A Guide to Choosing Torches and Lanterns

It doesn’t matter what your outdoor activity may be, whether you’re camping or taking the dog for a walk, hillwalking or climbing, you’ll need a reliable light source once the sun goes down. Torches and lanterns come in a variety of styles, and this guide will help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Hand Held Torches

A torch is the first choice for lighting up with great focus in a specific direction. It can be powerful, pocket-sized, and efficient thanks to technological advancements such as power LEDs and xenon bulbs.

Moreover, it’s available in a variety of sizes, ranging from tiny key-ring and pocket torches to large spotlight models. So, when purchasing online torch from a specialised retailer with plenty of choices of brands and designs, consider what you require the most to make the decision process easier. Take into account factors such as size, weight, battery consumption, and brightness.

A larger, brighter flash light will consume more battery power than its smaller counterparts, as is common with most things. Remember that, while LED bulbs are efficient, a more powerful torch will consume more power. Check the torch’s focus function if very accurate illumination is required, as some torches can focus their light to a very narrow point, expanding the projection range.

Many torches intended for outdoor use are weatherproof, usually with a series of rubber seals. These are suitable for use in the snow or rain, but should not be confused with underwater torches which is easily checked by the waterproof rating. So make sure to look into the various features when ordering your online torch!

Head Torches

Head flashlights are particularly popular among hikers, anglers, and climbers because they free up your hands while providing pinpoint illumination. As with other torches, they come in a variety of sizes and light outputs to meet a wide range of requirements.

A head torch is typically made up of a head strap system that can be adjusted to fit everyone (or worn over a helmet/hat) and the torch unit itself, which can often be adjusted for focus and direction. Among the many choices for getting an online torch here are also head flashlights with different bulb settings, allowing for different levels of light.

It’s common to find varying numbers of bulbs/LEDs that can be turned on or off, as well as different coloured bulbs. Red light, for example, will not impair your night vision in the same way that white light would. Because these lights point where the wearer’s head turns, they can be disorienting at first, so always try on and practise with your torch first.

Wind-up Torches

Wind-up torches don’t need batteries and instead rely on a hand crank to charge the built-in battery and produce energy. The benefit of using this type of torch or lantern is that you will always provide yourself with light even if no power sources are available.

You don’t have to depend on the batteries’ capacity or remember to bring spares. It is important to remember that the power must be generated with some effort. Some wind-up torches require a significant amount of winding while still producing only a fraction of the output of a fully electric torch. A wind-up torch is also not recommended if you are camping out or hiking in a more dangerous place.

For example, if you’re hiking somewhere dangerous, you won’t be able to restore light quickly. There are also hybrid designs that use batteries or mains power with the wind-up feature as a backup. You’ll get the best of both worlds with these.

Lanterns for Camping

Torches are great when you need to direct your light, but a lantern is better suited when you need to illuminate a larger area. Lanterns emit a 360-degree beam of light that is less focused and warmer than a torch.

A lantern’s projection window can be made of glass or plastic; if your lantern is going to be rough-handled, a plastic one will be more durable. Camping lanterns can be powered by batteries or by gas/liquid fuel. Battery-powered lanterns are better for a safe camping trip in a tent than fuel-powered lanterns due to the limited space and the danger of nearby flammable particles.

If you do decide to use a fuel-powered lantern, exercise caution. When camping with a fuel stove and a fuel lantern, it’s a good idea to use the same fuel for both; if one runs out, fuel from the other can be used. However, always ensure that you are using the appropriate fuel for your equipment.

Lanterns are increasingly being outfitted with extra features such as different brightness setups, timers, and even a remote control. Most lanterns will also have some kind of hanging functionality, allowing them to be easily hung, say, inside a tent or positioned on a flat surface while cooking.