When it comes to hunting, the right headlamp color can make a big difference. The PEAX BACKCOUNTRY DUO™ series headlamps offer both Red and Green LED options, each designed to meet specific needs. Let’s dive into the strengths of each color to help you decide which one is the best fit for your hunting style.

STEALTH AND NON-GAME SPOOKING

For hunters, avoiding spooking game is a top priority. Here’s how each light color stacks up:

• Red Light: The Ultra-Red LED is the best choice for stealth. Big game, such as elk, see within a blue-to-yellow color spectrum, making red light nearly invisible to them. If you’re after maximum discretion, especially around wary game, red is your go-to option.
• Green Light: While green light is still considered non-game spooking, it’s slightly more noticeable to animals than red. Deer, in particular, seem less bothered by green than elk, making it a good option for whitetail hunters.

Winner for stealth is Ultra-Red LED – It provides better concealment, making it the preferred choice for hunters prioritizing stealth.

VISIBILITY AND RANGE

Seeing clearly in low-light conditions is crucial for safe movement and decision-making.

• Green Light: Our eyes naturally perceive green as brighter than red, which is why green LEDs appear to have a higher intensity. Though both the red and green LEDs in the BACKCOUNTRY DUO™ are 400 lumens, the green light provides better visibility over longer distances. This enhanced range can make it easier to navigate rugged terrain.
• Red Light: While red light is effective in close proximity, it doesn’t provide the same level of visibility over distance as green.

Winner for Visibility: Ultra-Green LED – Better range and brightness perception make green ideal for those who need clarity and distance visibility.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION AND CONTRAST

If you’re organizing gear, reading a map, or need detailed visual accuracy, color differentiation and contrast are key.

• Green Light: Green LEDs offer superior color differentiation, allowing you to better distinguish colors and textures in the dark. This advantage can be particularly helpful when searching for specific items in your pack or when reading printed maps or food labels. Additionally, green light provides greater contrast, enhancing depth perception for safer movement.
• Red Light: Red light maintains low visibility for game but lacks the color differentiation and contrast that green provides.

Winner for Detail Work: Ultra-Green LED – Better color and depth perception make green ideal for tasks requiring detail and accuracy.

PRESERVING NIGHT VISION

In the field, maintaining night vision is crucial, especially when turning the headlamp on and off frequently.

• Red Light: Red is gentler on your night vision. When you turn the red light off, your eyes retain their low-light adaptation, allowing you to see in the dark with minimal adjustment time. This makes red ideal for hunters who need to quickly adapt their sight in low light.
• Green Light: While effective for visibility, green light can disrupt night vision and requires a brief adjustment period when turning off the headlamp in the dark.

Winner for preserving Night Vision: Ultra-Red LED – It preserves your eyes natural ability to see in the dark with minimal adjustment time.

SUMMARY: CHOOSING THE RIGHT LED FOR YOUR HUNTING NEEDS

Both the Ultra-Red and Ultra-Green LEDs in the PEAX BACKCOUNTRY DUO™ series are designed to avoid spooking game. Here’s a quick rundown to help you choose:

Choose Ultra-Red if stealth is your top priority, especially when hunting species sensitive to visible light, such as elk. Red light keeps you less detectable and preserves night vision, ideal for those moments when you need to stay hidden and quickly adapt to darkness.

Choose Ultra-Green if you need maximum visibility, detail, and safety. Green provides enhanced range and contrast, making it a strong option for navigating tricky terrain in the dark or while reading maps or other printed material.

Discover More at PEAX Equipment

Whichever LED color you choose, the PEAX BACKCOUNTRY DUO™ headlamp is designed to help you thrive on the mountain. Explore both options and find the light that best matches your hunting style and needs.