Day-hike lighting (flashlights, headlamps) - what do you take?

[Wanderlust]

Have you hiked in the dark with a headlamp? I've heard you can lose depth perception with headlamps due to lack of shadows. Have you experienced that?

For me I carry a photon led on my keychain with quick detach biner for day hikes. If I need to be hands free I can just stick the plastic biner in my mouth and that works great. For camping I add a AA flashlight for the throw like the OP mentioned. I, for whatever reason, cannot stand headlamps.

Shotgun I have done quite a bit of hiking in the dark and it has all been done with a headlamp. I really really prefer to have my hands free to use my hiking stick/trekking poles if I am using them or to just have my hands free if I slip and fall, or any other of a hundered things that can come up that you want to use your hands for. Personally I use a Tikka XP with the Core recharging pack and have not had any issues with depth perception. I think it is one of those things that you can adapt to, if it is something that you notice. Also I don't think it is worth it to carry an extra flashlight just in case I end up hiking after dark. I think that if I was going to be doing a lot of night hiking/trail running I would get a bit of a brighter light. But as far as short trips or the occasional night hike the XP works GREAT. I love that light because it has 3 white light settings as well as a red light for around camp and reading, in addition to the flood and spot lens that you can put into place. All around a great light in a very small and light weight package.

 

[NightMare Silverado]

I go out fishing and get stuck in the dark with a half mile+ back to the road so a flashlight in the backpack is a must. Also rigging hooks in the dark is asking for a bad experience so I leave a Walmart hat light there too.