The Fenix HP20 headlight has already found favour with sea anglers, but as ever the tenacious Tacklehead has been testing this lamp for a few months to gauge just how tough and applicable this headlight is for sea fishing.

FEATURES
The HP20 features a Cree XP-G LED offering four differing light outputs and three signalling output options. The light output is 230 Lumens on Turbo, 125 Lumens on High, 51 Lumens in Mid mode, and just 6 Lumens on Low. Running time on Turbo is approximately 3hrs 30mins, 8hrs 24mins on High, 24hrs on Mid and 296hrs on Low.

The High output puts a tight beam in excess of 100-yards and is powerful enough for basic rock fishing, though for normal beach fishing High and Mid modes offer ample light for both spotting fish in the surf and for general working and baiting up. The 6 Lumen output is also handy if you want to be inconspicuous, such as when bassing at night. The output is digitally regulated to retain maximum brightness, but the beam cannot be manually focussed.

In addition there is a 230 Lumen Strobe function, a slow flashing 51 Lumen signal, and a very useful 51 Lumen SOS option should the situation ever demand it.

The lamp is in two parts, the headlight unit and a separate battery pack connected by a long lead. The battery pack can be worn on a belt, or you can remove the battery pack from its belt carrier and carry it in a convenient pocket.

The main switch is on the top of the battery pack. This switches the lamp on and off. On the connecting lead is a “drive-by-wire” switch. This carries two independent switch buttons. The yellow one is the dimmer switch to select the differing power beam outputs, and the blue switch is a standby switch.

You also use the drive-by-wire switches to select the signalling output modes by selecting first the power output beam you want, then quickly double pressing the yellow switch.

A major advantage is that the headlight is rated IPX-8. This rating means the headlight and battery pack can with stand immersion in water to 2-metres.

CONSTRUCTION
The light head is made from durable aircraft aluminium, with the remaining pack parts constructed from high quality ultra tough, bright yellow plastic. The metal part adopts type 111 black hard-anodized, anti-abrasive finish. The lens is made from toughened ultra-clear double glass with an anti-reflective coating.

The headlamp dimensions are 70mm in length, 57mm wide and some 56mm high. The battery pack measures 108mm long by 79mm wide and 30mm high. The HP20 weighs 260-grams minus the batteries. It is powered by four 1.5V AA batteries.

The HP20 is also supplied in plastic partitioned box for safe storage and transportation.

CONCLUSION
The headlight offers massive power output and a Turbo beam that can pick fish out in the surf at night in excess of 70-yards out or more. Also on High and Mid beams you have more than enough light for normal fishing and working around your base camp. Having the signalling options is obviously also highly useful in an emergency situation.

I really like the rugged construction of this lamp which is very well made, tough and for us so far it’s been totally reliable. Being waterproof as well eliminates any concerns when fishing through a downpour regarding reliability.

The only thing I found a disadvantage is that the light is designed principally for the cycling and caving market utilising the long connection lead and belt worn battery pack. The belt worn or pocket stored battery pack is fine if you are fishing constant sub zero temperatures as it does help preserves battery life and we fully understand this, but in the UK most lamp use will be in above zero temperatures.

Even though I fished with the lamp through the bitterly cold weather the UK experienced during late November and throughout December 2010, I did find that having the battery pack and main switch clipped to your belt proved a nuisance when wanting to switch on and off or change power output due to wearing the battery pack under your outer clothing. Also the drive-by-wire switch was inconveniently positioned to again find easily when under clothing. Yes, you could wear a belt and the battery pack outside your clothing, but having the long connection lead flapping loose is a constant nuisance and it gets in the way when pendulum casting.

If they made this lamp with a universal switch on the headlight for instant access and a battery pack that sat behind the head on the elasticated headband to eliminate the remote belt wearing aspect, then the headlamp would be a real winner for any form of sea angling. As it is, if you can live with the battery pack on a belt or in a pocket, the HP20 offers excellent durability, reliability, lightweight and a massive power output.

The HP20 retails for £79.00 and comes with free postage and a free diffuser for flood light applications and is available from Moonfleet Angling.

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