The Best Flashlights for Pilots (and Headlamps)

When you’re a pilot, it’s very likely you will eventually be flying at night, and when this happens you’ll need a good flashlight. Today’s flashlights are not like they were a few decades ago, because they are now more efficient and advanced than ever before. However, shopping for the right one requires a little due diligence on your part, as not all flashlights are suitable for pilots.

Pilot Flashlights Reviews

Every pilot has his own preferences. In terms of flashlights, there are two basic types. You could opt for either a regular flashlight, or a headlamp. Both have their pros and cons, and what’s best for you comes down to personal preference.

Let’s look at some regular flashlights for pilots first. All these lights are either red light or are able to switch to red light. Infrared light prevents your eyes from losing their light sensitivity when turned on.

Best Handheld Flashlights for Pilots

1. LUMENSHOOTER 4-in-1 Multicolor Tactical Flashlight

With a 4-in-1 color LED light, this flashlight is perfect not only for pilots, but also for hunters, hikers, and fishermen. It runs on standard AAA batteries and has four different color modes: white, blue, green, and red. It is user-friendly and very easy to adjust from one color to the next, and it even has energy-saving capabilities that can make your batteries last a lot longer. It is made out of a sturdy aluminum alloy and has an anti-slip handle so you can hold onto it without dropping it.

With the LUMENSHOOTER tactical flashlight, you’ll get a pilot flashlight that is efficient and reasonably priced, so people with all types of budgets can afford it. The four colors are not only easy on your eyes, but they are attractive as well, making it a lot of fun to use the flashlight time after time. This is a high-quality flashlight that you’ll use for a very long time, making this a purchase you won’t regret.

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2. Coast PX20 Dual Color 315 Lumen LED Flashlight

The Coast LED flashlight is a great everyday flashlight because it serves a variety of purposes. It comes with both white and red lights, and it is both weather-resistant and impact-resistant, making it an item you’ll have for a very long time. It is also simple to use thanks to the separate switches for each color, so it is perfect if you need a little bit of light or a lot of light.

The rubberized O-ring allows for great water resistance, and it is lightweight yet very efficient. It weighs a mere three ounces and is a small flashlight, yet it is a lot more powerful and effective than you might think. The three AAA batteries you need to operate it are included in the package, and it comes with a lifetime warranty for your convenience.

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3. Paragala Outdoor Handheld Tactical Flashlight – Waterproof

The Paragala tactical flashlight is perfect for boating, fishing, and hunting, not to mention piloting a plane. It comes with red, white, and green lights that are easy to operate, and it is built with high-quality, military-grade aluminum alloy for extra longevity. It is not only durable, but corrosion- and scratch-resistant as well. This is one flashlight you’ll be able to use for a variety of purposes.

In addition, you can drop this flashlight in water and even carry it around in the rain, because it is waterproof and built to take the wetness. It is powered by AAA batteries, which aren’t included, and it is both lightweight and very simple to use. It also comes with a very solid case and is, therefore, very reliable, and it is reasonably priced as well, making it a great value for the money.

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4. LINGSFIRE Zoomable Scalable LED Flashlight

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A reliable and sturdy flashlight, the LINGSFIRE flashlight comes in red, green, or a combination of red/green/white lights, and it is a very reasonably priced device. You can use it when flying a plane and for numerous other reasons, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, or even when you have an auto emergency. It is made out of aluminum alloy and weighs a mere five ounces, making it a convenient and easy-to-use product you’ll want to keep with you at all times.

You can easily turn the flashlight on and off because the buttons are easy to operate, even in the dark. In fact, if you’re looking for the perfect flashlight to keep in your car, look no further because this is it. The lights are bright without being too bright, and the zoom lens provides an extra advantage that automatically makes the flashlight that much more valuable.

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5. Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED 19 Lumen Flashlight with Dual Beam Function

Made by the Smith & Wesson Company, this flashlight is guaranteed to last a very long time and still work efficiently. It is designed for fishing, hunting, camping, and many other activities, and it runs on AAA batteries. This means you’ll always be able to find the right batteries to keep the flashlight running, making it the perfect item to take with you when you’ll be away for days or weeks at a time.

Another asset of this flashlight is its brightness level, which is bright without being too bright. It will never hurt your eyes, but will always be bright enough to see what you need to see. Whether you need a good pilot flashlight or something to take with you as you backpack across the country, you won’t have to look any further than this product.

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Best Headlamps For Pilots

6. Flight Outfitters Headlamp

This flashlight is worn on your head and allows for easy, hands-free activity. It uses AAA batteries and is both easy to use and lightweight. It allows you to switch easily between the white light and the red light, and there is even a high and low setting for both colors to make it easier for you to save the battery power. At less than one pound, it is also very comfortable to wear and to use.

The Flight Outfielders headlamp is 4” high and 7” wide and has a pivoting attachment point. It is made with manmade materials and is easy on your eyes. You can also easily adjust the angle and it stays in place after the adjustment, making it easy to wear the device for a very long time. The high and low settings are extremely convenient, and it is a well-made, sturdy light that you can use for many years to come.

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7. MaceHawk Tactical LED Headlamp with Red Lights (Headlamp – #B00PXICN0E)

This is an LED headlamp that runs on regular AAA batteries, and it is perfect not only for a variety of sporting activities, but also for kids to use to have fun. Lightweight and small, but very powerful, the headlamp is also perfect for pilots who need to see clearly during nighttime flights, and it is both compact and adjustable for perfect comfort.

Whether you use this headlamp regularly or just want to keep it in an emergency kit of some type, the headlamp will never let you down, and it is both simple and fast to use. You can even use the swivel feature to point the light at the exact item you’re looking at, and it is also a lot less expensive than you might think. It has a very bright light that you’ll appreciate, and the different settings of high and low guarantee that the battery power will be saved each time you use it.

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8. nyteBright LED Headlamp Flashlight with Red Light

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This headlamp flashlight offers six different modes to meet all of your lighting needs, including several white light modes and a red light mode. The two easy-to-press buttons make it super simple to operate, and it is made sturdily, but with a very compact design for your convenience. It is also waterproof and reliable, and it can be used for fishing, hunting, camping, and numerous other activities.

The AAA batteries you need are included in the package, and the company that makes it even offers a lifetime warranty. The six available modes mean you’ll be able to save battery power, and at under two ounces in weight, this is one flashlight you’ll be able to bring with you almost anywhere. The band that fits over your head is flexible and adjustable, guaranteeing you will be comfortable regardless of how long you end up wearing it. It is also one of the least expensive headlamp flashlights on the market.

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9. AuKvi Red Light Headlamp

Available in either red or green lights, this headlamp is a great pilot flashlight that has adjustable focus, which means you can enjoy wide-range illumination and distant observation and making it perfect for hunting, camping, and hiking as well. Its many safety features include a warning taillight, and it is waterproof and lightweight, which means you can bring it with you anywhere.

This headlamp is both waterproof and extremely durable, meaning you can enjoy it for many years to come. You can adjust the headband to suit your comfort level, and it operates on AAA batteries, which are easy to find and inexpensive. It is made out of heavy-duty aluminum for extra longevity, and you can use it both indoors and outdoors with no complications. Overall, this is a high-quality, very efficient flashlight that you’ll be able to use on many occasions year after year.

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Pilot Flashlight Buying Guide

Buying a flashlight specifically for use in the cockpit at night requires a few special pointers to take into consideration.

What Is Required of a Good Pilot Flashlight?

Just like flashlights for other uses, a good pilot flashlight needs to be simple to operate. After all, pilots have a lot of responsibilities both before and during the flight, and the last thing you want is to have a flashlight that is complicated to use.

Turning it on and off quickly and easily is crucial, and even though you don’t want a flashlight that is too bright and will hurt your eyes, it is important to get one that allows you to see what you need to see every time you need it.

Things to Look for in a Pilot Flashlight

When researching flashlights for pilot use, one of the first things you’ll want to do is make sure the one you choose has several color options, particularly red and blue because both of these colors can make it easier to read and even preserve your night vision. You should also have individual switches for each color so that you can turn them on and off with ease.

In addition, you’ll want to make sure the flashlight you choose uses standard batteries that are easy to find – no CR123 batteries for you! Standard, easy-to-find batteries make it much easier to keep enough batteries on hand at all times, and you’ll thank yourself later for this decision. You should also use flashlights with LED bulbs whenever you can, because these bulbs use less power and last much longer than regular light bulbs.

Finally, you want a high-quality flashlight, so never go to a discount store and purchase one for $5. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on it; you just have to make sure it isn’t the least expensive flashlight out there, because it simply won’t work the way it’s supposed to work or last as long as you want it to.

Things to Avoid in a Pilot Flashlight

Just like there are things to look for when shopping for a flashlight, there are also things to avoid. For one thing, you should always make sure the light isn’t too bright.

Remember that you’ll be in the cockpit when you’re using the flashlight, and a light that is too bright can be blinding to you. In addition, if the flashlight comes with a user’s manual, don’t buy it. You should never need an instruction manual to tell you how to turn your flashlight on and off!

You should also stick with regular batteries and not the rechargeable type, because rechargeable batteries are simply too difficult to put up with. You won’t have time to remember which batteries are charged and which ones aren’t, so just stick with the standard battery types.

Finally, it is best not to purchase a multipurpose device, such as flashlights that do other things like open bottles or cut things. A flashlight that is just a flashlight and nothing else is your best bet, because you’ll know it’s a reliable device that will work the way it’s supposed to work every time you use it.

References ▾

• studentpilotnews.com

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