You need a good torch

A good torch is one of the key bits of equipment for outdoor adventures. Nothing is worse than stumbling around in the dark not being able to see – well, except maybe stumbling around in the dark not knowing where you are.

It’s easy to assume that the more powerful the torch, the better it must be – certainly, Lumen ratings has become one of the latest bragging points whenever you get a group of  (generally guys) talking about outdoor gear.

However, more is not always better. To me, heaps of power is totally useless without a good way to control it. This makes the torch interface often even more important than overall power.

Torch Interfaces

Since the majority of torches these days are LED, the majority of torches also have PCB boards. This means the ability to utilise more complex control methods – which has meant many torches have multi output levels, different strobe patterns, the ability to automatically adapt to your surrounds and more. However. Again, more doesn’t always mean better.

To me, a torch that you can’t turn on, then off, is an instant fail. Especially in LandSAR, where you may be turning the torch repeatedly on and off for sound and light sweeps, having to cycle through multiple modes repeatedly quickly gets annoying. Rather,  like the 4Sevens torch I have, the ability to independently turn the unit on and off and chose the power output is a simpler, but better torch interface.