Name: Joby Gorillatorch Switchback
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What it is: A combination headlamp and lantern, with five LED lights. The lights range from 5 to 130 lumens.
How it works: The headlamp is affixed to a high-quality elastic band, with the two double-A batteries and control buttons in a compartment at the back of the band, worn behind the head. When converting for use as a lantern, the headlamp portion is pushed into the separate lantern vessel, with the battery compartment being attached to the bottom, forming a single unit. The product also comes with the trademark Joby Gorillapod, which is three legs of plastic ball-and-socket joints that wrap around branches or table legs, or they simply stand on their own.
The good: For tent camping, this is perfect. It gives you the walk-about light you need outdoors, plus the lamp you want inside the tent. On 130 lumens, everybody in the tent could read a book, but you would blow through those batteries in about 90 minutes. You may not be able to read a novel at lower settings, but you could play a portable backgammon game. With the entire 8.8-ounce unit closed up in the lantern compartment, this fits into a backpack pocket. At the lowest setting, with a handy dimmer mode used by holding a button down, battery life is expected to be 72 hours.
The bad: The six light modes include two red lights for night vision. I never understand that, because for night vision I want white light. I would add, however, that when using the red lights in the lantern mode, you have a real attention-getter if you’re trying to wave down someone for help.
Cost: $54 to $60
Available from: amazon.com or joby.com