Headlamp Power Source?

“I'm looking at headlamps, and see that there are AAA,AA, 6v,
and watch battery styles. Usable burn times really vary, so what do the masses think is the best way to choose?”

“6v batteries are expensive. I go for the easiest to procure and cheapest to purchase, AA's. May not last longest, but then again, I never checked.”

“methane...eat chili's chili and stick a tube up your butt and flow the gas to your headlamp and then just fire it up...natural...and polluntant free...just don't go hiking with Stratusloop...he don't dig farts. LOL...”

“LMFAO Stik!!!!!!!

8)”

“Crazy Mike
He wasn't joking.”

“aurora princeton tec. 3 AAA's. burn time is 160 hrs. weighs 3 oz wif batteries. plenty bright. $25.”

“Any of the name brand LED headlamps...tikka, aurora, moonlight... all great!
Long burn times, no bulb to replace, light weght and compact.”

“I like my Tekki. 2 aaa batteries.
Two things about it I don't like. I ain't got a beam so it sucks for night hiking. And you tend to accidentally blind your friends in camp.”

“I have a Tikka and a black diamond ion. The ion takes a 6v and lasts about 15hrs. Its big benefit is the weight, .9ounce.”

“methane...eat chili's chili and stick a tube up your butt and flow the gas to your headlamp and then just fire it up...natural...and polluntant free...just don't go hiking with Stratusloop...he don't dig farts. LOL..."
stikmon
06:22:54 PM
12/23/02

Yeah, well I am doing my share to save the evironment!”

“Light 3oz and has AAA batteries that works well. I saw a few of them at the REI scratch and dent sale, got mine for .83 cents. It would not stay on and I adujusted the rubber plunger switch. Now it is fine,heck it came with batteries that were worth .83”

“I have the petzle tikka and just bought the ion (or Santa did, I should say..)

I use a candle lantern in my tent for light and a little warmth before bed.

I love my tikka and I'll let you know on the Ion, like the previous posts boast, the weight is something else.

I have a back up light on my first aid bag which is that little petzle $10 light that you can hold in your mouth and keep your hands free..you squeeze it to turn it on (no jokes here, Y'all)

headlamps are like cars, everyone likes a different brand and model for a variety of reasons. My advice: come to the BRT hike and try a bunch of them out (since the group will represent a good cross section of types/models) Then you can decide which one you like best.

Tex”

“I agree with Tex, love my candlelantern. But about the headlamp...if you go with the AA or AAA battery operated models, it definitely pays to use the lithium based batteries like E2. The expense IS worth the extra burn time.”

“Thanks all. Leaning towards the Tikka. NOLS said it was the best they tested.”

“it can be tilted in various degrees withiut moving your head...great for reading in the tent...better than the tikka...

only 9 oz!!! lol...go bald, loose hair...save weight...”

“Does the Aurora spread out light like the Tikka does? Or is it more of a beam.”

“I have the Tikka and found I can direct the beam where I want by how I place it on my head (I am assuming, of course, that you don't have a flat head).”

“Didjfan...The Aurora has a slightly better beam the LEDs are stacked like a pyramid instead of in a straight line with spaces in between like the Tikka...
the result is fewer shadows within the beam itself.

If you're looking for a spot light type beam...better look at the larger conventional headlamps.”

“"methane...eat chili's chili and stick a tube up your butt and flow the gas to your headlamp and then just fire it up...natural...and polluntant free...just don't go hiking with Stratusloop...he don't dig farts. LOL..."
stikmon
06:22:54 PM
12/23/02




POLLUTANT FREE??? Huh?”

“dhutch - where did you find AAA lithium batteries? All I can find for lithium are the AA style.”

“well perhaps its because all the good ones are taken and all thats left are the alchoholics?






ok bad joke...”

“I don't think AAA lithium batteries exist.”

“I have a Black Diamond Ion, and it is indeed a light light - very comfortable. It does not put out a lot of light though. It would be poor for nighttime hiking I would think, but great around camp or finding things in the pack. It is okay for reading. It does tilt.

With the 6v battery installed, it actually weighs a bit more than an ounce, but is still light. The .8 oz weight is without the battery.

LEDs generally put out a lot less light than other kinds of bulbs, but they have much longer burn times. I now have several kinds of lights that can be used in different situations, depending on my plans. I will use LED lights for longer trips, higher output xenon lights on overnighters. I do not do a lot of hiking at night, so that is not a big issue.

I do like to take short walks in the dark at night if the trail allows. To save night vision, I have a red LED Princeton Tec Pulsar II, one of the keychain LED lights - virtually no weight and adequate light for most nighttime use.

My problem with the Ion is the short burn time for those 6v batteries. I might have to pick up an Aurora after the holidays and check it out.”

“Lizs and I seem to have taken a knack at night hiking...on one of our outings, we actually reached the trailhead at 1:30 am. we pretty much hiked by the light of my aruora...once your eyes get adjusted to the total darkness...and the light of the Aurora...it is actually more than adaquate to hike with, but, my Black Diamond has 4 led's and would be more better to hike at night with, but, unfortunately I performed some Dr Frankenstien surgery on it and it no longer is functioning...but I will be working on it and hopefully will be in action once again soon.”

“I've got a Tikka and love it for backpacking but if you're looking for some more light and don't mind weight look at the Petzel Duo with the LED upgrade.”