BootsnAll Travel Community

Now that the weather is finally warming up in New England, I hope to do some camping. Has anyone found a good, light-weight, battery powered light,to attach to the inside top of a tent? One that would be bright enough to read by? I have a Coleman Retro lamp that throws a harsh white light but is too heavy to try and hang from the inside of a 4 person tent. I have a book light that clips onto the pages of a book but it can be a hassle.
Any suggestions?

I use a Petzl headlamp for reading inside my tent, but it sounds like you are asking for one of these.

check these out

http://item.express.ebay.com/Sporting-Goods_Cycling_Bic...415QQcmdZExpressItem

and

http://www.noc.com/Store/8493

http://www.rei.com/product/743073?vcat=REI_SEARCH

quote:

Originally posted by static:
I use a Petzl headlamp for reading inside my tent, but it sounds like you are asking for one of these.

Exactly Or something like this
Coleman lamp

Has anyone actually used either? Are they bright enough to read by?

quote:

Originally posted by snoobar:
check these out

http://item.express.ebay.com/Sporting-Goods_Cycling_Bic...415QQcmdZExpressItem

and

http://www.noc.com/Store/8493

http://www.rei.com/product/743073?vcat=REI_SEARCH

Seems to be a neat gadget. Many of the REI reviews say while good as a general night light, not very good output to read by.

quote:

Originally posted by static:
I use a Petzl headlamp for reading inside my tent, but it sounds like you are asking for one of these.

Is this a good Petzl headlamp? LED's the best choice?

Petzl

That one will do nicely.

quote:

Originally posted by BostonBill:
Is this a good Petzl headlamp? LED's the best choice?

Petzl

LED bulbs are the best choice if you want a headlamp. The bulbs never burn out, and the batteries last about 10x longer than traditional bulbs.

However, I'm not a huge fan of that particular headlamp you linked to. I own a similar one (Tikka), and the switch is very troublesome. Instead, I upgraded to the Petzl Tikka XP Tikka Plus. It has a much better quality switch, and also has both "high" and "low" beams.

I've got one of these and for occasional use I think it's superb.

I went with a headlamp. Good for hands free setting up of tent and after dark cooking. Took the middle of the road Petzl Tactikka Headlamp, rather than the higher price Tikka XP. Though I may still get the Coleman Lamp. Hopefully it will be a long camping system and everything will get a lot of use.

Thanks for all the suggestions. sometimes I think I like buying new camping stuff more than I like actually using them.

quote:

Originally posted by RalphTheWonderLlama:
I've got one of these and for occasional use I think it's superb.

These are excellent for occasional use and emergencies. Perfect for the glove box. Downside: replacing the batteries is an expensive Pain in the ...

quote:

Originally posted by Skimaxpower:

quote:

Originally posted by RalphTheWonderLlama:
I've got one of these and for occasional use I think it's superb.

These are excellent for occasional use and emergencies. Perfect for the glove box. Downside: replacing the batteries is an expensive Pain in the ...

Thought of that before I bought one - box of ten batteries (it uses two at a time) gives approximately 225 hours' use for the miserly sum of £7.88, from the lovely Battery Force. Noice

I also find a headlamp the most convenient thing. When I'm done reading I wear it like a necklace to bed, that way if I need to get up in the middle of the night I always know where my flashlight is

I had and have a great petzl headlamp with a cord. Its the higher end model. Well, a puppy got hold of it, and the retractable cord isn't in great shape, but it still works like a champ.

Read with it, put it on the ground and use it as a general lamp, hang in and make a bulb out of it, or put it on your head and set up camp with it. Its all good, and it goes around your baseball cap too!!! No clumsy feeling straps all over the place. Just a little cord and a back piece. Its much easier to wear long term.

quote:

Originally posted by Tortuga_traveller:
I had and have a great petzl headlamp with a cord.

This is the Petzl Zipka. It is very lightweight and compact.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend it because:
1) narrow cord is breakable
2) spring-loaded wheel catches and snags on long hair
3) narrow cord is uncomfy for those who are bald / have short hair

BUT, if it works for you, awesome.