The best headlamps for hunting
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Loading... - Manu Anttila
- 20 Jun 2022
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It’s easy to get tunnel vision on rifles, binoculars, and UTVs, but don’t forget that the best headlamps for hunting can make your favorite hobby significantly more enjoyable. We saved you the trouble of searching through endless products by picking the best headlamps available for this gear guide.
Most hunting begins with a dark walk through trees and underbrush. Don’t get me wrong — I like tripping over roots and stubbing my toes on rocks as much as anybody — but using a flashlight can certainly get you to the stand or blind in one piece more often than your natural night vision can. Keeping your hands free has obvious advantages of your own. By using a headlamp, you’ll always have light where you need it and still be able to carry and move whatever you want.
A lot of gear guides will phone it in with a list of the first headlamps the writer found in some kind of camouflage pattern. Camo is cool, but there are other things that make a great headlamp for hunting. That’s where I focused my attention, and the result is a list of solid gear that can walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Methodology
As is the case with all of my gear guides, I first put myself in the mindset of someone who needs the best headlamp for hunting they can possibly get. That can mean a few different things, but everyone deserves a quality item from a reputable manufacturer. That’s where I began my search; companies that have a proven track record of building reliable gear. Next, I filtered out products that aren’t able to work in bad weather. Not every hunting headlamp needs to be totally waterproof, but some degree of weather protection is essential. Finally, I gave preference to headlights that feature multiple power output settings so you can have the right amount of light for every job. This wasn’t a make-or-break criterion, but it was a consideration.
Black Diamond Storm 500-R
Black Diamond has earned a loyal following with everything from rock-climbing gear and backcountry skis to hiking packs and headlamps for hunting like the Storm 500-R. This headlamp’s spec sheet reads like a wishlist of our favorite features, and I am here for it.
To be good for hunting, a headlamp has to be durable. The Storm 500-R delivers with a rugged housing that’s built to take a beating and can be submerged for up to 30 minutes. With 500 lumens on tap in the highest setting, this headlamp has as much power as most hunters will ever need. You can also dial it back to 250 lumens to stretch battery life from seven to 19 hours or use the soft glow of the lowest setting to get situated in your blind without announcing your presence.
Sometimes, buying good gear for hunting, tactical situations, or preparedness comes down to a simple question: which product would you trust when the shit hits the fan? In this case, the Black Diamond Storm 500-R is an easy choice.
- Power output:500 lumens (high), 250 lumens (medium), six lumens (low)
- Batteries:Rechargeable 2,400 milliamp-hour lithium-ion battery
- Claimed maximum battery life:Seven hours (high), 19 hours (medium), 350 hours (low)
- Waterproof rating:IPX7
5.11 Tactical Rapid
With a standard AA battery, the Rapid puts out a modest 200 lumens. You can increase power to 330 lumens by swapping in a rechargeable 14500 battery, but you’ll have to supply your own. The tradeoff is a lightweight headlamp that can be removed from the headband and clipped to a pack strap or carried by hand. Choose from four power levels in spotlight mode or turn to the white floodlight to extend battery life.
Compared to more backcountry-oriented offerings like the Black Diamond Storm 500-R, this is a step down in water protection but it should be more than sufficient in all but the most extreme cases. The versatility is a major selling point since this can easily replace several other lights and be an awesome EDC flashlight. At this price, it’s not a bad idea to pick one up for everyday use even if you do choose something else for hunting. Read More...
