What's out, what's in

“After looking through my REI Anniversary sale flyer that came in the mail yesterday, it's clear that some hot items are starting to cool off and become "old news."

For the first time, Tikka headlamps are on sale. And at a price -- $26.99 -- that brings them below the new competitor, the Aurora, which is $29.99. Also, the Asolo FSN 95 GTX boots are on sale for the first time, at $119 for men's, $30 off retail list.

Other decent sale prices on certain mainline gear, all going into effect on Friday, 5/17. Heads up newbies: careful shopping could save you some bucks, especially if you live near an REI store so you don't have to fiddle with shipping.”

“{{{snickering at the name of this thread}}}”

“Price shouldn't be the deciding factor between item choice. I hear that the new Aurora is much brighter than the Tikka and has more features. For an extra $3, I'd go with the Aurora.”

“Value is the deciding factor.

features you will actually use Vs. Price = value.”

“It's so nice out...



















...I just might leave it out all day!”

“A lot of folks here on TT and elsewhere snapped up the Tikka at regular price, myself included (though my trail club gets 10% off at the local gear shop) and have been praising it. But praise the competition, now REI has realized it has to make it more price competitive -- and I bet Petzl has something in the works to fight back against the Aurora coming in the next product cycle.”

“i know pekka, im looking forward to it.”

“It's nice out . . . .








. . . but it's illegal.”

“Put it in....






...your pipe and smoke it.”

“The REI web site lists the Tikka at 35 hours battery life, while the Aurora is listed at 200 hours. Is that a typo??”

“It must be. I recall the Tikka as having something like a 100-hour battery life.”

“No, the Aurora lists it's battery life at the lowest brightness setting. The Tikka has only one brightness setting. If you bump the Aurora up to the brightness setting and that's where you use it, you'll find it has the same battery life as the Tikka. Ahhhhhh, you gotta love marketing.”

“Why those birty dastards!”

“Do you really need the brightest setting on the Aurora? If the lowest setting will do, then it's an engineering triumph as well!”

“Sass prompted me to return my very leaky rain coat and pants I bought a few years ago at REI. I now have a wonderfully large store credit to spend.....

Thanks Sassafrass!”

“gear slut is right. if it's what you want or need, then buy it.”

“When it comes to gear if I like what I see and I think it is a good piece of gear I am going to buy it.

8)”

“Inside the tent the highest setting is kinda blinding.
I use the lowest setting on the Aurora inside the tent and it's comfortable on the eyes.

The Tikka will go 100+ hours easy,
it just gets a little dimmer after 40 or so.

I have both, I like both! Still like the whistles and bells of the Aurora though :)”

“When I was a kid we didn't have no tikkas! We had princeton tec solos and we liked em! Don't need no "brighter than a tikka" headlamp. HRMPH.

So Smiley, just how grateful are you really? Can I come shopping with you lol?”

“Sassafras...you are old. :o)”

“Sass, I'm so old, when we were kids we tied burning branches to our heads at night to see where we were.”

“Richard Jenni strikes from afar, LOL...


"We were flaming nine-eyed knee-walking dingbats and we liked it!"”