Headlamps

Lighting up for night sailing

Do you enjoy going out at night? There's something to be said for night-time fishing or outdoor activities if you're feeling adventurous.

If the moon and stars are with you during your navigation, don't count on them to light your way.

A quality headlamp, head torch or flashlight will ensure your visibility.

The elastic headband on headlamps means your hands are free.

A flashlight isn't the most suitable accessory, because when fishing or maneuvering at night, you may need to use both hands.

Here's why a waterproof headlamp might be a good idea.

Technical features when choosing a headlamp

• Ergonomics is a key consideration when choosing your headlamp.

Choose a headlamp that's practical, easy to use and adapted to your body shape. This mode of lighting must be lightweight and easy to attach to your head. Models with adjustable headbands are perfect for adapting to the wearer's head size, so the whole family can benefit from the headlamp. Choose a model with a flexible headband, as it will be more comfortable to wear.

• The power of the headlamp is another criterion not to be overlooked.

Lamps with 4 adjustable LEDs offer wide visibility and let you see over long distances, which is particularly pleasant and reassuring. The brightness of a lamp is expressed in lumen, which corresponds to the total quantity of light visible in a beam of light. You'll find models with different wattages: 100 lumens, 1000 lumens, 5000 lumens... It's often advisable to opt for wattages above 1000 lumens, as they offer great visibility. However, if you don't want to spook the fish, you can opt for a less powerful light source, or watches with a red light that preserves your night vision without dazzling too much.

• Autonomy is an important feature.

Choose a model that allows you to go out at sea without worrying about running out of light. If your lamp is rechargeable, you should be able to adjust the intensity of the light. LEDs often offer interesting options, being more energy-efficient for equal brightness.

• Charging mode may vary from one model to another.

Some headlamps are battery-powered, while others have a rechargeable battery that can be recharged via a USB cable or wall charger.

A rechargeable headlamp is therefore a good idea if you can't be bothered changing batteries.

There's also the Core rechargeable battery, which fits several Petzl models and recharges via Micro USB, making it useful as an emergency battery.

• Waterproofing is not to be taken lightly.

A good headlamp shouldn't let you down in bad weather, and should be waterproof and rainproof. Some models can suffer from salt water, so rinse them regularly with fresh water to keep them going longer.

To discover the best headlamp models for your sea outings, take a look at our selection and our stock of headlamps on Comptoir nautique!