7 Tips To Choose The Right Camping Flashlight

Summer outdoor camping is really trendy now. Sitting by the fire and laughing with family and friends is really nice. One item every camper should have at all times is a good flashlight.

What should you look for when choosing the proper outdoor camping flashlights? There are a few points you’ll want to consider.

Brightness (lumens)

Lumen is one of the most important thing to consider in choosing a flashlight. This will determine how much you can see on nighttime walks or during repair jobs, and may even mean the difference between a safe walk or repair job and a dangerous one. The higher the lumens the brighter the light. Many LED flashlights can reach 1000 lumens. Then you may ask, how bright is a 1000 lumen flashlight? A standard 60w light globe produces about 750-850 lumens of light. 1000 lumens flashlight is able to produce a beam range of 150 to 200 meters. In that case, how many lumens do you really need?

* Under 100lm is great for lighting a tent

* Around 200lm will be great  for the tent site

* Over 300lm for a compsite soiree

If you plan to go night walking, a brighter light would be good. Nowadays, many LED flashlights have several lighting mode to change the lumens. A lower lumen lighting will help you save the battery power.

Batteries

When it comes to flashlight batteries, battery type is the first thing to consider. There are two kinds of popular flashlights – the flashlight with a rechargeable battery and the rechargeable flashlight.

The popular rechargeable battery for flashlights is 16340, 18650, and 21700. Although there are some flashlights use Alkaline batteries, but the Alkaline batteries lose their capacity quickly, especially in colder temperatures. If you consider to take a flashlight with rechargeable Li-ion batteries, you should also prepare a portable battery charger.

The best rechargeable camping flashlight is the one that is easy to plug in, can be charged in the car and no charging problem in the use.

Battery life is another thing to consider. After you have an idea on how much light you need and how long of runtime at each lumen levels, you can decide how much battery capacity and how many batteries you need. A single 18650 can perform better than 3-5 AAs.

For a three day camping trip, you may don’t need a spare cell. Take a 18650 flashlight is enough and don’t use your light any brighter than 30 lumens. For a long time trip, a 21700 flashlight or even 26650 flashlight may be perfect.

Size & Weight

Size and weight are also important to consider. Small flashlights are perfect for backpackers. Actually there are many smaller flashlights on the market. The best small camping flashlight is the one that gives off plenty of light while still remaining lightweight.

Remember to also consider the weight of your rechargeable battery when accountng for the total weight of a flashlight.

Water Resistance

In outdoor camping, sometimes it may rain. Therefore, it’s better to take a waterproof flashlight. It’s enough to consider the one that guarantees waterproof 1.5 to 3 meters.

Price

Finally, you will also take price into consideration. Just choose a flashlight that has good quality and meets your needs according to your budget.

Flashlight or Headlamp?

Many people wonder whether they should invest in a flashlight or headlamp. Flashlights are the common go-to when it comes to lighting up a dark situation. These hand-held lights are perfect for lighting the way on the move or creating the perfect spooky effects during a ghost story. Look for a flashlight with a clip on the side so that you can easily attach it to a pocket or belt loop for safekeeping.

Headlamps offer hands-free lighting so you can collect tinder set up a tent and clean up your campsite without the sun. Some headlamps offer less-intense blue or red lights, which allow you to see close-range items without blinding your oncoming campmates.

How Many Flashlight Do I Need?

If you usually camp with friends or family, you will want more than just one flashlight on hand. I usually prepare three lights for camping – a lantern, a headlamp and a pocket light.

Following these suggestions, you’re sure to find a perfect flashlight.