The Ridgemonkey Vault Bivvy Lite IR180 scores 8.9 overall, combining torchlight, floodlight and powerbank functions in a single IP67 waterproof housing. At around the £65 mark, it's the premium choice for anglers who want genuinely bankside-proof reliability and features that'll last years.
The Vault IR180 feels genuinely premium from the moment you get it out the box. That gunmetal grey finish isn't just for looks, it's a hardwearing casing that's taken a few knocks in my fishing bag and still looks mint.
What really sets this apart is the IP67 waterproofing. I've genuinely dropped this in a puddle getting gear out the van in the rain, and it didn't miss a beat. That's proper waterproofing, not just "splash resistant" like you get on cheaper lights.
The magnetic fittings are brilliant. They're strong enough that the light won't fall off when you're moving about the bivvy, but you can still pull it off one-handed when you need it.
The included backing plate sticks to your bivvy fabric with Velcro, so you can mount it anywhere even if your bivvy doesn't have metal ribs.
The bankstick adaptor is a nice touch too. I use it for lighting up fish when taking photos, saves messing about with a head torch when you're trying to handle a fish quickly.
The dual torch and floodlight setup works really well. The 180 lumen torch is bright enough for tying rigs or walking to the facilities without needing a separate head torch.
It's not the brightest on the market (the NGT puts out 500 lumens), but 180 is plenty for most situations.
The floodlight mode gives you three colours: white, red and green. Each colour has variable brightness so you can set it exactly how you want it. What I really like is the smooth brightness control.
You're not stuck with just low/medium/high, you can set it exactly where you want it. Perfect for getting just enough light to read or sort tackle without it being too bright.
The three colour options: white, red and green floodlight modes
The 5200mAh battery is genuinely impressive. Ridgemonkey claim 10-240 hours depending on brightness settings, and from my experience that's not far off. On low brightness I've easily got through a long weekend session without needing to recharge.
Even on medium brightness for general bivvy use, you're looking at well over 20 hours runtime. That's more than enough for most overnight trips with some spare capacity left over.
The USB-C charging is fast (couple of hours for a full charge), and the powerbank function is brilliant. I've used it to top up my phone a few times when I've been out longer than planned.
The 2.1A output is fast enough to properly charge modern smartphones, not just trickle charge them.
The USB output lets you use it as a powerbank to charge your phone or other devices
Right, let's be honest, around the £65 mark is serious money for a bivvy light. You can get the NGT with more lumens and a bigger powerbank for under £20, so why would you pay more than three times as much?
It comes down to build quality and longevity. The IP67 waterproofing means this'll last years rather than one season. The infrared remote is genuinely reliable where cheaper remotes are hit and miss. The dual torch and floodlight modes mean you don't need a separate head torch.
If you're doing a few overnighters a year, honestly the NGT or Fox Halo will do you fine. But if you're fishing most weekends and you want something that'll last and won't let you down, the extra cash is worth it. I've had mine two years now and it's been faultless.
For a broader look at how the Vault IR180 compares to other options across different price points, check out our complete bivvy lights comparison guide.
| Feature | What this means |
|---|---|
| 180 Lumen Torchlight | Directional torch beam for focused light when you need to see clearly outside the bivvy. Bright enough to tie rigs, bait up, or walk to the facilities without needing a head torch. The 180 lumens is decent output, not the brightest on the market but more than adequate for most night fishing tasks. |
| Three Colour Floodlight (White, Red, Green) | Wide-angle ambient lighting for inside your bivvy. White for general use, red to preserve your night vision when looking out for takes, green if you prefer it or fishing venues with red light restrictions. Each colour has variable brightness so you can set it exactly how you want. |
| 5200mAh Rechargeable Battery | Large lithium-ion battery gives you 10-240 hours runtime depending on brightness settings. At low brightness you'll easily get through a long weekend session. Even on full brightness you're looking at 10+ hours, which is more than enough for most overnight trips. No disposable batteries to worry about. |
| 5V 2.1A USB Powerbank Output | USB-A port lets you charge your phone, tablet or other devices from the light's battery. The 2.1A output is fast enough to properly charge modern smartphones. Handy if your phone's dying and you need to check the weather or contact someone. Means one less powerbank to pack. |
| USB-C Charging Port | Modern USB-C charging is faster than old micro-USB and the cable can be plugged in either way up (no more fumbling in the dark). Most newer phones and devices use USB-C now, so chances are you already have the right cable. Full charge takes a few hours depending on your plug adaptor. |
| Smooth Brightness Control | Variable dimming lets you set the exact brightness level you want, not just low/medium/high preset levels. Hold the button down (or remote) and it gradually dims or brightens. Perfect for getting just enough light to read or tie rigs without it being too bright or too dim. |
| IP67 Dust and Water Resistant | Completely dust-proof and can survive being submerged in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. In practical terms, you can drop it in a puddle getting gear out the van, knock it in the margins while landing a fish, or leave it in heavy rain and it'll be absolutely fine. Proper waterproofing, not just splash-resistant. |
| Gun Metal Grey Finish | Hardwearing coating that looks smart and resists scratches. Darker colour means it won't show dirt as much as lighter finishes. The robust construction feels premium in your hand, not flimsy plastic like some budget lights. |
| Magnetic Fittings & Backing Plate | Strong magnets built into the light body let you stick it to any metal surface. The included metal backing plate attaches to your bivvy fabric with Velcro, so you can position the light anywhere on the roof or walls even if your bivvy doesn't have metal ribs. Takes seconds to remove and reposition. |
| Hanging Lanyards Included | Elastic cord loops let you hang the light from a bivvy rib, tree branch or brolly arm without needing the magnetic plate. Handy for older bivvies without much metal, or when you're fishing under a brolly and want to suspend it above you. |
| Adjustable Bankstick Adaptor | Screw-on adaptor lets you mount the light on a standard bankstick. Brilliant for lighting up fish when taking photos, you can position it exactly where you need it rather than relying on your head torch. The adjustable angle means you can point it precisely where you want the light. |
See how the Ridgemonkey Vault Bivvy Lite IR180 compares with other bivvy accessories on overall score and current price.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgemonkey Vault Bivvy Lite IR180 | £59.98 | |
| Century Stealth Graphex Spod/Marker Rod | £595.00 | |
| NGT Bivvy Light & Powerbank | £14.95 | |
| Fox Halo Multi-Colour Strip Light | £29.99 | |
| Ridgemonkey Base Lite IR | £29.99 | |
| Trakker Nitelife Bivvy Light | £29.99 | |
| Nash Powerbanx Inflatable Lite | £39.99 | |
| Fox Halo Bivvy Light | £18.10 | |
| Sonik Hero X Bivvy Light | £23.95 |
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It is a bivvy accessorie, chosen for the situations that style of fishing calls for.
Directional torch beam for focused light when you need to see clearly outside the bivvy. Bright enough to tie rigs, bait up, or walk to the facilities without needing a head torch. The 180 lumens is decent output, not the brightest on the market but more than adequate for most night fishing tasks.
Wide-angle ambient lighting for inside your bivvy. White for general use, red to preserve your night vision when looking out for takes, green if you prefer it or fishing venues with red light restrictions. Each colour has variable brightness so you can set it exactly how you want.
Large lithium-ion battery gives you 10-240 hours runtime depending on brightness settings. At low brightness you'll easily get through a long weekend session. Even on full brightness you're looking at 10+ hours, which is more than enough for most overnight trips. No disposable batteries to worry about.
USB-A port lets you charge your phone, tablet or other devices from the light's battery. The 2.1A output is fast enough to properly charge modern smartphones. Handy if your phone's dying and you need to check the weather or contact someone. Means one less powerbank to pack.
Ridgemonkey Base Lite IR 
Sonik Hero X Bivvy Light 
Trakker Nitelife Bivvy Light 
Fox Halo Bivvy Light 
