I am still officially and permanently retired from this sort of thing, but I felt this was important and nobody else was going to cover it.
Several months ago, I suggested that some caver needed to purchase the headlamp described below and do a good review. But I do not believe that anybody ever did. I would now suggest a caver purchase this particular one and take it caving several times and write a good paper article for a caving-newsletter or caving-magazine. This is only a partial description and not a real review. Below is one of the web-sources for the headlamp: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Generic-20235-Hyper-Tough-3AA-200-Lumen-Headlamp/51745202 I was driving my estranged-wife's car, as it had been giving her trouble, and she has been in my luxurious Sequoia since November 23rd. And for whatever reason, I failed to bring along a headlamp. So of course, I blew a hole in the side of the motor's head, and green fluid of some kind started spouting up like Ole Faithful. So being near a Walmart, and having this burning desire to buy the said headlamp, I figured this must be a true authentic divine sign from Oztotl. And so, I purchased the headlamp even though, I have far more important things to be spending money on. I paid $ 15.74 plus tax, but apparently it is a few cents cheaper on line. It is a good newbie lamp for a trip to a "dry" west Texas cave. Having 3 "AA" size batteries should be sufficient for full trip in Emerald Sink, or Langtry Lead Cave, etc., especially if you conserve light by dimming when feasible. And it does have 4 power settings that are super easy to adjust even with a glove on the right hand. The number one complaint, is that it does not look very water-resistant, and although duct-tape might help, I would adamantly suggest that you test one underwater before taking it on a HoneyCreek trip to the Boneyard, and not take it on a thru trip. Otherwise the plastic construction is above average in quality for a lamp under $ 25. I think this is almost a disposable headlamp in that the electric wire coming from the rear-battery compartment to the headlamp is rather cheezy and needs to be beefed up some-how. I would also say this is a perfect gift for a caver-party or to give to a caver since it is useful and so inexpensive. And it is great to throw in the car's glovebox or the tool-kit. I believe the model number is 200L and it comes with 3 Duracell batteries pre-installed. The specs for the 4 light settings are listed on the package as 200 lumens spot-light for 9 hours 15 minutes ( I bet 4 hours ) [ Tested by me: 200 lumen mode good for walking size passage ] 95 lumens floodlight for 24 hours ( I bet 16 hours ) [ Tested by me: Floodlight has a very nice wide angle, but very short throw ] 79 lumens spot-light for 32 hours 30 minutes ( I bet 16 hours ) [ Tested by me: 79 lumen mode good for stoop-walking size passage ] 27 lumens spot-light for 85 hours 15 minutes ( I bet 32 hours ) [ Tested by me: 27 lumen mode good for crawling size passage and cooking ] I would say it is a really good backpacking headlamp for a 2 or 3 day hike. If you like the red and black color then the lamp deserves 4 stars out of 5, and considering the price that is pretty amazing. Unfortunately, I will probably never take mine on a real caving trip. But hopefully, I will get back underground someday, just not at the rate I am going. David Locklear NSS # 27639 Ref: https://i5.wal.co/asr/32a4a09d-4695-47cd-a8e0-232e54dd63e3_1.da76111dca972069a7c0cc9e18876d3b.jpeg?odnWidth=963&odnHeight=963&odnBg=ffffff https://i5.wal.co/asr/09c95c0d-b0f7-44f0-bd32-5ef26adf1b4e_1.5387b31c464ada846daa92fc9dbf3580.jpeg?odnWidth=963&odnHeight=963&odnBg=ffffff https://i5.wal.co/asr/d4cd0b0e-150c-4f93-9176-784e64b0b4cd_1.f5df0ed639559c00e0097e73eb49398b.jpeg?odnWidth=963&odnHeight=963&odnBg=ffffff https://i5.wal.co/asr/013f03ec-25c0-4ea6-81c5-8362fdc30ace_1.6840659d733240f83aa49744c9a7036d.jpeg?odnWidth=963&odnHeight=963&odnBg=ffffff
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