Button cell vs headlamp

Before you decide over too many lights, first you need to decide whether you need something that rides on your head, or if handheld is OK. You need to decide how much light intensity you need, typically measured in lumens. I mean, do you really need to throw a spot beam way on down the trail for searching, or do you only need it for camp chores? Some people want multiple intensity levels so that they can keep the battery consumption low until something happens, and then they need the brightest beam they can get. How much run time do you need? Some people want a battery system that will run all season long. Others are willing to change batteries periodically through one trip.

–B.G.–

I only need it for around camp I don't do much reading on trail so mainly just to find stuff at night under the tarp and in the pack maybe cooking ect. I don't need that
Much light just to do the things I listed I rarely hike at night but if I was planning I would take the petzel as it has intensity levels and good battery life since it runs off of tripple As not watch batteries but I rarly Evan use my light for much more then 20mins a night so I think the button cell is the way to go for most of my trips

I would not recommend this as a permanent solution, but the ZipLit by Nite-Ize is kind of interestingly tiny. It is about the size of your thumb nail. They come in either red or white, and they are cheap. I bought two for $4.99, and that included the tiny batteries and also replacement batteries. It's tiny enough to be a good backup light.

–B.G.–

Ya bob mine is similer to that the one on the multi tool is more substantial though i will be using these on trips shorter then a week any longer and i would want a more trustworthy light

I got a couple of the photon freedom micro-lights after reading Anthony Tang's recommendation. Unless you're going to be out for weeks (and don't want to perform a simple battery change) or trying to light the trail for night hiking (which would work as well but would burn up a relatively high % of the battery life) they work really great. Love the clip attachment and actually makes them in ways more maneuverable than a regular lamp. I use a red and a white and was really pleased and surprised with the usefulness of the red. Course I'd been reading here for who knows how long how red light worked well but as they say seeing is believing.

I've gone from options in the 3 oz. size range to the little sub one-ounce lites. I find that I rarely use a light anyway. Just let your eyes adjust and you won't need one that much. I don't hike at night and never will. So, I really just need one when it is really dark in camp or I need some detail. I just bought a Cyclops for $5.99 and also a Sierra Mountaineering Ultra Bright Clip light that is 18 grams and comes with an extra set of batteries for the same price. Never used a clip light but I'm gonna give it a try. I'm currently using a Pulsar II and have a backup on a multi-tool my wife gave me for Christmas. Altough I bought the headlamp, I generally like the hand-held better. Headlamps are good for reading at least that's what I like them for.

Good points Warren. How'd we all get around the last 4,000,000 years or so without head-lamps? Still nice to have for detail work or finding something small you dropped etc.

They work fine for reading by the way. Just need a cap or something to clip on.

http://www.9voltlight.com/

I like it because it has a bright and soft mode, can be attached to a shockcord strap or headband, and takes easy to find 9volt batteries which last longer than the small button sized cr-16 or 32s.

I can also vouch for the Photon X-light. It has amazing dimmer control, strobe, and glows in the dark, and it can be used nicely with a short length of 1/16th shockcord for a near weightless headlamp.

edit– i dont log many miles at night, but i find these small lights to be easily enough to handle some light night bushwacking in a pinch, and easily enough for night trail walking.

Pak-lite 9 volt LED is great if you use a lithium 9 volt battery, which are semi-hard to find. Since there is no reflector at all on this thing, it has no light beam, and it is only an area light. I've had one for years.

–B.G.–