How many lumens do I need for camping?

Camp tasks (cooking, reading, tent setup): 30-100 lumens is sufficient. Trail walking: 100-200 lumens. Trail running: 200-400 lumens. Route-finding and navigation: 300-600+ lumens. Most campers spend 90% of their time at 50-100 lumens. Having 300+ lumens available for occasional use is helpful but not a daily need.

Why does my headlamp get dimmer over time?

All headlamps reduce output as battery voltage drops — this is called regulated (constant brightness until battery dies) or unregulated (gradually dims) output. Some headlamps maintain full brightness until the battery is nearly dead (regulated), while others dim gradually (unregulated). Check your headlamp's output profile in reviews — regulated output is preferable.

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