We’ve taken the Adventure Kings Illuminator LED head torch on a few trips around NSW. At about $10 it’s one of the cheapest head torches you can buy, so the real question isn’t whether it beats the big brands (it doesn’t) but whether it earns a spot in the kit.
What You’re Getting
A compact LED head torch from Adventure Kings with a spot and a spread beam, an adjustable head strap and a single AA battery.
The good
- Cheap at about $10
- Comfortable, soft and strong head strap
- Spot and spread beams
- Light: 47 g on our scale
- A good backup light for the kit
The not-so-good
- Less solid build than the better brands
- Beam is OK, but nothing spectacular
- AA battery only: carry spares
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Adventure Kings |
| Model | Illuminator LED Head Torch (FSLL-IL_HT) |
| Weight | 47 g |
| Lighting options | Spot & spread |
| Range | Up to 70 m |
| Battery | 1 × AA alkaline |
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours |
| Price paid | About $10 |
First impressions
It’s small and light, and it obviously isn’t built as solidly as the better brands. That’s no surprise for a $10 head torch, and it’s reflected in the price.
Build quality and battery
The AA battery sits in a compartment behind the light, under a hinged cover. The plastic housing feels less solid than the pricier head torches we’ve used, which is why it scores lowest on durability.
It only runs on batteries: there’s no USB charging. That has an upside, because you don’t need power at camp to keep it going, but it means you need to carry spare AAs.
Light output: spot and spread
You can choose between a focused spot beam and a wider spread beam. The beam is OK for simple tasks around camp, but nothing spectacular, so don’t expect it to light up the bush like a premium head torch.
Comfort and fit
The head strap is the surprise here: it’s really good. It’s comfortable, soft and strong enough, and it adjusts with a buckle. The light housing tilts on its bracket, so you can aim the beam down at what you’re doing.
How it compares
For about $10, the Illuminator makes a really good backup light. If you want a main head torch with a stronger beam and a sturdier build, have a look at our reviews of the Black Diamond Astro 300 and the Everbeam H6 Pro.
A comfortable $10 head torch with spot and spread beams that makes a good backup light for the kit.
The build is less solid than the better brands, and it runs on a single AA battery only. It’s one for the camp kit or the glovebox, not your main light.
- Campers
- 4WD tourers
As a backup, yes. At about $10 it is worth keeping in the kit as a spare. If you want one head torch for everything, spend more on a brighter, sturdier one.
