A good headlamp—an essential for long evenings

Headlamps are practical by freeing up your hands. You will light up with them on the trek after it gets dark and you will want to orientate yourself on the map, walk somewhere, build a shelter. You will of course use it for many other activities. It can also be used for light signaling (not only) in an emergency. But how to get to know the wide range, according to which parameters to choose and what can modern headlamps actually do?

The use of headlamps is really wide and the list of activities in which it will get us out of a tight spot would be endless. They shine with them not only during sports and "in the wild", but also at home, especially when the power goes out, in the workshop or in the garage, when you need to repair something. It is definitely useful to have one headlamp with you in the car, just in case…

Choosing the right headlamp is not a complicated matter at first glance. However, it is important to look at certain parameters and features that we require from our new outdoor lamp.

A headlamp is a must-have in basic outdoor equipment. However, when choosing it, it is important to monitor several parameters and make it clear in which activities we will use it.

Headlamp as a multi-purpose light source

As for the light source, the choice here is clear - in 99% of cases, individual manufacturers today use LED technology for their headlamps, which has proven to be the most effective. And at the same time, LED also has the longest lifespan.

Luminous flux is the basic thing. Or not?

Luminous flux (also luminous power) is one of the basic parameters that must be monitored when choosing a headlamp. It is measured in lumens (lm) and generally speaking, the higher the luminous flux value, the more light the headlamp can generate. But it does not always work like this.

It also depends on whether this luminous flux is correctly and efficiently directed and processed. There is also one problem associated with high luminous flux, and that is relatively high consumption. In addition, you will pay extra for a high-performance headlamp, which you will only really use in extreme situations. And so the manufacturers try to find a reasonable compromise in this regard.

Another factor that affects the quality of lighting is the ability to regulate the luminous flux as needed. But you would find such a function in vain in cheap headlamp models. Unfortunately, it often regulates itself there - as the battery capacity decreases, it will soon also start to decrease and the light will gradually fade. And we definitely don't want that…

Division by luminous flux:

• up to 100 lm: basic headlamp for home, for a car, for a walk.
• 100-400 lm: a headlamp that covers most outdoor activities including sports and camping.
• over 400 lm: high-performance headlamp suitable for professional use and extreme conditions.
  

A headlamp is used for a wide range of sports and outdoor activities, as well as everyday life.

Beam distance. Can you see far enough?

Another important data that should be mentioned for headlamps is the beam distance, i.e. the distance at which you are still able to see something. For headlamps, the value of the maximum beam distance varies in the higher tens or lower hundreds of meters. A higher beam distance will require higher power and a higher luminous flux, but this will reduce battery life and lighting time.

For the sake of interest, there are, for example, tactical hand torches, the beam distance of which extends up to one kilometer. But they are incomparably more expensive. In addition, such data are completely redundant for normal movement in the field.

What kind of light beam?

Like other types of flashlights, headlamps come with different types of light beam. That depends on what purpose you decide to use the headlamp for.

• Wide. This type of light beam is scattered more around and is suitable for observing the situation in your immediate vicinity. With a wide beam, you can easily read a map or prepare a meal.
• Spot. The opposite of a wide beam is not a narrow beam, but a spot beam. It is more suitable for reconnaissance activities and visual inspection of the surrounding terrain. It is here that you will use the highest reported beam distance.
• Combined or adjustable beam. Here we can adjust the width of the light beam to our current needs. Such a headlamp is universal.
  

Where to get energy?

Since the headlamp is an electronic device and you won't be carrying the cable with you, it logically follows that the headlamp takes its energy from a battery. From this point of view, we can choose a headlamp according to whether this battery is rechargeable or whether it is a regular AA pen cell or a micro pen cell AAA battery.

The advantage of some established brands is the fact that they often offer both options. As for rechargeable batteries, we usually see models specific to a particular brand, which are unfortunately incompatible with other brands.

In general, what we have discussed above is an indirect ratio, that the higher the luminous flux (and beam distance), the shorter the duration of the lamp can be expected. Otherwise, lamp life is generally given in hours and defined as "the time after which the headlamp is no longer able to provide usable light at a distance of two meters". By that usable light is meant approximately the light emitted by a full moon.

It's about compromises

Headlamps – like other types of outdoor and tactical lights – offer the user multiple modes. The classic modes are divided from "low" to "mid" to "high", and these words in English usually indicate the level of luminous flux (and the level of beam distance goes hand in hand with this). The lower the mode, or the lower the luminous flux, the longer the battery life (per charge).

Low modes are therefore suitable to use when you need to save battery, because you know that you will not easily get to the source of energy to charge it. Or you didn't pack enough spare monocells with you. In this context, it should be mentioned that some manufacturers already offer spare rechargeable batteries, so you can multiply the life of the headlamp.

Another compromise is battery life, which goes hand in hand with its weight. So the higher the endurance, the heavier your head will be from the headlamp. Mostly literally.

Other special modes

In addition to the classic modes from the lowest to the highest, some headlamps also have special modes, such as different intensities of red light or a strobe to signal or dazzle a potential enemy. This strobe is even colored in some cases.

However, LED technology generally brings with it the possibility of different color modes, so it is possible that in the future manufacturers will keep adding new ones in order to differentiate themselves from the competition. In addition, we can have, for example, an immediate backlight mode (or so-called momentary on mode), which temporarily increases the luminous flux and beam distance of the flashlight at the cost of temporarily higher battery consumption.

Extra functions

Different types of headlamps offer, for example, different ways of placing the battery. While most headlamps insert the batteries right behind the diode, there are also models that have space for the batteries at the back, the reason is said to be better balance.

Better heat dissipation can also be an advantage. Not only conventional light bulbs, but also "LEDs" produce extra heat, which can lead to overheating of the material. Especially if we shine too often and for too long at maximum output. For this very reason, some headlamps are also equipped with advanced protection functions, which include, for example, intelligent protection against overheating and even against polarity reversal, i.e. reverse battery insertion. Adequate cooling is the basic thing for modern flashlights.

The digitally controlled constant current then ensures a constant luminous flux at the headlamp even when the battery is gradually discharged. And when it comes to energy, we mustn't forget the practical function of some flashlights, which is the possibility of direct charging of rechargeable batteries from an electrical outlet, nowadays usually via a USB port (including USB-C).

Last but not least, some headlamps are equipped with a magnet, thanks to which you do not have to wear such a lamp only on your head, but for greater flexibility you can attach it to any metal surface, for example from under the hood of a car being repaired.