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Tesco headlamp
Gen
| Product name | Tesco headlamp |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Tesco |
| Price range | £8.00 |
| Rated |
|
Full Review
The Tesco headlamp is an example of the standard "entry level" headlamp that uses old-style LEDs rather than the newer and more advanced emitters.
Design
The headlamp uses 3 AAA batteries, which are supplied. The black plastic housing has a simple press-switch on the top which cycles the lamp between Off - 2 LEDs - 4 LEDs - red LEDs - Off.
The general standard of construction is as can be expected from far eastern manufacturers: perfectly serviceable but built to a price. Whilst the hinge mechanism is sturdy and well-made, the switch feels a little cheap.
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(Headband has been removed to allow for helmet fitting)
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Note 'weather seal' around battery case and screw fixing to lock battery case shut.
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In use
My use of the lamp has been as a 'pilot' light attached to my helmet, with the strap removed and a bolt put through the back of the bracket.
Initial opinions were good: it casts a decent amount of light when at full power and is as bright as more expensive lamps such as the Silva L4.
Similarly, battery life is excellent, as can be expected from such LED headlamps.
However, after a couple of trips, the headlamp developed a very unpleasant habit of switching itself off. This was not resolved by stretching the springs in the battery compartment and it quickly got to a stage where the light was deemed not worth persisting with.
Waterproof test
Firstly, it's worth stating that the light did not appear to be sold as waterproof, but the presence of the seal in the battery housing raised my hopes: so, into the sink for 30 seconds the light went - until, in fact, it started flashing...
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As can be seen from the photograph, the front of the lamp has half-filled with water, although this hadn't (yet) prevented the lamp from working, albeit that it would only flash.
It seems that the water got in through the switch, or elsewhere on the case, as the amount of water in the battery case didn't seem enough.
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All in all, not a very distinguished performance.
Conclusions
Well, what do you expect for £8?! This is a perfectly suitable lamp for very occasional use on the surface but it's hard to recommend its use underground, even as a backup.
The problems with it switching itself off, simply due to heavy footfall; and the total lack of weather sealing are - to my mind - serious enough flaws to suggest that money would be best spent elsewhere.
As an emergency lamp, the Petzl e+lite is a much smaller size, lighter to carry and has the advantage of actually keeping water out.
The Tesco headlamp is fine to keep in a kitchen drawer in case the power goes out, but for underground use it's simply not trustable.
Reply to the thread New review added 'Tesco headlamp' in the forum
Thread: New review added 'Tesco headlamp'
New review added 'Tesco headlamp'A new review has been added to the Gear Reviews page. Product name: Tesco headlamp Summary: Va...
Posted 13/06/2009 18:13:44 by Vanoord
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