Chris Townsend tested a range of headtorches, here’s his verdict on Coleman’s edition
The CHT 15 is a good headtorch let down by one weak point: the battery compartment. This opens at the side with a screw-on cover that can be opened and closed with the end of a headband buckle. The cover is not attached to the compartment and there’s a spring inside that pushes the battery holder out as soon as the cover is released. This results in the cover shooting off into space unless you keep hold of it. I nearly lost it on the floor of my office the first time I opened the compartment. I needed another headtorch (luckily there were plenty to hand!) to find it in the shadows under my desk.
Out in the wilds it would be very easy to lose this cover so great care is needed when removing it. I wouldn’t try to change batteries with gloves on. Otherwise the CHT 15 is fine given the low price. It’s reasonably powerful and simple to operate. The big top button is easy to use with gloves. One press turns on the red LED so you don’t lose your night sight by having to cycle through white lights first. The next press turns on a blue light, this being the only headtorch tested that has one. It’s actually very useful as you can see contour lines on an OS map with it, which you can’t with a red light, while it doesn’t affect night vision much.
A third press switches on a tiny white LED, which is fine for use in a tent, and a fourth the main white LED. Further presses increase the brightness of this before a final press sets it flashing. You do have to go through this cycle each time you use the light but it can be done quickly. The lamp pivots about 70°. The CHT 15 is solidly made and the cost is low. The weight is slightly on the high side for the power provided and the battery life less than other headtorches (maybe Coleman is just being realistic about what constitutes usable light).
Power
