Ask the Gear Guy
Headlamp or flashlight?
Q. What’s better for the outdoors: a headlamp or a flashlight?
– Looking-for-a-light Larry, Orlando, Fla.
A. Larry, this is a good question. The biggest benefit to using a headlamp that’s strapped to your noggin is that it provides hands-free lighting. That means when you’re on an outing, you can cook, hike, read in your tent, go to the bathroom, etc. without holding a flashlight. Also, headlamps tend to be more compact and lighter weight than conventional flashlights. Headlamps usually have variable light levels and many also come with a flashing emergency light option. Sure, flashlights are great, but I’d say for the average Boy Scout a headlamp is the best choice.
Since I started using a headlamp, I will not go in woods without.Mariofan has good advice though carry a handheld as a backup.I recommend both using the same type of batteries, and not rechargeable. These tend to lose their recharge life and are expensive to replace.
Definately true.Though,aim for a, at least, 1 watt light or 60 lumenends. Anything less than that tends to be annoyingly dull, and you’ll always be thinking you have low batteries.
headlamp less chance of breaking because u dont hold it so it does not fall and break
I agree with Mahiawa very strongly!!!
Nice tip!!!!!!
I like my headlamp best, but I would say both. You never know when you will experience equipment failure. Always have a plan B!
Look for a headlamp with a red or green light so you don’t blind your buddies at night. Aim for an LED light, the batteries will last a lot longer.
I like headlamps best, but they all ways get into the people that you are talking to’s eyes.