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I'm after a head torch for early morning road running commute over winter. Interested in views of alpkit's current crop. I had an alpkit head torch years ago and it was crap (possibly the first gamma torch they made) but wondering what the quality's like now, or any other recommendations. Need something that makes me visible to cars, sheds a bit of light on the road and doesn't wang about while I'm running.
Cheers!
Been using a couple for last 10 years...not for running just doing stuff after dark. Seem to work well.
Tick. Have the battery cases improved . Wife broke the lugs off my gamma.
Admittedly I did treat it with kid gloves when changing batteries my self as I knew it was<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> a weak point </span>
I have the quark Sensor. Its OK so far (although I dont use it much as I struggle a bit off road with depth perception) I have had almost every model they have made over the years. I think you get what you pay for and they arent all that reliable.
I have a fairly recent (< a year old, so the newer version) gamma and yes, they've sorted the battery case.
I think it will do what you need, OP, with the flashing rear LED for your traffic warning. I find it easily bright enough for road running (and light trail, actually) but some on here prefer more light, from previous threads...
Have the battery cases improved . Wife broke the lugs off my gamma.
Their Rev #1 (long since changed) had a design fault which caused this, but that was right when they started and had one headtorch...
I've got a whole selection of theirs and really rate them, value for money (esp in their sales) is in a league of its own. A pair of Vipers pretty much lives in my rucksack, perfectly good for navigating at night etc.
I bought a Alpkit Gamma 3 a couple of wees ago for what you describe - bit of road running / trail running / walking the dog. So far if feels well made, not flimsy. I like the optional red rear light so cars can see and the illumination and spread of light feels good.
Whilst it's still early days, I don't feel disappointed in my purchase.
I bought a beanie hat from a local car part shop that has and LED light built into it, something like these
Was quite good when commuting last winter
Interesting thread. I'm after a new head torch for my son for joining me on night walks, cub camps etc. Totally different use but I suspect similar requirements. I am a massive fan of Ledlenser, I have two H7R.2's but they are too bright and too spendy for what he needs. I do however really rate the simplicity of charging via stardard micro USB lead directly to the torch rather than replacing batteries (and option to replace with standard AAA has bailed me out a few times).
I like the look of Alpkit Qark but seems quite spendy, is anyone aware of any lower lumin equivalent for around £20
I'd recommend just getting the Viper and having some spare AAAs. The Quark is nice, but a lot more bulky and the extra features are not things you end up using (in my case). I bought my Quark on sale the other month for £25, mainly out of curiosity.
Thanks all!
I've already got a basic head torch with 3xAAA batteries in the lamp unit and it wangs about too much for my liking, so I'd prefer something with weight at the back.
Is there any reason why I wouldn't buy a clearance quark 1 at £25 instead of a gamma 3 at £22? It's 20g lighter and also has red rear light.
Is there any reason why I wouldn’t buy a clearance quark 1 at £25 instead of a gamma 3 at £22? It’s 20g lighter and also has red rear light.
If you will be using it where you can't easily charge via USB, then go for the Gamma, as there is no AAA fall back with the Quark. NB The red light is very bright, so great for using when on roads at night.
I have a Gamma and had it for about 6 years, great torch and good price too. Use it for running, night riding and generally in my climbing sack.
The cover off the battery compartment did fail, but I just emailed Alpkit and they popped a spare in the post for free. Can't fault it, would buy another happily.
The new Manta headtorch looks good. Has USB charging, plus uses 18650 batteries, so you could carry a few spares if necessary.
Thanks all! I'll be at work in an office all day post-run so UBS charging is better for me. I've pushed the button on the quark. Think this is my first alpkit purchase since a filet down vest about 15 years ago!
Now, a lightweight backpack to carry a towel, keys, phone and book...
Their range has expanded enormously in the last few years, some nice bits of kit in there.
The battery case lugs on my Gamma broke. They sent me a new battery case. That broke too.
The battery case lugs on my Gamma broke. They sent me a new battery case. That broke too.
That was a design flaw in Gamma I, they're now on design III.....
I find the d cathlon one better.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/onnight-410-trail-headlamp-id_8503711.html
Just recently bought an Alpkit rear bike light, quality is really good for the price and functions well
The Gamma still has the same design flaw, but the rest are excellent, and I've got nearly all of them ( I love a good torch/headlight).
my mate i went and ran meikle tap with last night which has a silly technical descent back to the car ran with a
quark sensor.
it gave out good light and good beam, impressed certainly outclassed my mk1 gamma by a factor of about 150.
probably wont bother with the sensor one mind but i do see one in my near future.
My Gamma broke too.
I like Alpkit for clothes and bags, but not sure I'd buy anymore electricals from them.