Shining a light on portable headlamps

Written by: Editorial Team

Published on December 1, 2023

Time to read 2 min

Most camping families will have more than one portable headlamp in their stash of camping gear and for good reason. For convenience and versatility, they are worth their weight in gold, and let’s face it, they don’t really weigh much or take up any space.

We’ve all experienced that feeling of dread when arriving late to your chosen camp and you have to set up in the dark.

You may have torches and lanterns on hand to shine a light on those tricky chores that need to be completed before you can relax for the night. However, a portable headlamp will free up your hands, and allow you to secure guy ropes, connect hoses or collect firewood around camp without having to fumble around.

Remember that the brightness, beam distance and battery life are essential factors to consider when choosing a headlamp.

Portable headlamps offer several advantages when camping:

They are versatile and useful in various situations, whether it’s camping, hiking or night fishing. They’re handy for emergencies such as flat tyres or power outages at night. They’re also great to grab for that quick trip to the loo in the middle of the night. Even if you’re not camping a headlamp has a multitude of uses around the home … going for a run or walking the dog in the low light at dawn or dusk is just one example.

Water Resistance: Many headlamps are water-resistant ensuring they can withstand moisture during rainy setups or outdoor activities.

Long Battery Life: Some headlamps offer impressive battery life. For instance, the 2690 Pelican HeadsUp Headlamp from A247 has 74 lumens of LED light with 11 hours of battery run time. Some headlamps are rechargeable, while others take disposable batteries.

Adjustable Beam: Headlamps often have adjustable settings, allowing you to switch between spot and flood beams. This flexibility is essential for different scenarios.
Compact and Lightweight: Portable headlamps are easy to carry and won’t weigh you down during your adventures.

Inexpensive: When it comes to headlamps in Australia, there’s a wide range of options available to suit different needs and budgets, ranging from $20 to more than $500. You can get a good headlamp for around $60 including the Pelican 2760 LED Headlamp for $59.95 from A247.

The Pelican 2760 LED Headlamp is tough, lightweight, super bright and loaded with multiple lighting features that include high, medium, low, flashing, downcast, and night vision red LED modes. With all these options you can light up distant trails or the map in your hands. This headlamp is designed for fast and easy battery changing with a weather-resistant casing (full-time battery level indicator included).

Slightly more expensive is the 2690 Pelican HeadsUp Headlamp from A247 priced at $79.95.

Regardless of the season or environment, the 2690 HeadsUp Lite™ headlamp won't leave you in the dark. With 74 lumens of LED light and 11 hours of battery run time, it's brighter, more efficient, compact and lighter than other headlamps in its class. The rotary bezel switch is easy to operate, even when wearing bulky gloves.

The 2690 is made of impact and chemical resistant ABS and it's water resistant for all-weather use. It comes with an adjustable and comfortable cloth strap, as well as a heavy-duty rubber strap that will not slip off your climbing helmet or hard hat.

The 2690 HeadsUp Lite™ headlamp is engineered for those who take the outdoors seriously. It has safety approvals for use in some of the most volatile environments and is now IECEx underground mining approved.

For more headlamps and other camping gear, head to the A247 website.