REMEMBER THAT OLD George Carlin line, "Tonight's forecast: dark, continued mostly dark, turning to widely scattered light in the morning"? It's no joke if you're priming your WhisperLite on a hanging bivy at 10 p.m., setting a new compass heading on a moonless night at sea, or simply fumbling around in the dark. Moreover, anyone who's ever had to rig a
portaledge with a flashlight between his teeth knows that a beam alone isn't enough: It's also important to have the right light for the job. With that in mind, we've reviewed a range of backcountry beacons from headlamps to candle lanterns and matched each to the activity it illuminates best. Selecting and testing the finest of the lot was our job.
Remembering the batteries—or turning the hand crank—is yours.
MOUNTAINEERING
PETZL DUOBELT
When a single misstep on a dimly lit ridge can pitch you into the abyss, put your trust in the Petzl DuoBelt (7.3 oz.; $63; 877-807-3805; www.petzl.com). Flick the switch on the side of the headlamp and a halogen bulb trains an intense, highly focused beam on your route. After you've returned
safely to camp, flick the switch in the other direction to revert to the standard, energy-saving incandescent bulb. Petzl has wisely moved the DuoBelt's battery pack—which holds four C-cells—into a separate pouch that can be tucked inside the warmth of your jacket pocket. Yep, it's yet another gadget to keep track of, but the pouch also removes
weight and bulk from your noggin, and it prevents your batteries from seizing up in the frigid temperatures of high altitude.
THROUGH-HIKING
PRINCETON TEC MATRIX
So you're about to spend three months on the Pacific Crest Trail and you realize that, having already cut the handle from your toothbrush and limited yourself to a single pair of underwear, a hefty headlamp and extra batteries are just too much. Princeton Tec's Matrix (four oz.; $50; 609-298-9331; www.princetontec.com) is the answer. Its three LEDs, which are diodes, not filaments—meaning they aren't as likely to break and last far longer than standard bulbs—yield an incredible 40 hours of light on two AA batteries. And the whole affair, batteries included, weighs all of five ounces. While the design is brilliant, the
beam isn't—it's good for evening chores like route planning, dish washing, and emergency tent repair, but it won't enable you to, say, sew neat stitches in your companion's branch-torn cheek. He'll just have to wait until morning.
SAILING
NIGHTSTAR
It's true that the NightStar from Applied Innovative Technologies (14 oz.; $69; 888-828-1405; www.nightstar1.com) won't prevent monster waves from washing over your cockpit, but when they do, this waterproof, battery-free flashlight will light your way to the loose mainsheet. The
NightStar runs on electricity produced when you shake it back and forth, forcing a magnet to pass through a coil of wire; 90 shakes gives you five minutes of steady beam visible more than a mile away (and, hey, the exertion keeps you warm in the freezing spray). The chemical-resistant plastic casing is unaffected by salt water, and the LED should give you
100,000 hours of use. Attach a small flotation lanyard ($7; not included) to make the NightStar unsinkable—although if it goes overboard in the dark, be sure to grab it back before the beam dies.
BACKPACKING
GIGAPOWER
Most backpackers view lanterns as luxuries that their tired backs and weary legs simply can't afford. The GL-100A GigaPower Lantern from Snow Peak ($87; 503-697-3330; www.snowpeak.net) is an exception; it weighs only 4.5 ounces and fits snugly into a plastic case the size of a lightbulb.
The unit runs on an isobutane-propane fuel canister (the same as many small backpacking stoves, including Snow Peak's) and is conveniently ignited by pressing a button that emits an electrical spark, eliminating the chance of eyebrow-singing flareups as you fumble with a match. Added bonus: The warm glow emanating from the 80-watt mantle offers a miniature
substitute for a crackling campfire.
BACKCOUNTRY LIVING
FREEPLAY
If you maintain a ski cabin or fishing camp, you're already too familiar with the tendency of batteries to expire just when you arrive for the weekend. Brighten your digs with the Freeplay Energy USA Self-Powered Lantern (four lbs.; $70; 800-946-3234; www.freeplay.net). Winding the crank
arm charges the batteries, which can produce a solid beam of bright light for up to two hours, or be stored indefinitely without losing power. The lantern also features a power-out jack that enables it to function as a small generator. You won't be able to run the refrigerator, jump-start the truck, or power up the satellite dish, but it is sufficient to
run survival appliances that use two AA batteries, like your Walkman or portable CD player. —PAUL BOGARD
