I'm going to admit that I'd never really given a headlamp much consideration until I started watching bushcrafter videos and seeing how much easier it is to do things in the dark with both hands free using a headlamp versus trying to hold a flashlight while performing tasked which usually require both hands. They're just were not something I used as a boy when camping, so I was not naturally drawn to them. That's all changed now.
The headlamp I selected was the Silva Ranger headlamp, which was issued to the British Army in Afghanistan. Being selected for such rugged use, I felt fairly safe in selecting this commercially available headlamp for my own purposes. It was designed with durability as it's main feature and even has a red light mode to protect your night vision. It is fully waterproof to IPX7 (submersible to one meter for 30 min) and features the Silva Intelligent Light® technology comprising both a strong light for distance, and the floodlight necessary for close-up vision. This headlamp began production at Silva Shenzhen, China in 2009 and was discontinued in 2015.
Specification for the Silva Ranger Headlamp:
The headlamp I selected was the Silva Ranger headlamp, which was issued to the British Army in Afghanistan. Being selected for such rugged use, I felt fairly safe in selecting this commercially available headlamp for my own purposes. It was designed with durability as it's main feature and even has a red light mode to protect your night vision. It is fully waterproof to IPX7 (submersible to one meter for 30 min) and features the Silva Intelligent Light® technology comprising both a strong light for distance, and the floodlight necessary for close-up vision. This headlamp began production at Silva Shenzhen, China in 2009 and was discontinued in 2015.
Specification for the Silva Ranger Headlamp:
Batteries/type - 1x AA
Beam pattern - Intelligent Light® optimized light distribution
Bulb type - 4x White LED + 1x Red LED
Discharge time (max mode) - 3h
Discharge time (min mode) - 20h
Light distance - 29m
Light modes - Max, Med, Min, Blink, Red, Red Blink
Light output - 30 Lumen
Water resistance - IPX7 Waterproof (submersible to one meter for 30 min)
Weight - 75g
The Silva Ranger Headlamp has now been replaced by the Silva Explore Headlamp which uses the same AA battery and Intelligent Light® optimized light distribution pattern and has the same level of water resistance. The Explore has added a battery status indicator which functions when the headlamp is turned off. They have changed from 4x White LED + 1x Red LED in the Ranger to 1x High power LED in the Explore. The discharge time in the max mode remains the same for both headlamps, but the discharge time in the min mode is only 10 hours in the Explore versus 20 hours in the Ranger. The light distance in the Explore has increased over the Ranger from 29 meters to 40 meters with the light output increasing from 30 lumen to 60 lumen, and the weight of the headlamp has decreased from 75 grams to 47 grams. The light modes have changes from Max, Med, Min, Blink, Red, Red Blink in the Ranger to Max, Min, Blink, Red, Orange in the Explore.
I haven't tested the Silva Explore, but I will have to give Silva top marks for their Ranger headlamp and would highly recommend the brand for anyone looking for a headlamp when rugged reliability is a priority.
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The Silva Ranger Headlamp has now been replaced by the Silva Explore Headlamp which uses the same AA battery and Intelligent Light® optimized light distribution pattern and has the same level of water resistance. The Explore has added a battery status indicator which functions when the headlamp is turned off. They have changed from 4x White LED + 1x Red LED in the Ranger to 1x High power LED in the Explore. The discharge time in the max mode remains the same for both headlamps, but the discharge time in the min mode is only 10 hours in the Explore versus 20 hours in the Ranger. The light distance in the Explore has increased over the Ranger from 29 meters to 40 meters with the light output increasing from 30 lumen to 60 lumen, and the weight of the headlamp has decreased from 75 grams to 47 grams. The light modes have changes from Max, Med, Min, Blink, Red, Red Blink in the Ranger to Max, Min, Blink, Red, Orange in the Explore.
I haven't tested the Silva Explore, but I will have to give Silva top marks for their Ranger headlamp and would highly recommend the brand for anyone looking for a headlamp when rugged reliability is a priority.
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