Lifesystems
Intensity 500 £60
The most powerful offering in Lifesystems’ headtorch range, the Intensity 500 is simple, lightweight and user-friendly, and well-suited to hillwalking.
It offers extra power and brightness compared to cheaper torches, thus justifying its slightly higher price-tag. You get a maximum of 500 lumens power (for 2.5 hours) with a 150m beam distance. Other settings include 240 lumens (for 5.5 hours) and 30 lumens (for 21 hours), as well as a flashing mode.
A focusing ring on the front adjusts the beam focus between spot and flood, and a motion sensor enables you to switch the torch on or off with a wave of your hand. Power is provided by a Li-polymer battery, rechargeable via USB, or you can switch it out for three AAA batteries instead.
The headband has an extra top strap, ensuring a fine-tuned fit, and the CREE white LED lamp has a hinge for beam tilting.
IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY
The maximum battery life of 21 hours is the worst on test by some way. That’s because the lowest setting is still quite high at 30 lumens. It could really do with a lower setting of between 5 or 10 lumens for simple in-tent use, which would help extend the overall burn time.
■ MAX POWER
500 lumens for 2.5 hours
■ MAX BURN TIME
21 hours at 30 lumens
■ MAX BEAM DISTANCE 150m ■ BATTERIES Rechargeable Li-polymer pack or 3x AAA
■ WEIGHT 97g
■ INGRESS PROTECTION RATING IP64 (dust-proof and splash-proof)
“Offers more power and brightness than other mid-range headtorches”
This uber-powerful headtorch almost bagged our Best in Test award, but narrowly missed out because it’s probably overkill for general hillwalking. Instead the MH11 is tailor-made for the serious hiker planning a postdusk Munro ascent or some gnarly night nav – or for anyone desiring the peace of mind that if you’re unexpectedly caught out in the dark, you’ll have the lumens power to get off any mountain safely.
With its boost mode throwing out 1000 lumens with a 320m range, it can virtually light up a whole mountainside, while the standard settings (750, 300 and 10 lumens, and red, blue and green modes) provide superb versatility.
There are a myriad of other premium features – transportation lock, USBrechargeable battery with power indicator, and twisting dial for beam width alteration – but the most cutting edge is the Ledlenser Connect app, which enables you to control and customise your torch straight from your smartphone.
IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY
It’s heavy and expensive, and the added power this affords is overkill for many scenarios. Both battery and headlamp are at the front, so it feels a tad unbalanced. Online reviews suggest the app is a bit glitchy, with connection issues for some phones (although we had no problems).
■ MAX POWER
1000 lumens in boost mode (or 750 lumens for 4 hours)
■ MAX BURN TIME
100 hours at 10 lumens
■ MAX BEAM DISTANCE 320m in boost mode (300m at 750 lumens)
■ BATTERIES Rechargeable Lithium-ion
■ WEIGHT 179g
■ INGRESS PROTECTION RATING IPX4 (splash-proof)
“Uber-powerful headtorch for gnarly night nav”