Hey there hunters and welcome to my post where we will check out my three best hunting headlamps to light up your prey with this year. When you are out in the wilderness – especially at night – there are quite a number of things to keep your hands busy such as holding and loading a weapon, scoping the environment and moving around.
At times like these, you may need some light and holding a flashlight is something that just takes up a spare hand. Hence this is where a good headlamp comes in allowing you to light up your local area all the while keeping you hands free for the hunt. So for those of you looking for a good headlamp set for your hunting needs, I have had a good look around and come up with three decent options below.
Let’s check them out…
My three recommended hunting headlamps
I will review these in more detail below however if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What are hunting headlamps?
Headlamps, as the name implies, are lights worn on the user’s head and as they are hands-free, these gadgets are perfect for a wide range of outdoor activities, including hunting. Put simply, they keep your hands free from anything hunting throws at you whilst still being able to shed some light on the subject.
And depending on your needs, there are a variety of different headlamps on the market with extra options such as different light colors, display strengths and safety strobes as well.
What should you be looking for?
The following factors should be considered as you look for a good headlamp for your hunting needs.
- Light color
- Brightness
- Battery type and life
- Headbands
- Waterproofing
- Additions
Light color
Animals do not always see light and colors the same as we do so the light on your headlamp may make all the difference in finding, stalking, and ambushing your prey. For this reason, you may need to carefully select the sorts of lights that may be found on a headlamp as follows:
- White: White light aids our vision significantly, but most wildlife can see it, which explains why they run away from an incoming 4WD. White light is fantastic for traveling around the camp (and almost every other nighttime activity), so it’s generally something you want on your headlamp. However, it could be a disadvantage for hunting.
- Red: Red is a good hue for a hunter as many different animals cannot see red, including deer as well as raccoons, coyotes and other predators as well. This makes it particularly effective when a game is nearby—you’ll be less likely to alert the game to your presence. Additionally, the red light is advantageous if you’re walking through your hunting area or around your hunting shelter in the dark because of its limited proximity as well.
- Purple: After your bullet or arrow has pierced your target, you will need the purple light (often referred to as ‘blue light”) to identify blood trails. Also known as ultraviolet light, the purple light makes blood trails visible in the dark; however, it’s not generally featured on a headlamp. Therefore you’ll need to get a specialist headlamp or flashlight with purple light.
Brightness
Measured by lumens, this factor is a critical consideration when purchasing a headlamp. Lumens are essentially a measurement of how much light a headlamp can emit where a greater lumen count will illuminate further and more brightly. Many headlamps have a single lumen setting (for example, a headlight that has 200 lumens and that’s it), but others have lumen levels, and you can go from a “high” setting with 100/200/500/1000+ lumens to a “low” setting with ten or fewer lumens.
A hunting headlamp may have 35 to 60 lumens, which is generally adequate to see your way around camp or into the woods. But technology allows the production of headlamps with lumens ranging from 100 to 2,000 lumens.
Battery type and life
Another critical factor to consider is battery capacity. Some batteries only last a few hours, while others might last 100 hours or more and if you’re planning an extended outdoor adventure, headlamps that last for hours are well worth the effort. In terms of battery type, many headlamps come with rechargeable batteries, which is fantastic if you’re going on a single-day hunting expedition when you can return to your vehicle and recharge your batteries.
If you plan on going on multi-day journeys into the bush, recharging may not be an option, so seek a headlamp that can last a long period on a single charge. Remember that many models have varying luminance settings, so if you’ll be going on multi-day treks, it’s a good idea to know your gear and how long your light will last when you’re out hunting. Plan ahead of time and pack additional batteries, just in case.
Headbands
Most headlights feature a single cloth strap that wraps over your head whilst others feature a single cotton strap that’s reinforced with plastic for stability. Other variants feature a strap that wraps around the head and another that goes over the top. However, as with many other things, selecting a headlamp head strap is a question of personal choice so it may pay to do some research.
Waterproofing
Many hunting excursions will expose our hunting gear to the elements, so buying those with waterproofing capability is another recommended option. And as with anything else waterproof, always check the IP rating. Higher numbers indicate it is more resistant to dust and water and most decent options are around IP67 (totally dust-proof and waterproof up to one meter for 30 minutes) and even IP68.
Additions
Other potential additions include:
- On and off switch: This addition allows you to use the headlamp according to the situation.
- Zoomable function: This capability enables you to perform close-up detail work or long-distance lighting as desired.
- Detachable parts – Some manufacturers made the headlamp detachable from the straps so that you can easily wash the latter if it has accumulated dirt and dust.
- Sweatproof – A sweat proof feature allows the strap to be protected from sagging as you continue to sweat during your hunting trip.
- Non strap options – headlamps are also available that can be clipped onto a hat or form part of a beanie.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. LBJD XHP90 LED Hunting Headlamp
This first option provides for a low-cost light that can reach out and illuminate distant objects with features making it perfect for hunting. See its specifications below:
- Brand: LBJD
- Brightness: 5,000 lumens
- Colors: White and red
- Waterproofing: IPX-4 rating
- Weight: 1.48 pounds
- Dimensions: 4.65 x 4.41 x 3.98 inches
Other inclusions:
- Four hours of battery runtime
- Zoomable lighting
- USB port
- Headband clips
Why have I chosen it?
The headlamp provides an extensive 5000 lumens making it capable of illuminating large areas. In addition, it also offers 10 LEDs of red O-ring light that can help you conceal your movement. Made to last, this headlamp is also made from sturdy black hall aluminum material which is excellent in dissipating heat and the holder may be moved up and down within a 90-degree range. All in all this is a great light for a budget price.
2. DanForce Camouflaged Headlamp
This next hunting headlamp is made for the tough environment of hunting with many add-ons that enhance the headlight’s peak performance. See its specifications below:
- Brand: DanForce
- Brightness: 1,080 lumens
- Colors: White and red
- Waterproofing: IPX45 rating
- Weight: 0.66 pounds
- Dimensions: 10.24 x 7.2 x 2.76 inches
Other inclusions:
- Tiltable headlamp
- Zoomable focus
- Four light modes
- 2 Rechargeable Batteries with USB Cable
Why have I chosen it?
The first thing to love about this hunting headlamp is its durability as it has been meticulously constructed to resist any job or weather conditions. Furthermore, the airtight rubber sealing shields the LED headlight rechargeable battery from dust, ice and water ensuring maximum reliability.
Equipped with four lighting modes, it performs well in terms of comfort and the sweat-resistant headband provides essential temperature management.
3. Princeton Tec Remix LED Headlamp
My final product recommendation boasts quality construction with some great features including multiple light modes in a small and portable case. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Princeton Tec
- Brightness: 300 lumens
- Colors: White, red, green and blue
- Waterproofing: IPX4 rating
- Weight: 0.18 pounds
- Dimensions: 8 x 4.25 x 2.5 inches
Other inclusions it has:
- Green and blue LEDs
- 150 burn time
- It comes with 3 AAA batteries
Why have I chosen this?
The water resistance grade of the item is IPX4, which means it has been tested to withstand 5 minutes of splashing water from any direction. The unit’s business end has four LEDs, three red and one white with a big, rectangular button with three ridges, making it easy to find even when wearing gloves and without having to rummage around to turn it on.
The unit is not locked into place, allowing you to steer it through various click-stop positions and illuminate your area without having to aim your head right where the light is needed. It is also lightweight and easy to use for lengthy periods too.
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$67.66
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Conclusion
There you have it, my three best and brightest hunting headlamps for safe and effective night hunting. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul
