Headlamp

A headlamp is used for providing hands-free lighting. Handheld flashlights, candles, lighters, glow-sticks, etc. are not valid substitutes.

Considerations for canyoning

Most canyoning is done during daylight hours, but trips can sometimes go on longer than expected. At a minimum, a sport headlamp is necessary equipment as a contingency. For intensive canyoning in darkness, a caving headlamp is a good choice. Bring a spare set of batteries. Take care to make sure that the headlamp is secure on the helmet. If using elastic elastic strap(s), make sure that the horizontal strap is secure in the clips. A second strap that goes overtop of the helmet can help prevent the headlamp from being ripped from the helmet in a waterfall, but unless the headlamp is hard-mounted to the helmet, this is always a risk.

Considerations for caving

It goes without saying that the headlamp is necessary equipment in a cave. Three headlamps are the recommended minimum for caving (primary headlamp plus two secondary headlamps), along with spare batteries for each. Sport headlamps can be used for caving and are often are used as secondary headlamps, but serious cavers tend to favor primary headlamps designed specifically for caving and hard-mounted on the helmet. Some considerations when choosing a primary caving headlamp are:

• Ability to hard-mount on the helmet
• Beam pattern(s) and intensity
• Battery type
• Robustness and waterproofness
• Upgradeability
• User programmability

Types

Sport headlamps

These headlamps are designed for the general outdoor recreation market.

ZebraLight H52w

Mounting

Typically mounted with elastic straps, although with some ingenuity can be hard-mounted to a helmet.

Waterproof rating

Choose a headlamp with minimum IP Code water ingress rating 7. A waterproof rating to -2 m (by implication IP water ingress rating 8) or more is preferable.

Battery

• AA
  • Common around the world
  • Alkaline or NiMH rechargeable AAs
  • Sanyo Eneloop NiMH low self discharge AAs are quite popular for good reason
• 18650 Li-ion loose cells
  • Not as common, typically can't be found at common brick-and-mortar stores, high quality cells must be sought out
  • Higher output/capacity
  • Unprotected cells - genuine Panasonic are recommended
  • Protected cells - safer and more reliable but slightly larger and may not fit in some battery compartments. A popular protected cell with a similar diameter as unprotected cell is made by Orbtronic using Panasonic cells.
  • Some 18650 headlamps alternatively accept two CR123 lithium batteries, which can be more easily sourced.
  • Li-ion batteries are vulnerable around water if not protected in a sealed container.

Maintenance

Apply silicone grease on o-rings to maintain the watertight seal. When not in use, remove the batteries and open the battery compartment to limit moisture buildup and potential corrosion.

Caving headlamps

Caving headlamps are purpose built to provide lighting for the cave environment. With caving headlamps, it is important to follow all of the manufacturer's instructions for operation and maintenance.

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  Petzl Duo with CustomDuo insert
• 

  Little Monkey Rude Nora 2xs

Mounting

Hard-mounted directly on the helmet, or in combination with a bracket.

Waterproof rating

Typical IP water ingress rating 8 to several meters depth, although some do not specify a rating despite being quite capable.

Battery

• High capacity
• Li-ion pack, Li-ion loose cells, or AA (or sometimes built-in flexibility to use Li-ion or AA)
• Usually held in battery box mounted to back of helmet

Electronics module

• High efficiency LEDs
• Power regulation circuitry
• Easily swapped for upgrades as technology progresses
• Often user programmable

Beam

Two beams (wide-angle and focused) that can be used independently or simultaneously.