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How to choose a headlamp and flashlight

Pavel Macura

Handy helpers for work activities, outdoor adventures, sports or evening fishing. Today's headlamps and flashlights are very portable and the higher quality ones last a long time. Find out how to make the right choice.

A) LET'S SHINE A LIGHT ON THE PARAMETERS OF HEADLAMPS

The main parameters of any flashlight include light output, range, light duration and weight. Moreover, the type of battery, durability and user comfort and other additional features such as lighting modes and colours.

1. LIGHT OUTPUT TELLS HOW MUCH THE SOURCE SHINES

Otherwise also the luminous flux or luminosity. The unit is 1 lumen, lm.

  • Up to 100 lm - headlamp for fixing fuses or minor repairs and work
  • 100-400 lm - cycling, night hiking or other outdoor activities
  • Above 400 lm - extreme sports and activities, light for the hardcore user

Today, headlamps use LEDs. They offer high power and low energy consumption. Another important feature is the size of the light cone and the intensity of the beam. A long range headlamp has a smaller light cone, shining in front of you. A large light cone with a smaller range is ideal for camping or fishing when we need to shine light around us.

 

2. THE RANGE INDICATES HOW FAR YOU CAN SHINE THE LIGHT

This parameter can be described as giving you information about how far you can shine the light on a given mode. The range is given in meters, m.

 

  • Up to 50 m - a basic headlamp is enough for common activities such as staying at a cabin, illuminating around the house, walking the dog or an evening stroll in the park.
  • From 100 m - choose a headlamp for more strenuous activities such as cycling, running, cross-country skiing

Keep in mind that the more range you want, the more powerful the headlamp you need. In practice, this means that the illumination time may be shorter than with a smaller range light.

3. THE LIGHT TIME TELLS YOU HOW LONG THE HEADLAMP WILL LAST

Manufacturers usually specify the minimum and maximum illumination time. The maximum duration is given in the lowest light mode, the shortest duration is given in the most intensive maximum mode.

4. WEIGHT

Do you need a light for long-term activities? Opt for lower weight. But at the same time, when you need high light output and long endurance, a slight increase in weight is unavoidable. For a short dog walk, weight doesn't play a major role.

! Hiking and outdoor tip: Armytek Wizard

Armytek Wizard C2 WG Warm & Green Light Headlamp

Multifunctional headlamp combining white and green light with surprising output. It features a magnetic end cap, metal clip and an extremely durable IP68 rated aluminium body.

4 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: July 14 - 15.

$ 84.1

Armytek Wizard C2 Cold Light Headlamp

1x

Headlamp with a maximum output of 1200lm, 108m reach, metal clip, magnetic end cap, magnetic charger and extremely durable IP68-rated aluminium body.

7 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: July 14 - 15.

$ 70.3

Armytek Wizard C2 WG Cold & Green Light Headlamp

Multifunctional headlamp combining white and green light with surprising output. It features a magnetic end cap, metal clip and an extremely durable IP68 rated aluminium body.

5 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: July 14 - 15.

$ 84.1

Armytek Wizard C2 Warm Light Headlamp

1x

Headlamp with a maximum output of 1120lm, 106m reach, metal clip, magnetic end cap, magnetic charger and extremely durable IP68-rated aluminium body.

5 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: July 14 - 15.

$ 70.3

Powerful headlamp with a unique secondary ultraviolet light in the 400 nm spectrum, which can be used to authenticate banknotes, detect industrial fluid leaks or search for specific minerals in the soil.

Temporarily Unavailable

The Price Was Not Determined

Detail

Multifunction flashlight Armytek Wizard C2 WR warm and red light

1x

This handy LED headlamp will satisfy the needs of the (extra)ordinary day. It features a lightweight body, warm light and an impressive 1020 lumen output with a range of up to 97 metres. Power is provided by a 18650 Li-Ion battery that lasts up to 65 days on a single charge during power saving mode (firefly). The red light has a maximum luminous flux of 230 lumens and a range of up to 41 metres.

Temporarily Unavailable

$ 82.0

Detail

2x

This handy LED headlamp satisfies all your outdoor needs and impresses with its lightweight body and amazing light output – 1100 lumens with a range of up to 98 meters. Power is provided by a 18650 Li-Ion battery that will keep the flashlight running for nearly 65 days at its lowest intensity. The red light has an output of 230 lumens and a range of up to 41 meters.

Temporarily Unavailable

The Price Was Not Determined

Detail

5. BATTERIES - BATTERY LIFE, REPLACEABLE AND INTEGRATED BATTERIES

Shorter battery life is sufficient for housework or jogging. A longer battery life should be considered if you use the headlamp in places where there is no light source and no possibility to recharge the battery. This usually applies to hunters, cavers and hikers planning longer treks.

AA batery headlamps

+ Affordable - It is necessary to have spare batteries if they run out of power
+ AA bateries are available for purchase anywhere  

Rechargeable headlamps with a battery

+ Longer battery life - Slightly higher price
+ Used for more powerful headlamps - Needs to have another means of recharging: a power bank
+ Convenient USB charging  

 

6. DURABILITY

Resistance to scratches and breakage will be appreciated especially by climbers or airsoft enthusiasts. A basic feature of the headlamp is also resistance to moisture. After all, sometimes it rains outside. Another parameter is water resistance. It is the depth to which we can submerge the headlamp. Water resistance is expressed by the IP rating

  • IPX4basic protection against splashes of water
  • IPX6 – protection against the intrusion of water during intense splashing
  • IPX8 – protection against permanent submersion (up to 10 m)
  • IP67 – dustproof, protected against temporary submersion
  • IP68 – dustproof, protected against permanent submersion (up to 10 m)

 

7. USER COMFORT TRANSLATES INTO EASY CARRYING AND HANDLING

Apart from the weight, it's about the ease of switching functions and the quality of the strap adjustments. Thanks to good adjustments, the headlamp fits your head better and won't fall nor press against your head.

8. EXTRA FEATURES SUCH AS LIGHT MODES

Many headlamps offer multiple light modes. Red and white light, strobe or SOS modes are quite common. Tilting the light to the desired angle is also practical. Headlamps and flashlights for hunters and trappers can highlight blood trails. The key lock is also great, which prevents accidental switching on and thus draining the batery.

! Tip for the best piece:

  • A basic headlamp that gets the job done - good for work and jogging
  • 4 light modes
  • White and red light
  • 3 AAA batteries
  • 48 hrs battery life
  • IP44 - moisture resistant
  • This is an unrivalled product in this price range

Cattara LED 80 lm headlamp

 

B) FLASHLIGHTS - SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM AND HEADLAMPS

In terms of luminous flux, range, durability and batteries, the characteristics are similar to those of headlamps. So we will not list them again. Let's look at the specifics of flashlights.

1. LIGHT SOURCE - LEDS ARE THE UNWRITTEN NORM

They last several times longer compared to a conventional bulb under the same lighting conditions.

2. WEIGHT AND SIZE

Do you want a tiny flashlight that fits everywhere? Then you have to make do with a tiny one LED and a AAA battery. Even if you're picking out something heavy-duty with big controls, it's worth having a smaller flashlight on hand. Moreover, you might not be able to fit everywhere with the big one.

Temporarily Unavailable

The Price Was Not Determined

Detail

! Work & DIY tip: Armytek Prime C2 flashlight

  • Can handle tough conditions, ideal for firefighters, rescue workers and armed forces
  • Quality and durable construction
  • Excellent performance for its compact size: a range of up to 112 m
  • 6 light modes
  • IP68 resistant to a drop from 10 meters, as well as to submersion up to 10 meters
  • USB charging
  • Belt pouch included
  • Weight 64 g, ideal for carrying in your pocket
  • Magnetic end cap for attaching to metal objects

3. light modes

The function of changing the cone size will definitely come in handy. A strobe, SOS mode or multiple light modes are also useful. These make it easier to adapt to changing situations in the field.

4. Mounting

A headlamp goes on your head, a battery-powered flashlight goes in your hand. In order to be able to operate it, it is handy if the flashlight has a buckle to attach it to your backpack, belt, shirt, etc. That way you don't have to hold it in your hand all the time.

Concluding advice

Choose a flashlight according to the purpose for which it was created.

Most commonly offered:

We have outlined the basics to focus on. Now all you have to do is choose. Check out the best headlamps and flashlights. We have hundreds of flashlights from well-established manufacturers like Fenix, Cattara and Armytek.

 

We recommend:

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Author of article: Pavel Macura

Head of Customer Care for Poland, author of manuals and buyer's guides

My position is associated with weaponry and taking care of the Polish market. I ensure that the customer is satisfied with everything from the selection to the delivery of the goods. Just to make them feel like they made the right choice in choosing us. And I am glad that we are able to do that. Thanks to positive customer reviews, we have won the Opineo.pl award (similar to Heureka.cz) several times in the last few years. Apart from firearms, I am most fond of nature. As soon as there is a spare moment, I disappear into the mountains. If you can't find me in the office, I'm a 100% enjoying alpine trekking.

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