Guide To Picking The Right Headlamp

Outdoor enthusiasts should have a headlamp as an essential piece. A solid headlamp can make your outdoor adventure and safer, no matter what you do. It can be overwhelming to choose the right headlamp for you activity from so many options. There are many types of headlamps that can be used for different activities. They have key features like weatherproofing and light-weight bodies. You also have the option to choose from different color modes, so your equipment is able to perform at its best. Ultra-runners will want the lightest possible headlamp, with a bright beam and a tight fit around their heads. A person who wants a headlamp to be used for general camping will value the low price over the extra bells and whistles.

This guide will help you find the perfect headlamp for whatever you are doing.

Types of lighting

CONSTANT BEAM

A constant beam is one, unchanging beam that emits light from the lamp. This type of lighting is often found in headlamps with a lower price or for more general purposes. This could be the best option for you if you're looking for a headlamp to get you around campsites after the sun sets. These lamps are also very lightweight. For a simple, affordable headlamp, the Petzl Tikka and the Black Diamond Spot make great choices.

SPOT LIGHT VS. FLOOD LIGHTING

Spot lamps are the best function for lighting long distances. This lamp emits a concentrated beam that casts light down trails or into the woods. Flood lighting diffuses light laterally so that you can see the most detail in your peripheral vision. High-tech headlamps can combine both types of light to achieve optimal optics at night. However, most models have different settings that let you switch between the two modes.

REACTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Reactive lighting allows the headlamp to adjust the amount of light it emits to the environment. The headlamp emits just enough light to cover the area in front of it when you are looking down at the ground. However, when you look up, the headlamp becomes brighter to fill the new space. While this type of lighting is extremely useful, it comes with a price. These headlamps tend to be more expensive than average and weigh more.

You can use reactive lighting to climb at night, or to cave when your hands are busy. However, you might need to adjust the power of your headlamp for distances. It can also be very useful for setting up camp, or using a map to guide you. The Petzl NaO+ and the Petzl Swift are two of the most popular reactive lighting headlamps How To Choose A Headlamp.

LIGHTING COLORS

Headlamps can be outfitted with a variety lighting colors to suit different situations. Every headlamp comes with the standard LED light. Many include a red light. Manufacturers are now including blue and green lights to help you cover all bases.

LED: The basic white light. This light can simulate daylight at its strongest. This is the light you need when you are doing any activity that requires you see the best of the surrounding environment. To optimize lighting for your activity, you can use a floodlight, spotlight or a combination thereof.

Red Lighting: When you don't want red lighting to disrupt your natural night vision, you should use it. After being exposed to LED lights, it can take your eyes up to 10 minutes to adjust to the darkness. The red light will not affect your natural vision so this light is ideal for stargazing in the middle of the evening or when you want to keep your campers from getting disturbed after they have gone to bed. Red light is prohibited in national parks. This is to ensure that other campers are not disturbed. The National Park Service writes more on camping etiquette here.

Blue Lighting: The blue light helps hunters see bloodstains even in low-light situations. This allows hunters to track animals well into the night.

Green Lighting: The low-light receptors in the eyes can pick up green light easily. This type of light is useful for locating objects or details at night, such as reading topographic maps and searching for lost items.

BATTERY LIFE & SOURCE

RUN TIME

The life expectancy of the headlamp is important in choosing the right headlamp. This depends on many variables such as the intensity of the light, the type of battery, and the type of battery. Spot lighting can use more power and limit the amount of time that you can use your headlamp. Reactive lighting has the advantage of only consuming as much light as it needs in each setting. This allows you to save a lot of energy over the long-term. Reactive lighting lamps can last a lot longer on one charge.

RECHARGEABLE

Rechargeable headlamps are a great alternative to single-use batteries and can be extremely useful. Rechargeable headlamps can be charged anywhere, including from a car or an outlet. Rechargeable headlamps can have a downside. They are difficult to charge if the headlamp goes out. Many brands offer rechargeable batteries that can be used to charge your headlamps so you have enough power for the most strenuous adventures. Many headlamps from Black Diamond and Petzl come with rechargeable batteries. You can also consider purchasing a rechargeable power bank to take along on your adventures. There are many affordable and lightweight options available!

Rechargeable headlamps offer the added benefit of a constant headlamp power throughout the life of the battery.

BATTERY POWERED

Single-use AAA or AA batteries are often used to power many of the most cost-effective headlamps. This type of battery-operated headlamp has the advantage that you can always have extra batteries in case yours goes out. You may have to replace the battery pack if your rechargeable headlamp is not equipped with a charger.

The downside to battery-powered headlamps is the tendency to lose light power as the battery charges.

LUMENS AND LIGHTING DISTANCE

LUMENS

A lumen refers to the measurement that is used to measure the light released from a particular light source. Modern headlamps have a range of 100 to 900 lumens. However, lumens should not be the only factor to consider when evaluating the power of a headlamp. Along with the headlamp's lighting distance rating, quality and light quality are also important. The more lumens a headlamp produces, the greater the strain it will place on its battery.

LIGHTING DISTANCE

This is another common measurement used by headlamp manufacturers. This is the best way to determine how powerful a headlamp works in a particular setting. Many headlamps have the ability to adjust the power to compensate for distance. Reactive lighting technology allows you to not account for distance. All of this information is automatically factored into your headlamp's sensor.

You don't need a lot of lighting distance for hiking or camping. Mountain biking and climbing require greater awareness. These activities can be dangerous and require a stronger headlamp in order to safely engage in them at night.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

It is important to take into account the size and weight requirements of your headlamp, depending on what activity you are engaging in. While many of the most affordable options are small and lightweight, they lack power and functionality. The most expensive headlamps are usually the best, as they have many features, are lightweight, and are small. You will need a headlamp for a specific activity, such as running or biking.

Most headlamps are very light, so a reduction of just a few ounces won't be noticeable. The Petzl SWIFT RL headlamp is lightweight and powerful, but not too expensive.

WEATHERPROOFING

IPX RATING

An important metric that determines how waterproof a headlamp will be is the IPX rating. Most headlamps have an IPX rating of 4 to 7. IPX-4 means that the headlamp can withstand water contact and is splash-proof. However, it would not be able function under full submersion. A headlamp with an IPX Rating of 7 can operate at full submersion for up to 45 minutes, and up to 4 feet deep. You can choose the right rating for you based on your use. A headlamp that can withstand some rain is a great perk. Their fully waterproof model, the Black Diamond Storm, is ideal for conditions that are not optimal.

RUBBER GAKET

Rubber gaskets are used on some of the tougher headlamps. Keep all items that you don't want in your headlamp out of reach. This helps to prevent rain and water from getting into your headlamp's electronics.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

LOCKING FEATURE

The headlamp locking feature allows you to lock all buttons on your headlamp. It's a very useful add-on. You can't accidentally turn your headlamp on and drain your battery by doing this.

TILT

Modern headlamps have a tilt feature that allows you mechanically to aim the headlamp in one direction. This means that you don't need to look down to illuminate the trail.

DIMMER

You can dim the light to fit any lighting condition using the dimmer function. This is a great feature for reading at night in your tent, and having a low light that doesn’t disturb other people.

PULSE MODE

A few headlamps have a pulse mode that allows for super-powered light to be emitted in a brief burst. This is a useful feature if you need to see a distance overnight. This feature can quickly drain your battery if you use it too often.