Good Torch?

adam jones 2

03/02/2002 at 17:51

Anyone know of any good, cheap torches with long battery life and that are suitable for use in Thailand.

Orange Alex Ford

03/02/2002 at 21:34

You can't get better than a Mini-Maglight.

Bomb proof and durable. Focusable beam. "Candle" feature...even a spare bulb in the end. AA batteries available everywhere.

Not necessarily very cheap, but worth every penny.

Jon Doran

03/02/2002 at 21:51

Or for head torches, one of the new LED ones like the Petzl Tikka or the Black Diamond Moonlight or one of the basic Lucido models. Not particularly cheap at around 25 quid, but you're looking at battery life in the 100s of hours. See the reviews on the site (main page, reviews section)

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

joan collins

04/02/2002 at 08:40

I think a head torch would be best because it allows you to have both hands free. One which uses AA batteries is preferable because these are readily available in Thailand; other types are less so. The Petzl Tikka seems to have a 20 hour-plus battery life, and it's very light in weight, so I think this would be a good choice.

Row

04/02/2002 at 09:13

petzl zoom! definatly the zoom ( but with AA adapter!) why you of to thailand then?

Jon Doran

04/02/2002 at 09:26

If it's just for close quarter stuff like reading, cooking etc, you're better off with a Tikka or similar than a Zoom ,which uses batteries far quicker. Incidentally, the Tikka runs on the smaller AAA batteries as does the Moonlight, the sort you normally get in TV zappers. Not sure what availability of these is like in Thailand so worth checking, but they are so small and the battery life is so long that you could carry a spare set and not really notice.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

Jon Doran

04/02/2002 at 09:30

But if all you want is a cheap torch for casual use, why not just nip down to Woolies and buy a cheap torch that runs on readily available batteries like the AA Walkman size? Or even buy one in Thailand.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

Rob Sutherland

04/02/2002 at 10:36

Do the Black Diamond LED headlights use AA - if so they could be worth a look.

Otherwise I would go with the Tikka too - they really are good (although my girlfriend has stolen mine so I may actually have to buy one now!)

Jon Doran

04/02/2002 at 10:46

The BD Moonlight uses AAAs, like the Tikka, not sure about the rest of the range, but they're pricier anyway. I think the Lucido ones use AA - the T61 definitely does - so maybe they're a better bet.

Interestingly, you used to be able to buy those square Zoom batteries in La Paz - for $10 each... You could buy a made-to-measure fleece for around $20...

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

Ninja Marmot

04/02/2002 at 10:55

The Tikka is incredibly light for carrying around - I keep mine with me all the time when I'm out and about just in case and if it's in my pocket I can't feel it's there. The beam is less directional but intense. The Petzl Zoom gives a stronger, wider, tiltable beam but it chews up batteries and spits them out and it's heavy, man!

Would agree with Alex re the Maglite. The candle mode is excellent for use in a tent at night and in torch mode the beam can be zoomed in or out. I believe that the new generation LED torches may eventually replace the faithful Maggi and I would be interested to hear from anyone who has used one.

Mark Phillips

04/02/2002 at 13:17

Petzl Zoom - Don't leave home without it..... just make sure you get the AA adapter.

The new LED head torches would be worth a look too.

M

adam jones 2

04/02/2002 at 18:27

I'm off to Thailand on the Scout Jamboree on which we will be doing trekking an stuff.So i think that i head torch may be the best bet. Especially as we ave to put up our tents in the dark and cook an stuff. Thanks for the advice!

Row

05/02/2002 at 12:35

i know 2 people from the local explorer scouts going to thailand

they are

james whatson
and
charlotte finch

perhaps you may meet up!

Ben Hedley

05/02/2002 at 13:07

try the petza micro, cheaper and lighter that the zoom, give a good beam spread and runs for ages on aa baterys. think field and trek had sum on offer if your near chester

Drew

05/02/2002 at 15:06

The Petzl Duo is good. Either a powerful, focusable beam, which last for 3-4 hours, or a dimmer, wide beam, which lasts for 12 hours, all on 4 AA batteries, with the batteries at the back of the head.

But Maglite's will last a lifetime. Theyre made from the same material as planes!

11/02/2002 at 14:13

I would recommend the Tikka, but at £25 its more than the mini mag, and as you're already shellng out loads of dosh on the rest of your stuff for Thailand then that might be an important consideration. Some of the Scouts at the troop I run have Petzel Zooms, and they haven't managed to break them yet, so they qualify as robust!

Have a good time.

Si

PS Have you approached a local gear shop for sponsorship of (ie discount for) items like this? Just a thought.

Jan Challis

13/02/2002 at 16:07

The Petzl zooms are good and robust. I bought a micro for my daughter at Christmas and I think I prefer that to my zoom!
Also the Maglites are good - the AA is great, but they're heavy. If you want a big torch, Homebase had Maglize 2D, 3D and 4D's at about £10 off the going rate (usually about £25 for the 2D) - I got a 2D for £15 last week - but they're heavy!

Andrew McMurtrie 2

13/02/2002 at 17:16

Trail [magazine] Recommend - I never buy anything else - was a close call between the Lucido T7 and the Lucido T6.1. Looks like ye olde Petzal Zoom has seen its day with these new LED boys on the block!

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