One headlamp?

charvey9

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Jan 26, 2014
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Location
Hamilton, MT
I only carry one headlamp, with some extra batteries which is my only light source...other than fire. Rarely do I even need it when hiking at night once eyes adjust. I figure if it goes out, the darkness won't kill me. GPS is backlit, so could still navigate if needed, and worse case scenario just wait it out till morning.
 
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Tony Trietch

Tony Trietch

Part Time Bow Hiker
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Jul 28, 2013
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2,127
Location
Northern MI, USA
I only carry one headlamp, with some extra batteries which is my only light source...other than fire. Rarely do I even need it when hiking at night once eyes adjust. I figure if it goes out, the darkness won't kill me. GPS is backlit, so could still navigate if needed, and worse case scenario just wait it out till morning.

Exactly what I have been thinking and why I posed the question.
 

Mikeha33

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
101
Surefire Maximus and Black Diamond Icon. Carry both and wouldnt leave with just one.

I carry the exact same setup, except my Black Diamond is the Polar Icon 200 (it is blinding bright!) plus an extra set of batteries for each.
 

gmajor

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Mar 25, 2014
Messages
609
Petzl e-LITE fills a nice niche as the backup light source for the ounce counters. It's a cool little gadget.
 

JP100

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Dec 20, 2013
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Location
South Island New Zealand
I only carry one headlamp, with some extra batteries which is my only light source...other than fire. Rarely do I even need it when hiking at night once eyes adjust. I figure if it goes out, the darkness won't kill me. GPS is backlit, so could still navigate if needed, and worse case scenario just wait it out till morning.

exactly! I only carry one and hardy ever use it. I allways try to walk as long as I can in the dark before I turn it on. I think most people over use their head lamps. no one ever died of the dark. you can see pretty well most nights, only really use mine if there is heavy cloud cover and if I am doing a technical/precise job.
 

stevenm2

Lil-Rokslider
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May 11, 2014
Messages
237
I always carry a spare with the batteries turned around so they will not be dead when I need them. spare batteries to fit both headlamps.
No one ever died from the dark but plenty of people have died in the dark. I never know what I may be walking into so I feel I have a responsibility to be able to help myself or others if the situation requires it. That may include walking out at night.
 

stevenm2

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 11, 2014
Messages
237
I always carry a spare with the batteries turned around so they will not be dead when I need them. spare batteries to fit both headlamps.
No one died from the dark but people have died in the dark. I never know what I may be walking into so I feel I have a responsibility to be able to help myself or others if the situation requires it. That may include walking out at night.
 

Bighorse

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Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
542
Location
SE Alaska
I only carry one. My iphone has a light and I have GPS on the iphone. Worst case sinario....I fall in for the day and wake up and start moving when the sun comes up again. I've been in situations where two hunters have lights and one fails. The second lightless guy is fine just following along durring navigation. No need for two guys and four lights! Or how about two guys and 8 lighters? Now two guys and 8 oz of of whiskey is a different story!
 

MattB

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Sep 29, 2012
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I've never had a failure with a headlamp in the field or at home and I use one daily doing chores. However, I still carry an exta Petzl e-LITE that has a weight penalty of under an ounce. Main headlamp is a Zebralight.

Soon to be this. My BD Storm died and I was tired of it turning on in my pack (even with the button locked). ~20% of the time the batteries were dead when I checked it, and carrying it w/o the batteries installed was not an option. I played with a current model at REI yesterday, and it takes significantly more pressure to activate the switch which should be an improvement.
 

bcimport

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Joined
Mar 15, 2013
Messages
500
Location
BRITISH COLUMBIA
One headlamp, fresh lithium batteries, no spares (can always rob the GPS or SPOT) and a tiny one ounce photon led light for a backup or marker.
 

luke moffat

Super Moderator
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
111
I only carry one. My iphone has a light and I have GPS on the iphone. Worst case sinario....I fall in for the day and wake up and start moving when the sun comes up again. I've been in situations where two hunters have lights and one fails. The second lightless guy is fine just following along durring navigation. No need for two guys and four lights! Or how about two guys and 8 lighters? Now two guys and 8 oz of of whiskey is a different story!

HAHA I like your style Bighorse. And yes coming off that mountain with 2 headlamps and 3 dudes with some big caribou meat loads on our backs was entertaining for sure. :)
 

luke moffat

Super Moderator
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
111
What is you happen to loose your one head lamp? Then what?

What if a shoe blows out, or a rifle fails, or lose your knife, or backpack fails some how, your tent gets a rip in it.

Lots can go wrong on a hunt or fail, and the failures above aren't something that can be fixed by waiting til morning like a missing headlamp can. ;)
 

Beastmode

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May 9, 2012
Messages
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Location
Shasta County, CA
What if a shoe blows out, or a rifle fails, or lose your knife, or backpack fails some how, your tent gets a rip in it.

Lots can go wrong on a hunt or fail, and the failures above aren't something that can be fixed by waiting til morning like a missing headlamp can. ;)
Exactly! I usually bring extra things and leave them at the truck. Unfortunately in California thieves can be a nuisance. Knock on wood I haven't had anything ripped off yet but I am very leary to keep too many things in the truck.
 

MattB

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Sep 29, 2012
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What if a shoe blows out, or a rifle fails, or lose your knife, or backpack fails some how, your tent gets a rip in it.

Lots can go wrong on a hunt or fail, and the failures above aren't something that can be fixed by waiting til morning like a missing headlamp can. ;)

If all those things weighed an ounce apiece like my back-up headlamp, I would carry an extra of each.
 
Joined
Feb 19, 2014
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I use a Zebralight as my main light and keep a half ounce Princeton Tec Impluse, clip on LED light in my toiletries kit just in case. The Impulse isn't crazy bright, but I can walk through the woods or down a mountain if needed in a pinch.

http://www.princetontec.com/impulse
 
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