Dazzling Headlights from BBB


Headlight torches seem to me to be much more part of our lives. Wherever I go these days I see them being used. One of my plumber friends has one for work in understairs cupboards and lofts. My neighbourly AA patrolman friend swore by his. He regarded it as an essential piece of kit, especially on cold and wintry nights climbing underneath broken down cars. Recently a friend of mine also bought one. I asked him what it was for, since he definitely isn’t the outdoor type. He


Power is provided by three AAA


batteries held in a plastic casing with a flexible and water resistant rubber lid to it. I think Coast has really cracked the


headstrap part of the torch because the elasticated and highly adjustable strap feels really comfortable. You don’t even notice the weight of the battery case because it is balanced by the torch on the opposite side. Even a vigorous headshake didn’t move the torch’s position on my head.


with ease – much to the surprise of a neighbour’s cat. I think it is aimed at general trades


where work outdoors in the dark is a regular pattern and where much more light power is needed. Of course, outdoors there is much less likelihood of dangerous reflection into the eyes. The fixed beam headlight has a


smallish angle of about 30 degrees of adjustment and a fairly substantial on/off button underneath the LED holder.


Independent Review by Peter Brett


which will increase to 230 lumens on the new HL27 European version,at a price tag of around £37.46. For the price you do get a whole lot more features. For example, if you look at the light lens, it is made of a one-piece plastic moulding that helps the light to be focused from flood to spot mode in a seamless transition, so the user can


replied that he used it to read bedtime stories to his children in the darkened room that readied them for sleep. To my mind, the requirements for a


headlight torch are few, but very important. It should be comfortable around your brow, it has to be easy to switch on and off, since this usually has to be done by feel and it should have a suitable level of light power for its intended function. The three head torches sent for


review are a spread of Coast branded torches available from BBB Investments and are chosen to represent the various price points and capabilities of the larger range. First up is the HL3 with a very


competitive price point of around £13.25 retail. I reckon for this price, you couldn’t really go wrong, it may even be worth a punt for your first camping trip or even as an emergency torch in the car. This torch has a more than adequate brightness of 60 lumens, which is powerful enough to provide enough light but is less likely to reflect and dazzle if used in an enclosed space. (the plumber scenario) In fact I am sitting here in the dark typing this by the light of the HL3 and it is more than good enough for me to see well, and there is only a small reflection in the computer screen, at head height, so it isn’t reflecting into my eyes. As you would expect, the head of the torch has about 30 degrees of adjustment to the head angle so it can be pointed where needed. The fixed beam is switched on and


off on the torch head itself with a slightly prominent button that is easy to find with your fingers.


12 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE


From September onwards this


torch is available in a combo with a free (54 lumen) G19 Inspection Torch worth an added £9.12 , which we tested in our last issue, making this combined pack fantastic value for money!. I don’t think there is much anyone could find wrong with the HL3 – it is a very practical first head torch


Although the light is much more


powerful and the LED casing a bit bigger, it is equally comfortable to wear for long periods. On reflection, (no pun intended) I think the comfort of the head straps for the HL3 and HL5 is largely to do with the soft nylon of the strap, its width (roughly 30mm) and the gentle elasticity that grips round and


choose exactly the light spread required. Similarly, there is a lever to adjust


the brightness of the light which was on the 3AAA battery pack at the back on the USA sample I tested but will be a dial on the front for easier access with the new HL27 European version . With these two adjustments, the plumber under the stairs, the workman fitting insulation in your loft or the camper in a big field would all be able to set the light levels required and adjust them easily for changing situations. The angle of the light has click-stopped adjustments and apparently there is a patented heat sink behind the light to absorb heat. More light brings more heat! I wore the HL7 for an hour just to see if I got any heat, but frankly, I didn’t notice any extra. The head strap has a double layer


to encase and protect the power cable from battery to light, so it doesn’t get tangled, and there is a small nylon case included to pack the torch into when it is not in use. If I had one small niggle, it is that the


for young or old, and it won’t break the bank. The HL5 seems to me a much


more powerful version of the HL3 because it has a massive 175 lumens of light power. Still powered by three AAA batteries you would obviously get fewer working hours of light, but boy, I did notice the extra power when I accidentally turned it on as I was looking directly at the light. The light is in fact so powerful that I


could see at least 20 metres from my back door to the bottom of my garden


over the head, but it doesn’t feel tight. Since this torch has a projected


retail price of around £16.62 you can appreciate that it too is great value for money for the amount of light power on offer. I think my AA friend would love to steal this one from me. Quite a big step further up the HL


range is the HL7 which is the USA version of the new HL27 which will replace it in Europe, launching in the UK in January. The HL7 I tested had a very


creditable 197 lumens of light power www.toolbusiness.co.uk


head strap on the HL7 does not have a strap that goes over the head as I find this configuration more comfortable. I am equally aware that some users don’t like the feel of a strap over the head, so you takes your choice… I think it is clear from the above


that the Coast range of head torches represented here are very good value and perform well. I don’t think you could ask for more, especially since they have lengthy warranties that inspire confidence.


Reply No. 224


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