
I have used a Ledlenser MH6 as my primary head torch for the past few seasons as it met my needs for most situations. The fantastic design features helped it stand out from the crowd, making it a great value-for-money tool. I was disappointed that my version appeared to be discontinued when I tried to buy one for Charlie last year. However, I found the Ledlenser SEO 7R, which looks like a new version of the MH6 and has a few more features to boot.
One of the standout features of this torch is its ability to focus the beam, achieved by rotating the lens. This functionality proves incredibly practical for creating a tight and bright beam when searching over greater distances and is a feature I regularly use.
Another advantage over the Energizer is the rechargeable battery block, which is excellent for topping up before an outing and for general use. Despite years of service, the battery longevity remains as good as new. Charging is straightforward as it only requires the provided mini-USB cable. It can also run on AAA batteries if needed, serving as a reliable backup.
The tilt function operates with ease, allowing the user to optimise the light direction. Unlike the Energizer, this torch is operated with a single button that cycles through the brightness levels, starting with the brightest. Once it has been on a particular light level for a few seconds you can turn it off with a single click.
It features a red bulb, accessible by holding the power button down for a few seconds and repeating the process to return to white light. However, unlike the Energizer the red bulb on the Ledlenser is rather dull and only useful for close-up work. I rarely use it as the brightness often isn’t worth the hassle of selecting it. Instead I opt to quickly cycle through the brightness settings to reach the lowest setting of white light.
Overall I highly recommend the Ledlenser for its many positive attributes, including its light weight and compact size, while still packing a powerful punch when required. It remains a firm favourite of mine, and Charlie also rates hers over the others in this selection.
Night Master H1
Night Master have built a reputation for their lamps over the years, so it’s great to see them enter the head torch market. The design of the H1 stands out as the rechargeable battery pack is separate from the main lamp. It is also positioned at the back of the head, which distributes weight for added comfort. However, it does make the headlamp slightly bulkier if you wish to put it in a pocket.
Another notable feature of the H1 is its dual- strap design, enhancing both comfort and stability during use.
Night Master have stealth in mind, as a single short click activates a red light. The white lights are activated simply by holding the button down for a couple of seconds.
Once in white light mode, a single click allows you to cycle through brightness levels, starting from low. Unlike the other lamps in this list, turning off the Night Master requires cycling through the white light settings, regardless of how long it has been on.
What sets the H1 apart is its ability to diffuse light. It features a slider that switches between the red and white bulbs, allowing users to choose between a spotlight or wider coverage with the diffused flood selection. Another handy feature is the rear light on the battery unit. This small red light operates using separate controls from the main torch, providing peace of mind when walking down the road by ensuring visibility should a car approach from behind. Like all the other torches on this list, the head tilts to direct the beam where needed.
Acebeam H30
The Acebeam H30 may be the most expensive head torch on this list, but it certainly offers enough features to justify the higher price and has now become my favourite headlamp in the collection. Unlike the other torches on the list, which are predominantly plastic-based, the H30 is crafted from high-grade metal.
One standout feature of this lamp is its red and green auxiliary LEDs, which I particularly love. They deliver impressive brightness, allowing me to traverse miles over the open hill on the darkest nights without compromising my night vision and keeping my movements somewhat covert. Overall this torch excels in terms of brightness.
The turbo max setting is truly remarkable; I’ve yet to encounter another head torch with the same level of brightness. However, compared with others, a drawback of this headlamp is that it functions more like a floodlight and lacks the ability to focus the beam on a specific area.
The H30’s dual-button control makes it intuitive to switch between modes. The separate power button enables you to instantly turn the torch off and on, helpfully returning you to the last LED and brightness used and thereby eliminating the need to navigate through settings again. While the lamp itself is heavier than the others on this list, the dual strap enhances comfort and weight distribution. The over-the-head section of the strap can also be removed, if necessary, although this may reduce comfort, especially during strenuous walking or running.
Conclusion
There are a great many head torches available to choose from, so I hope that this list has offered a little guidance into some of the options on the market that may meet your requirements. I use all the lamps listed regularly and each possesses its own special qualities that make it a valuable addition to my toolkit.
Tech Specs
Energizer HD+
Runtime: Low, max 35 hours; high,max 3 hours
Battery type: 3x AAA (included but not rechargeable)
Power output: Max 400 lumens
LEDs: 3x white, 2x red
LED options: Red (constant), white (high & low)
Buttons: 2 buttons
Lock: No
SOS: No
Pitch tilt: Yes
Beam range: Max 85m
Impact resistant: 1m
Waterproof: Water resistant IPX4
Weight: 90g (Including battery & strap)
Price £13.99 (Amazon.co.uk)
Ledenser SEO 7R
Runtime: Low, max 20 hours; high, max 5 hours
Battery type: 1x polymer 3.7v rechargeable (included)
Power output: 220 lumens
LEDs: White & red
LED options: Red (constant & flash), white (high, medium, low, flash)
Buttons: 1 button
Lock: Yes
SOS: Yes
Pitch tilt: Yes
Beam range: Max 130m
Impact resistant: 1m
Waterproof: IPX6
Weight: 100g (Including battery & strap)
Price £34.95 (Amazon.co.uk)
Night Master H1
Runtime: Red, max 88 hours; white, max 60 hours
Battery type: Rechargeable battery pack
Power output: Max 400 lumens
LEDs: White & red
LED options: Red (front constant, rear constant & flash), white light (low, medium, high)
Buttons: 2 (1 main button, 1 to operate rear light)
Lock: Yes
SOS: No
Pitch tilt: Yes (45°)
Beam range: Max 110m
Impact resistant: 1.5m
Waterproof: IPX6
Weight: 165g (including battery & strap)
Price £44.95 (Nightmaster.co.uk)
Acebeam H30
Runtime: Red, max 10 hours; white ultra low; max 200 hours; turbo max; max 2 hours
Battery type: 1x 21700 rechargeable Li-ion (included)
Power output: White 3-4000 lumens, red 50 lumens, green 70 lumens
LEDs: White, red & green
LED options: Red (constant), green (constant), white (ultra low, low, medium, high, turbo, turbo-max)
Buttons: 2
Lock: Yes
SOS: Yes (red)
Pitch tilt: Yes (180°)
Beam range: Max 171m
Impact resistant: 1m
Waterproof: IPX68 (2m submersible)
Weight: 190g (including battery & strap)
Price £119.95 (Amazon.co.uk)
