Gear Shed: How a Nelson-based Startup Built a Better Headlamp

Words & photos :: Todd Lawson.

One of the most crucial pieces of gear in any pack, for any outdoor endeavour, is undoubtedly the humble headlamp. If you’re into caving, hiking, skiing, backpacking, camping, mountaineering or mountain biking, then chances are you’ve used your trusty headlamp to get you out of a pickle once or thrice before. With a thousand and one options to choose from, what makes a headlamp really stand out in a sea of shining lights?

For the founder of a small headlamp start-up out of Nelson, B.C., the answer lies in the problem. “I decided to bring another headlamp to the market for me and my friends to use here in the mountains,” says Lynx OGT founder Dylan Bucher. “Prior to this, I’ve never been that impressed with what we were using and how they could turn on in your pack or die right when you need them. Now when we or our customers go out on adventures the headlamps actually enhance the experience, and open up a lot of fun opportunities.”

Die in your pack when you need them? Ever happened to you before?

Well, not ever with a Lynx headlamp. What really sets every Lynx OGT apart is a clever little piece of “hidden” engineering—a very clever screw-on cap that, when ‘unscrewed’, mitigates any chance of the headlamp accidentally turning itself on during the day and draining the battery. No more taking out the batteries or trying to find somewhere in your pack to keep it safe. 

Aside from that, the headlamp just does what it should: light up your surroundings. It’s bright, easy to click on and—bonus!—you can actually read a book comfortably in your tent because there is no clunky battery pack squishing into the back of your head.

“I try to focus on simplicity, long run times, bright light, cold-weather performance and for the products to hold all this up for a long time,” says Bucher. “I also wanted to bring something that is lightweight, durable and sleek. It’s amazing seeing my friends and customers use the lights for anything from backcountry hut parties, working on hydroelectric dams or using the mounting systems to light up a bike and go for night rides.

We also live off-grid here in the Kootenays, so a headlamp is something you use every day, and that’s what got me thinking of putting together the most premium package I could. I also feel inspired to offer the most premium things I can in other aspects of my business including shipping times, customer service and warranties. That’s just as exciting to me as finding the best electrical components or going out on a backcountry adventure with friends.”

And if you’re into supporting B.C. small business, the future (and the next night-line you rip) will look a whole lot brighter by strapping this eco-conscious, bright AF headlamp onto your skull.

About the Technology

All Lynx OGT headlamps are powered by a rechargeable 3500mAh Samsung 18650 lithium-ion battery. The battery is the heart of a headlamp, and all Lynx OGTs come with this premium battery specific to the Canadian environment (these won’t quit out on cold days like other lithium-ion batteries might). This, combined with efficient high-quality LEDs is what accounts for the long battery life. To ensure safety, every battery cell has a protective chip installed within. The headlamp itself also has the same protection circuits. These create layers of protection against over-charging, over-heating, low voltage and rapid discharge. Each cell can be charged 1000 times, the equivalent of using 3500 AAA batteries in a traditional outdoor headlamp! When the cell has finished its life, a new one can be purchased and then installed in about 10 seconds. Paired with solar and other types of energy, the waste is minimal, the cost savings are huge and the potential is limitless.