Comments on: All about the lumens and some real world use https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use Practical advice and musings on the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, ski touring, and camping. Sat, 26 Apr 2025 21:58:52 +0000 hourly 1 By: Paul Mags https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-692406 Thu, 28 Nov 2019 15:50:38 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-692406 In reply to Alice.

Hi Alice,
A lot harder to find for sure. The older “coin battery” ones tend to have low lumens. I did find this one on Amazon that also runs on coin batteries, costs $13,  and has 25 lumens.  )

(Coin batteries: 
 I hope that helps!

]]> By: Alice https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-692381 Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:55:43 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-692381 So, long story short. Where do I find a headlamp with the low lumens for use around the house or in my shop. I have some vision difficulties and used to have some old style which worked well. The ones I seems to find are so bright, they would blind someone across a football field.

]]> By: Paul Mags https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-677597 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 02:00:24 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-677597 In reply to Gene Is Lucky.

More than one way to do something, for sure! As usual, this article is not about specific gear, but “types.” Knowing something puts out 50 lumens does not work for me. Knowing that an older headlamp I use puts out 50 lumens gives me a baseline to work with overall. All makes sense to me, anyway.

]]> By: Gene Is Lucky https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-677589 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 01:10:35 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-677589 Thanks Paul for a practical write up of lighting for the backpacker and camper. Myself, I like a flashlight I can wear on a string around my neck at night. Never a problem finding it in the dark even if I haven’t found my glasses yet.

]]> By: Paul Mags https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-677527 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 17:30:00 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-677527 In reply to Joe S.

No disagreement about the intensity. Luckily my lights have dimmer red settings and I find it works. I personally don’t like white LED at night unless I need more illumination, as I find it too harsh. It is why I use the “frosted” Luci light for camp and winter and the red light when backpacking overall. Definitely a case of YMMV!

]]> By: Joe S https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-677522 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 16:47:36 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-677522 In reply to Paul Mags.

Yes, there is are a number of debates and “science” about this. The explanation behind green makes sense to me. Either way, at the intensity most people use red, it is likely decreasing their night vision much more than a dimmed white or green light.

So I use the smaller NU20 (white only) and the dimmest setting when I need to preserve night vision. I have very little issue adjusting.

]]> By: Paul Mags https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-677507 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 15:54:35 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-677507 In reply to Joe S.

Hmm….seems there is a difference of opinion. https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/2075/does-red-light-preserve-your-night-vision

I just know when I go to observatories at night, there is only red light. (Your article does go more into star charts FWIW. )

Either way, both colors seem to work. And on a practical level, red lights are easily avail vs. green

]]> By: Joe S https://pmags.com/all-about-the-lumens-and-some-real-world-use#comment-677501 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 15:32:37 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=23838#comment-677501 Go “green” to preserve night vision instead of “red”.

http://www.astromax.org/activities/members/kniffen.htm

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