Headlamp Comparison for Caving

This comparison focuses on the most commonly used caving models in France: Petzl (DUO RL/DUO S), Stoots (Yeti), Scurion, Armytek, Sofirn, Meandre, Phaeton, Argolamp, and Zebralight. It is built from practical use and field feedback: wet-environment behavior, beam quality in progression, regulation stability, handling comfort, and medium/long-term reliability. Each lamp sheet highlights observed strengths (robustness, availability, versatility) and recurring limits from real use (total cost, glove ergonomics, weight, reliability issues on some setups). The technical table helps compare the differences that matter for your profile and commitment level, while keeping maintenance and budget constraints visible.

All brands Petzl Armytek Stoots Scurion Meandre Sofirn Phaethon Argolamp Zebralight

Beginner profile (budget / simple) Armytek Wizard or Zebralight H600Fc.

Intermediate profile (club / progression) Stoots Yeti.

Advanced / exploration profile (long / committed / equipment) Argolamp 2.0 or Scurion 1500 or Meandre Explo 4.5.

Cave-diving profile Phaethon Dual or Argolamp 2.0.

Scoring table (dynamic average) Interactive

Reliability Runtime Output Weight Waterproofing Beam options Regulation Glove ergonomics Survey (magnets) Performance / price Battery cost

All None Reset

Brand / Model	Reliability i Overall robustness: resistance to mud/water/impacts + field feedback + hard-use tolerance.	Runtime i Useful runtime: capacity + regulation + stability (not only eco mode).	Output i Caving use: usable lit volume + practical beam, beyond marketing peak output.	Weight guide i Long-session comfort: neck fatigue + helmet balance.	Waterproofing i Rain/runoff vs immersion: IP and/or stated depth + weak points (connectors).	Survey i Survey (magnets): nearby magnets may distort compass readings.	Beam options guide i Wide + spot : comfort for progression + reading + pointing.	Regulation guide i Stability: controlled output vs quick drop, with fine control when useful.	Ergonomics i Glove ergonomics: buttons, lockout, feedback, use with cold hands / thick gloves.	Battery cost i Redundancy cost: standard cells (often cheaper) vs proprietary packs.	Perf/price i Performance / price: useful performance (reliability, waterproofing, beam) vs budget.	Average i Simple average of selected criteria (all equally weighted).
PetzlDUO RLLamp sheet	4	4	4	3	4	5	4	5	4	2	2	- /5
PetzlDUO SLamp sheet	4	4	3	3	4	5	4	4	4	2	1	- /5
ArmytekWizard C2 Pro MaxLamp sheet	3	3	4	5	4	1	3	4	3	5	5	- /5
ZebralightH600Fc Mk IVLamp sheet	4	4	3	5	3	5	2	5	3	5	4	- /5
StootsYetiLamp sheet	4	4	3	5	5	5	4	5	3	3	3	- /5
Scurion1500 SpeleoLamp sheet	5	5	3	1	5	5	4	5	4	2	2	- /5
MeandreExplo 4.5Lamp sheet	5	5	5	2	4	5	4	4	4	2	2	- /5
SofirnHS20Lamp sheet	1	2	3	5	3	5	3	2	2	5	5	- /5
PhaethonDualLamp sheet	4	4	4	3	5	5	4	3	4	5	3	- /5
ArgolampArgolamp 2.0Lamp sheet	5	4	4	3	5	5	5	3	5	5	2	- /5

Technical table Interactive

Brand / Model	Availability (FR market) i Qualitative indicator (observed): wide distribution / often in stock / made to order / possible stockouts.	Max lumens i Manufacturer peak. In practice, many headlamps step down afterwards (thermal/electronic management).	Beam options guide i Multi-beam: wide (progression/reading) + spot (volume/pointing) or combined.	Batteries / energy i Formats (18650/21700) = simple logistics. Proprietary pack = dedicated battery with higher redundancy cost.	Battery price / Wh i Cost ratio: price of the most common replacement battery divided by battery energy (Wh).	Indicative price i Lamp + 1 battery (standard config). Indicative price observed in shops/manufacturer site. Verify with your retailer.	Water (IP / depth) i IP = dust + immersion rating. Depth = manufacturer claim (pressure): also depends on connectors/seals.	Weight (g) guide i Direct comparison: ideally lamp + battery (otherwise specified). Lighter = better (neck fatigue).	Magnets (survey) i Magnets / magnetic charging: may distort a compass if used too close to measurements.	Driver & efficiency guide i Efficiency = LED driver efficiency. Switching is often high efficiency. Linear depends on Vf/Vbat and heats more at high output.	Pros i Field summary: positive points for caving (mud, impacts, gloves, runtime).	Cons i Field summary: typical limits (weight, proprietary packs, heat, mounting, survey use).
PetzlDUO RLLamp sheet	Large distribution	2800	Medium/Wide optic + dedicated spotno bare LED	Proprietary packdedicated battery (23.7 Wh)	~3.2-3.8 €/Whcommon pack (~76-89 EUR / 23.68 Wh)	~620 €kit: lamp + R2 battery + charger included	IP67	390lamp + battery	No	Efficiency ~ 78–90%regulated driver, likely switching (not published)	Robust, wide dealer network, RL mode + Proven robustness for regular use. Wide availability of products, spare parts, and retailers. RL mode is practical during real progression.	High price, proprietary pack, weight + High price in the premium caving range. More closed ecosystem than standard cells. RL/CL setup is more complex than simpler interfaces. Field feedback mentions a waterproofing issue. Weight/bulk remain significant versus compact options.
PetzlDUO SLamp sheet	Variable availabilityolder model	1100BOOST mode	Medium/Wide optic + dedicated spotno bare LED	Proprietary packR2 battery (23.68 Wh)	~3.2-3.8 €/Whcommon pack (~76-89 EUR / 23.68 Wh)	~270 €kit: lamp + R2 battery included	IP67	370lamp + battery	No	Efficiency ~ 76–88%constant regulation (order of magnitude)	Proven DUO platform, beam options + Robust DUO platform used in caving for many years. Beam options are useful in progression and large passages.	R2 pack costly, BOOST limited, stock + Proprietary R2 battery remains expensive for redundancy. BOOST mode is less sustainable thermally in long use. Availability varies depending on retailers. Power/price ratio remains weak versus newer alternatives. Max output clearly below DUO RL.
ArmytekWizard C2 Pro MaxLamp sheet	Often in stock	4150peak + thermal step-down	Medium/Wide opticno dedicated spot	1×21700magnetic charging	~1.4-1.6 €/Whcommon pack (~24.9-28.9 EUR / 18 Wh)	~125 €lamp (~110) + 21700 (~15)	IP68claim 10 m / 5 h	151lamp + cell	Yesmagnet / charging	Efficiency ~ 75–88%likely switching (not published)	Good value, standard cells + Good output/price ratio. Standard 18650 cells, easy to share across setups. Versatile (hiking, cycling…).	Magnet, mount, turbo limited + Magnetic cap: disrupts electronic compasses (DistoX). Non-magnetic cap available (~€15). General-purpose mount: may not hold in demanding caving (impacts, mud). Turbo not sustained: auto-reduced after ~50 s to prevent overheating. Transport: lock the cell to prevent accidental activation.
ZebralightH600Fc Mk IVLamp sheet	EU distributorsno direct EU sales	1616OTF actual, PID thermal	Floody wide ~90°single beam (no spot)	1×18650standard all brands	~$0.5-0.8/Whstandard 18650 (~$4-8 / 10.8 Wh)	~$110–200via EU distributor + 18650	IPX8rated 2 m	85lamp + cell	No	Efficiency ~ 85-92%regulated boost, PID thermal	CRI >90, ultra-light, community + CRI >90, 4000K: faithful rock color rendering and cave photography. Light (85 g with cell), non-magnetic by default. Large community; single or dual 3D-printed helmet mounts available.	Single beam, complex UI, no EU + Single beam: need 2 lamps for flood + spot. Complex multi-click interface with gloves. No direct EU sales: limited choice and higher price.
StootsYetiLamp sheet	Observed in stock	1400	Medium/Wide optic + dedicated spotno bare LED	1×21700easyLock, 17.7 Wh	~2.2-2.3 €/Whcommon pack (~40 EUR / 17.7 Wh)	~260 €kit: lamp + EasyLock 21 battery included	IP68	134lamp + battery	No	Efficiency ~ 85–92%regulated switching (manufacturer)	Reliable, compact, good waterproofing + Overall reliability is considered good on key models. Compact with useful output in progression. Very good waterproofing level on key models. Ergonomics and beam options suited to wet use.	Higher budget, paddle/gloves, flicker + Higher entry budget than several alternatives. Total cost increases with dedicated batteries/accessories. Historical feedback mentions fragility on some mounting/support setups. Paddle button ergonomics are less convenient with thick muddy gloves. Video flicker is present: visible banding or pulsing brightness appears on camera when lamp driver frequency and camera frame rate are out of sync.
Scurion1500 SpeleoLamp sheet	Possible stockouts	1300ANSI	Very wide (bare LED) + dedicated spotseparate channels	Proprietary pack4-cell pack (~49 Wh)	~1.9-2.3 €/Whcommon pack (~95-112 EUR / 49 Wh)	~720 €kit: lamp + 1 x 4-cell battery pack	IP68claim -20 m	510full kit	No	Efficiency ~ 88–94%switching (published "up to")	Long-term robust, service, beam + Reliability/robustness are well established over the long term. Maintenance and spare-parts ecosystem is generally well documented. Homogeneous beam appreciated in large passages and photography.	High price, weight, connector + High purchase price and total cost. Weight varies significantly with battery configuration. Connector/charging points sometimes flagged as watch items.
MeandreExplo 4.5Lamp sheet	Observed in stock	~4500depending on version	Very wide (bare LED) + dedicated spotdepending on variant	3 cells in series10.9 V · 3.5 Ah	~2.0 €/Whcommon pack (~75 EUR / 37.8 Wh)	~820 €kit: lamp + 3-cell battery (manufacturer site)	IP69claim -200 m	4503-cell kit	No	Efficiency ~ 85–92%likely switching (not published)	Specialized caving, reliable, technical + Highly specialized caving/diving product. Reliability is well regarded. Clear technical approach for expert use.	High price, weight, few reviews + High entry price. Total weight can be significant depending on battery/kit configuration. Fewer recent public reports than major brands. Availability and lead times vary by reseller.
SofirnHS20Lamp sheet	Very easy to buy	2300–2700depending on versions	Medium/Wide opticno dedicated spot	1×18650USB-C	~0.4-0.7 €/Whcommon pack (~4-8 EUR / 10.8 Wh)	~60 €lamp with 18650 included (Amazon)	IP68 / IPX8not rated for cave diving	~124–175with battery	N/A	Efficiency ~ 60–80%order of magnitude	Low price, standard cells + Competitive price for backup or beginner use. Standard 18650 cells, simple maintenance.	Weak regulation, reliability, PWM + Output and regulation below premium models. Non-constant output: dims as battery depletes. Poor long-term reliability: intermittent contacts reported on some configs, variable build quality. PWM flicker depending on mode: affects video. Limited reports from highly demanding caving.
PhaethonDualLamp sheet	Made to order	2000	Very wide (bare LED) + dedicated spotpanoramic wide + spot	2×18650replaceable cells	~0.4-0.8 €/Whcommon pack (~10-20 EUR / 25.2 Wh)	~520 €direct order from manufacturer	Diving -250 mclaim	395with batteries	No	Efficiency ~ 65–90%linear: efficiency ~ Vf/Vbat	Caving/diving, customizable, robust + Caving/diving oriented with extensive customization. Fine beam control for advanced profiles. Perceived robustness is positive in committed use.	Price, gloves/switch, linear driver + Premium pricing. Switch/ergonomics can be difficult with muddy gloves (field feedback). More limited distribution in France. Handling requires adaptation. Linear driver: non-constant output, dims as battery depletes, and lower efficiency.
ArgolampArgolamp 2.0Lamp sheet	Manufacturer direct order	24002×1200	Mixed (bare LED + medium/wide optic) + dedicated spotprogression mix + long throw	2×21700stated 6800 mAh pack	~0.2-0.8 €/Wh2x21700 standard cells (~8-30 EUR / ~36-40 Wh)	~650 €complete kit with batteries (EUR estimate)	Up to 150 mclaim	370lamp + battery	No	Efficiency ~ 65–90%linear: efficiency ~ Vf/Vbat	Homogeneous beam, customizable + Homogeneous wide beam with no hotspot: covers the full field of view and reduces visual fatigue during progression. Quick wide/spot toggle for pit inspection and large volumes. Customizable at order (cable, spot angle, LED). 21700/18650 compatibility.	Premium price, linear driver + Premium pricing. Linear driver: non-constant output, dims as battery depletes, and lower efficiency.

See also the dedicated lamp sheets: Stoots, Scurion, Argolamp, Phaeton, Meandre, Petzl DUO RL and Petzl DUO S, Armytek, Sofirn, and Zebralight.