Silva ninox ii how to#

Power comes from 3xAAA batteries and light is supplied by a large single LED and two smaller LEDs which operate separately with the small LEDs having a flash mode. Does fancier design with more weight and more bulk mean better light?ġ16g (all weights taken by me and include the batteries)Ĩ0 lumens (all lumen ratings are the maximum setting)Īlthough the Intensity 80 has a central strap to give over-the-head support it’s not heavy or bulky so feels comfortable on a bare head. Here we have bigger torches with battery housings at the back of your head. I’ve avoided looking too closely at battery life as it’s impossible to record accurately on the hill without using control batteries and stop watches, but as a rule I’ve found that the manufacturers are maybe all just a little optimistic on how long the power will last, but not enough to make a difference to torch choice.Īll the torches have multiple settings which includes an emergency flashing mode unless stated otherwise.Īll the torches have a degree of water resistance compatible with outdoor use.

Silva ninox ii how to#

I’ve been testing a wide range of models on big hill days and overnighters as well as trips into my attic but most usefully I’ve been using them for regular nocturnal wildlife surveys which has given me great consistency in how to judge the performance over repeated hill routes where myself and my fellow volunteer ranger have been finding out just how many lumens it takes to stun an owl and frighten a fox as well as navigating over pathless hillside in the small hours. I know headtorches are usually in plastic bubble packs in the stores, but trying it on is always a good idea if it’s going to be strapped across your forehead for hours at a time.

Lots of things will help you decide the best model for you, lumens-the measure of brightness, model size and weight, battery life, lighting options such as an additional red led which is a great tool for preserving your night vision and there’ comfort and price which are always important. The range of headtorches is huge, there’s plenty of brands to look at and they’ve all got models ranging from ultra-bright lamps that make night ascents more accessible to tiny lightweight models perfect for after-hours trails or jogging. Weight and bulk immediately dropped to handy pocket size and over the past few years bulb power and battery life have increased giving us a fantastic range of lighting that makes everything from reading a book in your tent to mountain biking down a hillside at midnight easier than ever. Years ago we were stuck with huge halogen lamps and their matching weighty battery packs but LED technology has changed all that.

It’s about now your headtorch moves from the bottom of your pack to the front of your lid pocket and becomes a go-to bit of kit instead of emergency kit. The nights are beginning to draw in and that means that descents after the sun has set aren’t too far away and the nights at camp are going to be long and dark.