Are you sure that you are in the right forum...?...:lolsign:
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Tom
Haha, I believe so, I just recently became a flashlight enthusiast and now I wont even leave my bedroom without my 3 edc lights.
Best flashlight for camping?
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Haha, I believe so, I just recently became a flashlight enthusiast and now I wont even leave my bedroom without my 3 edc lights.
greenlight
Flashlight Enthusiast
Camping requires very minimal lighting. Too much and you are a distraction:thumbsdow. My gerber sonic (aaa) was optimal for my last trip.
Still, it's fun to scan for critters and test the throw of various lights, unless there's a full moon...
Still, it's fun to scan for critters and test the throw of various lights, unless there's a full moon...
Long John
Flashlight Enthusiast
The word "camping" doesn't say something about the location.
I.e. I often was camping at dangerous locations in the wilderness (Africa), beside dangerous animals, sporadic humans requires a bright light at least.
Best regards
____
Tom
I.e. I often was camping at dangerous locations in the wilderness (Africa), beside dangerous animals, sporadic humans requires a bright light at least.
Best regards
____
Tom
BlackDecker
Enlightened
Good point about where you are camping. My last big outing was a 36 mile, 4 day backpacking trip on trails on the Tonto Platform inside of Grand Canyon Nat'l Park. I carried a Tikka XP headlamp, RR 2AAA headlamp, two 2AAA River Rock flashlights and found I had plenty of light to setup my tent after dark. It was during a period of no moon, and it was amazing how much light it appears to make to the human eye when there are no other ambient light sources.
hank
Flashlight Enthusiast
Take some small red, amber or yellow light ---- that won't attract bugs.
And remember it takes fifteen or twenty minutes in the dark before the visual pigment regenerates in your retina and your night vision sensitivity recovers.
The rods give night vision; the cones give color/day/central vision. So once your eyes are dark adapted you can see much more everywhere in your visual field _except_ right at the very center, where there are no rods at all.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/imgvis/rcdist.gif
Don't miss seeing the world at night because your light's too bright.
And remember it takes fifteen or twenty minutes in the dark before the visual pigment regenerates in your retina and your night vision sensitivity recovers.
The rods give night vision; the cones give color/day/central vision. So once your eyes are dark adapted you can see much more everywhere in your visual field _except_ right at the very center, where there are no rods at all.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/imgvis/rcdist.gif
Don't miss seeing the world at night because your light's too bright.
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EV_007
Enlightened
I agree, for around 15 bucks, this is a good choice. The 2 red LEDs are good for low light close up applications and the white flood for general area lighting and the spot for looking further down the path. This setup and a good backup handheld is the way to go.
LightScene
Enlightened
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2003
- Messages
- 939
Since there are many recommendations here to get a headlamp for camping, it's worth pointing out that headlamps are also quite useful around the house for tasks where you need extra light and both hands free. As you get up in age, more and more tasks fit this description. I bought mine for reading and was surprised at how useful it is for other things.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/163942
Dont know if you saw this... :thinking:. I made a very similar thread a month ago. Anyways, its a bit over $30 but I ended up getting the 3 D-cell Maglite in LED. Its got crazy battery life (like 20 hrs to 50%) and its brighter than most other flashlights. The only drawback is the weight/size... But it fits into any crack in your pack, so the size isnt really a problem. If you're a man, youll take the wieght too
. Just dont get black, its hard to find at night.
That much light in a more compact package will cost you lots more, I think.
Oh yeah, and buy a headlamp first... I have the PT EOS and I would never go anywhere without it. Headlamps are a must. EOS goes for $42 at Mountain Equiptment Coop here in Winnipeg.
-Tyler
Dont know if you saw this... :thinking:. I made a very similar thread a month ago. Anyways, its a bit over $30 but I ended up getting the 3 D-cell Maglite in LED. Its got crazy battery life (like 20 hrs to 50%) and its brighter than most other flashlights. The only drawback is the weight/size... But it fits into any crack in your pack, so the size isnt really a problem. If you're a man, youll take the wieght too
. Just dont get black, its hard to find at night.That much light in a more compact package will cost you lots more, I think.
Oh yeah, and buy a headlamp first... I have the PT EOS and I would never go anywhere without it. Headlamps are a must. EOS goes for $42 at Mountain Equiptment Coop here in Winnipeg.
-Tyler
42
Enlightened
I found a small black 1 AA 1 watt light made by River Rock at Target for ~$22. It may not have HA III anodizing or a glass lens, but it has a nice white spot decent spill. Perfect for a camping trip.
42
42
Carabidae
Newly Enlightened
I went on a camping/trout fishing trip last weekend and i brought my ROP, terralux seoul dropin mag and DX 1aa seoul light to try. The ROP was overkill for most things other than dropping some jaws and only came in usefull a few times, the terralux mag was great for a lot of things and adjustable so it was the most versatile, the dx light was excellent for around the camp and tent. I didnt bring my fenix or surefires on this trip to try, maybe the next one
scottaw
Enlightened
Just got back from camping, and once again the headlamp saw the most use. But on this trip i did have my first test of my cree lights, wow, when you need to find something in the woods, 240 lumens totally destroys the 60 from the headlamp. First time i was 60 i was amazed, but if you can go bigger, i found it handy.
carrot
Flashaholic
On this budget I recommend a Fenix E0 with its insane 9+ hour runtime for $20 and/or the Petzl E+Lite mini headlamp for $30. Campmor may still have the E+Lite on sale for $22. Pick up extra batteries for either. You won't be dissatisfied with either.
Joseph13
Newly Enlightened
Underconstruction,
I would highly recomend a "dummycord" also refered to as a lanyard. If you buy a handheld light with a hole or attachment point use it for a cord/lanyard long enough to go from yor waist to full arms reach. tie to your belt or belt loop on trousers. When not holding the light,tuck the lanyard into your pants so it will not catch on anything. Also put some kind of key ring or breakaway in the lanyard, you dont want to be stuck to your light in certain (life threatening) situations. (*pleae note: lanyard can be anything from light cord to 8-10 lb.test fishing line. If fishing line is used the line itself will break in an emergency.)
If you get a hand held without an attachment point, tye a knot to the light's body, lay long end of lanyard on body and tape in place with duct tape or athletic tape, fold lanyard back over the first wrap of tape and tape a second time.
I have been on alot of camping trips and had to make lots of custom lanyards for specific tasks others in my goup were performing.
If youend up geting a head lamp please think about the fishing line lanyard, just incase!:twothumbs
All that, overprotective bigbrother type stuff, aside hope you have a great time!
Oh, one more thing, most single strap type headlamps can be folded to function as a handel with thub and index finger operating the switch, kind of reminds me of a handheld!:naughty:
to Joseph13 --
that's a great idea about having a "safety lanyard" on yer' headlamp.
Often thought about doing something similar. But never did.
Glad to see your recommendation. :thumbsup:
To the OP: a small amount of light is often adequate in many situations.
And once in a while, you'll want a "What the hell was THAT noise" really-bright flashlight.
that's a great idea about having a "safety lanyard" on yer' headlamp.
Often thought about doing something similar. But never did.
Glad to see your recommendation. :thumbsup:
To the OP: a small amount of light is often adequate in many situations.
And once in a while, you'll want a "What the hell was THAT noise" really-bright flashlight.
+1 on the E+Lite! I got one right after my last post in this thread, and a couple of my friends who are heavily into backpacking have fallen in love with it. It's not gonna light up the woods like daylight, but the red LEDs are damn handly, the runtime is decent, and you just can't beat it for utility and light weight.
when and if you do get to spend over $30 I and many other here would recommend you the SureFire A2! its a bit over $30 but its a really nice light, took me a while before folks here finally convinced me to get one, thanks guys for pushing me over the edge!
BlackDecker
Enlightened
when and if you do get to spend over $30 I and many other here would recommend you the SureFire A2! its a bit over $30 but its a really nice light, took me a while before folks here finally convinced me to get one, thanks guys for pushing me over the edge!
a BIT over $30 is a BIT of a stretch. $195 is a LOT over
metlarules
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2008
- Messages
- 1,027
Hiking/backpacking=Headlamp
Car camping=Flashlight
For a headlamp I would use a Princeton Tec eos with the interchangable lens(red,clear,blue)
For a flashlight in that price range I don't thing you will do much better than a 2aa minimag with a arcmania super mjled(again with red lense) for carrying on you. A MagLed 3 or 4 d can be had for less than $30 shipped on amazon.com. Tough as nails and super runtime.
Another good area light is the Coleman 8d led lantern with cree led.
Car camping=Flashlight
For a headlamp I would use a Princeton Tec eos with the interchangable lens(red,clear,blue)
For a flashlight in that price range I don't thing you will do much better than a 2aa minimag with a arcmania super mjled(again with red lense) for carrying on you. A MagLed 3 or 4 d can be had for less than $30 shipped on amazon.com. Tough as nails and super runtime.
Another good area light is the Coleman 8d led lantern with cree led.
greenlight
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'm going for a six night trip and I picked out these flashlights to take:
