You’re in a cave, 300 feet below ground, when — suddenly — your flashlight burns out! It’s pitch black.
If you’re prepared, you have a backup light.
“Lighting is the most critical piece of equipment for caving,” says Kass Kastning, 29, an Eagle Scout and expert caver. “Always have at least three light sources with you.”
Reliable lighting is just as important for hiking and backpacking, too. So we asked Kastning to shed some light (sorry, we couldn’t resist) on what you need to consider before buying a new flashlight or headlamp.
THE LOWDOWN
Lights come in many shapes and sizes. Handheld flashlights are the most common. They are versatile because you can easily direct the light and focus it closer to the ground when hiking.
“I like smaller flashlights when I’m outdoors,” Kastning says. “They are lightweight, and you can throw them in your daypack in case you need light.”
Headlamps are like flashlights you wear on your head. Headlamps are the standard for cavers — and any other outdoorsman who need to have their hands free for climbing and handling gear. Battery-powered lanterns are used to light up larger areas for cooking and hanging around camp. Finally, signal lights are flashlights that come with several different colored lights and special blinking options that can help you call for help when necessary.
PRICE
“You can buy a cheap flashlight at a discount store, but that might not be such a good choice,” Kastning says.
You get what you pay for. Cheap lights usually are not durable and won’t last long. Expect to spend at least $10 to $15 to get a quality flashlight. Headlamps are more expensive — you can get an entry-level headlamp for about $20 to $25.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
“Big flashlights usually shine brighter, but they also weigh more,” warns Kastning.
If you mainly keep the light in your pack for emergencies or for getting around camp at night, get a smaller light. Some of the newer, more expensive small lights can pack as much power as the older big ones.
BATTERIES
Bigger flashlights require bigger, heavier batteries — and that spells more weight you’ll have to carry on the trail. That’s why Kastning likes smaller flashlights with AA batteries. In general, big batteries hold more power and last longer.
Most flashlights use alkaline batteries, but if you can afford lithium batteries, they last up to 10 years. Rechargeable batteries are another choice to consider since they are better for the environment, but they don’t hold their charge as long as other types.
BRIGHTNESS
Think about what you’ll be using your light for. If you just want a light to read by in camp, consider a small flashlight or tiny lantern with LED lights. If you need it for hiking or mountain biking, a bright headlamp with a halogen or Xenon bulb might be a better choice.
DURABILITY
“Consider getting a light that can withstand being dropped on rocks or in a stream,” Kastning says. “Ask yourself: Over a few camping trips will it be able to hold up to wear and tear?”
If the light is made of aircraft-grade aluminum or super-strong plastic, the answer is yes.
It’s also best to pick a model with a push-button switch because lights with sliding buttons can accidentally be turned on in your pack, killing the batteries or bulb — and leaving you with no light.
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment?
i dropped a maglite in a puddle and it still works
Buy a maglite their awesome
u want a good bright flashlight but u dont want to change the batteries every campout cause mine does that, it just dies after 2 hours of use
get a mag charger 221 lumens 3 hour run time includes battery pack and charger and adjustable beam $100.oo very bright very durable
Get a maglite
i want a good crank light for under 20$
where do you find the price for the head lamps?
Top right corner of the package.
Where can you purchase the BSA LED Handy Lantern in Massachusetts?
were to get a good crank light for cheap (under 20 bucks)
I have a LED crank flashlight that i got at Wall mart for
around $15. ive had it since 2nd grade and im in 7th grade
now it still works.
People get a grip, Walmart is cheap, so spend the extra money and go to rei and get a petzl or a BD (black Diamond). and skip the flash light and get a head lamp and use lithium batteries
i have a head lamp a crank light and a mini mag
i got a COLEMAN aluminum light two AA(they discontinued the two AA but still make the others) it is very bright and very durable i dropped it a couple times barley got a scratch on it was $25$ at WAL-MART
I think Coast LED is the only way to go they make a flashlight that puts out 1,000 Lumens! The Quality is amazing and the price is fairly cheap compared to other brands. Mag lights are awesome as well if you do not want the ‘King of the Hill’ flashlight.
Olight has the SR90 which puts out 2,200 lumens,but I doubt that anyone would want to spend that much money on a flashlight.
petzel headlamps are very reliable and come through when you need it most
I have a Dorcy led flashlight its 200 lumen’s and is bright
Petal headlamps work great,and anything with a red setting is better- it doesn’t screw up your night vision.
=] youre totally right dude
I have a maglite 6P with an LED head. It has like, 300 lumens! The US army used them in the gulf war but without the LED head. It can blind you!!!
Sorry, I meant SUREFIRE
yeah no kidding! maglite doesnt make anything that awesome. although i do carry a small one that i like
this is right the mag lights are awesome i have the one without the led it is bright and has a belt holder great for camp and it never fails
what is a GOOD STRONG, AND BRIGHT. flash light that doesnt use a million batterys.
try a mini maglite led two double A batteries and they last while (the batteries and light) at sports authority thy cost 25 bucks
try WAL-MART
you can also buy the Nite Ize LED upgrade kit that comes with a push button switch
Fenix lights haveto be the best lights i’ve ever had and their reasonably priced too
OK, good flashlights, But VERY high prices!
MAG-LITES:really good flashights check them out
there are lots of brands to chose from
i go with mag’s but i use other brands to.
I use a Energizer headlamp, and it has been through night hiking, caving, and regular camp use. You can find it at a Wal-Mart for about $10 at the most. It is really cheap but has lasted quite a while. I also have a hand-held XPG flashlight from Cabela’s that works great.
stream light makes the best light in the world i wouldnt trust any other light
Replacement lightbulbs for mag-lites may be sometimes placed on back order with the customer service department of Bass Pro Sports Shops. Extra lightbulbs sometimes come with brand new mag-lite flashlights. Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target Pharmacy Stores do not have replacement lightbulbs in stock and have no retail pipeline to order replacement lightbulbs for people who need to replace lightbulbs for mag-lite flashlights. Or, just purchase a completely new flashlight–what’s the big deal with purchasing another new flashlight?
i bought a cheap headlamp and it broke in half while i was caving
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ROBOMAKE.YOU CAN’T BUY JUST ANY FLASHLIGHT YOU SEE.
I am looking for A new light to use on general campouts and I am going to use the info found here to buy 1
Where can replacement lightbulbs for mag-lites be purchased to replace a no longer working mag-lite lightbulb? Mag-lite flashlights are not disposable flashlights like Energizer flashlights or Everready Flashlights where the lightbulb is sealed intact and a new Energizer flashlight costs less than $20.00 for the entire flashlight at a camping store or Walgreens or Rite-Aid.
mag-lites all the way! the one i have adjusts for a wider area of coverage.
Awesome!! I have one too!
go with a mag lite. but a leatherman light is still good.
Dude, leatherman only does good knives.
Are “Shake Lite Flashlights” good as usuable flashlights. They don’t require any flashlight batteries and produce energy for a flashlight by having a magnet slide inside a metal coil “slinky” type coil within the flashlight. Crank flashlights require someone to wind a crank for up to 90 seconds to produce enough energy to light a flashlight lightbulb. For flashlights which use batteries, it is easy to find replacement batteries for a flashlight–however, where can someone find replacement lightbulbs for flashlights which contain removable lightbulbs?
I have a surfire e1e it only ways two ounces and it works great