When it comes to lighting up an area whether you’re in a cave, working your way to the basement or out on the street, there are about a million ways to get it done… but the big debate has always been: What’s better, a headlamp or handheld device?
Both headlamps and handheld options have situational advantages and disadvantages, lighting up areas in very different ways and sometimes with different sources of power and levels of effect. Let’s look at the pros vs. cons of both tools to find out which one is the best bet for everyday and survival or camping use.
Headlamp: From bulky and battery heavy units to lightweight LED models that run on watch batteries, headlamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each offering their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Headlamps are best used during rescue, repairs, maintenance operations, evasion and escape or whenever you need a free pair of hands. When you’re hopping fences, climbing walls, slogging through rubble, running in the dark or performing duties after hours, a headlamp might just be the way to go.
Pros – Lightweight, compact, worn on the head, held in the hand, clipped to belts and/or gear, readily available power source, beam follows your gaze, hands free operation, difficult to misplace when in use, wide beam, water-resistant, one-size fits all.
Cons – Plastic housing, must turn body/head to change direction of the beam.
Handheld: Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, weights and abilities, handheld lights can be heavy-duty 500+ lumen workhorses down to single battery 10 lumen lights. These lights are best used in tactical situations and/or as a backup while walking, searching or scavenging at night or in poorly lit areas.
Pros – Lightweight, compact, focused/adjustable beam, extremely durable, water-resistant, readily available power source, best option for tactical use.
Cons – Easy to drop or misplace when in use, handheld, does not automatically follow gaze.
In conclusion: No matter how you get it or where it’s coming from, one reliable light-source is just as good as the next. The key-word here is “reliable”. Without a reliable light-source, no matter what it is, you’re bound to end up in the dark… and that can be a very scary place to be, whether you’re dealing with the undead or not.
We recommend packing at least 1 headlamp, 1-2 flashlights and extra batteries and/or a charger for both. Remember, two is one and one is none.
