Can anyone suggest a good headlamp??

**topshelf** · 10-11-2010, 06:38

go to walmart, i got a 4 LED headlamp made by energizer for 15 bucks. has 4 settings, narrow, wide, full and red. just as good or better than any other ive seen out there(aside from being slightly more heavy)

**Sierra Echo** · 10-11-2010, 07:37

Originally Posted by Dogwood

Spelunking and diving into underground springs can be a blast that VERY FEW people experience. Both endeavors can come with a high risk of injury or even death IF you go unprepared! If you are new to spelunking or are exploring caves off the beaten path: 1)Go with someone who is experienced and who understands SAFETY. 2)Go back and read number one again!

When spelunking it is NO time to get cheap with gear or be so overly concerned about the wt of your headlamp for example. Think about durability and dependability of your gear when in cave. When in a cave you want a headlamp that is bright, WP, mudproof, and that will stay in place. Bring extra batteries and/or fully charge your headlamp if that's the kind you buy. Carry 3 sources of light. Black Diamond makes some nice dependable durable WP headlamps. They are on the high end of the price scale. However, be aware that when going into a cave your life may largely depend upon your gear and adhering to some basic spelunking principles.

This is where we are going:
http://www.showcaves.com/english/usa...PettyJohn.html

we are not climbing up or down. we are staying on the main floor and going to the waterfall. We have two narrow spaces that we have to squeeze through and thats it. we don't want to get hurt or be a hero~!

**Trailbender** · 10-11-2010, 08:17

Originally Posted by redeye

go to walmart, i got a 4 LED headlamp made by energizer for 15 bucks. has 4 settings, narrow, wide, full and red. just as good or better than any other ive seen out there(aside from being slightly more heavy)

Those are garbage. I had one go out on me during a massive rainstorm at LBL.

**Windcatcher** · 10-11-2010, 18:46

Energizer (Yes, the Pink Bunny folks) makes several headlamps with LED bulbs that run on 3 triple A's. They sell for less than $20 and I got mine at Lowe's. They work just as good as any other I've come across and even have red light options. They are lightweight and weather resistant if not waterproof (the micro is listed as waterproof).

**cruisaire** · 10-11-2010, 19:03

Nice cave, not as "wild" as the others I have visited. Spare batteries mean more than a fancy light. Cave On!

**Sierra Echo** · 10-11-2010, 19:05

Originally Posted by cruisaire

Nice cave, not as "wild" as the others I have visited. Spare batteries mean more than a fancy light. Cave On!

You've been there?!?!
For a couple of newbies, should be ok? Unless of course, we go out of our way to get hurt!?

**Wise Old Owl** · 10-11-2010, 19:17

This is a easy call SE, I am going to guess that this is your first time and I agree with the rest of the folks - go with what you can get and take three. Its on all the caving boards... If you are hooked you are going to need something far more serious, and a seperate battery pack and/ora chemical light.

Redeye and Trailbender? I use the E light while crawling in basements and Attics... It's OK....burning out in a rainstorm can happen to anyone and any product. Stuff Happens.

(Cost doesn't Matter - Its almost all made in China anyway....)

**Sierra Echo** · 10-11-2010, 20:30

Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl

This is a easy call SE, I am going to guess that this is your first time and I agree with the rest of the folks - go with what you can get and take three. Its on all the caving boards... If you are hooked you are going to need something far more serious, and a seperate battery pack and/ora chemical light.

Redeye and Trailbender? I use the E light while crawling in basements and Attics... It's OK....burning out in a rainstorm can happen to anyone and any product. Stuff Happens.

(Cost doesn't Matter - Its almost all made in China anyway....)

WOW, you called it right. This is my first time. I'm not going to lie, I am apprehensive, but I'm also excited. My brother appears to be quite confident even though he has never been spelunking. He sent me a map, although I cant imagine these cave passages are marked. Does this map make sense to anyone??:

http://www.hucosystems.com/Pettyjohn%20Cave.pdf

**Wise Old Owl** · 10-11-2010, 20:57

When you get out of there I would like to understand how the 2d map is made.... Might be some interesting discussion.

**Sierra Echo** · 10-11-2010, 21:23

We are going Thursday. Tomorrow I'm hiking out to the Len Foote Hike Inn. When I get back on Wednesday, I'm going to stop by wally worlds and get my equipment. I need a chin strap for my trail maintenance hardhat, but I would assume I would have to go to home depot for that.

**leaftye** · 10-11-2010, 21:26

You said you'd bring a spotlight if you could? Why are you even considering cheap dim Walmart lights? Get nothing less than the HP10. Next step up in the HP20. Or the Magicshine 900 lumen setup and mount it to a helmet, although it doesn't have any low settings so it will die within a few hours of use unlike the Fenix headlamps that will run for hundreds of hours. You can spend hundreds more for lights that are several times brighter if you wish.

**Dogwood** · 10-11-2010, 22:59

It seems like the cave you are entering is quite busy so that's going to lower the risk factor. I have the 4 LED and 2 LED EverReady Head Lamps that some are mentioning. They are cheap and available at places like Wally World for $20 or less. I feel the 2 LED EverReady headlamp which runs on 3 AAA's(I use EverReady Lithium AAA's w/ this headlamp just fine) w/red light w/ swivel base for light positioning is fine for thru-hiking. Despite having more expensive Princeton Tec and Black Diamond headlamps I'll often reach for the 2 LED EverReady for hiking. To each their own but I would not depend on this headlamp for spelunking! It is not WP. It can short out. IMO, I would want something more durable(tougher for the conditions you might encounter in a cave when crawling around or entering tight passages, think wet and muddy!, oops the light went out!) If you rely on this headlamp when spelunking DEFINITELY bring along other dependable sources of light!

**Hikes in Rain** · 10-12-2010, 06:41

I'd love to hear what you think of caving, once you get back. Who knows, you may have a new obsession, er, hobby.

**mweinstone** · 10-12-2010, 06:59

no one can suggest a good headlamp. headlamps dont exist. neither do caves or spelunkers. wake up now. ur just an embryo in a tube haveing a dream. stop dreaming of risky sports. spelunking is death. spelunking kills. spelunking will cause you to die. no one has ever come out of a cave alive after spelunking. all spelunkers die. dieing while spelunking. if you choose to continue to belive that in fact you wish with all or most of your heart that you want to spelunk,..sorry,...i mean die spelunking to death,..go ahead. say high to my upside down rotting stuck corpses of friends if you see them.

**Sierra Echo** · 10-12-2010, 07:35

Originally Posted by mweinstone

no one can suggest a good headlamp. headlamps dont exist. neither do caves or spelunkers. wake up now. ur just an embryo in a tube haveing a dream. stop dreaming of risky sports. spelunking is death. spelunking kills. spelunking will cause you to die. no one has ever come out of a cave alive after spelunking. all spelunkers die. dieing while spelunking. if you choose to continue to belive that in fact you wish with all or most of your heart that you want to spelunk,..sorry,...i mean die spelunking to death,..go ahead. say high to my upside down rotting stuck corpses of friends if you see them.

Do you think your upside down rotting stuck corpse friends are gonna remember you?

**Sierra Echo** · 10-13-2010, 20:22

I got a black diamond spot. With my 20% off REI coupon and my gift card, it only cost $8~!
we go in tomorrow so wish us luck!

**Mountain Wildman** · 10-13-2010, 20:52

Good Luck!!!
I have heard nothing but good about the BD Spot.
I know if I was going into a cave, I would want a light I could depend on, Buying a cheap light is fine on a trail where you at least have moonlight, But in a cave, If your light fails you are in complete darkness.

**Sierra Echo** · 10-13-2010, 20:59

Thanks Mountain Wildman! I'm excited!

this is what I'm taking tomorrow:
camera
hard hat/headlamp
flashlight with spare batteries
candles and waterproof matches
gloves
knee pads
first aid kit
glow sticks (to hang from the back of our packs)
snacks and water
and a spare change of clothes for when i get.

sound good?

**Mountain Wildman** · 10-13-2010, 21:17

Originally Posted by Sierra Echo

Thanks Mountain Wildman! I'm excited!

this is what I'm taking tomorrow:
camera
hard hat/headlamp
flashlight with spare batteries
candles and waterproof matches
gloves
knee pads
first aid kit
glow sticks (to hang from the back of our packs)
snacks and water
and a spare change of clothes for when i get.

sound good?

Sounds good to me but I've never gone into a cave, I would probably bring a little extra food and water and maybe even Aqua Mira or a filter just in case. I wish you a safe and enjoyable experience. Most of all, A safe one!!!

**Hikes in Rain** · 10-14-2010, 12:38

I count four separate sources of light; good for you! Nice idea with the glow sticks, too, I hadn't thought of that. Should give you long-lasting general lighting. I'd say you're set.

Regarding the aqua mira, it's up to you. Tiny and light enough to be negligible, so it certainly couldn't hurt. But most water in a cave (if there is any. I'm not familiar with this one) is groundwater that's been filtered through a lot of sand and soil, and in a pinch should be pretty much OK to drink.

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