I haven't had any news lately on the LED headlamp topic. Here is a new one that looks promising and built by a reputable company - Underwater Kinetics.
http://www.uwkinetics.com/uploads/thumbnails/uploads/products/41f3cfad972e4f84b9868faa8e7bd2afc0c0341a_800x800.jpg Note the large waterproof push button switch on the side. Also note the rubber strap is designed to fit on helmets. http://www.uwkinetics.com/uploads/thumbnails/uploads/products/2c452f8d21d25f841cd29224329335bb8296c128_800x800.jpg And it is only $ 40. It definitely has some unique features that no other lamp has, but whether they really work as advertised is going to have to be put to test. For example, look closely in the photo below at how the LED assembly is removable. The clear tube has 3 areas of different texture and color. As you rotate it, you can change the light pattern. I really like the part about not having a hinge. That is one less thing that could break on a caving trip. http://www.uwkinetics.com/products/3aaa-eled-vizion-i-headlamp# It looks well constructed for a plastic headlamp, and has a low setting to save battery power. http://www.uwkinetics.com/uploads/thumbnails/uploads/products/97e5dfac49553a8de55ce74d35cc4e6d01da1ede_800x800.jpg Any volunteers want to order one and give us a test report on use in a caving trip? http://www.uwkinetics.com/uploads/thumbnails/uploads/products/9bae06457a78f001a738ce620b23a9addf77aef7_800x800.jpg This could be a great headlamp for back-up use in big wet-caves, and probably a very good primary light for a Honeycreek trip, HOWEVER, the idea of using the battery as a heat-sink sounds fishy. Since the lamp is watertight plastic, I would think heat would not escape easily, meaning the 3 AAA batteries could really get hot. http://www.uwkinetics.com/uploads/thumbnails/uploads/products/414a6c5218b421771872d86a1431bcfadc7a28e6_800x800.jpg It is rated to 33 foot depth, which should be good enough for a caving light. Light rating is: 42 lumens / 19 lumens, which is not bright enough for a primary light in big caves, but fine for something like Honeycreek. David Locklear --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
