I'm wondering what types of flashlights does everyone use?
I'm looking for something that is very durable, bright, and doesn't way a ton.

Thanks
Rick

I have used a mini maglight for years with two double a batteries. I carry a spare set of batteries with me. It's not the brightest of flashlights but it's dependable. I am slowly but surely switching over to an LED headlamp. Both of which are light.

Now for brightness, a buddy of mine uses Nickel-Cadmium rechargable batteries. He's got one of the larger maglights with those D size batteries in it... you wouldn't believe how light they are. He did warn me that they don't slowly go dim when the batteries are low, they just turn off... so there's little warning when the lights going out. This might be worth checking out.

I personally try to keep things small... real-estate in my pack is valuable.

Hex

P.S. I'm in no way affiliated with maglight, I just think they make quality stuff. I'm not sure what brand my headlamp is.

I have my long time favorite headlamp-The Petzl Tikka

Cost about $30.00

Bright LED lamp

Weighs less than 3 ounces

Runs on 3 AAA batteries that has last for more than a week on a trip. I have always brought spare batteries, but never have needed to change them during a trip.

It is now 4 years in use (5th year this year) and still works great.

Here is a tip for the field also. Ever get someplace only to find your batteries dead and then figure out the switch inadvertantly turned on in your pack? Take one battery out and switch its porlarity. With one battery turned this way you can not run current and the batteries will be fresh when you get where you are going weather the switch turned on or not. Just remember to switch the polarity back at camp.

Ditto on the Petzl Tikka. I have used head lamps for years and can not imagine going back to using a flashlight. The Tikka is my current favorite. I have used the Petzl Arctic extensively on fall and winter trips without complaint. I also have a couple of Princeton headlamps that work very well. Take a look at the various features currently available such as LED lights in any number of configurations, they are very light, run for a very long time on a set of batteries and they are very bright for limited distances. Bonus, I use mine to charge my glow jigs when fishing. There are also some very nice combo lights available with both LED and Xeon bulbs. The LED for close and the Xeon for distance. Whatever you choose, make it a headlamp and you to will never look at a flashlight the same way again.

Another Nod to the Petzl Tikka. I have used Maglights for years but the ease of having this little light either on my head or around my neck combined with never needing to replace the batteries in the field (provided I start the trip out with new batteries.) makes it a winner in my book. This past trip was the first that I have taken where a maglight was not along.

TB

I've always taken a 2 D-Cell mag light on hunting trips. I've taken the mini-mags as a backup but have not found them to be dependable. In August I'm spending a week in Quetico with a $10 head lamp but still need to keep my dependable 2 D-cell in my pack.

One more nod for LED headlamps...

I have the Petzl Zipka Plus(close cousin to the Tikka) and it's great.

Get a headlamp, you'll never go back to holding a mini-mag in your teeth again.

Get an LED, you'll never have to worry about conserving batteries / bringing lots of extra again. Note -- they do not have the throw of an incandescent (you can't throw a spot on anything) but in the BWCA, I have never really missed having a long spot. And personally, I could never justify the weight of a full size Mag, unless I was carrying it for beating bears and personal protection as well.

Petzl, Princeton Tec, Black Diamond are all brands that make great LED headlamps. Some of the new ones use new bulbs that do have better throw, but still not what you would get from an incandescent bulb.

we bring two light types on our trips, one standard-ish flashlight (an Energizer Two-Way Area Light) and one headlamp (a Petzl Tikka). the Energizer is great, as it functions as a regular flashlight, but also pulls out to act as an area lantern (we stick it in the overhead gear stash in the tent when we tucking ourselves in) and it only weighs 3/4 of a pound. and the Petzl Tikka is a marvel--i've never been a headlamp person, but the gear they have out there these days (it only weighs 2.7 oz. including the three AAA batteries, which power it for 80 hours on the highest setting) is unreal.

cheers,
eglath

The C. Crane Co. offers a 2 LED module that snaps on a 9 volt battery. Not a headlamp but it's about as small as a flashlight gets, and very bright, with two power levels. The lithium battery will last, literally, for years. The thing is called the "Pac-Lite" (ccrane.com).

I'm a Petzl headlamp owner, also, but after much research and great input from others (including Bog and his Tikka), I bought a newer Petzl model called the MYO 3. There is also a MYO 5 if you desire more LED lights.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47604321&parent_category_rn=4500596&vcat=REI_SEARCH

What I like about the MYO 3:
Two sources of light - Three LED's which get used the most and are very battery efficient, and a halogen light which is great for long range spotting. The LED's are more like flood lights while the halogen is more like a typical flashlight.

The tilting feature makes it easier to see what you're doing while cooking and/or working with your hands eliminating the need to actually tip your head.

The MYO 3 is certainly heavier than some other headlamps, but I haven't felt the weight was an issue. It's comfortable to wear.

The other thing is price. At $46 (it's gone up in price recently), it's more pricey than some other headlamps, but as I've found in other gear purchases, if I buy items with the features I want and what I'm comfortable with, I'll enjoy them for a long time instead of wishing I'd spent $10 or $15 more.

One thing to remember with the extra price of the LED lights is that even with moderate use, you will make a lot of that money back in the cost of batteries very quickly.

I have been using the Ray-O-Vac 3 in 1 headlamp for a couple of years now. It has a standard bulb light, white LED and red LED all in the same headlamp. You can pick these up for around $13.00 at your local Wal-Mart.

While I agree that Petzl makes a great gear. I believe Princeton-tec lights out perform most others. I have been using an Aurora for a few years now with no problems whatsoever. I recently picked up the Corona that allows the user to switch between 8, 5, 3 and 1 LED lights. i have not had it in the field much but have no hesitations that it will perform as well, if not better than the Aurora.
Just my 2 cents

Old Scout uses the same light I do! Cheap, but works well and last well...

Bruce

I am using a headlamp for the first time and sure i will love it. I do take a Steamlight 3.5 to 4 inch (I think its call Surefire) It has two lithium batteries (expensive) doesnt take up alot of space but this thing will land airplanes! Ive had it for some time so there may be newer models out there.

I need to learn to spell its Streamlight!

I have been a Mini-Mag in the teeth type of a guy for a long time. But after the reading on this topic and seeing how much you all like the LED headlamps I visited my local Walmart and bought a inexpensive about $13.00 including AAA batteries (Eveready 3 LED model 2 white and a red) to test drive this next week. The only drawback I see with this one is that it doesn't have adjustable intensities.... because of this all or nothing 2 LED's the battery life is only rated at 50 hrs. I use recharageble AAA batteries so 50 hrs is still plenty for a weeks trip.
If I am as happy as you all are after the next trip. I might just have to step to the plate and lay down the $40.00ish Cabela's want for the Petzel.

I brought two Petzl head lamps with me to Iraq. One for back up. They have both lasted the year i have been here and I cant remember ever changing the batteries. Also Surefire makes small flashlights that are insanely bright, and durable. They run off of lithium batteries. They are kind of spendy though, probably about 50 bucks for a low end one, which seems kind of ridiculous to me for a flashlight. I think they are generally used by military and police.

Matt

Hey Matt-Thanks for your service. Which branch and outfit are you with? My son is leaving Baghdad next Friday (3/4) after his year in Iraqw with the Army's 1st Cavalry. He is also a BWCAW junkie and can't wait to go this year. He has missed going each of the last 2 seasons and can't wait to get the paddle back in the water. He is a little concerned by the temperatures after Iraq-but I am sure he will manage.

I am a fan of an LED headlamp that has a setting with only one RED LED. I use this around camp after dark so I don't loose my night vision. I have been using a Rayovac (I know, I know) that has three light sources, one 2 white LED, one 1 red LED, and a krypton. It weighs a little more than some of the better known brands, but I love the red feature (and it was less than $20!!)

Well I might as well put in 2 cents worth.... although you've probably got plenty to go from.

I too, Use a headlamp...a petzl Myolite 3 it has both Xenon and LED lights and can shoot out about 85 ft....Xenon, and 35 ft..LED.
Hands free--works for me...

Woodpecker

Anyone tried the flashlights that dont need batteries? They have a magnet in side which has a wire coil wrapped around it, so you shake it the magnet going through the coil produces the electricity needed. I usually dont bring flash lights but I was thinking of trying this kind on my next trip.

They're pretty easy to find but just to clarify what i was sayin
http://www.4childsafety.com/customer/product.php?productid=38&cat=20&partner=froogle

I agree, LED headlights are great! Here's a tip I've found useful: get a tiny keychain size LED light, the kind you squeeze to turn on, and attach it to the zipper pull of your sleeping bag. Then it's always there so you can find your moccasins, bandana, or Petzl headlight in the middle of the night. You can find them most anywhere, eg Campmor. http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=829319&memberId=12500226

I agree w/ the keychain light, but only if you're not doing much stuff at night. I bring a keychain light that's the size of a quarter & bite down on it if I need a free hand. I find that I don't need much more than that.

headlamps are great. LEDs are the only way to go for bright white light and long run times. Underwater Kinetics makes some excellent dive lights - LEDs that are rugged and 100% waterproof. Their mini light is a keychain light with hat clip that is great for about $15. Bigger Q40 is a one watt LED that can be had for $22.

Princeton Tec makes a 1 watt, fully dimmable LED headlamp that is waterproof to one meter too. Nice headlamp. Petzl Zipka is a favorite of many too

Check out the Surefire flashlights, they are small, light weight and extremely powerful. I have a light weight molded pvc/plastic model, it is smaller than the regular small maglite and about half the weight....I'd say 4-5 inches long and 2-3 oz. But here's the kicker, they are brighter than any 3 Dcell and some 4 Dcell maglights. They run off of expensive batteries but if you want a lot of power without a lot of weight these little flashlights are amazing. This is the company that produces tactical flashlights for all the branches of the military. They are 100% waterproof and shock proof! Just can't beat em!

This will be my second year going into the bwca. I have found over the past few years camping,hunting and night time fishing there are to items I will not leave behind. My AA maglite with the lens package. I use the red lens for stargazing and night fishing. The other item is my petzel Arctic halogen headlamp. This headlamp offers a variable focus beam reaching around 25-30 yards. It also has a spare bulb holder so you can change from a halogen bulb to a regular bulb. I have found that the new LED headlamps and flashlights just don't offer enough light at longer distances. I use energizer titanium or E2 batteries for the maglight(they last well over a year). For the headlamp I use a duracell plus 4.5 volt battery that lasts 5 hours at 20 degrees below zero or 8 hours at 32 degrees.

Hope this info helps,

Lee

I have a Myo 3 that I now use, I used to use a princeton Tec headlamp... my sister still has her princeton Tec... my dad and step mom both have Tikka's... I've used all three... and my preferences are Myo 3 (5 if I could afford it), Tikka and then princeton Tec (no LEDs).