Posted by Peter Hertting | Posted in News | Posted on 07-01-2023
For the vast majority of scouting activities a small simple headlight is best. In order to reduce the risk of eye irritation or worse eye damage they shouldn’t be too powerful (around 200-300 lumen). Many LED lights now carry a health warning – please don’t be tempted to buy one of these super strong lights! A focusable beam isn’t needed either (they have a tendency of breaking once dirt gets into the mechanics) unless your scout takes part in night navigation on the hills.
A good example of a suitable headlight is the Petzl Tikkina: 300 lumen, light-weight, simple, good quality, water-resistant, priced between €20-30. Note: this is just an example – not an endorsement of a particular product or brand!
Care:
Ensure to check the batteries for signs of leakage after each activity. Remove the batteries should the torch not be used for a couple of days – the chemicals leaking from old batteries will destroy the contacts as well as the plastic enclosure of the torch.