Question:
I'd like to get ahold of a helmet (i.e. Petzl Ecrin) and headlamp at a
reasonable price. USED ok, if good condition. I think $70USD is way too
much!
Any thoughts??
Answer:
Well you might pick up a like new or used construction hard hat at any
large construction site. I picked up a couple that looked brand new out of
a dumpster: ) at work. I added a four point chin strap from Bob and Bob.
That's what newcomers wear that don't have a helmet yet. If you do go the
construction hard hat route, you might want to trim off the bill. This
blocks the upper peripheral vision, a chance of formations getting raked
off the ceiling by not seeing them ahead of time.
A step up the food chain, but still not to an Ecrin would be any number
of the MSA bump caps, with a non-elastic chinstrap. Advantage to the
MSAs is that they come with the light hanger attached.
I wouldn't use any construction or bump cap for any vertical caving,
however they generally suit for horizontal, on ground caving.
I have been seeing more of the Princeton Tec lights as primaries
lately, and a wider variety of cheaper headlamps have become available
at better quality outdoor stores (REI,Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, etc.) as
well as check the speleovendors such as Inner Mountain Outfitters and
Bob and Bob. Most places carry a wide range of headlight
quality--waterproofness and drop resistance should come into play as
well as length of service on bulb/battery combo. If price is an
issue,LED headlamps are still pretty pricey for me, but I don't need a
light to last 40 gazillion hours.
In my opinion, if climbing is not an issue but money is, I would
skimp on the helmet, and spend more on the light. If climbing is an
issue, don't skimp. My usual light/helmet combo clocks in at about $60,
with 2/3s of that being the light.
The bump cap is no better than a construction cap, I wear one (construction
hard hat) daily, nice little MSA sticker inside. (ooops, I heard stickers
weaken helmets, oh dear)<---sarcasm An Ecrin is essentially a "pretty"
construction type helmet, without a four point chin strap. They all protect
you from blows of falling objects. Many are piss-poor at providing any
protection from side blows. If one was truly interested in protecting ones
head then a full face motorcycle helmet would be worn
: ) As far as light brackets, Bob sells those too. The Meteor looks like
you could stage dive in it, too bad they don't recommend it for caving.
I do know of one medical doctor who caves with a bump cap.
