Are flashlights necessary in the woods?

Brian Jones said:
Better off to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it in this case, IMHO.
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Very sage advice. I like Fenix LED lights and think they are a very good bargain for what you get. As to your question, YES, I think lights are a great addition...even for a day hike. How many "situations" only started out as a "day hike" and turned into a survival situation that last over night or several days/nights.

A light (specifically a regulated, multi-output LED) is a tool, just like a knife. I've used them to search for items at the bottom of the pack, find my way around our building when the generator crapped out at the most in-opportune time (Iraq); searching for a lost item at the campsite; signaling to the kids to head back at dusk; packing camp up before daylight; setting camp up after sundown; looking for all the stuff that goes "bump in the night"; giving your kids the comfort of lighting their path to the "latrine" area; I won't go into all the combat operational uses, but I think a flashlight should be apart of everyone's "EDC" whether they are going to work, heading to a combat zone, going to the grocery store or even a day hike. Just as Brian mentioned..."better to have and not need than need and not have".

ROCK6
 
The small red or white led headlight that I have on my ballcap has helped more times than I can count. I have as good of vision as anyone and I don't go anywhere without lights. If you don't need it don't use it. Don't be without it and need it though.
 
Takes hardly any room and weight to have a little flashlight. They are always handy for finding stuff, especially in the tent at night. I always have a little mag. LED and headlamp in my pack.

fireflyjar.jpg
 
I don't even hang around the house without a light (always have a Photon on my neck chain) or two of some kind. It would be silly to have less away from home safe home, whether in the woods or not.

The latest Photon I got has a little thing to clip it to your hat too.
 
Since a lot of my night time forays are to go looking for people who have lost their way in the woods I find flashlights and especially headlamps to be very useful. Even if you don't a need a light to see what you are doing they can make decent signaling devices in the right circumstances/terrain.
 
headlamp! headlamp! headlamp! allows you to walk, work with your hands and see where you are going! I carry at least two headlamps or a headlamp and flashlight setup with me.

RickJ
 
Needing a light and not being able to see can lead to panic. Panic it the worse enemy we face in a tough situation. I feel much more secure having a good small flash lite. Just use it as sparingly as you can if battery life is an issue. It's easy to carry a few extra batteries.

Head or cap lights can really save the day, Or night I should say. It may well prevent an accident that could really make a tough situation even tougher.
 
The focus shouldn't be on the latest, bestest, give you a suntan super lithium powered $200+ "gee look what I have" flashlight. You won't be trying to blind criminals. My "blind-em" light stays with my work gear-- it never goes to the field for hiking or camping etc..

The best field flashlighs are the LEDs that burn for 100 hours or more. The small keychain LED's are useful as well. Low powered lights are especially useful if you spend any time cutting footsign at night. A bright light just washes out the footsign. A lower powered LED, especially if held at a low angle, throws more shadows and makes the footsign more visible. Headlamps are great too, especially for those times when you need both hands (ie doing mechanical repairs).

Also give some consideration to battery sources. I use only AA's in my lights because my NVG's, GPS, and all other gear use them. It makes my life easier. I don't ever consider 123s because Uncle Sam doesn't give them to me for free and I'd end up homeless trying to feed my lights with those things to a 123-powered flashlight.
 
I'd go for a head lamp: better for walking or manipulating stuff. You can still use it in hand or around the shoulder.

For emergency needs, I've got a petzl zipka, that is really small including "collapsible headband" (quite smart feature, it might look gimmick, it has actually proved OK for me):
http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesProduits?Produit=258

For "real" use a tactikka XP: it has collapsible colored/wide-angle lenses that are pretty convenient. Neat design.
http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesProduits?Produit=606&Critere=0
 
I purchased a Proton ( http://www.photonlight.com/Proton-AA-Handheld-LED-Flashlights-Headlamps-p/pr-aa-led-flashlight.htm ) in January, and haven't looked back. It is, however, my first flashlight for edc, and I do carry it everywhere, at least when I'm wearing pants. 2 watt Cree(wow) and AA. I've been running a lithium in, and it even with the first few days of constant fiddling, the first lithium is still going strong. Two months is pretty good for a single cell with frequent use, I think. I may get tired of buying those though, I have lots of NiMh's and alkalines.

At the same time, I also bought an upgrade for one of my mini-mags, and it is equally as bright. http://www.led-replacement.com/tle-5ex.html It has a Luxeon K2 and I got the tail cap switch, as well. For $30($25 for the led chipset, $5 for the switch) you could get three mini-mags, but I already have a few mini-mags, and the quality of this light beats the heck out of $30.

When I put these two side by side, it's difficult to tell much difference, but for $70 the proton wins in features - white and red LED's, both with variable brightness. Oh yeah, and there are four different strobe modes.

If you already carry a mini-mag, the $30 would be well spent - WAY brighter the the original lamp.
 
CMG Infinity Ultra (orig. design) paired with a Nite-Ize headband. Over 5 years old, still works great. bright enough to see by without blinding, small enough to carry with comfort. Clip works with a hat or shirt collar, with a small carbiner makes a perfect tent light.

Necessary? To me....yeah.
 
Considering the size, price, weight, availability, and usefulness of modern LED flashlights, and the fact that people really can't see in the dark, I think it's kinda ridiculous (if not irresponsible and dangerous) that anyone would go anywhere without one, especially somewhere without streetlights. Even if you don't need it or use it, it can't hurt to have, even if it's just a $.50 fauxton.

Here is a link to a very funny true story (warning - don't read while drinking or you may have to replace your keyboard) that, fortunately, ended well, but could very easily not have, about two guys who, for some reason, didn't have a flashlight when it could have been useful. The writer is my little brother, and I've given him flashlights (and knives), he just doesn't like to carry stuff. (language, but not content, is NSFW) http://mattttto.blogspot.com/
 
Liam Ryan said:
Yep I agree, a good headlamp is what you need. I got a cheap led one by energizer for 10 bucks and it works awesome, very rugged and idiot proof.
http://www.bfmsales.com/Images/l/HDL2BU1CS.jpg
Why pay so much for a headlamp? Who needs more settings then on and off?
I don't need strobes and multi levels, I need some light to put up a shelter and make a fire. Mine is orange too, so I can see it easily if I drop it.
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I would like to point out one thing about the strobe function. I feel it is a fantastic asset. If you ever need to leave someone in the bush while you go for help the strobe would be the best possible way to find them, presuming you want to find them.
Oldman/Marty Simon
 
Considering that at night in the woods, if the moon isnt out, or is obscured by clouds or trees you cant see your own hand in front of your face.

I'd want a flashlight if I was doing anything besides taking a few steps to have a pee.
 
medusaoblongata said:
Here is a link to a very funny true story (warning - don't read while drinking or you may have to replace your keyboard) that, fortunately, ended well, but could very easily not have, about two guys who, for some reason, didn't have a flashlight when it could have been useful. The writer is my little brother, and I've given him flashlights (and knives), he just doesn't like to carry stuff. (language, but not content, is NSFW) http://mattttto.blogspot.com/
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WOW! That was incredibly entertaining and funny:thumbup: My wife is also a English teacher, so I shot her the link to read. I do concur, do not read with any type of beverage:D

ROCK6
 
Saunterer said:
My family always picks on me for EDCing a flashlight all the time.

My answer: There is a 100% chance of darkness tonight, tomorrow, and next year.

We all carry knives, firesteels and do-dads for the 0.0001% SHTF scenario. It only makes sense to be prepared for a 100% daily occurring event.

My morning rambling.
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Well said..:D
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Green letters on a black background.
I'd rather stare at leeches.
#)(^ my eyes hurt.
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+1

I'm sorry, but I'm not reading anything that's written in such an abrasive colour. I'm surprised it doesnt end with "LOL if youre reading this, I just raped your eyes! pwnt!"
 
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