Headlamp?

“I need to pick up a headlamp here in the near future. Can i get some recommendations. there seems to only be a few brands, is there any real difference? i'm looking for one that would last longer as opposed to one that is brighter. different bulbs, etc.....
thanks for the input!!”

“Use the search below and look for old threads. This one has been dfiscussed a number of times. If you still have questions, come back and ask away.”

“Excellent question, Chunga, particularly as you have narrowed down your priorities. I always used a cheapo and carried spare batteries in an inside pocket to switch when the others got too cold to function - and a spare bulb. Then I discovered the Petzl Tikka (US35$). The reviewer in Backpacker magazine said he left his on for 2 weeks and it still gave him enough light to read by - it's powered by three AAA (triple A) batteries and light is supplied by three LED's that are supposed to last at least ten years. Well, I came across it at my favourite outdoor store (La Cordee in Montreal) and the light was awesome and it was only Cdn41$ - about the equivalent of 30 real dollars. I just couldn't pass it up; it even came with batteries. The thing is almost weightless with the tiny batteries and gives off far more light than a regular headlamp, although less than a halogen one. As I have no intention of taking up the sport of extreme night-time mountaun biking, I'll never need more light than this (Princeton Tech has one with interchangeable units - LED and Halogen - that weighs and costs a lot more). I recommend it most highly. I think Radagast has one too, so his opinion on it might also be useful. Happy trails.”

“i have hiked at night with the tikka. i love it.

i had the matrix and the tikka, i took the matrix back to REI. it was heavier and not as bright as the tikka.”

“I'd like to say something here. When a new person asks a question that has been addressed many times, some TT Regular tells them to do a search. Well, I for one have a hard time finding anything by doing a search because the topic isn't always in the subject heading.

Cudos to you computer gurus who have no problems doing this.

BTW ski, wasn't that a Petzl you had on your lap?! ;o)”

“Sunshine, you're right, sometimes we end up talking about jello in a thread that started about crampons, but plugging in part of the word you're seaching for sometimes works wonders.

Here's some past thread titles dealing with the subject:

Headlamp?

Headlamps!

Headlamps & Batteries

Krill lamp

LED Flashlights/headlight”

“thanks, i'll check out those threads.”

“You might want to check the "Candle Lanternt Alternative" thread.”

“So, tell me kleetn....how did you come up with that list? A search on "headlamp" would have pulled 3 of them. A search on "light" pulls up too much. Maybe "flashlight" works. I do not think I would have thought about "lamp".


Sunshine, I don't think you need to be a computer guru to do a search on known words.

Rather than rehash an already covered subject, it would really be nice if someone who has not been around very long would say something like..."I've attempted to search old threads, but cannot seem to find everything I'd like to know." Then they could ask their question. It would be nice if people showed a little effort instead of asking without looking first.

I use a Princeton solo with matrix conversion. I have not tried the tikka because it was not around when I bought mine. Petzl micro is fine except for the dark ring.

Who pissed in skiracer's Cheerios this morning?”

“i did!”

“Sorry all....I must be having a really bad day and just realized it. On to more positive thinking!”

“I heard about making a stove from Pepsi cans. Anyone know what the best alcohol to use is???
Whats a good sleeping bag to use in a hammock during Ramadan?”

“Would that be an African or a European swallow?”

“Crabby people who don't want to join a discussion about headlamps can refrain from opening the thread.

People wearing headlamps should always remember that if they look at their friends when they are wearing their headlamps they blind their friends.”

“If all the world was required to only discuss new topics, all the world would be nearly silent.

If you don't want to repeat yourself, don't. Let new contributors make this thread different than the ones in the archives. Maybe we can learn something new. Besides, did the Tikka even exist in the old threads?”

“I use a petzl micro. Girlfriend uses a princeton tec solo. The standard bulbs in these last about 8 hours on new AA's if it's not too cold. The solo is brighter, but the micro has an adjustable light reflector, from wide to narrow spot. Solo is waterproof, micro is water resistant. My reflector got busted on the micro, and petzl replaced it at no charge - excellent customer service. Both do the job at hand quite well. Either would be a fine choice.”

“Well said Goofy.

Can't resist...
Judge; "Mickey you can't divorce Minnie just because she's stupid"
Mickey; "I didn't say that. I said she's F*@%ing Goofy!"”

“Headlamps, another piece of gear my wife poo-poohed when I got her a Petzl Micro as a romantic trinket. Then she used it to go night X-C skiing on her favorite trail and I was forgiven. I later picked up a couple Princeton Tec Solos for their waterproofness since we have been primarily canoe campers the last couple years. The Tikka looks interesting, and even lighter.”

“Ditto on the Solo... Picked up the Vortex, too, but it takes 4 batteries instead of two. I suggest you use Lithium batteries... weigh half as much as alkalines, last 2-3 times longer... 4 for $10 at Target...”

“I have a Petzl Micro. I like the ability to pop in a halogen bulb, if I decide to do some night hiking. But there is no place to store a halogen when you take it out, they are too big for the spare bulb holder. Then you have an expensive, tiny bulb that you are trying not to lose or break. You don't want to leave it in because it will burn up a set of batteries in about 3 hours, compared to about 8 hours for a regular bulb. Minor complaint? Yeah, it is.
If you just need more light occasionaly, then it's probably the way to go. If you think you'll never need more light, I'd go with the Tikka.”

“Can you adjust the Tikka's light angle? i.e. aim at your feet?”

“The dark ring on the Petzl really bothers me. If my requirements were for burn time over brightness (actually, they are) my next headlamp would be one of the LED ones.”

“it's a fixed set-up, but it's so light that you can set it any way you'd want. you would have to see it.”

“I'm no help here. My Petzl is about 7 years old. OUTDATED! Still works fine if that tells you anything about Petzl lights.”

“Thanks Rad, I got a Matrix and your right about the light output. It's not bad but I'm used my Petzel Micro.”

“LISTEN UP! The Tikka did not exist until a couple of months ago, thus the info is valid. You cannot adjust the angle of the Tikka (you move your head), but its beam doesn't shine straight forward and blind your buddies. It's MORE than bright enough to ski, hike or climb in the dark. It isn't waterproof, but the LED's are unaffected by water and the instructions say to open it and just let it dry out if it gets soaked. Best of all: it weighs NOTHING. Sheesh and happy - I said HAPPY - trails.”

“Threads often change topic as kleetn mentioned. Sometimes things are mentioned in other threads because of the way the topic turned. As a regular, I've tried to find specific posts and had a bugger of time finding them because they weren't mentioned in the subject title. I've often gone back to TT Main Page and looked through all the subject headings for the past three months and found what I was looking for that way. A very unpleasant task to say the least but heaven forbid I get a tongue lashing from ski.

hmmmm... On second thought!!! ;o)”

“I've been to two different REI stores in the past week looking for a Petzl Tikka and both stores have been almost void of headlamps. Anybody else notice this? The guys at the store said this sometimes happens with "new" gear...”

“REI blows!”

“ahh, blows...is that good or bad?”

“The last time I went to REI,in Seattle, I asked for 3 different products and they did not have any of them. I would rather just order online.”

“Kleetn- I got mine at a Basspro shop. Just a thought!”

“My dad just bought the Tikka, it is so much brighter then I imagined. A lot better then the heaver less efficient models.”

“I got a Tikka last week and took it camping. It rocked!!

I hadn't wanted a headlamp but this tiny thing is so convenient because of the single strap and small size. I wore it with a ball cap on over it most of the time and forgot I had it on. It doesn't need to be focused because it pretty much lights up everything your eyes can look at. I felt safe climbing a tree with it (to retrieve a food-hanging rope). I only used it 3 nights so I haven't seen what happens when the batteries start to fade but I sure didn't bother carrying spares. I can't see the lack of focus ability being a problem.

This is the best new piece of gear I've seen in a while and I predict just about everybody will have one soon.”

“I had a Tikka in my hand last weekend at a gear shop, but I didn't follow through. Truly light weight, even compared to my Princeton Tec Solo, which is pretty light. I do wish it had a watertight seal like the Solo.”

“I like my tikki torch and I find it appalling that someone would pack one with out asking others first!!! I for one who like to know if you are packing one before I hit the trail head. Geeze that is so disrespectful of the others!!!”

“I use the Princeton Tec solo, but if I was buying a new light I'd check out the LED's.”

“I'm considering running down to REI and Bass Pro in Nashville today to get one of the Tikka lamps. I use a petzl zoom now and would like something lighter. MMMM...how much do I have left on my credit cards?”

“I tried to find the Tikka in my area yesterday (MUST HAVE NEW GEAR!!) but no luck. I don't know if I would have bought one but I really wanted to fondle one in the store if nothing else. The Tikka is the first headlamp I've seen in a long time that would induce me to get out my wallet. Up until now I haven't found a better value than the Coleman 2AA headlamp at 5.5 oz. and eight bucks.”

“Well, I found a Tikka! REI was sold out of course, but Bass Pro had one left. I was shocked when I got it home and tried it out, it puts out way more light than my Petzl zoom and weighs nothing! I'm very pleased, just wish I hadn't bought all that other stuff, but hey, you have to have a new tent and hiking pants and stuff to go with the headlamp, don't you?

I bought a walrus ziod solo tent, I've never had any experience with the company...need input while I can still take it back!!”

“bpbaby, I have a walrus trekker tarp and love it! I have used it in storms and stayed bone dry. Used it in hot weather, no stuffiness, even in 20 degree weather. It rules! If their tents are of similar quality then you oughtta be happy.”

“Thanks hyperpacker, I really like the tent and was hoping someone had a good experience with Walrus.”

“I second what Mr.Hyperpacker said! Walrus spells quality.”

“Great, thanks Buddur. I had to choose between this one and Sierra Designs light year. There is a lot of wasted space in the light year, space that I have to carry, so I chose the Walrus in hopes you guys could help me out.”

“I don't like headlamps. I'd rather use a minimag (in my hand) and the elastic headstrap if I need both hands. I gave my krill away. I NEVER use my petzl. I do like the newer saphire lights & LED lights.”

“I finally found a Tikka yesterday, the last one in the Backwoods store! I usually don't buy the latest most expensive gadgets but I had some extra cash laying around for a change and the Tikka is so cool I had to have it. Lightweight, bright, long battery life.”

“I got'sk this feeling if'n when I ever hold a Tikka in my hand...that it'll be mine within minutes! btw - what's the price on one?”

“$33 +-”

“Nevermind my last Q as to the cost...I looked it up ALL BY MYSELF.

It is 1oz more than my Petzl Micro...but probably 1/2 as small. Doesn't zoom or adjust cant angle, isn't waterproof, but the batteries last muuuuch longer. Hmmmmmmm?!?!

Anybody have a Tikka that wishes to express their good and bad qualities from experience?”

“I would like to rescind my last post.”