Finding The Perfect Flashlight
One piece of gear that you will want to include on any trip is a good flashlight. These come in handy in so many ways and there is a wide universe of sizes and styles to choose from. In recent years a lot of new technologies have been released that make them brighter, lighter, and last longer than flashlights sold a few years ago. There are flashlights to light your path, laser in on a target, signal for help, or lower light levels and beam colors to read a map without disturbing nearby game. The mounting on these flashlights can vary as well with some of them using a magnet to adhere to your gear, or a clip to attach to a pack or belt for easy access. There are also models of these that clip to a hat, or can be work on a band around your head to keep your hands free.
The first kind of flashlight is the type we are all familiar with. It uses a standard bulb and is normally loaded with A, C, or D cell batteries and provides a lot of light for navigation, lighting up a path or campsite. Some of these flashlights even have an internal generator that you can crank for storing up enough power ti run them for while. These flashlights have been improved to make their cases harder to avoid damage and some even include a variable focus on the beam by rotating the lens to give you pinpoint accuracy for your target. If you are going to be using these on a boat, several models float as well and can save you if they are dropped overboard. These come in various sizes and some are even small enough to clip to your vest or belt.
Another more powerful variety of this type of flashlight uses a Xenon bulb. These bulbs are much more powerful than a standard bulb and provide a very intense light that can be used to illuminate a larger area. Most of these flashlights are portable and run on batteries, but some of the more powerful ones can be plugged into a 12V outlet in the boat or truck.
On the lower end of the brightness scale are LED flashlights. These are a recent addition and provide a really long life for the batteries due to their efficient power requirements. These are great for lighting up a specific work area, reading a map or book, and giving you a focused bit of light without disturbing nearby game. These can easily fit into a pocket and some also come with a clip for ease of attachment.
The last type of light is a laser. These are used for spotting and targeting game primarily and can be quickly attached to a rifle, handgun, or bow. They offer a very narrow beam of light to give you a very good sighting accuracy for your weapon and help you align your shot. These come in various colors and power levels depending on the need. They are also available in various mounting styles as well as portable versions.
