There a bunch of new LED flashlights and headlamps on the market. Many of the department stores that normally sell flashlights have a new LED light of some kind. Walmart has a new 1 watt headlamp with rotating lens. Fry's has the new Pelican 3 watt flashlight.
I can't wait to get my hands on the new Princeton Tec Apex: Alex at IMO should have this headlamp in stock by tommorow and he is taking pre-orders. Check out his "Hot & New" gear. http://www.caves.org/imo/frames1.htm Here is a detailed review of a LED headlamp from a caver who recently caved deep deep down in Oaxaca. http://www.cavediggers.com/NiteHawkTommy.htm I believe IMO can get you this one too. Here is a new flashlight suitable for caving: http://www.pocketlights.com/fliklite_ls3_dive.asp Here is a tiny 1 watt flashlight: http://www.pocketlights.com/tt_splash-lite_ls.asp With the speed at which these new products are hitting the market, I predict the perfect caving headlamp will be on the market within a few years. It will have multiple light sources. It will be very small & lightweight. It will be waterproof & durable. It will easily and securely mount to the caving helmet. It will have back-up systems in case either the main light fails or the batteries fail. It will have powerful spot and flood lights. It will shine for many hours. It will have adjustable power settings. It will be inexpensive, say under $ 50.00. It will easily re-charge, such as in the car on the way to the cave. ( if cell phones can do it, why not headlamps ? ) David Locklear caver in Houston
