Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Light and strong |
| Disadvantages: |
not cheap |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
One part of either a backpacking or cycling camping trip is that at night it gets dark and if you’re away from city lights it can get incredibly dark. Some say it can be romantic, the dark night with stars shimmering away, the stars that you never really see in built up areas. But it also means you cannot see where you are going. Camp sites can be full of trip hazards (guy lines from tents for example) so a reliable
torch is a must.
So what torch do I use?
My preferred torch for camping is one from the MagLite range of torches the model being the MagLite 2-C Cell Flashlight, I chose this because it is not too big and heavy (that is counter productive when space and weight are at a premium), also for me I want a torch that can give out a good light (this used to be very important when making my way back to the tent after a couple of beers in the nearest pub).
Why this torch?
I have used many different torches over the years for
camping and cycling. I have found them lacking in one way or another, briefly;
Hard Plastic - too brittle, it is easily cracked and normally they tend to have only one static beam.
Rubber - More robust, but the metal parts are prone to corrosion making it difficult to change the batteries, the on off buttons tend to not work very well over the passage of time and it can be very fiddly when it comes to changing the bulb.
Cheap metal torches - On more than one I have found sharp edges, generally these are also prone to corrosion making it hard to change the batteries and the bulb. Also any accidental knocks tends to leave these with dents (most of these interfere with the torch in one way or another).
Backpacking and cycling both require robust
equipment and all equipment (including torches) need to be as light as possible.
What is it like?
The one I presently use is black (although this and other models can be purchased in different colours). The main body of it is made of aluminium that has been anodized so as to reduce corrosion (and yes I have found that to be the case). Where it unscrews they have fitted rubber seals (this is to help it to be water resistant).
The On-Off button is set into the body of the torch.
It takes 2 “C” sized batteries, these fit inside the main body of the torch.
The bulb is called A Krypton White Star Lamp, the torch also comes with a spare bulb that is in the base of the torch.
Dimensions
It is 227mm in length
With batteries it weighs roughly 450gms
Bulbs should last 36hrs in total
How have I found using it?
I have found this to be durable, it has had the odd knock without anything breaking. When walking back to my tent in the dark I found that the light it gave off was more than adequate for me to see any hazards that I might otherwise have missed, by twisting the head the beam of the torch can be adjusted from a spotlight to a beam that sprays the light around. In fact the amount of light it gives of is quite impressive.
I tend to only use a torch to help me find my way in the dark, I do not use it for reading by as then it means I will be either carrying spare batteries or spending money on buying batteries.
This torch will keep me in all the light I need without changing batteries or bulbs for more than a weeks camping.
Any downsides to this torch?
Well the initial cost of the torch is in excess of £20 and the bulbs are not cheap either, but I cannot remember the exact cost.
The battery life with this torch tends to be a little less than with other torches that I have used (but then this torch tends to give off a lot more light)
Overall.
This is the best torch that I have had the pleasure to use, when the overall weight and size are added to the ruggedness and quality that this torch has, for me it stands out as the best that my money can get. Sure it goes through batteries (so do all torches) and yes the bulbs don’t last that long. But neither of these can take away from the overall practicality that this torch gives me, hence it is something that I am more than happy to recommend to potential purchasers.
