It looks like a sensibly-priced (£45) cordless 18650-powered caplamp is about to come onto the market - I've been informed these will be on Ebay within 10 days.

http://chinamining.blogspot.com/2012/02/yellowblack-cordless-miners-lamp.html 

---

Miles sells something similar to these on Caving-Gear but his are approved .

http://www.caving-gear.co.uk/show_product.asp?id=830 

---

I remember my Oldham headset falling off its bracket from time to time, only to be saved by being attached by its cable to the cell. I have visions of this excellent lamp falling down a shaft never to be seen again! If I got one, I'd make extra sure that it was pretty well clamped onto my helmet.

I remember my Oldham headset falling off its bracket from time to time, only to be saved by being attached by its cable to the cell. I have visions of this excellent lamp falling down a shaft never to be seen again! If I got one, I'd make extra sure that it was pretty well clamped onto my helmet.

Yes, this is also the main concern of those who prefer belt mount battery packs, concern over their helmet falling.

As far as lamps falling off, this depends on the bracket. Petzl brackets make the lamp a tight fit, unfortunately too tight making them difficult to remove.
Other brackets can cause the lamp to be so loose as to rattle in a disconcerting manner. Some electricians tape can cure this.

---

Agreed, it's a concern but often these lamps have mechanisms to help prevent them falling off.

http://www.caplamps.co.uk/cordless-led-caplamps-mining/  has a clip on the blade mount that effectively locks it in place. On a thin plastic or metal blade mount you cannot get it off without pressing the catch - literally you can wave a helmet with lamp attached around wildly and it won't budge 🙂 - the one in the photos are of an older version, the latest lamp is smaller and made from much a more matt and nicer plastic. [shameless plug]manufactured for an EU firm so CE marked and currently undergoing ATEX[/shameless plug] 😉

The flip side to that is that it doesn't like Petzl blade mounts which, as Roy says, are rather bulky.

http://www.caplamps.co.uk/cordless-led-miners-lamps/  which is a really nice bit of kit as well. Plus this one has options for elasticated head straps and bike mounts and all manner of worderful things :lol: Not quite ready to start selling it yet though as still got compatibility tests to sort out with existing charger installations at client sites.

I sell about 10 all in one lamps for every lamp with a separate battery box these days but this is for industry where the chances of crawling or squeezing or generally doing something on a rope where the chances of loosing helmet/lamp are rather less than when mine exploring or caving!

---

The anti-off clip:



Edit - the lamp in Zephyr's photo looks to have something similar as well.

---

i like that

---

Two things strike me here(not literally I hope- saw enough of that in Greenlaws!)
Does anyone know the wattage of the bulb/LED?
Secondally I Ike the idea of a battery belt/belay belt which makes sure that you always have an attachment point with you wherever you are.
Personally I devote one helmet and belt specifically to the lamp so that when I go underground it all goes. To frequently I have heard the moan but I have not a belay belt! This seems to me is the drawback to this system.

Hmmm, I was told (and sold by Jrat) that there is no such beast as a belay belt, just a belt to keep one's battery pack on!!

http://www.starlessriver.com/shop/harnesses_belts/warmbac_cavers_belt?zenid=r8b0siaddp1ccvjvhh0fej1gn6 

Personally, having been underground as a snapper with a blasted oldham lamp and battery belt, I was sooo pleased to find that returning some 20 odd years later, that the bloody things had gone out of style and most folk seem to be using lights with battery boxes attached to their hats.

Yes I know about the debate that goes "If you have your battery on your belt and lamp on your head you cant loose it" - that has to be countered with - "Fecking battery on my waist, gets in the way when crawling, and dropping acid over my kidneys!"

- mind you it could be worse - stinkys running on "emergency" "yellow water" EWWWWW!!

---

I've been informed these will be on Ebay within 10 days.

You're talking to yourself, zephyr :lol: :lol:

I've been informed these will be on Ebay within 10 days.

You're talking to yourself, zephyr :lol: :lol:

I think he may well be :)

Come on, we don't mind the occassional plug for new products, but at least fess up if they're you own :lol: :lol: People will soon decide if they want to buy them!

---

Hmmm, I was told (and sold by Jrat) that there is no such beast as a belay belt, just a belt to keep one's battery pack on!!

http://www.starlessriver.com/shop/harnesses_belts/warmbac_cavers_belt?zenid=r8b0siaddp1ccvjvhh0fej1gn6 

Personally, having been underground as a snapper with a blasted oldham lamp and battery belt, I was sooo pleased to find that returning some 20 odd years later, that the bloody things had gone out of style and most folk seem to be using lights with battery boxes attached to their hats.

Yes I know about the debate that goes "If you have your battery on your belt and lamp on your head you cant loose it" - that has to be countered with - "Fecking battery on my waist, gets in the way when crawling, and dropping acid over my kidneys!"

- mind you it could be worse - stinkys running on "emergency" "yellow water" EWWWWW!!

Ay! I think it's referred to as a load bearing belt now?

As for the helmet / waist battery debate... I entirely accept it's up to the user's preference but the case for lamps with batteries round t'back of the helmet is pretty well proven now... Sten, Scurion, Viper, Little Monkey, previous Raptor, Petzl Duo etc. etc. etc.

The 'all in one' is only really a logical extension of that. Although that said I sell most to industry where the lack of a cable and waist mounted battery is a major bonus where operating machinery or getting in and out of a vehicle :)

The flip side is less run time (typically 10 to 12 hours, way down on a waist mounted battery but enough for a shift) and no ability to swap the battery like the majority of the more caver orientated lamps with rear of helmet mounted batteries.

---

I think it's referred to as a load bearing belt now?

Not even that - they are now "battery belts". According to the Caving Supplies website:

44mm Battery Belt. Two layer web with twin rectangular steel 2 bar buckle system. Polyester. N.B. Where the user requires protection against falling from a height, an appropriate harness and safety rope must be used

Dave

I think it's referred to as a load bearing belt now?

Not even that - they are now "battery belts". According to the Caving Supplies website:

44mm Battery Belt. Two layer web with twin rectangular steel 2 bar buckle system. Polyester. N.B. Where the user requires protection against falling from a height, an appropriate harness and safety rope must be used

Dave

I sit corrected 😉 :thumbup:

---

I know for many years we would nearly all be wearing the large 2 inch Caving Supplies belts with cowstails for use on handlines, but now most do seem to have changed over to using a harness for this purpose.

Personally I can't be doing with a waist mounted battery especially when carrying a ruck sack on my back, plus the freedom from getting the cable snagged in tight places is wonderful. The helmet should never fall off your head if it has a proper cradle/chin strap as most decent caving/climbing safety helmets have today.

---

Something you all miss in this debate.

My mainstay lamp is a Trigon, (big surprise) and with its helmet mount power pack I can keep it on when getting changed in the dark.
This is just SO convenient.

---

I agree Roy, I also find that very useful, although I am capable, if pressed, of tying my boot laces or doing my flies up in the dark!

Something you all miss in this debate.

My mainstay lamp is a Trigon, (big surprise) and with its helmet mount power pack I can keep it on when getting changed in the dark.
This is just SO convenient.

I agree Roy that is most useful, though we nearly all carry a second emergency torch strapped to our helmets too.

---

I can keep it on when getting changed in the dark.
This is just SO convenient.

What do you change into in the dark? Not one of those mine goblins someone is always going on about in their videos I hope! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Okay, I wil switch the light out on the way out (not that Roy will worry, he has his Trigon!! :lol:

Ah, maybe some people need a light to see the big letters L and R painted on their wellies.