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Nov 2021
4:01pm, 10 Nov 2021
6,909 posts
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The_Saint
Water resistance as I pointed out in the Garmin thread (I think) seldom means what you would imagine. To clarify I think most people think that getting object X submerged to 30 metres depth = "Water resistance to 30 Metres", sadly not.
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Nov 2021
4:12pm, 10 Nov 2021
2,215 posts
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bonners
Thanks again for all the comments on here. Still not 100% which way I'll go but have been reading up on all the suggestions, lots of food for thought thanks.
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Nov 2021
4:34pm, 10 Nov 2021
15,996 posts
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larkim
T_S, agreed, but manufacturers warrant by both the rating and their descriptions.
So for example, Petzl say:-
"What are the IP ratings of Petzl headlamps?
All of our headlamps are at least IPX4 (weather resistant): a rating suitable for most headlamp use in rain, snow or a humid environment."
So I think IPX4 can be safely assumed to mean rain resistant.
The Garmin thread conversation was about what the slightly more ambiguous "to x metres" thing means when the layperson will think "to 5m = I can swim in it" even if the technical spec means that's not quite what it's saying. And despite that, manufacturers will sell watches with swimming settings on them despite the technicalities of the "to x metres" description perhaps not meaning they can or should be swum with.
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Nov 2021
4:47pm, 10 Nov 2021
769 posts
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Weath
Just a comment on customer service; Alpkit were fantastic when a plastic lug broke on my Gamma's battery compartment (I believe the unit has been designed better now!). Even though I'd had the headtorch for a number of years and it wasn't going to be the most expensive to replace outright, they sent me a replacement compartment FOC.
Big thumbs up to them from me.
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Nov 2021
8:13pm, 10 Nov 2021
2,216 posts
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bonners
Bonners - I bought this one last year after V’rap recommended it. amazon.co.uk It’s great, very adjustable straps, I find it comfy to wear, and two light settings. The tilt of light itself can be adjusted easily whilst running which I find very useful on the steep Welsh hills we have in these parts 😁
Also having a few Welsh hills, I'm taking that as a good recommendation, so have ordered it. I was going to be ordering one for myself and one for the wife, but with cost being an issue I was torn between a head torch and a chest torch. Mrs Bonners of course came up with the obvious solution, order one of each and then we can both wear one when out walking together, when I'm walking I'm not bothered and will just wear whichever one Mrs Bonners doesnt want to, but when I'm running I can experiment a bit with both either together or each other. Looking forward to a few more night time adventures.
As I said, cost is a factor, so have gone for what seems to be the best budget suggestion with the the Alpkit Gamma III. I just couldnt really justify the more expensive ones for what we do, maybe in the future.
Thanks again for all the advice, I'll post back on here to let you know how we get on once we've both tried them out.
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Nov 2021
8:51pm, 10 Nov 2021
2,657 posts
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panad
As far as the hills go, I have also not had a problem with visibility using it off-road, including under thick tree cover, in the dark in said Welsh hills 😁
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Nov 2021
10:56pm, 10 Nov 2021
14,335 posts
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Badger
It was misty running in the fields tonight and I ended up taking my head torch off and carrying it around hip level to be able to see anything but the beam reflecting back off the fog.
I suspect a chest light wouldn't have been much better. My best light is a head unit but I have a decathlon chest torch which works well and does give you a little extra shadow to help spot tree roots and so on.
Used to have an Alpkit Gamma but the battery compartment broke and I stopped trusting it - if that happened in the middle of nowhere you'd be stuffed. Interesting to hear they've changed the design, as it was a great torch other than that, especially given how very cheap it was.
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Nov 2021
10:57pm, 10 Nov 2021
14,336 posts
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Badger
Oh and the chest torch is better than a head unit in rain or light fog.
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Nov 2021
11:14pm, 10 Nov 2021
110 posts
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paulcook
Another recommendation for the Alpkit Gamma here too.
It's not the brightest, and I suspect my first broke in wet weather (possibly more wet storage if I'm honest), but it's such great value. When my did break, I instantly bought the same again.
I also now have a Silva Trail Runner, but that's merely to give myself different options. I'd still buy another Alpkit if it came down to it.
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Nov 2021
8:19am, 11 Nov 2021
15,998 posts
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larkim
The only thing I don't like about the Gamma is that it is single beam which I *think* causes that "unreal" / "2D" feeling about the lighting sometimes. I had a Silva a while back which I think had a main beam supported by two smaller lower powered ones and I think that helped with depth of field. I do tend to point the torch down to a point about 2-3m in front of my feet though as that's what I need to see and that works well.
When possible on dark, unlit roads I often find myself turning off the torch anyway as it's pretty surprising how much you can see without it, and on country lanes (without headphones) I see / hear cars a long time before they'll encounter me, so I can flick it back on when needed. I always leave the rear flashing red though.
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Chest Light
Nov 2020