The Gear: Let There Be Light
Remember the old days? Camping headlamps were simple. Turned on. Turned off. They had one incandescent brightness setting, which only dimmed when your AAA batteries began to die. Then you rummaged for fresh batteries—but wait, were those also dead? You never knew.
Today, headlamp technology has transformed, with LED lights, multiple modes, and rechargeable devices now standard. There are a number of great headlamps on the market, but for our money, it’s hard to top the Petzl Actik Core. This wearable weighs just 3.1 ounces and comes with a
washable—and surprisingly comfortable— headband. Just the thing for making dinner, hiking before sunrise or raiding your RV fridge after dark.
Photo Credit: Fyodor Shiryaev
A single button turns the Actik Core on and off and cycles through its various settings—which include three brightness levels and a dispersed red-light mode designed to protect the eyes of others. The headlamp also has an SOS strobe should an emergency arise.
The Actik Core cranks out up to 600 lumens on its highest setting and has a burn time of more than 100 hours using the rechargeable battery pack. As in days of yore, it can also be powered by three AAAs. Users can select between a wide beam or a tight, narrow spotlight to see further into the distance. The headlamp carries an IPX4 water-resistance rating, meaning it can survive a rainstorm; it comes with a storage pouch that converts into a lantern for use inside a tent or RV. Optional helmet and bike mounts bring the glow to activities like rock climbing and cycling. $85, petzl.com
Three Other Bright Ideas
Photo Credit: GoalZero
Goal Zero Skylight Area Light
Generates up to 6,000 lumens in a 150-foot radius, runs up to 8 hours on its rechargeable battery, and produces light for days when plugged into a portable power station. Multidirectional lighting, four brightness settings, and a telescoping stand offer customizability. $299.95, goalzero.com
Photo Credit: Coast
Coast XP40R Flashlight
Flashlights don’t come much brighter—or smarter—than this. This rechargeable hand torch generates up to 8,000 lumens, runs as long as 36 hours on a single charge, and has a beam range of up to 754 feet. A built-in USB-C port recharges gadgets on the go. $90, coastportland.com
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
BougeRV Camping Lantern
BougeRV’s clever device can serve as a lantern, flashlight, or area light. Its four rotatable LEDs produce up to 6,000 lumens and can be positioned to provide illumination exactly where you need it. The Camp Lantern’s rechargeable battery keeps it running for up to 77 hours while also supplying power to mobile devices. $99.99, bougerv.com
This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.
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Source: https://www.rv.com/gear-accessories/the-gear-let-there-be-light/
