Hi,
I imagine if you are underground you will be wearing a hardhat with and LED cap-lamp provided, so headlamps may not be appropriate, and do not really have the grunt required.
The last time I was underground was 2004. Back then we used halogen 6D Maglites, which were terrible. Very yellow light, and not especially bright. I have o idea what they use now.
However, I do a bit of mountain biking, and living in the tropics I like to do it a night when it is not so hot. For the last 4 years I have used Exposure lights:
http://www.ultimatesportsengineering.com/exposure-lights/cycle-lights-2015
These are sold a cycle lights but are great torches too...mind blowing in fact.
They are not cheap but the quality is great (British made) and the light and beam fantastic. Prices are generally lower than those listed on the website.
I have a 2011 Exposure Sixpack main light which is about the size of a squat coke can. It puts out about 1200 lumens (the current model does 3000 lumens!). It is brighter that car headlights, very robust and has a nice diffuse broad beam.
I also have a 2011 Diablo which is much smaller and goes on my helmet, a great little torch.
I cannot recommend this brand enough, very versatile. They also make a headlamp called the Verso which looks good too. They also make diffusers for these lights to turn them into lanterns :
http://www.ultimatesportsengineering.com/exposure-lights/accessories/beacon-light-diffuser
One issue with these is they can get warm on high power (they are designed to have airflow), so they have a thermal sensor that will turn them to a lower setting if they get too hot. They will generally run continuously on medium or low, depending on ambient temperature. They charge from mains or USB.
You may require an adjustable focus beam if you need to look into stopes for example. Exposure don't offer that unfortunately. I do have a 2014 LED 3D Maglite which does this. The light is nice and white but the power is nowhere near those listed above. It is significantly cheaper though.
Regards,
Chris
________________________________________
From: Tectonics & structural geology discussion list <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Eric C Ferre <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, 2 May 2015 6:09 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: recommendation for flashlight/floodlight
Hello,
I use the Foenix headlamps that are very popular in the caving community
around Southern Illinois. Anything above the HP15 is truly outstanding.
http://www.fenixlighting.com/products/hp-series-headlamps.aspx
Eric
On 5/1/15 2:39 PM, jphibbard wrote:
> I suspect that many folks on this list have underground experience - we’ll be mapping the underground geology of a local gold mine and we’re looking for recommendations for a portable light source - flashlight/lantern/floodlight (preferably available in the U.S). Specifically we’ll be mapping gabbro-mudstone contacts, quartz vein distribution, and any structures we come across.
>
> Thanks in advance for any recommendations - Jim Hibbard
>
> Jim Hibbard
> Professor, MEAS Box 8208
> North Carolina State University
> Raleigh, NC 27695
>
> Tel.: 919.515.7242
> Fax: 919.515.7802
> http://www4.ncsu.edu/~jphibbar/Home/Welcome.html
>
--
Check our Field Camp Webpage at:
http://www.geology.siu.edu/field-camp/
Dr Eric C. Ferre
Professor
Department of Geology
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901-4324
USA
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Phone: +1 (618) 453-7368
Fax: +1 (618) 453-7393
Office: Parkinson Hall, room 301B
http://www.geology.siu.edu/faculty-staff/faculty/ferre.php
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