You may be surprised to learn that headlamps have been used for hundreds of years. Miners would light a candle, which was reflected on a shiny metal surface mounted on their head. These devices were difficult to use, dangerous and prone to being taken out. Modern headlamps have been greatly improved.
Not all spotlights are created equal. They are available in a wide range of power and versatility. Some are designed to swivel, while others are fixed in place. Some provide excellent focused light beams, while others provide a beam-like effect.
Finding the best camping headlamp requires some research before making a purchase, rather than buying the first lamp you see. That's where these camping headlamp reviews come in handy.
What is a camping headlamp?
A camping headlamp in its broadest sense is simply a lamp that you have attached to your head. While you were in college, you may have felt that sticking a flashlight to your head was a neat headlamp.
But there are much more sophisticated models on the market today. Headlights are generally lightweight headlights that point in any direction, no matter how you move your head. They are attached to your head with adjustable elastic straps, often covered with fabric for added comfort.
They are a great help when setting up camp in the dark or even finishing a hike after sunset. With a light that goes everywhere you look, you are always ready to see what is waiting for you. Camping spotlights more specifically are generally designed to be more robust than their urban counterparts. A good camping headlamp will have far superior quality, durability and often versatility.
Sometimes these headlamps can be mounted on a stand, allowing you to use them as a lantern or fixed light when you're not using them. Regardless of their design, camping lights are among the most important camping equipment available for any trip.
The ability to have instant light on command, lightweight and hands-free, is essential when camping.
Headlamp and flashlight
There are a lot of people who may already have a flashlight and are wondering if there is a reason to bother buying a camping headlamp? The truth is much more nuanced and while flashlights can do a lot of things, there are some distinct advantages to using a camping headlamp over a flashlight. So what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of both?
Hands free
By far the biggest advantage of using a headlamp over a flashlight is the fact that a headlamp is hands-free. The hands-free kit can allow you to do so many other things that this alone gives them a unique and distinct advantage over flashlights in almost every situation.
With the ability to look down and tie your shoe and always have light on without having to hold the flashlight with your neck or put it down somewhere makes it great for any job you need to do that involves two hands.
As anyone who has ever tried to hold a flashlight and use both hands knows, this can be very difficult. This is especially true when you are wearing a big coat or a bulky coat at night, which can cause the flashlight to slip and fall out.
Headlamp weight
Although flashlights come in many different sizes from super tiny to super large. In general, most flashlights used for camping weigh more than flashlights.
This is because headlamps are designed to be worn on the head and often give more light for less weight than comparable flashlights.
If you are a person who enjoys night hiking or caving, having to hold any amount of weight in your hand for hours can start to become uncomfortable. Headlamps are designed with comfort in mind and are often overlooked by those who wear them because of their discretion.
Light Resistance
This is one of the places where flashlights can have an advantage over headlights depending on the make and type, and it's in the strength of the light. Due to their light weight and smaller size than larger, heavier flashlights.
They can sometimes produce fewer lumens than a larger flashlight. The fact is that a flashlight powered by several D-cell batteries that weighs two or three pounds with its special bulb will produce much more light than a headlamp powered by thin disc batteries with single batteries.
LED lights
There are even flashlights that produce so much light and heat that they can even be used to light campfires. Even if you happen to have one of these particularly powerful flashlights, you still run into the problem of having to hold it, a problem that a headlamp can easily overcome.
In most cases, flashlights and headlights of comparable weight classes are quite similar, although flashlights can last longer because they have a larger surface area for storing batteries. Headlamps simply don't have the space to store large amounts of batteries.
Comfort
This is one that is often overlooked, but it is a simple fact that it is much easier to carry a headlamp than a flashlight. Since it is hands-free, there is less reflection and less pressure on the forearm and wrist which must hold the flashlight at a certain level or angle. Holding flashlights this way for long periods of time can become incredibly uncomfortable and leave your arm stiff and less dexterous for several minutes.
Headlamps are held by straps and although these straps can be uncomfortable if they are too tight, most of the time these straps are wide and padded, making them very comfortable to wear. This makes it much easier to walk, hike or explore the cave with a headlamp than with a flashlight. This comfort and versatility is especially important for people on sporting expeditions such as climbing.
In conclusion
As you can see in the following comments on camping lights, there are a wide variety of headlights that offer greater functionality, emergency protection, and a wide variety of other features.
Our commentary will help you easily choose the top-ranked headlamp by providing a practical and in-depth analysis of some of the most important things to look for, key features, and a brief overview of some of the best camping headlamps on the market today.
Whether you need a headlamp that can be submerged in water or a headlamp for your head, the variety of headlamps available allows you to find the one that meets your specific needs.
A good camping headlamp will not increase your comfort or free up your hands, but it can potentially serve as an emergency and rescue device. With all this in mind, which headlamp will you buy?