When it comes to exploring the outdoors without any inconvenience, having the right gear is essential, especially when travelling at night time. One of this gear is a head torch. Wearing a head lamp light allows you to discover your surrounding without having to hold up a flashlight. With your hands-free, you'll be able to multitask and make the most of your trips.
However, with so many head torch options available on the market, investing in the right one can be a challenge decision. Hope this guide will provide you with the information you need to make the best choice for your needs.
What is a Headlamp Flashlight?
A headlamp is a portable light source that you can wear around the head. Lightweight models tend to feature a single strap while sturdier headlamps generally come with two straps. Due to its convenient usage, headlamps are commonly used by mountain bikers, cave explorers, hikers, and practically anybody who wants to navigate their way to underground locations, hiking trails, mountains, etc.
What Are the Different Types Available?
When purchasing a head torch, you can make your option based on the build type. Different bulbs are designed for different intends of use.
LED Headlamps
The majority of headlamps you'll find today use LED technology. Contrary to incandescent or halogen lamps, LED headlamps have fewer safety concerns and are much easier to use. Although they are slightly more expensive, outdoor enthusiastic prefer LED headlamps due to its reliability and increased longevity - they can operate for about 36 days with a single charge. The only problem with LED is that it cannot reach long distances. In this case, you'll need a headlamp that offers both short and long-range lighting, like a dual-bulb headlamp that features both LED and halogen light. Dual-bulb headlamp allows you to conserve battery light. To make the most out of your dual-bulb headlamp, you can use LED light for short ranges and keep the halogen for longer distances.
Halogen Headlamps
With the inclusion of halogen gas, this type of headlight can operate at much higher temperatures, which increases the overall glow and beam strength. While you can benefit from the increased power, you also need special precautions while using halogen headlamps. If no used carefully, the lamp can start a fire due to its hot temperature. You also must be careful not to touch the light bulb because the natural oils on your skin can cause the bulb to explode.
Incandescent Headlamps
When they hit the market in 1981, these lamps were considered one of the most cutting edge technology at that time. These bulbs use a filament wire that glows when the temperature rises. However, the heating process takes a lot of energy, which drain the lamp's battery much faster. Due to the amount of energy it utilizes, bright headlamps last only for a couple of hours. Note that the lamp raises plenty of safety concerns as well and the weak bean strength may not be suitable for completing tasks that require precision.
What to Consider When Investing in a Headlamp?
To get the most out of your headlamp, it's important that you choose it according to your specific requirements and needs.
Purpose
Nowadays, manufacturers categorize headlamps according to their particular purpose. Some lights are suitable for offering spotlight or floodlight while others only cover short-range distances. If you'll be using your headlamp mainly for hiking and running trails, invest in a model that can illuminate light along with large distances. For precise work where you need light to focus on the subject, a LED model will offer you better visibility over short distances.
Brightness
The intensity or brightness of the headlamp is measured in 'lumen'. Lamps with a higher lumen, shine brighter than other bulbs. Models can range in power from 0.1 lumens to as much as 350 lumens. It's important to remember that high lumen levels will drain the headlamp's battery life much faster. So, if you don't require a powerful light source, consider investing in a lamp with a low lumen count to increase battery life.
Batteries
Headlamps generally come with alkaline batteries, which are widely available. But if you want a more environmentally-friendly option, lithium batteries are a more environmentally-friendly option. While you may have to pay more for this type of lamp, it can last up to 10 years with good care. If you're on a limited budget, consider investing in a headlamp that can accommodate rechargeable batteries.
Battery Life
For improved battery conservation, you can benefit from LED models. Battery life is an important consideration if you plan on spending a weekend in the wilderness and won't have access to power. You should also consider investing in a headlamp with a voltage regulator to maintain the brightness level constant until the time to replace the battery comes.