The ready-to-wear HF8R Signature, including its headset, weighs just shy of 200 g (199 g according to my kitchen scales) and has a powerful output of 900 lumen for up to 3.5 hours. By reducing the output to mid performance at 300 lumen, the duration increases to up to ten hours before it needs recharging. In low mode at 20 lumen, the duration increases to a whopping 90 hours.

Looking at the lamp itself head on, it has a futuristic face which wouldn’t have been out of place in the film WALL-E. Four white LEDs and another for RGB adorn the face along with the sensor.

CONTROLS & FEATURES

The main control button is moulded into the centre of the top edge and has a ribbed cover:

• Press once: the lamp turns on in reactive mode
• Press again: switches to low power mode
• Press again: switches to mid power
• Press again: switches to high power
• Press again: the LEDs start to blink

With the lamp turned on, pressing the control button for two seconds will turn on RGB mode, and repeatedly pressing the control button will switch the LED between red, green and blue. Holding the button down for another two seconds returns it to reactive mode.

Press the control button twice in rapid succession in any mode (including off) and the boost mode will be activated for ten seconds…2,000 lumen of blinding light.

Finally and importantly, pressing and holding the main control button for five seconds when the lamp is turned off, activates the lock. This prevents the headlamp switching on and draining the battery when it’s in a rucksack, for example. Turning the lock on and off is confirmed by two rapid flashes.

The thumb wheel in the centre of the bottom edge of the lamp allows you to manually determine the focus steplessly between spotlight, for long distance penetration, to flood, for close range illumination of a wider area.

BLUETOOTH CONTROL

After downloading the app from either the App Store or Google Play, turn the lamp on, open the app and press connect. The HF8R confirms the connection by blinking twice.

The menu opens and you have the choice between:

Direct Control—there are five sub menus:

• White light—focus and intensity
• Multicolour light—choose red, green or blue
• Blink mode
• Adaptive light beam
• Light pattern control—you can directly select spot, mid or flood, and adjust the intensity of each either individually or in combination with one another. The chosen light pattern is also depicted on the screen.

Switch Profiles—this allows you to set up the control just as you personally need it.

Remote Control—this is for pairing your phone.

Further functions—there are three sub menus:

• Intervals
• Timer
• Device settings

Should the app be turned off, or the phone go into sleep mode, the HF8R blinks twice, but stays in the selected mode.

RECHARGING

Built-in to the bottom of the housing is a magnetic 2-pole charge port. I really like this concept as opposed to a USB-C port with a rubber cap because this does underline the IP68 dust and waterproofing of the housing. Also, it’s not fiddly so that I can keep my gloves on if it’s really cold.

On the box it says that an 80% charge takes 150 minutes, so the trick is to be mindful of your usage and top it up regularly.

The app also shows the battery status at the top right hand corner of the screen.

DURABILITY

The HF8R Signature headlamp’s main body is made from aluminium. On the one hand, this makes the headlamp robust. On the other, the body acts as a heat sink.

PRACTICAL USE

Let’s get the basics out of the way first: The headset, with its comfort pad on the bracket, the wide silicone element at the back and adjustable elastic headband, is comfortable to wear. Thanks to the cranium strap over the top of your head, the near 200 g overall weight is barely noticeable. An additional safety feature is the inclusion of reflective stripes on the headband which make the wearer more visible from the side.

The stepless vertical tilt adjustment of the bracket is very smooth and certainly beats any stepped counterpart as you can direct the light very precisely which, under certain working conditions, is a definite plus. While we’re on the bracket, the HF8R can be taken out and put into the supplied bicycle bracket without much ado. No tools required and no wires to worry about because there isn’t a separate battery pack.

The combination of adaptive light beam and advanced digital focus is magnificent. If you’re walking around the wilderness at night, using a map to navigate, or shifting your line of sight from an object in the distance to something closer by, the beam of light will switch from spot to flood automatically and adjust the brightness to prevent the object closest to you reflecting the powerful light. If you are walking and you tilt the lamp slightly downward, you will illuminate an area immediately in front of you, for a safe footing, and still shed light on what lays further ahead.

Repairing an old Land Rover at night is sometimes a necessity and being able to look at the workspace at arms length, the white pages of a workshop manual close up, or turning your head to the tool box slightly further on and then looking over to your friends 30 m away drinking a cold one beside the camp fire, the beam of light quickly and seamlessly adjusts to the situation.

Not only do I appreciate the advantages in everyday situations, but I can see a lot of benefit in emergencies such as those encountered by Remote Area Emergency Medicine responders and medics. The ability to approach the scene of an accident at night, assess the environment, identify an injured person, and work on the wound without once having to adjust the light, is a blessing.

The HF8R has a metal housing that is dust- and waterproof. It’s easily going to put up with my lifestyle and a lot more for many years to come. After all, Ledlenser’s design and quality assurances are backed up by a seven-year warranty.

CONCLUSION

The HF8R is now part of my “essentials” kit. The gear that goes everywhere with me, no matter what. This headlamp does exactly what it says on the box and simply makes life so much easier if I’m trying to do stuff in the dark.

As far as the Ledlenser Connect app is concerned, I don’t feel this is something customers had on their wishlist and I’m not convinced this is a must-have … a nice-to-have maybe. I have yet to find myself in a scenario where I need to use my phone to control a headlamp.

The Ledlenser HF8R: I never knew I needed it, now I never want to miss it.

TECHNICAL SPECS

€159 | LEDLENSER

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Fall’s arrival in the Northern Hemisphere is a good reminder that winter is just around the corner and is the perfect time to consider assembling a cold-weather emergency kit for your overland or commuter vehicle. In the case that your vehicle becomes disabled due to bad weather or an accident, having an emergency kit could be the difference between a good and bad outcome. In the best-case scenario, where you can walk away from your rig, having a few essential items could help you get to safety. If you are unable to leave your vehicle, the proper gear could sustain you for multiple days until help arrives.

START WITH A SOLID CONTAINER

Starting with a rugged container is a must, and I chose to put my kit in a Front Runner Wolf Pack. I like these containers for a few reasons: they stack easily, the lids snap securely in place, and they are strong enough for me to stand on top of (I’m short, so it’s dual-purpose: container and step stool).

COLD WEATHER EMEERGENCY GEAR

The gear I’ve chosen is based on my personal needs. You may want to add or remove items based on where you live and what you are likely to encounter in the winter months.

STOVE A small stove can melt snow or ice for drinking water and can also boil water for preparing freeze-dried meals. I’ve chosen a small Primus stove because it is an integrated system combining a burner and pot. Include a fuel canister in your kit as well.

Iso-butane canisters have reduced performance in cold/high-elevation environments. White gas stoves are a bit more cumbersome and complicated to operate but offer improved performance at cold/high elevations.

WATER Water is tricky in the winter because the chances are good that it will be frozen when you need it. I’ve chosen to use these thin, recyclable bottles because even if they freeze, you can use a small knife to slice them open and get the ice out to melt with your stove. Try doing that with a Nalgene or a metal water bottle—you can’t.

FOOD For food, I’ve picked a couple of different things. Freeze-dried camping meals are more substantial in the event that I get stuck with my vehicle for a couple of days. But if I just need a quick snack to help stay warm or feed myself while I walk to find assistance, I’ve included some energy bars that I can eat without having to cook/heat.

Whatever foods you choose to pack, prioritise high-fat content items as they have a higher energy density and will help you stay warmer in cold weather.

ELECTROLYTES I have included some electrolyte drink mix. It’s easy to become dehydrated in colder temperatures because you often don’t feel as thirsty as you do in warmer climates. Electrolytes will help you stay hydrated, which, in turn, will help your body keep you warmer.

Electrolyte mixes with sugar are preferable to sugar-free mixes. The additional quick-burning sugar calories will help you stay warmer in cold weather.

MULTITOOL A multitool like this Leatherman Free P4 has endless uses.

HEADLAMP A headlamp is superior to a handheld flashlight in most instances. It’s great if you are performing a task that requires both hands, like vehicle repairs or shovelling snow in the dark. Make sure you use lithium batteries in your headlamp so that it still works in the cold.

FLASHLIGHT A super-bright handheld flashlight such as the Ledlenser MT14 is a great addition if you need more light than your headlamp can provide. It can be used to signal rescue crews or help make you visible to other vehicles if you are disabled on the road.

GOGGLES If you have to be outside in a heavy snowstorm to shovel your vehicle out or walk to safety, goggles are crucial for maintaining visibility. You can pick up a cheap pair of old goggles at many used sporting goods stores.

HAT Because of the density of capillaries in our scalps, a wool or fleece hat will go a long way to help keep you warmer in cold weather.

JACKET An insulated waterproof jacket is a good item to pack in your kit. It can provide that extra margin of warmth while keeping you dry if you need to leave your vehicle. It will also help you stay warmer if your vehicle won’t run and you don’t have heat.

Insulated, waterproof snow pants will complete your cold-weather outfit. Additionally, a pair of synthetic or wool long underwear will keep you warmer than cotton.

HAND WARMERS Chemical hand warmers are useful in a couple of ways: they can keep your toes and fingers warm, reducing the chances of frostbite in extreme cold; keep your cell phone battery warm so that it doesn’t die prematurely; and if nothing else, provide a tiny bit of psychological comfort in a stressful situation.

There are electric and refuelable hand warmers as well.

GLOVES It almost goes without saying that a pair of insulated gloves are a must. I’d recommend picking a pair with a leather palm that can take some abuse in case you need to shovel or perform other physical tasks.

Consider packing two pairs of gloves so that you have a dry pair if one gets wet.

SHOVEL AND SLEEPING BAG Two final items that could make a big difference in your comfort and ability to help recover a stuck vehicle: a shovel and a sleeping bag. A sleeping bag will help you stay warm if you need to spend the night in your vehicle. A collapsable backcountry ski shovel is very compact, yet its large scoop can move a lot of snow if you need to dig your vehicle out of a snowbank.

Getting Cold?

Just because you have some emergency gear doesn’t mean that you have nothing to worry about. Getting cold happens, but lucky for you, there are a handful of ways to warm yourself up, and most of them are very simple. Here are some ideas to get your blood flowing and help you feel more comfortable if you find yourself waiting around for help to arrive.

EXERCISE It might not be the first thing that comes to mind if you are stranded and cold, but aerobic exercise is one of the most efficient and quickest ways to warm yourself. If you have a safe place to do them, jumping jacks are extremely effective at getting your body temperature up. Try doing sit-ups in your sleeping bag or grabbing a shovel and moving snow around for 10 minutes. You’ll be surprised how quickly you begin to feel warm.

While exercising will warm you up, it can also make you sweat. Make sure that you don’t let yourself get damp; otherwise, you are likely to get cold again.

EAT SOMETHING Another tactic to employ if you find yourself getting cold is to eat food. Your body converts calories into heat, so having a calorie-dense snack is a great way to give your body what it needs to stay warm. If you find yourself waking up cold in the middle of the night, you can eat a candy bar or energy bar without leaving the warmth of your sleeping bag. Trust me; this can make a very big difference.

Keep a candy bar or energy bar in your pocket at all times in sub-freezing weather so that it remains soft enough to eat when you get hungry.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

MEDICATIONS If you have any regular medications that you must take on a daily basis, pack at least two days’ worth in your cold-weather emergency kit (as long as it can be stored in freezing temperatures).

HYDRATION In colder environments, you are unlikely to feel thirsty, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to drink. Dehydration can increase your chances of getting frostbite or feeling cold. Aim to drink at least 2 litres of water per day, even in sub-freezing temperatures.

COMMUNICATION You can’t always count on your cell phone to work in an emergency, so having a backup plan for communication is smart. Let someone dependable know your travel plans and what to do if you are overdue for your arrival home. You can also carry a satellite communication device with you like a Garmin inReach Mini.

Author/Photographer: Matt Swartz

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In this case, the MH4 from Ledlenser. Small, handy and, tipping the scales at just 92 g, barely noticeable on my brow.

The Ledlenser MH4 has two brightness settings (20 and 200 lumens) and is equipped with a focussing ring. The latter helps me see everything equally clearly at close range and in the distance, making the MH4 useful on hikes.

The lamp can be removed from its soft forehead bracket, making it even easier to stow, for example in a trouser or jacket pocket; and the integrated clip on the back allows it to be attached elsewhere to cast its even light.

€30 | LEDLENSER

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The ML6 doesn’t just shed light, it is also a power bank for my phone. Its glare-free light can be set between 20 and 750 lumens and, depending upon how much illumination you need, the battery will last between 4 and 70 hours.

There are several settings: Low Power (soft lighting), Boost (very bright), Blink (flashing), SOS, and Strobe—each function is available in either white or red, the latter being particularly useful if you don’t want to attract mosquitos or other unwelcome guests.

As you would expect from an outdoor lamp, the ML6 is water and dust resistant, robust, measures 17.8 x 3.7 cm and weighs a mere 175 g. Thanks to its luminous base, you don’t have to search long when you wake up in the middle of the night.

Easily operated with one hand, the on/off switch also indicates the battery status. The ML6 is just as happy being hung by the integrated hook or standing on the table. Not only is the base magnetic, allowing it to be attached to most metallic surfaces, but there is a second hook for you to hang it upside down for indirect light inside the tent.

The ML6 is one more Ledlenser product that has proven itself on a number of trips this year.

€80 | LEDLENSER

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So, when Stefan Knopp told me about his experience with the Ledlenser XEO19R headlamp, I took a closer look at the MT14. Eight months, several tours and camping trips later, I am equally convinced of the performance as I am of the precision manufacturing.

The robust and water resistant torch measures approx. 3 cm in diameter, 15 cm long and weighs 255 g. Well balanced, it feels just right and can be operated with one hand.

The large on/off switch incorporates the battery level indicator and is easy to operate even when wearing thick gloves. The beam can be steplessly adjusted between spot and wide angle by pushing/pulling the head, and the intensity is set by the on/off button to three levels: 1000/200/10 lumen, which translates to 320/120/30 metres and 9/20/120 hours of use respectively.

Included in the box are USB charge cable, rechargeable battery, pouch and hand strap.

Optional accessories include USB car charger and an adapter for GoPro type A.

The solid case, excellent battery life and powerful light beam are the key reasons why the Ledlenser MT14 has found a permanent spot in my camera bag (which goes everywhere with me). Seven-year warranty.

€109 | LEDLENSER

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Using the centrally positioned control switch, you can select either one or both of the LEDs respective of what you want to do. The beam can be narrowed or broadened by adjusting a lever.

BATTERY

The 5,200 mAh battery pack can provide up to 20 hours of light. It’s up to you to decide if you prefer to attach it directly to the lamp itself, or use the supplied extension cord and wear it on your belt.

The battery pack also has a socket so that you can even charge a cell phone.

ACCESSORIES

The accessories included in the set are comprehensive and cover a variety of uses: there’s a helmet and handlebar mount for mountain biking, a GoPro mount for filming, or you can simply use the headlamp fixed to the battery.

CONCLUSION

At a solid 480 g, this is not one of the lightest headlamps on the market, but it is comfortable to wear and the workmanship is first class. With winter looming, this headlamp is about to be used even more frequently on my upcoming tours.

From €259 | LEDLENSER

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