Headlamps: characteristics, types, brands and tips for choosing

A flashlight is a lighting device that often becomes necessary in everyday life. Today it is difficult to surprise someone with the power of the charge or the brightness of the flashlight. Since the appearance of this device, it has been constantly improved, and now we can purchase different types of flashlights for all occasions.

This article will focus on headlamps, the purpose of which is to use for fishing or hunting at night. You can learn about their features, pros and cons, popular models and much more from our article.

Most people use the word "flashlight" to mean a small device that you need to hold in your hands to illuminate the desired area. However, today much has changed, and the era of hand lamps has already passed. They were replaced by new headlamps, which not only are not inferior to their predecessors in terms of power, but also have one of the most significant advantages - they allow your hands to be free.

That's why this type of flashlight is quite popular among fishermen, hunters or rock climbers. Even in the dead of night, such a flashlight is able to provide maximum comfort.

Among the wide variety today, most buyers opt for rechargeable LED models.This trend is associated with a rather long shelf life and low cost. As a rule, headlamps have several modes of operation, which allows you to adjust the brightness, range and viewing angle. And also often in this type of device a strobe mode is also built in, which will become a “lifeline” in case you get lost somewhere. It can be used to sound an alarm.

In this way, a headlamp - or as it is also called a Hands Free lamp - can become not only convenient during night fishing or hunting, but also in everyday life.

Each device has both a number of its advantages and a list of disadvantages. In this case, the headlamp is no exception. The main advantages of this type include a number of aspects.

1. Practicality and ease of use. In addition to the fact that such a flashlight allows the hands to be constantly free, it is also firmly fixed on the head and weighs very little. This allows you to work without any discomfort for a long time.
2. Multifunctionality. All models are equipped with several modes of operation, which are able to adjust both the brightness and the viewing angle. In more powerful devices, an SOS system and a special Face2face system can also be built in, which will not blind people who are close to you while hunting or fishing.
3. Wide scope of application. The headlamp can be used everywhere.It is quite compact, so you can not only store it at home, but also take it with you to the mountains, carry it in a car.
4. Strength. More expensive models of flashlights, despite their light weight, are made of durable shockproof and waterproof materials, which allows you to use the flashlight even in extreme weather conditions, in water or in the mountains.

As for the shortcomings, they are, like any other device. One of the special distinguishing features of a headlamp is just a small number of cons.

1. Fastening. This point can be both a plus and a minus. It all depends on the quality of the mounting material of the model you purchased. Cheaper ones may have low-quality clamps that make the process of using the flashlight uncomfortable.
2. Unidirectional light flow. This disadvantage can be considered one of the main ones. Nevertheless, today most manufacturers are releasing new models of headlamps with a fairly wide viewing angle and good brightness. And yet, with some manual models, they cannot be compared. In addition, without a special Face2face system, the beam of light can dazzle and even lead to visual impairment.
3. Materials. In cheap models, not very durable materials are used for manufacturing, mainly plastic. Such lanterns cannot be called durable, but still they can be used for some domestic purposes.

Having become acquainted with both the advantages and disadvantages, you can objectively evaluate this type of lantern. If you are interested in a headlamp, you should familiarize yourself with its varieties in more detail in order to understand which one is right for your purposes.

To date, there are many models of this type of lamp. Many firms that have managed to win the trust of consumers offer excellent heavy-duty LED headlights. These can be lights with yellow light or colored LEDs, with a touch sensor or with a powerful zoom, and so on.

The main classification of lamps of this type is carried out according to their functionality. As a rule, there are three main groups.

• Universal. This category includes flashlights from the cheap class. The materials from which they are made are not particularly durable and reliable. Such models are suitable for infrequent use at home.

• Reinforced. Models that fall into this category are distinguished by endurance. They can be used in the wild. Such flashlights with a fairly wide angle of illumination. The aluminum case does the device strong and does not weigh down weight.

• Professional. This category includes the most powerful and most reliable headlamps that can be used in extreme weather conditions. They are suitable for people who are engaged in professional mountaineering, fishing or hunting. Most models are equipped with a touch sensor, a good lens, beam focusing and many other elements that make the device as powerful and durable as possible.

Today, the market offers effortlessly everyone to purchase a good quality headlamp. At the moment, there are three leaders among manufacturers: Petzl, Boruit, Phoenix. Their products have managed to win the love of many consumers.

Among the models of flashlights offered by one of the manufacturers, the product Boruit RJ-3000 deserves special attention. The main characteristics of this device include the following indicators:

1. brightness - 180 lumens;
2. lighting distance - 120 meters;
3. duration of work - 8.5 hours;
4. type - battery;
5. weight - 205 g;
6. cost - up to 1,500 rubles (depending on the configuration and conditions of the order);
7. number of operating modes - 3 combinations (main LED, side LEDs, all LEDs);
8. cold white light;
9. tilt angle - up to 90 °;
10. strobe mode (in this case, the brightness increases to 600 lumens);
11. body material - aircraft-grade aluminum;
12. additional features such as water resistance, increased level of durability (IP55).

In addition to the model described above, it is also worth paying attention to products fenix, which are no less durable and of high quality, and will also be able to serve you for a long period. One of the most common models from this manufacturer is Fenix ​​HP25. The main parameters of this headlamp:

1. brightness - 360 lumens;
2. lighting distance - 160 meters;
3. duration of work - up to 220 hours;
4. runs on batteries;
5. weight - 227 g (without batteries);
6. cost - up to 500 rubles;
7. the number of operating modes - 12 combinations;
8. cold white light;
9. tilt angle – 60°;
10. the presence of SOS-mode;
11. body material - aluminum;
12. additional features - waterproof, shockproof, dustproof.

And finally, the third manufacturer Petzl. A model like Duo Z2 is in great demand among cyclists, hunters and fishermen. All this thanks to its technical parameters, which include the following data:

1. brightness - 430 lumens;
2. lighting distance - 115 meters;
3. duration of work - 15.5 hours;
4. weight - 360 g;
5. cost - approximately 16.000-17.000 rubles;
6. number of operating modes - 5 combinations (low beam with a wide beam; low beam with a mixed beam; driving mode with a mixed light beam; high beam with a focused beam; Boost mode with a mixed beam);
7. the presence of SOS mode and Face2face mode;
8. body material - plastic;
9. additional features - waterproof level (IP 67), shock resistance, battery compartment on the back of the mount.

To become the owner of a truly high-quality headlamp, you need to know what aspects to pay attention to when choosing a particular model. So that after a short time of operation you will not regret your new purchase, then at the time of purchase be based on a number of criteria.

• Functional. Depending on the number of possible modes of your device, its cost will also depend. For night illumination, sometimes only one or two modes may be enough. It all depends on the scope of the lamp.

• Dimensions. Before you buy a particular model, you should try it on. Even if you choose a powerful headlamp, but it is heavy or too bulky, its operation can be quite inconvenient.

• Strength. Everyone can evaluate the reliability of this or that equipment according to personal criteria, and yet, if you want to buy a really high-quality flashlight, you should give preference to time-tested manufacturers that provide high-quality dust and shock-resistant products. And you can also read customer reviews in advance, and thus draw conclusions for yourself.

• tightness. If you are buying a fishing headlamp, then you need to make sure it is tight. Since the scope itself implies, if not the use of a flashlight in an underwater environment, then in a place with high humidity. We draw your attention to the fact that the degree of immersion of the lantern in water has individual indicators. And also from these indicators, the cost of adaptation also changes.

• Material. Basically, either plastic or aluminum alloy is used for manufacturing. In the case of using plastic, the body will be less durable than aluminum, but its price will also be much lower. As for flashlights with a metal case, they are able to withstand serious mechanical damage.

• Power. The indicator should be at least 150 lumens, with the inclusion of a flashlight of such power, you can provide good lighting at night.

• Light type. Diffused illumination is able to provide good illumination in local areas.

• Power type. For night fishing or hunting, the optimal amount of uninterrupted lighting should be at least 48 hours. All modern models work from the accumulators which are attached to them. And there are also universal options that provide for mains recharge.

See below for how to choose a headlamp.