best small flashlight for hiking in the forest at night?

goshdogit · 2019-09-04T03:40:26.000Z

I use several types of lights when night hiking in dense forest.

I wear a floody headlamp for walking the trails. I love the ZebraLight H602w for this. It has no reflector and creates a wall of light that fills nearly my entire field of vision. The beam can be bothersome when I hike with other people, so I use a less-floody headlamp then.

I use a small thrower like the Emisar D1S or EagleEye X6 for finding trail markers and landmarks, or looking at distant features.

I use a powerful flooder like the Meteor M43, BLF Q8, or even the Emisar D4 for getting a good look at everything nearby. Very helpful for clearings and meadows.

What lights do you have and which have you tried in the woods so far?

toddcshoe · 2019-09-04T04:45:47.000Z

I agree on the headlamp idea. I was never a headlamp type guy until I started giving them a fair shake. I love freeing up my hands and having light right where I am looking. That Zebralight goshdogit mentioned or a Skilhunt H03 would suit hiking just fine. I have that little Acebeam headlamp as well, forget the name of it, it’s a 14500/AA light. I haven’t put it through it’s paces as far as run time goes. The wife uses it for her nighttime gardening when it’s too hot for her during the day.

Macka17 · 2019-09-04T05:07:12.000Z

I’ve got a No Name XML headlamp with 2 x 18650 cells on strap at rear.
Lasts forever.

In hand I use a mix of. Depending where.
An Astrolux S41. Imalent DN35/70. or a Convot C8+.
Most of which I normally use on a strength of 50%ish.
but they have the advantage of twice that output if/or when, required.
For trails and bush I find the multi LED’s tend to give a better more all round light
than the singles.

Lightbringer · 2019-09-04T05:11:08.000Z

If you don’t want to get swarmed by bugs, I’d suggest something in warm-white at the very least, ’though monochromatic red or amber would be better (if uglier).

If you got a death-wish, go with CW.

Besides, WW looks so much better at night than CW or even NW.

Ain’t got any headlamps that do the above, but for handhelds, the Wurkkos WK20 / Sofirn SD02, and Xeno E03, fit the bill nicely. The E03 is probably discontinued, and the really discontinued Sofirn SP32 WW was a gem. No one is getting any of mine…

Lightbringer · 2019-09-04T05:13:51.000Z

Actually, Markus reviewed a Dobermann in WW, that I think was a headlamp. Or at least could be stuck in a headstrap.

—

Nope, just goggled it, and it’s a handheld.

raccoon · 2019-09-04T07:45:50.000Z

My EDC, the FW3A!

monkeyman77 · 2019-09-04T09:04:36.000Z

all good input everyone so far my fav light i own is god i forgot lol o yea skybeam nope that aint it lol acebeam tk16 with osram

monkeyman77 · 2019-09-04T15:47:50.000Z

raccoon city:

My EDC, the FW3A!

ps thanks for side tracking me i forgot the name of the woman in ya sig but good lord she is stunning the first movie also had michelle rodrqez good lord there both so pretty

raccoon · 2019-09-04T15:50:37.000Z

She's Milla Jovovich.

dealgrabber2002 · 2019-09-04T16:07:25.000Z

Klarus H1A-PL. Not sure if it’s out yet. Runs on 1AA or 14500. Main LED CW, Red, and Soft White.

Agro · 2019-09-04T16:45:28.000Z

I use Utorch ut02 the most in such setting. It’s not the best but I like it and as of now I don’t have anything better.

will34 · 2019-09-04T17:34:22.000Z

Zebralight SC700d…

Superior thermal management vs any other light it’s size and absurdly long runtime with a 5,000mAh 21700 thanks to highly efficient driver and emitter combination.

The only downside is the greenish tint when white wall hunting but for close-medium range outdoor handheld use I can’t think of a better light.

Well the convoy L6 is another light with the great beam for outdoors, perfect ratio of flood/spot but it’s not exactly one you would take on a walk.

BlueSwordM · 2019-09-04T19:21:39.000Z

I’d recommend the PL47 V2.

You can set it to 1A mode for some efficient high CRI action.

KeepingItLight · 2019-09-05T02:28:46.000Z

One of my favorite tricks for shaking the crowds while hiking is to start late and return after sunset, making the trek back to the trailhead by flashlight. Works great on popular Sierra Nevada trails like the one that goes from Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe up to Eagle Lake. I always preferred a headlamp along with a medium range hand-held flashlight for occasional secondary use.

It can be a serious business, however, to have your lights go dead. After my own close call with failing batteries on a solo hike, I began carrying a third flashlight (with a fresh, fully-charged battery) for backup. Since all three lights use a common battery, I think of my backup as a waterproof battery carrier!

So that's my advice for forest hiking: carry three lights! My main hiking lights are Zebras: the H600Fd III headlamp and the SC62w hand-held. My backup is whatever I grab. Often that's a Thorfire C8s or BLF A6.

The other thing I would say is know your run times. Most small lights are only good for an hour, or so, if you run them hot. Nighttime hikes, however, can be several hours. Emergencies, such as a sprained ankle, might require more time than that. So stay to medium and low levels, and have some estimate of how long your batteries will last before you begin hiking. Test any new lights, to verify they meet your expectations.

Enjoy!

Tweakmeister · 2019-09-05T04:41:39.000Z

You need run time.

Astrolux FT03 is a cheap option.

I love my Fenix TK75 with optional extended battery tube. Plus it can be charged via USB without a charger.

Another option is Convoy L6.

xevious · 2019-09-05T02:29:51.000Z

Lightbringer:

If you don’t want to get swarmed by bugs, I’d suggest something in warm-white at the very least, ’though monochromatic red or amber would be better (if uglier).

If you got a death-wish, go with CW.

I hadn’t heard of that before. Seriously, warm white won’t attract bugs nearly as much as cool white?

As for a hiking flashlight, I’d go with an 18650 so you’ve got excellent runtime. Get yourself a Skilhunt H03 RC with NW emitter. You can mount it as a headlamp, clip it to your chest, or grip it in your hand. It has a charging mechanism so you don’t have to be concerned with removing the battery. It has physical lockout and gives you a battery level indicator when first turned on. Very good value.

Lightbringer · 2019-09-05T04:34:23.000Z

Yeh, they like blue. UV better.

Even worse, they like me best of all.

amishbill · 2019-09-06T03:51:28.000Z

xevious:

…. Get yourself a Skilhunt H03 RC with NW emitter. …

Darn You. Searching for that led me to the H03C. I’m having a hard time not looking for that one now.

sanches · 2019-09-06T08:05:40.000Z

I do not understand Skilhunt H03C. H03 RC it’s exactly, well maybe + sst40 high CRI

monkeyman77 · 2019-09-06T08:12:24.000Z

ty for the input everyone