I don’t like robbing my Bug Out Bag every time I want to go camping. I like to have a complete Bug Out Kit and seperate camping items. If you’re like me, that means you pretty much have to have 2 of almost everything – 1 for your BOB and 1 for your regular camping gear. Dang – this can get expensive – especially if you are selective about your kit items.
Long story short, when I find a good piece of Bug Out Kit that I think might save people money then I like to post about it. This is one of those posts.
I was picking up some stuff at Wal-Mart the other day and happened by a Flash Light display in the camping section so I stopped to do a quick scan of what they had. To my surprise I saw a little Energizer Head Lamp LED Flashlight called the Trailfinder for only $4.88.
What a deal! A $5.00 LED Head Lamp – too good to be true????
Normally you get what you pay for, but the Trailfinder seems like a great little piece of kit. It states that the 2 included Lithium Coin Cell Batteries keep it going for 10 hours.
The bright white LED is just as bright as my Black Diamond & Petzl Head Lamps – which were both significantly more expensive.
The Trailfinder even has a feature that I like BETTER than my other 2! It has a little foam pad on the back that rests against your forehead. Well thought out feature Energizer.
And, the adjustable elastic strap is just as comfortable. I really don’t see much of a compromise.
I was concerned, though, about the water resistance in wet environments such as rain, snow, etc… I’ve been in torrential downpours with my Petzl and it’s never failed me, so I decided to give the Trailfinder the “Dunk Test”.
I thought for sure I was tossing $5 bucks in the trash but it still worked during and after being submerged in water for 60 seconds. I opened the back cover and there is not an O-Ring and the batteries were wet but it still worked. Impressive.
All in all I don’t see how you could go wrong – especially for $4.88. This would make a great Bug Out Light for family packs as well – where you just don’t want to drop $30+ on a popular camping brand. I will take it out on my next camping trip and update this post with my finds…
Downsides to the Trailfinder Headlamp:
- Coin Cell Batteries are not as readily available as AAA or AA
- 10 Hour battery life isn’t super long compared to some brands that can be 60+ hours
Remember, it’s not IF but WHEN,
Creek
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look for the AA or AAA lamp. I am a devoted fisherman and have had the AAA head lamp for the last 3 years and it has been fantastic!