Backup caving lights

My Petzl Tikka finally gave up the ghost, being hung around Mollys' neck and constantly splashed in caves was too much for it. I needed a new backup caving light, something small, light, waterproof and rugged. It needs to be powerful enough to carrying on caving with rather than being only just powerful enough of get out of a cave. I also need some lights for my groups, both for night hikes and caving, and the fewer the batteries required the better.

Inglesport has some Fenix lights in that at first glance looked cheaper and more powerful than the Tikka so I thought I'd give them a go. They've both been down various caves and also helped me find the perfectly black Bessie at night.

The first one I tried was a Fenix HL21. It's ugly. Especially in yellow. But it's cheap, very light (less than 50grams), waterproof to IPX 8 (immersion to 2 metres depth for 30 minutes apparently, there's an IPX standards explanation here) and only needs one AA battery. It gives out a wideish light with a pronounced central beam and is actually good enough underground to cave on. It only has one switch which means there's less to go wrong.

According to Fenix, power outputs are:

4 lumens - 56 hrs - Pretty useless to cave on but at least you won't go mad as you wait for Cave Rescue to arrive.

48 lumens - 5.5hrs - good enough to cave on although no use for looking up avens and good enough duration for most trips

105 lumens - 1.8 hrs - Easily bright enough for the average UK cave passage and enough duration to get you out of a cave.

SOS - 15 hrs - er, yes.

At £29.95 at Inglesport it's cheap when compared to a similar powered Petzl Tikka XP 2 at £45.00 which only produces 80 lumens and isn't waterproof. So far I've got nothing to complain about, it's a great little light. However, as ever I'm seduced by more power and Fenix also produce the HL30.

It looks more like a proper head light and has a headline grabbing 200 lumens for £35 quid at Inglesport. It's still lightweight, less than 90grams, waterproof to IPX6 (not immersion proof) and takes 2 AA batteries. It produces a wide, evenly spread beam, without the central beam of the HL21.

According to Fenix, power outputs are:

200 lumens - 1 hour 40 minute - in reality the output drops off after 5 minutes so it doesn't explode

100 lumens - 4 hour 30 minute runtime - significantly better duration than the HL21

45 lumens - 10hour runtime - longer than your average UK caving trip!

4 lumens - 140 hour runtime -  a long time

SOS morse signal mode - hmm, great

Red light mode - hmm, does anyone ever use this setting. Any cavers in Amsterdam?

I also like this torch although I actually prefer the beam of the HL21. I also prefer the fact that the HL21 is actually immersion proof and less noticeable when hung around your neck.

More testing is needed, specifically dropping them in streams and onto rocks. For me, the HL21 is perfect for what I need and if they stand up to some more abuse I'll be getting some for my groups.

Update
The battery compartment on the HL30 is easy to get to when at home but in a cave, when your fingers are cold and it's a bit muddy it's not so easy. It does feel significantly more bulky around the neck than the HL21.