Re: Head Lamps
Posted: Dec 30, 2007 12:57 pm
Just another thought for the original poster.
The big thing to consider when thinking about the Sten ,is what kind of light pattern do you need,and enjoy,and what kind of caves do you spend your time in? I say this,because it may not be the best choice for your needs. I will say ,though,that the Sten is a well built light,and has a feel of quality that exudes from it. But......the single light pattern choice of the Sten may not justify it's cost. I realize that you can buy different optics for it,and slightly modify the beam,but you would be detracting from it's original intended purpose......which is/was to be a real "thrower". You need to decide if you want a light that really reaches out there to light up those high ceilings,big rooms,and deep pits, or if you need a wider diffuse spread,for smaller crawls,and general walking around. With the Sten,something will have to be compromised,at least a little.
If you only need a "thrower" for a small percentage of the time,I think there are better and cheaper ways to go. For example,I own a Task Force, 2 c-cell light,that I got from Lowe's ,of all places. Only cost $29,and it has somewhere around 120 -150 lumens,depending on what you read,and it has the new Cree LED. It has a narrow beam that really reaches out there. With rechargeable 6000 Ma batteries,the runtime is about 2 hours at max lumens,another hour at about half lumens,and another hour of fading light. The quality is standard, basic, mass produced Chinese,but for that price,I can stock up!
Also,consider the Fenix line of products. I gave my buddy the Premium 2-AA model with the new Cree LED,for Christmas,and it was about $65 shipped. This thing rocks! Numerous settings,long runtimes,and AA batteries,which almost everyone has.The quality is good,too. Both of these are hand helds,but are small enough to be carried into a cave,as a second or third light source. Plus,they both are great for checking holes,while ridgewalking.We can wear dark sunglasses,and they still have enough punch to see into holes! Saves a lot of unnecessary effort,and climbing.
Just a few thoughts,so go with your gut. Even if it's not perfect,you will still have a great light.
The big thing to consider when thinking about the Sten ,is what kind of light pattern do you need,and enjoy,and what kind of caves do you spend your time in? I say this,because it may not be the best choice for your needs. I will say ,though,that the Sten is a well built light,and has a feel of quality that exudes from it. But......the single light pattern choice of the Sten may not justify it's cost. I realize that you can buy different optics for it,and slightly modify the beam,but you would be detracting from it's original intended purpose......which is/was to be a real "thrower". You need to decide if you want a light that really reaches out there to light up those high ceilings,big rooms,and deep pits, or if you need a wider diffuse spread,for smaller crawls,and general walking around. With the Sten,something will have to be compromised,at least a little.
If you only need a "thrower" for a small percentage of the time,I think there are better and cheaper ways to go. For example,I own a Task Force, 2 c-cell light,that I got from Lowe's ,of all places. Only cost $29,and it has somewhere around 120 -150 lumens,depending on what you read,and it has the new Cree LED. It has a narrow beam that really reaches out there. With rechargeable 6000 Ma batteries,the runtime is about 2 hours at max lumens,another hour at about half lumens,and another hour of fading light. The quality is standard, basic, mass produced Chinese,but for that price,I can stock up!
Also,consider the Fenix line of products. I gave my buddy the Premium 2-AA model with the new Cree LED,for Christmas,and it was about $65 shipped. This thing rocks! Numerous settings,long runtimes,and AA batteries,which almost everyone has.The quality is good,too. Both of these are hand helds,but are small enough to be carried into a cave,as a second or third light source. Plus,they both are great for checking holes,while ridgewalking.We can wear dark sunglasses,and they still have enough punch to see into holes! Saves a lot of unnecessary effort,and climbing.
Just a few thoughts,so go with your gut. Even if it's not perfect,you will still have a great light.