Head torches - what am I doing (buying) wrong?

Robert P

Thru Hiker
I have had problems with the capacity of NiMH batteries deteriorating after many recharge cycles in the past, and they also don't hold their charge well. Perhaps the tech has got better since then.
I've used AA NiMH batteries (Ansmann) in my GPS for many years and found them very reliable over many charges. I've found, however, with batteries that have been left unused for a long while, they won't charge, giving an error code in the charger. I guess that they have discharged for a long while and can't be recharged, though I suppose it could be age?
 

rob d 2

Ultralighter
Interesting. I've not had that, but after considerable use, I've found the occasional charging issue, where a battery takes forever to charge. At that point, I buy a new set, shifting the old sets down through my series of torches.
When I started using Ansmanns maybe 20 years ago, I did a deal for the team with a supplier. They had a very helpful info sheet on the batteries. They suggested that they lose power at the approx rate of 1% / day. So I've tended to rely on Duracells or lithiums on longer trips, say a month or more.
I guess that's where a Core battery would be better, top it up as necessary.
My climbing son swears by his Core, as it's always fully charged at the start of a long day - no faffing around changing batteries.
 

WildAboutWalking

Thru Hiker
Interesting. I've not had that, but after considerable use, I've found the occasional charging issue, where a battery takes forever to charge. At that point, I buy a new set, shifting the old sets down through my series of torches.
When I started using Ansmanns maybe 20 years ago, I did a deal for the team with a supplier. They had a very helpful info sheet on the batteries. They suggested that they lose power at the approx rate of 1% / day. So I've tended to rely on Duracells or lithiums on longer trips, say a month or more.
I guess that's where a Core battery would be better, top it up as necessary.
My climbing son swears by his Core, as it's always fully charged at the start of a long day - no faffing around changing batteries.
Ansmann are a decent brand. I note that some of their NiMH cells are designed to have a low self discharge rate, although these types have a somewhat lower capacity.
https://shop.ansmann.de/en/photo-aaa-900-2

I learnt the hard way about the consequence self discharge, my headtorch died on me as I was exploring a Cumbrian slate mine - thankfully before I was committed! Rookie error, I suppose, I should have recharged the cells as a matter of course.
 
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craige

Thru Hiker
Doesn't anyone use Zebralights anymore? I have one that's not been used since I got the nitecore nu25 as the zebralight was proper overkill for me, but it is a very nice light and seem to recall a good runt time.
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
I have 2 Zebralights. One using the 18650 Batteries and the other CR123.
I find the big one a bit heavy and only carry it in winter. The other has been my go-to for most of the time.

I only recently got a Nitecore nu21 - which hasn't been 'out' yet .... so we'll see how they compare.

I do like the solid well made feel of the Zebralights.
 

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Doesn't anyone use Zebralights anymore? I have one that's not been used since I got the nitecore nu25 as the zebralight was proper overkill for me, but it is a very nice light and seem to recall a good runt time.

Oh yes. The h600 mk4 is still my goto for longer trips or winter. It's been strapped to my head at -40 many times and has never once even coughed. It's the one that goes when I need max reliability/run time abroad.

It still has the comfiest and least tiring colour/ spread in the tent and the cell lasts forever. The light levels are simply perfect.

I'd use my AA h51 Zebralight more, but Lithium AA's have mostly disappeared from shelves.

My only criticism is that the spread is a little too much at night when navving, it lights up my face and I have to have my neck down a little too much. My Olights have a hot spot and slightly less spread, but the light levels aren't anywhere near as well thought out.
 

Mole

Thru Hiker
Oh yes. The h600 mk4 is still my goto for longer trips or winter. It's been strapped to my head at -40 many times and has never once even coughed. It's the one that goes when I need max reliability/run time abroad.

It still has the comfiest and least tiring colour/ spread in the tent and the cell lasts forever. The light levels are simply perfect.

I'd use my AA h51 Zebralight more, but Lithium AA's have mostly disappeared from shelves.

My only criticism is that the spread is a little too much at night when navving, it lights up my face and I have to have my neck down a little too much. My Olights have a hot spot and slightly less spread, but the light levels aren't anywhere near as well thought out.
I often wear my head torches on a peaked cap, as I find the spread into my face/glasses an issue worn "naked"
 

craige

Thru Hiker
@Teepee Think it might be the H51 I have. The asda around the corner from me still had energizer lithiums a couple of months ago when i was looking for different batteries. Could always use a li-on AA too, 5/6ths the energy of the disposable lithium https://amzn.eu/d/2OBvJNv
 

Shafiq

Section Hiker
@cuprajake based on the Nebo (handheld, cheap) light I bought from Go Outdoors a few years ago, I'd class them as such. They are to lights what Karrimoor is to (outdoor) clothing since OutDoor World raped the brand. I'd not buy em, but I could be wrong about the headtorches.

Cheap n cheerful if you ask me.
 
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AlanL

Summit Camper
Doesn't anyone use Zebralights anymore? I have one that's not been used since I got the nitecore nu25 as the zebralight was proper overkill for me, but it is a very nice light and seem to recall a good runt time.
I have a Zebralight H600 that I carry when I expect to be actually using it for substantial periods of time, and was very glad of it when I found myself needing to find the Meanach bothy after dark last September.

But you're right, it is overkill for a lot of things, and for this year's Scotland trip in late May with the short nights I'll be taking my Petzl Bindi instead at 35g versus 190.
 

Johnny3000

Ultralighter
I found switching from AA to 18650 batteries a step similar to switching from halogene to LEDs many years ago, and I don't want to go back.
There's plenty of 18650 angle headlights with >2000lm and long runtimes available, it's just a different level. The weight and wearing comfort is good for any sport. Last autumn, I started a hike on Friday evening at 7pm and hiked 8h in the dark on one battery. I like the fact I have enough light when needed, eg. to find that trail marker.
A good 18650 battery of 3500mAh and high power output is less than 20EUR, and it won't go soft after 3 years.
Not keen on built-in batteries, either. Less stress knowing I can switch to a full battery if needed.
 

WildAboutWalking

Thru Hiker
I found switching from AA to 18650 batteries a step similar to switching from halogene to LEDs many years ago, and I don't want to go back.
There's plenty of 18650 angle headlights with >2000lm and long runtimes available, it's just a different level. The weight and wearing comfort is good for any sport. Last autumn, I started a hike on Friday evening at 7pm and hiked 8h in the dark on one battery. I like the fact I have enough light when needed, eg. to find that trail marker.
A good 18650 battery of 3500mAh and high power output is less than 20EUR, and it won't go soft after 3 years.
Not keen on built-in batteries, either. Less stress knowing I can switch to a full battery if needed.
I would be interested to know which brand of 18650's has a capacity of 3,500mAh, very impressive.

Edit - found the answer myself - Ansmann.
 

Shafiq

Section Hiker
@WildAboutWalking my Nitecore battery with built in USB charging is 18650 and 3600mah. It's lqstwd me well into the third year and sometimes now feels a bit soft. Though that might have been me using the usb/trickle charging too much without a good old wall charge in between. Sèems to be back to working strong again now.

Not sure if it's as quality as Ansmann though (which is a new name to me and from above mentioned appears to be quality).
 

Johnny3000

Ultralighter
I would be interested to know which brand of 18650's has a capacity of 3,500mAh, very impressive.

Edit - found the answer myself - Ansmann.
Been very happy with these batteries (sorry for the link in finnish):

 

craige

Thru Hiker
I've found fogstar very good for batteries. You used to get a discount code for use on Fridays if you sign up for the newsletter too.
 

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Fogstar is great for cells.

Accurate ratings, tested, not counterfeit.

Watch the ampage though on high power 18650 torches, a 10 Amp cell like a 3500mAh cell will be near it's limit for max discharge and will run hot on full.
A 20 Amp 3000mAh will run cooler, be safer, and last longer.
 

Teepee

Thru Hiker
I got the nitecore hc65 uhe from aliexpress £41, comes with a 4000mah 18650 cell

I've seen some tests confirming that capacity. It's a 10 A and so will struggle for life on high but for the typical low power use it should offer longer runtime.
 

Jww

F.K.A cuprajake
I used mine this weekend, family camping and it was really good, super bright.
 
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