Camping Headlamp

Camping Headlamp!! A camping headlamp is a fantastic solution to light up your nighttime adventures, whilst keeping both arms free for the task at hand. Whether you’re pitching a tent in the dark, or love trail running at dusk: a headlamp is a handy accessory for all kinds of outdoor activities.

In the past, headlamps were quite bulky and cumbersome, but fortunately, this is no longer the case. New technologies and innovations led to the arrival of a new generation of headlamps, lightweight, rechargeable, streamlined, and super bright. And the best part? A quality headlamp for campers, hikers, backpacking, mountaineering, biking, trail running, or simply reading a book in your tent is now more affordable than ever before!

What is Camping Headlamp?

A Camping Headlamp known as a head torch in the UK is a light source affixed to the head for outdoor activities at night or in dark condition  such as caving, orienteering, hiking, skiing, backpacking, camping, mountaineering or mountain biking. Headlamps may also be used in adventure races. Headlamps are often used by workers in underground mining, search and rescue, surgeons, and by other workers who need hands-free lighting.

BEST TYPES OF CAMPING HEADLAMP BY ACTIVITY

Like people, no two headlamps are the same. You want to choose the right one for you based on the activity for which you’ll be using it. Finding your match is easiest when everything’s on the table, so be clear about what you need and choose a headlamp that has the qualities you’re looking for. Here’s what we mean:

• Running: prioritize the weight, fit, and beam distance of your headlamp.
• Backpacking & Hiking: prioritize the weight, battery life, beam distance, and mode options of your headlamp.
• Climbing: prioritize the light output and beam distance of your headlamp.
• Cycling: prioritize the light output and beam distance of your headlamp.
• Paddling: prioritize the fit and light output of your headlamp.
• Travel & Camping: prioritize beam width/area, battery life, and price of your headlamp.

SHOPPING BY WEIGHT

Headlamps come in all shapes and sizes, so here’s an easy equation to remember. The more jarring the activity, the less you want your headlamp to weigh. Consider trail running to illustrate this fact. If you’re running with a headlamp that’s too heavy or too bulky, it will unapologetically bounce up and down in mockery of your every move. Conversely, if you’re cycling a relatively smooth paved road, the weight of your headlamp will be considerably less noticeable as it will stay put.

Headlamps are measured in either grams or ounces. They range anywhere from around 12.5 ounces to just under 2 ounces. If you’re looking for a lightweight headlamp, you’ll want to find one that’s in the 2 to 3‑ounce range. External batteries and top straps can add or redistribute weight, so take this into account too.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

If you plan to be in it for the long haul, make sure you not only like, but love, the way your headlamp fits and performs. Some headlamps offer unique weight distribution by placing the battery pack on the back of the head.

Other headlamps provide added support with a strap that stretches from front to back across the top of your head. While a top strap may be the key to stability for one adventurous type, it might mean irritation for another. Many headlamps also come with the option of tilt, meaning the light itself can be moved manually up and down. This allows you to see different areas around you. Tilting headlamps can give you a bit more sense of control.

Features Required in Camping Headlamp

• Regulated output

Rather than gradually dimming as batteries drain, regulated headlamps offer a steady brightness level throughout the life of the batteries. This is a positive and deservedly popular feature.

• The downside:

When batteries are exhausted, the light of a regulated headlamp can go dark abruptly. This may leave you scrambling to replace batteries in the dark. A dimming light on an unregulated headlamp gives you early warning that batteries are nearing the end of their usefulness.

• Red light mode

Many headlamps offer a red-light mode. Red light does not cause our pupils to shrink the way white light can, so it’s good for nighttime use.

• Water resistance

All headlamps sold at REI are able to withstand some degree of exposure to rain and snow. (They can handle modest drops and jolts, too.) A few can tolerate shallow, short-term immersion.

• Tilt

The ability to adjust the headlamp unit up and down is a nice option. It lets you position the beam exactly where you want it. This is especially handy when reading by headlamp.

• On/off switches

If you’re examining headlamps at a store, try out the buttons to see if you like how the headlamp cycles through its modes (high to low, or vice versa). Also, some switches lock to prevent the headlamp from being inadvertently switched on inside a pack.

BULB & BEAM TYPE of Camping Headlamp 

Most headlamps today are made with LED bulbs because they are more durable and long lasting. As a bonus, they’re more energy efficient than conventional bulbs. When it comes to bulbs, what you really want to decide is whether you need a spot beam or wide beam.

• Spot Beam: A spot beam will light the path far ahead of you, which is essential for covering dark, uncharted territory while running, hiking, cycling at dusk, dawn or any of the darkest hours in between.
• Wide Beam: Many headlamps will produce a dispersed light in a wide angle for illuminating close objects and campsites.
• Variable Beam: A nice feature is a variable beam, which can be switched between a spot and wide angle throw in a single headlamp.
• Beam Pattern: High-quality headlamps will create a uniform beam without dark rings or splotches. This is achieved with quality lenses and reflectors.

Buyers Guideline to Buy The Best Camping Headlamp

• NEEDED LIGHT OUTPUT

It’s imperative that you speak the same language as your headlamp, so forget watts and start thinking in lumens. In Latin, ‘lumens’ literally translates to ‘light’, and is a unit of measurement from a light source in all directions. Lumens define how brightly your headlamp will glow. You’ll find that number on the packaging of your headlamp. The power range of headlamps varies widely, from about 50 lumens for a compact model, to 1,000 lumens or more for large high power units.

• LIGHT BEAM DISTANCE

When you look at the number of beam distance displayed on your headlamp packaging, what you’re reading is the length of meters it can project “usable light.” This means at the very end of the path (the edge of the beam distance), the brightness will be just about that of the full moon on a clear night.

For those running, hiking, cycling and climbing in low light, the longer the light beam distance, the better. Sure, you won’t be able to see exactly what your future together holds, but you’ll be grateful for being able to see as far ahead of you as possible.

• BRIGHTNESS LEVELS & MODE OPTIONS

If you believe variety is the spice of life, you’ll appreciate a headlamp that offers a range of brightness levels. The good news is most of them have settings for both high and low brightness, which comes in handy when you’re alternating between looking your hiking partner in the face and down at the trail. Some headlamps offer three settings, while others have a strobe and red light setting as well. Here’s what you need to know about each:

• High: Good for the darkest of places, this setting allows you to use the brightest light possible. This setting also uses more battery power than mid and low.

• Middle: While only offered on some models, this middle level of brightness can be just right.
• Low: If you hit the tree-covered trail on a gloomy evening, the lowest level of light may be all you need to keep trekking on. This is typically the most energy efficient light setting.
• Strobe: The option of a flashing light can come in handy in emergency situations. You never know when you need to get the attention of any passersby. Whether you’re thru-hiking solo or on an evening run, using your headlamp as a distress signal might be the difference between life and death.
• Red light: A red light mode helps the user maintain night vision. Red light doesn’t cause pupils to shrink while providing a small amount of illumination.
• AVERAGE RUN TIME

This is an indication of the number of hours your headlamp battery will last. It’s often displayed alongside a clock symbol on the packaging. If just one number is displayed, that will be the average run time of your headlamp on its most energy efficient setting (typically, at low). Some headlamps will display average run time for low, middle, and high settings. It just depends on how the brand chooses to do so.

• BATTERY TYPE

Headlamps are powered by standard batteries, and the one you choose will specify the size it needs. The most important thing to remember when it comes to batteries is: bring an extra set whenever you’re going out with your headlamp. This way you’ll never get stuck in the dark.

Rechargeable batteries are a great option, as they can be reused many times over. That said, rechargeable batteries can also lose power, offering an unwelcome surprise if they’ve been sitting unused for too long. Recharge batteries (or use them) every one to two months.

Conclusion:

Your headlamp will fit snugly over your skull to manifest the perfect yin-yang relationship, one in which you get to do the running, cycling or climbing, and it simply illuminates the way. Like any good partnership, finding “the one” is essential. This piece will guide you to select the best one.