Tips for Choosing a Pocket or Headlamp – See and Be Seen in the Dark
Darkness outside doesn’t have to be a reason to skip outdoor activities. At Happy Angler, we want to help you choose the perfect pocket or headlamp to suit your needs, whether you're an avid fisherman, boater, or dog walker. Whether you're looking for a powerful, rechargeable, water- or shock-resistant headlamp, a camping lantern, or a flashlight, you’ll find them in our online store.
Our selection also includes the Tekniikan Maailma “Best High-Performance Flashlight of 2023,” as well as NEBO Slyde King 2K flashlight, the winner of the Vene and Kippari magazine (12/22) tests. Additionally, we have the NEBO Luxtreme SL searchlight, whose bigger version was rated the test winner with five stars by Vene magazine (11/23).
What Makes a Flashlight Powerful?
A powerful headlamp or flashlight provides a beam strong enough for you to walk safely through a dark forest or see navigation markers while boating at night. The brightness, or lumen count, indicates the total amount of light emitted by the lamp.
For dog walks in the woods, a light under 1000 lumens is often sufficient. However, for those who frequently move in the dark and need to see farther, a light with over 1000 lumens may be necessary. It’s important to note that two lamps with the same lumen rating can produce different lighting effects depending on how the light is distributed.
In fishing and boating, bright light and high power are often needed to see clearly in darkness or low light. Boaters typically prefer a searchlight with a long, narrow beam to easily spot navigation markers in the dark.
Anglers trolling for zander often need a searchlight to observe planers or planer releases at night, and light is also required during fish landing. A headlamp is an essential tool for night fishing, whether you're trolling for zander or using a small lure to catch fish among shoreline rocks. A fisherman’s headlamp should be easy to use and at least splash-resistant.
"When 'lirking' (fishing with small lures), the lamp should provide enough brightness, and it should have adjustable light settings. Some fish species that are active at night dislike bright light, and by adjusting the intensity, the fish won’t be scared off. With a powerful light, you'll spot small flatfish and mud or sand gobies on sandy beaches," says Juha Salonen, record-holder for species fishing in Finland.
Other features to consider when choosing a searchlight, flashlight, or headlamp are its size, attachment options, and light settings. Many headlamps and flashlights allow you to adjust brightness, and some even let you zoom in or out on the beam. Additionally, some headlamps come with a red light, which helps preserve night vision better than bright light.
Do you need a strobe function, or should the lamp easily attach while you work? Some lamps have a magnetic base, allowing them to stick to metal surfaces without extra tools.
Use Your Pocket or Headlamp in Any Weather
Most lamps have an IP rating (International Protection), which tells users how well the product is protected against water and dirt.
How to Read an IP Rating:
An IP rating consists of two numbers and optional letters. The first number represents protection against solid objects and dust, while the second indicates protection against water and moisture. The higher the number, the better the protection.
Here’s a summary of what the IP rating numbers mean:
First number (dust protection):
- 0: No protection.
- 1-4: Protection against objects of various sizes (50 mm, 12.5 mm, 2.5 mm, 1 mm).
- 5: Dust-protected, but not fully sealed.
- 6: Fully protected, dust-tight.
Second number (water protection):
- 0: No protection.
- 1-3: Protection against water coming from different angles (vertical, 15°, 60°).
- 4: Splash-proof.
- 5: Withstands water jets.
- 6: Withstands high-pressure water jets.
- 7: Withstands temporary immersion.
- 8: Withstands permanent immersion.
- X: Protection level not defined.
Common IP Ratings for Lights:
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IPX7 waterproof lamp: An IPX7 rating means that the device can withstand temporary immersion in water. Specifically, IPX7-rated devices can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes without water entering and causing damage.
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IP67-66 dust- and waterproof lamp: IP67-rated products are waterproof and offer better protection than IP65 and IP66-rated products, which are only water-resistant. IP67 provides strong protection against both solid objects and water. IP67 withstands temporary immersion, while IP66 only withstands powerful water jets from all directions.
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IPX4 water-resistant lamp: IPX4-rated pocket and headlamps can withstand water splashes from any direction but are not completely waterproof. This rating is sufficient for use in rain or damp conditions but does not protect against submersion.
At Happy Angler, you’ll find water- and shock-resistant, rechargeable lights in our pocket and headlamp selection, delivered conveniently to your door.
