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Silva Terra Scout H headlamp review
We recently got the Silva Terra Scout H headlamps and can’t wait to share our findings with you. A headlamp is one of those items you simply need when overlanding or camping. It was my (Manon’s) first item I bought when preparing for my first solo trip, and it served me well. However, after many years of use – and not being able to change into red light – I was over to the moon to receive our Silva Terra Scout H headlamps a few months back.
The Silva headlamps look different than the tough-looking headlamps from most outdoor stores. The headband is light grey, and the light housing is beige with some speckles. Although design is definitely not as important as practicality, I want to emphasize its design shortly. The Silva headlamp is made from hemp and 100% recycled plastics. Isn’t that incredible? Hence, the looks—and why we like them!
What is the Silva Terra Scout Hybrid headlamp?
The Silva Terra Scout Hybrid headlamp has a maximum output of 350 lumens, lighting a distance of 65 meters (or 213 feet). The provided (and USB-C rechargeable) battery can run circa 3 hours on this output. The light can also be dimmed to 50 lumens, reducing the distance to 30 meters (98 feet), yet increasing its battery’s lifespan to 25 hours. Especially when going on a multi-day hike, this is important to remember. It might be worth noting that the Silva battery pack can also be replaced with standard AAA batteries. Additionally to the bright white lights, the Silva has night vision mode, a red-colored light that preserves your night vision better –, and it also keeps insects away.
When wearing the Silva headlamp, you’ll notice that it is lightweight (76 grams) and more comfortable than your average headlamp due to the wide headband. The large on/off button on top is easy when wearing gloves, or when having cold fingers for that matter. You don’t have to worry about the rain either as both the headlamp and the battery pack are slightly water resistant, meeting the IPX5 standard.
What makes the Silva headlight unique, is that it’s made from 100% recycled plastics, reinforced with natural hemp fibers. It’s the perfect headlamp for people interested in the outdoor lifestyle, and the preservation of the natural world.
Specifications
- Maximum output: 350 lumen
- Max mode: 350 lm / 3 h burn time / 65 m (213 ft) light distance
- Min mode:50 lm / 25 h burn time / 30 m (98 ft) light distance
- Weight: 76 g incl. battery / 51 g excl. battery
- Made from hemp and 100% recycled plastics
- Hybrid technology – compatible with both Silva rechargeable battery and standard AAA batteries
- Rechargeable Silva Hybrid Battery 1.25 Ah included
- Silva Intelligent Light – combining long reach spot light and close flood light
- Comfortable fit – thanks to low weight and the wide headband
- Night vision mode – the red light mode preserves your night vision
- Battery level indicator – informs about the remaining charge level when turning it off
- Large on/off button – easy to operate also when wearing gloves
- Water-resistant – headlamp and battery pack meet IPX5 standard
Pros
- Made from hemp and recycled plastic
- Chargeable with USB-C
- Integrated USB-C inlet in battery pack
- No need for external clumsy battery chargers or throw-away batteries
- Two modes of white light
- One mode of red light
- Hybrid model – usable with the Silva battery pack or AAA batteries
- Wide comfortable headband
- Battery level indicator
Cons
- The battery needs to be removed to charge
- Only two modes of brightness in white light, and it starts with the highest lumen instead of the lowest lumen
- The red light is good enough for reading, but less practical for nighttime camp life
Would we buy it again?
To start with the positive side of this conclusion, the Silva Terra Scout Hybrid has exceeded our expectations. With headlamps available up to 1500 lumen nowadays, we weren’t sure whether 350 lumen was going to cut it for us. But, after testing it on pitch dark nights, we can confidently say 350 lumen is more than bright enough to work around camp. The night vision light, however, did unfortunately not live up to standard. We would have loved the night vision light to have multiple brightness modes as well.
Although the battery needs to be removed to charge, the delivered battery is USB-C chargeable which makes it extremely easy to charge. It makes a difference not needing AAA batteries and a charging hub. Being able to switch to three AAA batteries, however, gives you the freedom to take it with you on any remote trip without charging possibilities, which adds to our overall positive feel towards the Silva headlamp.
We can definitely recommend the Silva Terra Scout Hybrid for life around camp. It suits the overland lifestyle and caters to the nature-aware travelers out there.
Our approach for gear reviews
As long-term overlanders we fully understand the need for high-quality and reliable gear. We know that if gear isn’t up to standard it can hinder your adventures, resulting in discomfort or a dangerous situation.
We write our reviews after extensive testing and with you – an adventurous overlander – in mind. We hope you appreciate our information, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Pro Tips
If you’re not sure this light is for you, you might want to check out Silva’s other options. They are even offering professional headlamps with external batteries for example.
Check out these product shots
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