Guess a few more ouces can be removed from my pack weight

Now my rechargable bright dual LED flashlight ( windup)
can hang beside my thermometer/compass on my jacket

This is getting ridiculously small and perhaps to easily misplaced

How small is too small /too light ??



Rac n

hmmmmmmmmm......"How small is too small /too light"

Well...since you are hoping to do a trek for the ages across algonquin park solo next year....I'd say nothing.

Karior

Hey Racoon,

I guess the definition of too small is when you're looking for the teeny tiny handle that broke off of your wind-up light somewhere on a 300 meter portage!

On a side note, I'd be careful with the miniature compasses that hang off a zipper...they are often unreliable for anything other than very general direction. Maybe yours is of higher quality than the ones I've seen in stores but most of them I've seen don't rotate very freely and get hung up.

I find LED lights great for lighting up a small area, eg: inside your tent or backpack. However they do not shine or illuminate any great distance, down a path for example. A good old fashioned flashlight with an ordinary bulb is my camping choice. I do have an LED lantern that I use to light up a general area though. It works well.

Gordie, I don't know how long a beam you want in a flashlight, but there are a lots of pretty high powered LED headlights and flashlights out there these days that can throw a bright beam 50 meters or more. An LED headlight and a tiny backup light are all I take.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with John. I've had several cheaper LED headlights and they work like Gordie identified but I have seen some of the newer (and more expensive) models in action and have been truly impressed by their functionality. They have many positive selling points - lighter weight, longer lamp life, longer battery life, multiple colors and brighter/dimmer switches. The only negative I've seen is the price tag.

Once you make the move to a headlight as opposed to a handheld you rarely come back...they are exceptionally convenient for placing light right where you need it and freeing up your hands for the tasks at hand.

I will have to look into getting a headlight. I have never used one before. I will check them out for sure. Does MEC have them?

Gordie,

Mec does carry headlamps as does Le Baron and Europe Bound. Many varieties such as Princeton, Petzl, Diamond - it all depends on how much you want to spend and what features you're looking for.

Harry

Price vary and this can depend on where you buy the LED headlamp

MEC,BushTakha,LeBarons,Cabelas,etc,etc
all have there various versions/price ranges for said gear

But as well so does GT Boutique, Zellers and CTC

I have a LED head lamp from GTB that cost $5 and I find it as good
as the $25 one I also have

Remember that the light shines where you look unless it is tilted down.
You will likely shine the light right into somebodies eye and
take away there night vision, so be so advised of proper etiquette
for use around others

Rac n

Good point, Racoon! Nothing's worse than getting the blinding blast right in your face from what used to be your favorite tripping partner. One must be extra attentive to avoid giving your campfire mate a little retina burn!

Another way to select a good camping flashlight is to take a look at what you are already carrying. Most canoeists will carry a digital camera (To prove just how BIG that Laker really was), pehaps a weather radio, and even a GPS or emergency locator. These devices all require batteries. By carefull selection a common type of battery like a AA or AAA can be in all of them. This provides excellent redundancy to all the devices and eliminates the need to carry spares for each device.
For that evening wildlife/fishing trip around the lake leave a led lamp turned on facing the lake before you go out. Many low power led lights have a battery life of 50 hours or better. Makes finding the exact location of camp along a black
shorline from a mile away a no brainer. Much better than trying to Spotlight the shore to find your camp. This light is then excellent for low leveel illumination around camp. A headlamp that has 1, 8, or 21 led would work great with just the 1 led on.

I'm not gonna call bluffs here because maybe the technology really HAS improved, but I have never been satisfied by the range of any LED headlight I've used. To give context, when shining a light into the bush, the LED just fails compared to a traditional flashlight in lighting up the area. I do exclusively use LED headlights, but that's something that I noticed this summer that really downplays it. Even for lighting up close, I notice the... what's the right word... I guess "strength" of the light is very pale, leaving me squinting to see fine details at times.

But toss out some brands/links. I'm really interested in seeing if they've remedied this in newer models.

I have 2 head lamps 1 bought about 6 years ago and 1 bought last spring. The new led lamp bought this spring is much better as far as light quality and brightness. I also have a small 3 lamp led mini flash light and it trows and good light a long distance. It is also new.For light around camp we bring in 2 of the sylvania 3 led spot stick up style lamps instead of a lantern and they work very well as long as you work out a way of sticking them up.

Having returned a few times after dusk with some difficulty
finding the campsite on some moonless nights in the past

I would be really like to of had a photo cell operated , flashing single
LED light, that could of been hung by campling canoe landing
to mark the site for unplanned late returns (just in case) .

Even with night vision, if ones dallies a bit too long returning from the days adventure......
It is darn near impossible on a moonless night to easily
find your site!!

I guess that a single LED would likely be easy on battery
so perhaps the photocell is only a nice to have
but the flashing part one be still desireable

Rac n

Ive been using a single AA-running Strobe for those night time canoeing excursions for years. Use the Velcro strap to affix it to a tree trunk 6 foot up, bush, or lay it on a rock or on the beach where finding something with height is a challenge. The flashing of the device attracts the eye better then a constant on (assuming your headlamp doesnt have a flash mode), you have 360 coverage (as opposed to the headlamps ~180 degree) and the strobe bulb is way more powerful than that of a LED lamp. 1 fully charged AA supposedly powers the unit for 48 hours, but I havent tested that.

Some models of headlamps come with a drop-down red filter (e.g. Petzl model). Very handy for kids who are notorious stare in your face blinders or for yourself when youd prefer to maintain ur night vision while tinkering with something.

I bring 3 headlamps with me on all trips, one of which is not a LED but Halogen, 4AA super bright waterproof REI device when you just have to see at night on any condition. No perfect headlamp exists but there are many decent good quality ones available.