Headlamp or penlight, which is better for camping ?

[Ogden]

I am interested to join. and I want to buy a camping light. Convenience and light weight are the most important features , headlamp or penlight, which is better ? Or should I buy both of them ? Which kind of camping light are you using ?

 

[devildog]

Headlamp

Definately a headlamp, hands free. I also have a clip on light for my baseball hat visor.

 

[B-RAD]

Headlamp.

 

[bcaskey08]

Headlamp, hands down. I have had an old school Pelican LED headlamp for 7 years now and it has never failed me.

 

[hkeller]

Headlamp. Frees up your hand when you cook, eat, clean, bath, etc.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

headlamp. Get a LED with adjustable settings. Stick with something powered by AA or AAA batteries.

I also keep little squeeze micro lights on all my zipper pulls. That way you're never looking for your light and you always have something on your person.

 

[kybishop]

Yep,

Agreed with all posters. Headlamp and LED's. Battery life is far better with the LED lights.

The family and myself all have LL Bean LED headlamps which have served us well for years. They appear to be made by one of the big name producers of these. Maybe Petzl and/or Princeton Tec.

 

[corboto]

A headlamp or penlight for a camping light? Those seem a little bit small to be a main light, but if that's all you want I'd just go ahead and get both if you can.

If you're looking for a serious flashlight I suggest the Streamlight Waypoint. It's a fantastic light.

Of course a lantern makes for a great camping light too, and will give you good area lighting.

 

[skeezix]

Forget penlights. They never seem to stay where you point them, usually have to stick them in your mouth so you can have both hands free, don't light up enough area when rooting around your gear for something in the dark, and eat batteries.

I paid around $13 for a dorky headlamp on a whim and as a camping off-road investment it ranked right up there with the old jerry can. Has leds, a couple AAA batteries, shines light exactly where you need it (where you are looking at the time, right?) and is plenty bright enough to set up camp in otherwise complete darkness. MOF it is so important that should I ever forget to bring it with me on a trip I'd go out of my way to buy one on the road.

Oh, and the moths, millers, and other night bugs just love 'em too!

 

[cody c]

penlight





just kidding, headlamp all the way.

 

[Brentbba]

Definately a headlamp, hands free. I also have a clip on light for my baseball hat visor.

x2

I keep a headlamp in the truck and another one in my fannypack in addition to the clipon for a cap.

 

[General Automag]

I am interested to join. and I want to buy a camping light. Convenience and light weight are the most important features , headlamp or penlight, which is better ? Or should I buy both of them ? Which kind of camping light are you using ?

I'd recommend getting some headlamps as they will offer you more utility. Get one for you, your wire, the kids, and keep one in each of your glove boxes as part of your "kit." We've had great performance with these two Petzl units: the TacTikka Plus TACTIKKA® PLUS | Petzl and the TacTikka XP TACTIKKA XP | Petzl. The first light has 4 LEDs and a flip down red filter for when you don't want a super bright light. The second light has a brighter and more focused beam more akin to a spotlight. I use this a lot when when we're fishing at night and need a longer beam of light. Either of these can be had in black, and both run quite a long time off of three AAA batteries.

We used to sell Petzl headlamps in our stores, and that company has a lot of light options with a good warranty. Truth be known, most any of the headlamps you find out there will work fine. I see cheaper ones at Home Depot, Lowes, Autozone, Walmart, Kmart, etc., and don't be afraid to try a new brand.

I do also carry a Surefire Aviator A2 with the incandescent bulb Flashlight Reviews and LED Modifications. It's very compact and gives you a nice LED light and a very good spotlight if you need it. They are rather expensive, but I've had several of these for years with no problems, and I would expect to be able to get them repaired should they break. The Surefire E2D Defender Surefire E2D LED Defender Flashlight looks good too, but if I add any additional "flashlights," I'll have to get one with a LOT more lumens than the Aviator A2 Model.

 

[2011cruising]

Headlamps are the best for a all around flashlight, while some traditional flashlights may have way higher lumens they are a pain if your trying to work on something, eat, or any activity you may encounter while camping or off roading.

 

[NorCalDoug]

headlamp, hands down.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Headlamp. I don't know why someone above expressed concern about light output with these. Mine is 230 lumens on high and adjusts down to a looooooong battery life level as well. I wrench on my truck with it as well. Invaluable as stated above. Penlights seem completely obsolete, though I own over 20 of them.

DougM

 

[Irish11]

I have been using a Petzl Tikka XP 2 for over a year now. It is well worth the money spent on it. The LED has different settings, the battery life is great, and the ability o switch between white and red light is pretty handy for reading/preservation of night vision.

Petzl Tikka XP 2 Headlamp - Free Shipping at REI.com

 

[surfpig]

Headlamp. Frees up your hand when you cook, eat, clean, bath, etc.

I was a holdout for a long time, but yea, headlamp. I still carry a few flashlights, though.

 

[mossback]

Both!!!

LED headlamps rule for actually doing stuff, but you will never regret having a good penlight that fits on your keychain with you as well. I spend a lot of time in nasty dark places on the job. If you spend much time in the dark bring a backup, trust me.

The Fenix LD01 penlight I keep on my keychain cost a stupid amount of money but is totally sweet and is always with me. Then again I always need a working light on hand, your mileage may vary.

My 2 cents, pick either a headlamp or both. Just make sure you have good light output, decent battery life, and common battery sizes like AA or AAA.

 

[sTX4runr]

headlamp. even the cheap $15 led ones are useful and i always take one w me when i go hunting/ backpacking/ camping. the more expensive ones w k2 led or halogen bulbs are nice cause they give you a better range of visibility, but either way it is really nice to have both hands free to work. that being said, if you're gonna b outside @ night for extended periods of time, then its better to kill the headlamp and give yourself a minute or two to let your eyes adjust than use the light until you need to- youd be suprised how well you can see at night if you give your eyes time to adjust before you start straining them

 

[kcustom73]

Headlamp all the way.

I bought this Black diamond LED headlamp a few years ago and it has been great.

Spot Headlamp - Black Diamond Mountain Gear