Headlamp or penlight, which is better for camping ?

[rusty_tlc]

Headlamps seem good, however please practice good headlamp etiquette.
ie if you are just sitting around BS'ing by the fire turn the damned thing off so you don't ruin everybodys night vision by shining your head lamp in their eyes.

For working headlamps seem practical, I've never used them but they work well for my friends.

For just getting around camp, fetching a beer, taking a whizz, finding the right tent when sack time rolls around etc. I like a little pen light. Sometimes not even that if my night vision hasn't been blasted and there is a reasonable amount of moon/star light.

 

[GeoRoss]

In a big fan of the headlamps with the red LED option. Preserves night vision, an they don't blind your friends.

 

[mossback]

2x headlamp etiquette.

Most headlamps have a swivel mount. Aim it down while you're BSing so you don't blind everyone. Or just save your batteries and turn it off. I have not found the red led to be real useful. Maybe it would be if I was an astronomy geek or something.

 

[george_tlc]

In a big fan of the headlamps with the red LED option. Preserves night vision, an they don't blind your friends.

I work with LEDs a lot. The RED preserving night vision is MORE MYTH than reality. Do some google searching and reading on night vision and red.

I use a few WHITE lights with a good range of dimming options that allow the light to be turned on ALWAYS at the lowest level. White light that can be dimmed to low levels works great for preserving night vision AND allows you to check maps and other items that have multiple colours.

The key to preserving night vision is to be able to turn on a light at an already dimmed state, a bright RED LED will do more damage to your night vision than a dimmed white LED.

cheers,
george.

 

[Itchy Sides]

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

x3

Sometimes a smaller, whether penlight or other, light is handy at night in a tent, etc., maybe easier to turn on, etc.,than a headlamp. But, it's the hands-free with the headlamp that is great.

 

[GeoRoss]

I work with LEDs a lot. The RED preserving night vision is MORE MYTH than reality. Do some google searching and reading on night vision and red.

I use a few WHITE lights with a good range of dimming options that allow the light to be turned on ALWAYS at the lowest level. White light that can be dimmed to low levels works great for preserving night vision AND allows you to check maps and other items that have multiple colours.

The key to preserving night vision is to be able to turn on a light at an already dimmed state, a bright RED LED will do more damage to your night vision than a dimmed white LED.

cheers,
george.

This is not what I have learned, but it has been many years.

I think I remember that red light doesn't stimulate the receptors responsible for pupil size. White lights will reduce pupil size where as a red light will not.


What ever, I like my red light when camping. It doesn't blind me or others and placebo or not I don't feel a loss of night vision.

 

[george_tlc]

This is not what I have learned, but it has been many years.

I think I remember that red light doesn't stimulate the receptors responsible for pupil size. White lights will reduce pupil size where as a red light will not.


What ever, I like my red light when camping. It doesn't blind me or others and placebo or not I don't feel a loss of night vision.

Yes, what you remember is mostly the myth... that then gets propagated...

Go google and learn

Dim white light will NOT destroy your night vision either...

More power to you if you like Red, I find it awful since it essentially makes it impossible to resolve the colour of what you are looking at. A lot of the Red myth is to do with developing film in a 'dark room' where the developing process wasn't sensitive to Red... and old movies showing Red in naval ships during battle etc...

cheers,
george.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Yes, what you remember is mostly the myth... that then gets propagated...

Go google and learn

Dim white light will NOT destroy your night vision either...

More power to you if you like Red, I find it awful since it essentially makes it impossible to resolve the colour of what you are looking at. A lot of the Red myth is to do with developing film in a 'dark room' where the developing process wasn't sensitive to Red... and old movies showing Red in naval ships during battle etc...

cheers,
george.

Part of the red light myth may be due to the practice of aircrews wearing red goggles before a night flight.

 

[freepowder]

headlight vs penlight?

Neither.

Daylight.
Daylight is best.
Sleep when it's dark.
Or make out.

 

[80t0ylc]

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 used strictly traditional flashlights or penlights until I tried a headlamp. Try one and you won't need to ask anymore. Now, working at night around camp, the only time I use a penlight is to find my headlamp, if I forgot to get it out before dark. As it has been hinted at already, a much brighter light is somtimes needed for distance. So I'd recommend bringing a larger, brighter flashlight, also. But, IMHO what we used to use a penlight for, a headlamp will do with even greater convenience.

 

[Tools R Us]

I used strictly traditional flashlights or penlights until I tried a headlamp. Try one and you won't need to ask anymore. Now, working at night around camp, the only time I use a penlight is to find my headlamp, if I forgot to get it out before dark. As it has been hinted at already, a much brighter light is somtimes needed for distance. So I'd recommend bringing a larger, brighter flashlight, also. But, IMHO what we used to use a penlight for, a headlamp will do with even greater convenience.

You know that Ogden is a spammer right? Hasn't been back since he dropped those spam links, bumping/quoting them only gets them more exposure.

 

[80t0ylc]

You know that Ogden is a spammer right? Hasn't been back since he dropped those spam links, bumping/quoting them only gets them more exposure.

Had no idea. Guess that's what the link words in his post indicate? Looking back through the thread I saw at least 1 other unsuspecting soul. Oh well-I'll watch that in the future.