Brightness or headlight?

Issue: currently carry an e-lite, considering carrying both a Photon X-Light and a Fenix LD01 instead. The photon has great low light control, while the Fenix would be good for emergency light for night hiking.

Or would it? Would the headlight ability of the e-lite be that great of use for night hiking, even though it doesn't throw that much light ahead?

Weight wise they are about the same for both setups.

I'm usually in bed before the sun goes down, so battery life isn't really an issue. And for the LD01, if needed I could steal batteries from my mp3 player.

Thanks for your input
Steve

Before either of those, beam pattern plays a bigger factor. I don't hike well with a light that has a flood pattern. It shines too much light on the side of the trail near me, and prevent me from seeing into the distance.

After that, then brightness is important, especially after a couple hours of hiking in the dark.

A headlight is very nice to have at times, but I actually prefer hiking with a light in my hand because it creates better shadows. A headlight makes the ground look flat.

"...I actually prefer hiking with a light in my hand because it creates better shadows.
A head [mounted] light makes the ground look flat."

+1....rocks basically disappear because the shadow is immediately behind and at the same angle as your line of sight. A lower light creates a shadow that you can see, giving a rock definition (height).

If you can get it to mount at your waist, like a belt, it won't swing, your hands will be free, and the trail definition will be excellent.

Edited by greg23 on 05/19/2012 20:41:26 MDT.

"I actually prefer hiking with a light in my hand because it creates better shadows. A headlight makes the ground look flat."

Plus one more(on top of Greg's) on this opinion.

I use a headlamp. When in camp, it gets used with the head strap. Also, once per year I have to do a night stream crossing, and I need both hands free or else on trekking poles for that, so the head strap gets used. The remaining 80% of the time, the light gets carried down low in my hand, like the others mentioned. The other advantage of carrying it in my hand is that my finger is on the control button, so it is quicker for changing the intensity.

As a result of the lesser use with the head strap, I removed the stock head strap and use a lighter weight one.

--B.G.--

Rather than the LD01 (which would be my choice of the options you provided) I would suggest the iTP A3 Upgraded. Cheaper and I like the brightest settling more than the LD01 (1/2 of LD01 on the two lower settings, slightly brighter on the top).

That said, I always encourage people to let the night vision adjust and see if they can hike without a light. When there is a moderate size moon out I found I have an easier time then when my night vision is wiped out by artificial light. That said, there are plenty of times I need more light than is naturally occurring.

I found that on a well established trail, 10-20 lumens is plenty. When way finding / cross country / or moving fast, I want something that has a reasonable spot light beam (not too floody) and at least 70 lumens… I like more like 200. Don't use this
much of the time, but when trying to pick up the trail it's a bit help.

As others have observed, getting the light down around waist level helps depth perception, but I would suggest go with a headlamp that you carry in your hand or click to your belt rather than a flashlight that you have to hold in your hand.

Some specific flashlights are listed on my recommended flashlights page.

--Mark

Edited by verber on 05/19/2012 22:49:57 MDT.

In agreement with what Mark just stated, I found that varying intensities of light are pretty handy. Last October, we were doing a long hike (Mono Pass), and we were equipped with headlamps. When the sun went down, the light started to fade, and we turned the lights on at medium intensity, there were still some miles to cover. Once our night vision started to work a little, we turned down to low intensity, although we couldn't really get our full night vision going properly with even that much light. We could not turn the lights off completely, since there wasn't any moon, plus there were trees overhead to block starlight. Once in a while, we got to some junction or obstacle, and we turned up to high intensity for a short period.

One of these days we may be using night vision optics. Where are the Starlight Scopes of forty years ago?

--B.G.--

I keep it at lowest intensity, in my hand pointing straight down or even slightly behind. As much as possible looking forward by star or moonlight. If there is something I need to look at like roots, I only snap the light forward briefly so as not to ruin the night vision. Only a split second of dim light on the path looks brilliant when your eyes are adjusted. Long battery life too!

Love hiking at night.

Well, if'n ya want fairly good night vision you'll have to lay out about $1,000. to $2,000. for Gen. III and IV monoculars. Lesser versions are hard on the eyes after 10 mins. and depth perception requires even more expemnsive binocular goggles.

Ohj, and then there's the weight of them...
And the batteries...

I think I will try the e-lite out hand-held, but with the red LEDs on. That might be the best at keeping the night vision and giving shadows.

I don't hike cross country so I'm thinking that bright light might not be that needed. Just enough light to not fall down some rock steps and not stub my feet.

Steve