If it is your first buy, choose definitely a led type headlamp, this is the last technology. A light item with leds.

The white LED Headlamps

ppeared in the 90', the lamps based on white leds (headlamps or others) are the more economic and the more efficient. This technology was first used by the cavers (you anderstand easely why they need a safe and good quality light source). Because these developpements are however recents, the prices of good quality items are always high for the poor Anglers we are. But the technology is running fast and the mass production together, so be aware you will see in the next months an attractive price of a model that will be sold in a supermarket.
You should know the lighting duration can exceed 70 hours with 3 AAA type batteries ! add to that a stable light flux.

But, let us not dream of universal panacea (not yet), if this type of lamps has evil to make its place on the fishermen heads, it is still because of the price. Other disadvantages are at the "rendez-vous": the cold bluish color (kind of moon light) rather unpleasant to the eye as well as the weak range (maximum 15m) make only slow down the dash which should be caused by a longer duration of illumination.

The relatively high prices will only be justified before the date the supermarkets start selling this technology.

While waiting for a "day light color" diode, the temperature of bluish color can change if one mixed "white" leds and few "orange" ones (some one already tried).

The range seems to be one of the factors most difficult to improve, indeed: considering the principle of a diode, it appears difficult to focus this flow which "comes out" by the end of the diode (on the contrary of the incandescence bulbs, there are few losses by the sides).

This said, we fishermen are not dedicated to illuminate the shores and to compete with the moonlight. For my part, I consider that since I can check the reflective end of my rod tips: it is sufficient; in other words : a dozen meters is appropriate to me.

These new diodes are sold for a lifespan higher than 5 years if burned continuously, it is thus probable that neither you nor me see the end of it. Of course, not question of changing a diode which dies on the spot, but one can reasonably think that the probability of a breakdown is decreased considerably by this lifespan.

As for the incandescent type lamps, not to sacrifice to comfort: reject all types whose lens is not directional (at least vertically). Same punishment for the models which block of batteries is set on the front (manufacturers do that to save a wire!). Prefer the models which use R6 (AA) batteries, they are more current than R3 (AAA) ones, especially the rechargeable type which is more economic.

Waiting for a price drop is not the only solution : you can start to build your own at low cost as Malcom did. (See Malcom's page).

A good fellow in the dark.












The need of a Headlamp.












Go and see how Malcolm made his own ledheadlamp.