That's interesting, because a small head torch is the most valuable lighting you can get - you don't have to use it on your head. By having it on your head though, that leaves both hands free for pitching in the dark, you can hang it in the tent as a means of lighting to see to dress or sort your sleeping bag, or to cook by, again hands free. Failing that, the old standby of the Mini maglite is still a good, compact torch that you can take the lens off and use it as an electric candle giving off all-round light, again, either hung from the gear line or free standing.
Was camping at the weekend and more than once, walking back to the tent, I was blinded by someone walking towards me wearing a head torch.
This was particularly difficult because of the broken ground I was walking over (the only downside to the Overland Event).
Leds are bright and perfect for camping but not shone in your face. If a fellow camper shone their torch in your eyes as they walked towards you you would soon complain. Head torches are indiscriminate. I prefer a torch that I can direct where I want it to shine.
Tom
Any good but not ridiculous priced small torches out there, suitable for camping.
I am not interested in a head torch.
Tom
Was camping at the weekend and more than once, walking back to the tent, I was blinded by someone walking towards me wearing a head torch.
This was particularly difficult because of the broken ground I was walking over (the only downside to the Overland Event).
Leds are bright and perfect for camping but not shone in your face. If a fellow camper shone their torch in your eyes as they walked towards you you would soon complain. Head torches are indiscriminate. I prefer a torch that I can direct where I want it to shine.
Tom
Not a rant. I am just explaining why I don’t want a head torch.
Tom
I bought an LED torch at the Dent event. £15. It's powered by AA batteries and has a single light in one end and an LED strip down the side. The other end is magnetic, so you can string a washer in the tent and attach it to the washer by the magnetic end. The strip can be switched from white LED to red. Just in case you want to stop a passing train!!! Gives a very good light for reading (strip) or the inevitable dash to the loo! Damned if i can find it just now but will post more info when I do!
I bought an LED torch at the Dent event. £15. ......Damned if i can find it just now but will post more info when I do!
See post #7 and what I said - a head torch is also a hand torch! But the reverse isn't so.
I know exactly what you mean about idiots using a torch to walk by in the dark, it is unecessary and you can see far better witjout one - within the beam you have hard light that casts shadows so rocky ground is more dangerous with a torch than without. A good headlight has a low powered red LED, this casts just a feint loom and preserves your night vision. Getting scouts to walk a night hike WITHOUT using their torch, other than to check the map, isn't easy, but once they have clocked the advantages, they manage superbly.
Something like: Nebo Big Larry, which is available from Argos
What's all this getting out of your tent to pee in the bushes? I couldn't camp without my 2L plastic milk bottle en suite facility.
BTW. A head torch is best to free up both hands as pissing in the dark isn't advisable in your tent. Damhik.