Spare Headlamp?

[GunsAreFun]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C77FJW35?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

It’s 1.5oz

 

[Netherman]

I’ve got a Fenix with extra 1650 and a streamlight aaa penlight I keep in my bino harness. It’s around an ounce, can clip on a hat, and seem to get more use than the e-light I used to carry.

My 2 cents on this one is to make sure it is always on you. I’ve never forgot my main headlamp on a western trip, but I’ve used that little penlight to get out of the whitetail woods an embarrassing amount of times.

 

[rogerdoger]

Bring two, shit happens.

 

[199p]

I always do, it weighs very little in the scheme of things, i have had headlamps fail before was an old led lenser and the wires snagged and ripped out of the battery pack. lucky it was on the way in so i could just wait for sun up.

My backup has been used by my hunting mates maybe 5 times in the last few years. These guys generally 1/2 day hunt and didn't have enough juice on them for a couple of nights away.

 

[Browtinemt]

I carry 2 zebralights. I think they are 5 oz each with batteries.

 

[Dirty_Mike]

Always 2, sometimes 3! Primary goes in the pack with backup batteries, always have a spare in the bino harness in case I get separated from my pack after dark.

 

[doverpack12]

Absolutely. I’ve been in two situations I don’t wish to repeat.
6 miles in on a nasty knife ridge and half an elk on my back when my 18650 headlamp decided to die. No spare battery. Luckily I had a pretzel Elite. Got me out. I don’t typically carry a spare 18650 but do carry a spare for the pretzel.
The other time I left my headlamp in my friends truck that we started hunting from just before daylight. Wasn’t supposed to be a long day but we didn’t get back to the truck until after midnight. Each with half an elk on our backs. His headlamp didn’t want to work and kept dying, I either hiked next to him or behind him to get out the 5 ish miles. Part was on bikes.

On hunts I have a truck, horse or bicycle camp I bring a spare dedicated strictly for camp so I don’t forget my main or use up battery for when I need it navigating and packing in the dark. For some reason recently I end up packing half an elk out starting at dark.

 

[Beagle1]

Zebra with two extra 18650s, Sofirn headlamp and a handheld for deer hunting. As was mentioned when it comes to lights at night the difference between 2 and 1 and 1 and none is not the same.

 

[JohnB]

Like many others I have an E-lite that lives in my first aid/oh shit kit. I probably should have a few more squirreled away. My main hunting buddy still teases me about the bear I shot after work where I forgot my primary headlamp and my emergency headlamp!

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I usually have a cheap Energizer headlamp as a spare unless camp is on my back. At that point I take a 1.2 ounce Petzl Bindi which is a non-issue. Figure something out if 1.2 ounces is the proverbial straw that breaks your back.

Phones can work but you need to be in an environment where you do not need to your hands. My Garmin watch has a flashlight which works in a pinch for some simple tasks.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Those of you saying you will use your phone as a backup, have you actually tried using your phone as a light for navigation? I never have because it sucks so much when I've tried to use it for other things.

I used my phone once, it's not a good time especially when you start getting alarms at 3% battery with nav running and still 3/4 mile from the truck at 3am. That was a rough pack out, ran the primary headlamp battery dead quartering and backup headlamp overheated or something halfway back to the truck.

OP, yes a backup headlamp is very little weight penalty for what it can do for you. I always carry a backup headlamp because carrying a spare battery only covers me for a dead battery, then I'm screwed if I lose my headlamp or it malfunctions or breaks or whatever. You can also hang your backup headlamp from a tree to hold light on things for you while you use the primary as normal.

 

[FoggyScope]

Ive had a headlamp fail mid trip before. Ill never not carry 2 anymore. Phone flashlight doesnt cut it and youre wasting battery on your nav and communication device. I dont carry spare batteries, just use the other one. Its the one thing i double up on.

 

[199p]

I always do, it weighs very little in the scheme of things, i have had headlamps fail before was an old led lenser and the wires snagged and ripped out of the battery pack. lucky it was on the way in so i could just wait for sun up.

My backup has been used by my hunting mates maybe 5 times in the last few years. These guys generally 1/2 day hunt and didn't have enough juice on them for a couple of nights away.

I also carry a small hand held i found this is much better to use when needing to look ahead say 200m rather then adjusting the headlamp, it fits in my bino pouch side pocket and i just use it for a quick flash of light to cheek im heading the right way.

 

[Fatcamp]

I used my phone flashlight today to help a nurse anesthetist start a foot iv mid surgery. Barely usable.

 

[MallardSX2]

Tiny pen light that clips onto my hat. I’m scared of the dark so I got to have a light.

 

[Boarmaster]

Yes I carry a spare. Both I carry are same make and model.

 

[NVbowhunter05]

i do, they are so light and hardly take up any room there is no reason not too

 

[COJoe]

I carry two identical headlamps and spare batteries. However, last year, all my "brand new" expensive lithium batteries from Lowes were junk and lasted about 40% of what they should have. Very disappointed. Ended up basically following my buddy closely back to camp. I am looking at buying two new rechargeable headlamps for this year, especially since I'm going 4th season. Not sure which ones yet though.

 

[86indy]

I rarely have a second dedicated headlamp but this light never leaves my pocket since it’s a life line at work and it’s really handy in general. It has a clip that will hook on to the brim of a hat which was the game changer coming from a stream light pen light.

https://a.co/d/e45fsEo

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[long hunter]

extra batteries for the head lamp, and two other tactical size AA lights with extra batteries one in my pocket and the other in my pack. Never know what might happen. AT LEAST THREE WAYS TO START A FIRE ALSO. A night stuck out in the boonies for what ever reason is always nicer with a bit of light and a fire. Also re-place all the batteries to including the spares after every hunt, the old batteries are used up at home in various things. Remember Murphys law if something is going to go south on you why not try to cut it off at the pass so to speak. And for the weight weenies it really doesn’t add that much to your kit.