Headlamps for Sportsmen: Flood the night with light!

Headlights are finally getting more attention from the public and the sporting community in general. This could be because we often see movies with special forces troops wearing headlamps over their helmets. Today, even the headlamps found in a hardware store can outperform the best headlamps that were sold in a mountaineering store several years ago. This advancement and the growing popularity of headlights is due to the increased use of the new bulbs we call LEDs.

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are the new standard in headlights, replacing the old halogen bulbs. LED bulbs don’t get hot and have much better burn times, much longer than the collapsible fluorescent bulbs we used to use. LED”S bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours at 50% of their original wattage. But for all practical purposes, Petzl, a leading manufacturer of headlamps, claims that 5,000 hours is a best estimate at which the bulb is still what it is. bright enough for remote work and signaling at night LEDs are more impact resistant than glass Headlight power has to do with two factors (at least): the number of LED bulbs and lens focus on headlamp A headlamp can be classified in “lumens” which measures the total amount of light emitted in all directions by a light source (REI). To put it in perspective, 300 lumens is the same amount of light as a 20-watt bulb that could be used in a reading light. Don’t consider it too powerful. But if you put that amount of light into a housing like a headlamp and combine it with a focusing lens that all headlamps have, then you have massive power to focus a 100 yard beam. As with all equipment, the more you spend, the more powerful the product, especially the headlights. The Petzl NAO headlamp is rated at 300 lumens and has a 108 meter beam! It can be rechargeable batteries and has an automatic sensor that adjusts the light for close work (Proximity Lighting). A lighthouse isn’t just for doing chores at camp. It can mean one’s own survival when the situation requires it.

One afternoon around 6 pm I tore my ACL on the back of Vail Mountain. As darkness fell, I slapped my knees and headed for Shrine Mountain Hut, a few miles away. I found the cabin around midnight. I was surprised to find that it was marked with just a small 2 inch blue reflector! I have to praise my old Petzl zoom halogen lamp for finding that little speck of color in the dark. Talk about luck! Thank God the weather was clear. A good headlamp with a near and far beam is a must for night trips, rescue signaling or just cooking. It must be able to function at low temperatures. A lamp that uses standard AA batteries (especially rechargeable batteries) should have a battery pack that is worn inside clothing for use in very cold conditions. Headlamps that use rechargeable lithium batteries seem to fit the bill, as they can be used over and over again and are not affected by the cold. Naturally, you should test your batteries before you leave the house, and always bring back-up batteries and light bulbs for emergency use. Lithium batteries are very reliable in extreme cold conditions and have an unlimited lifespan. For tent camping or cabin use, a small hanging tent light can be valuable while preparing meals and will save your headlamps for more important uses. The same size batteries should be used for all electrical appliances for maximum interchangeability. Place a piece of tape over the on and off switches to prevent accidental activation while in a package if they do not have a lockout switch. Another nice feature is a strobe function that will allow the light to flash on and off for hours in the event a distress signal needs to be issued.

Headlights can look expensive. But you have to remember that when you need a headlamp, it’s probably not for fun. It may be dark and it may be snowing or raining. You are probably not in the dark by choice. You may need to read a map, use a GPS, or help someone who has fallen. You need it to work the first time and it better be brilliant! Get yourself an expensive headlamp and don’t look back. You will be making a good decision that will pay off many times over in your outdoor future.