Perhaps Jon could compare this with the Alpkit torch due out next week?
Quite possibly, but I think it's a chalk and cheese situation. I doubt the AlpKit one is anything like as bright, but then it's significantly cheaper. We've got a Petzl one coming. All I can tell you btw, is that the UK distributor tells us that it's in the shops in February, so either it's appeared ahead of schedule or Joe Brown's is selling it on a pre-order basis, which isn't unheard of. [edit - anyway, February is very soon 
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The thing is, LED technology has developed very quickly with new, brighter and more efficient LEDs coming onto the market, so it makes existing torches quite easy to upgrade by changing the internals.
I've always wondered how many people really need all that extra light. I can think of times, usually very early alpine starts, where it would be nice to be able to see beyond your feet, but my hunch is that 90 per-cent plus of headtorch use is for walking to the pub and back from the campsite and reading, cooking and faffing in the tent.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing or that it's not a good thing to have a very bright torch when you do need it, but I do wonder how often these torches are used to their full potential.
Edited: 25/01/2008 at 12:20
