Illuminating the trail with a new dimension
Hiking Light
Hikebeam 400
Product summary
An optometrist wanted a better lamp for his evening walks. For him, headlamps were uncomfortable, and a hand-held torch was not a good solution, either. He found an easy way to fasten a lamp to a belt, and then discovered there were other advantages as well. The result HIKEBEAM® 400 lights up the dark trails in a new way. Having the lamp lower to the ground achieves a three-dimensional depth effect bringing improved clarity and details to the terrain. Removing the lamp from the head also provides benefits to neck strain and allows for a greater range of head coverings.
Categories
Consumer Electronics Design, Outdoor Equipment Design
Falls are responsible for nearly 50% of all fatal and non-fatal accidents during mountain hiking.
The lamp fits perfectly on a rucksack, belt or water belt and is a good match for activities like hiking & cross-country skiing. With an internal battery the HIKEBEAM® 400 can last between one and six hours depending on the chosen mode. For longer hikes an external battery can be used providing around 6 times the duration.
Easy to adjust brightness and angle to suit the terrain. With the illumination being removed from the head you also avoid having to use your neck to adjust the beam, reducing strain.
Outdoor Equipment Design & Development
Outdoor equipment product design and development starts with the intended use environment. Depending on the country, outdoor equipment can be exposed to harsh conditions. The usage scenarios will allow the environmental specification, this can then be used to design and engineer the product to suit the appropriate conditions.
For instance, the Hikebeam has an IPX4 rating, which specifies the level of ingress protection the product has. The number 4 refers to a product that is protected from water splashed at all angles and lets in minimal ingress.
Battery powered products also require careful consideration. How long the product will normally be used before charging can influence the weight and size of the product. A larger battery will last longer but add weight and bulk, and a smaller one may run out early. Deciding the intended use time and a suitable battery early allows for designs to be developed around the battery.
There are many other elements that affect the developments of outdoor equipment design. At Vivid Nine, we make sure we understand the full range of usage scenarios to develop a robust product suited to its intended environment.
