Red headlamp

Practically all the hikers I ever asked said the red LED was a complete waste of money and a useless feature on a headlamp.

Then, on my 100 mi. section in Maine this fall. I spent a night at a shelter with 6 others who all had and used the red feature on their headlamps.

It was the most pleasant, polite night I ever spent at a shelter. All involved were avid, experienced hikers who understood the value of not annoying those around them. We all knew about getting blinded by those bright white lights.

I say be courteous and USE THAT RED LED!!!

I agree with you. I prefer red to save my nightvision. However, not all folks have a red option so you end up getting blinded anyway. This is only one of the many reasons whyI prefer not to stay at shelters.
However, when I take scouts out camping, I have some authority with them and have taught them that if they have a headlamp, keep it at it's lowest setting in camp and if you have to do chores, wear it around your neck, so that you can see, especially so that when somone says something, you don't look up at them (huh?") and blind them.

It takes time. Anyway I enjoy red as well.

With the scouts in my troop, the less comfortable they are being outside at night - the brighter the light they think they need and the more time they have it on each night. Those more comfortable being outside at night - seldom have their lights on and find a small pocket LED or red LED headlamp is sufficient. It's interesting to watch the change as they gain experience.

I like the headlamps that have both a red and white light. The red light seems less likely to wake people up when you are in the shelter and need to get up in the middle of the night.

Good call Dirty, I just learned a little lesson.

I will weight in, I am all for the red leds as its easier to transistion to night vision, because they are cheap I just make them rather than buy.

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Originally Posted by Dirty Nails

Practically all the hikers I ever asked said the red LED was a complete waste of money and a useless feature on a headlamp.

Then, on my 100 mi. section in Maine this fall. I spent a night at a shelter with 6 others who all had and used the red feature on their headlamps.

It was the most pleasant, polite night I ever spent at a shelter. All involved were avid, experienced hikers who understood the value of not annoying those around them. We all knew about getting blinded by those bright white lights.

I say be courteous and USE THAT RED LED!!!

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It is easy to critizise what we don't understand.:eek:

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Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl

I just make them rather than buy.

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How? I'd love to know.

Rain Man

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Originally Posted by Toolshed

I agree with you. I prefer red to save my nightvision. However, not all folks have a red option so you end up getting blinded anyway. This is only one of the many reasons whyI prefer not to stay at shelters.
However, when I take scouts out camping, I have some authority with them and have taught them that if they have a headlamp, keep it at it's lowest setting in camp and if you have to do chores, wear it around your neck, so that you can see, especially so that when somone says something, you don't look up at them (huh?") and blind them.

It takes time. Anyway I enjoy red as well.

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I'm all for RED as well...and putting it around your neck often works better for tasking... I have to wear 'em working at night (OSHA reg.)...and the red light uses less wattage to power it..meaning you'll use less battery....Less is More...

Sure, red light is a good idea if you're going to be around people. I prefer to hike solitary, so I won't sacrifice lumens or battery life for a red light. That red light won't protect my injured ankle from stumbling over rocks while hiking at night, and that is the primary reason I have a headlight. Now a red coin light...I would consider that as a backup light...I currently carry no backup light.

I used to go to huge paintball events in PA over the summer with tents literally stacked next to each other. The red light was mainly all I used especially when you are trying not to disturb other people while on your way to a portapotty. It provides just enough light when you want to be stealthy :D

Black Diamond Spot ... A bit heavy, imho, but it isn't too expensive and it works quite well. LITHIUM batteries help.

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Originally Posted by leaftye

Sure, red light is a good idea if you're going to be around people. I prefer to hike solitary, so I won't sacrifice lumens or battery life for a red light. That red light won't protect my injured ankle from stumbling over rocks while hiking at night, and that is the primary reason I have a headlight. Now a red coin light...I would consider that as a backup light...I currently carry no backup light.

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I use a headlamp with both. Red for camp and white for hiking before dawn.

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Originally Posted by Coosa

Black Diamond Spot ... A bit heavy, imho, but it isn't too expensive and it works quite well. LITHIUM batteries help.

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i have the Spot and really like the red light at night in camp even though I camp alone and never at shelters.

Minimal use of a minimal light is a even better answer, for me at least. I wear a little eGear Pico zipper pull light on a chain around my neck. I typically only turn it on for a few seconds here or there and it is always aimed down at whatever it is being used to see. Mostly my preference is just get by in the darkness as much as possible. I really much prefer to have little to no artificial light in camp. But, yeah if you must use a headlamp red is a good way to go.

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Originally Posted by Dirty Nails

Practically all the hikers I ever asked said the red LED was a complete waste of money and a useless feature on a headlamp.

Then, on my 100 mi. section in Maine this fall. I spent a night at a shelter with 6 others who all had and used the red feature on their headlamps.

It was the most pleasant, polite night I ever spent at a shelter. All involved were avid, experienced hikers who understood the value of not annoying those around them. We all knew about getting blinded by those bright white lights.

I say be courteous and USE THAT RED LED!!!

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As toolshed said, the red saves your nightvision. I like having nightvision, I feel I can see around me better.

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Originally Posted by couscous

With the scouts in my troop, the less comfortable they are being outside at night - the brighter the light they think they need and the more time they have it on each night. Those more comfortable being outside at night - seldom have their lights on and find a small pocket LED or red LED headlamp is sufficient. It's interesting to watch the change as they gain experience.

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I'm also a scout leader. I notice the same thing. I also notice it with different troops. At a camporee about a year ago, there were some campsites that were lit well enough that I think satellites could see their campsite from space, due to about 5 or 6 gas lanterns all at full blast. We had a single lantern on low.