View Full Version : Headlamps
earthbound
07-31-2007, 23:42
What is the best lightweight headlamp option in your opinion? There is obviously a tradeoff (much of the time) between weight and function. I want something I can attach to my head, besides that, I'm open. Thanks!
Beeswax Candle just like the old days. :)
But seriously, I'm hitching along on this thread as I am in the market for such a thing as well.
- T
The Petzyl ELight has some good reviews. Only down side I see to it is that it uses those little watch type batteries. Not easy to find just anywhere.
Uncle Silly
08-01-2007, 00:01
i love the ones you get at walmart for close to $10. as long as they're in decent shape. 2 white leds, 1 red, take 3 aaa's. they're definitely not super-ultra-light or anything, but cheap, readily replaced if lost, take common batteries, and if they break there's a walmart around the corner where you can swap 'em for a new one.
Appalachian Tater
08-01-2007, 00:10
The Petzl Zipka Plus is great. When choosing a headlight, remember that the quality of the LEDs varies greatly between an expensive headlight and a cheap one but that there is a huge price difference.
Lithium batteries are noticeably lighter than alkaline batteries but are much more expensive.
If price is your primary concern, go with a Walmart headlamp. If weight is your primary concern, go with the Zipka Plus with and buy lithium batteries.
You don't need to carry spare batteries. The output will dim giving slowly giving you plenty of time to replace them.
notorius tic
08-01-2007, 00:22
I have a Browning 4 way ( 1 bulb solid function) its a BAD light 2mill candle. IT has a cop strobe on it a red led a wide view and a green led . I dont have the model # on me now but i can get it my best fiends a REP 4 Browning we have a Sht. Load This is the same TIC that dropped of about $2000 in Browning gear this year at woods hole shelter. It was the tic and duck show. lol send me a mess if anybody inquires
Footslogger
08-01-2007, 00:27
What is the best lightweight headlamp option in your opinion? There is obviously a tradeoff (much of the time) between weight and function. I want something I can attach to my head, besides that, I'm open. Thanks!
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The original Petzl Tikka ...
'Slogger
Questtrek
08-01-2007, 02:06
Black Diamond Cosmo.... 4 LED ... 2.7 oz. not bad... takes a beatin too.
Look for it on sale. if not it's $29.95
If weight is your primary concern, go with the Zipka Plus with and buy lithium batteries.
Petlz advises against the use of lithium batteries (http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesNews?News=159) in the Zipka Plus, and most of their other models, as well. The higher output of these batteries can cause LEDs to burn-out.
camojack
08-01-2007, 07:38
i love the ones you get at walmart for close to $10. as long as they're in decent shape. 2 white leds, 1 red, take 3 aaa's. they're definitely not super-ultra-light or anything, but cheap, readily replaced if lost, take common batteries, and if they break there's a walmart around the corner where you can swap 'em for a new one.
Those are a great deal; I got mine at Home Depot, made by Eveready...batteries included.
The red LED option uses less energy and helps preserve your night vision too... :p
reddog176
08-01-2007, 08:26
I like the cheap walmart headlamps, but I find them a bit heavy/bulky. I really like the option of having a red light, as I like night hiking (preferably with no light) but I use the red light to have some indication that I'm around.
Recently I've stumbled across the Brunton RL4 (http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=399) which has 3 white LED's and 1 red, and also does strobe.. take 3 AAA's and works fine on rechargeables, and weighs 2oz not including batteries..
That's what I switched out to for the 2nd half of my failed thru, and it worked out 200% better than my cheap walmart model.
-Reddog176 aka Gadget-
superman
08-01-2007, 08:54
I just carry the smallest photon light I can find. I have no interest in hiking at night. I don't spend time reading or writing in my tent. I fall asleep as soon as my head touches the pillow (clothes bag). All I need the light for is to go out and pee during the night.
StarLyte
08-01-2007, 09:03
I use a Black Diamond, my friend uses Walmart brand with the red light.
My battery costs $7 and lasts for a long time, his batteries are cheaper and lasts for a long time.
Long time meaning duration, depending on how much you use your headlamp.
I like his red light for night vision.
I've had my Black Diamond since 2002. I paid $30.
Wally World's was $10.
My head lamp illuminated the entire area, but not brightly. His was brighter, illuminated the area.
It's all a matter on what you want on your head.
troglobil
08-01-2007, 10:30
I like the Petzl Tikka Plus. or the Zipka plus. Same light different band. It has 3 different intensitiesgood for reading or hiking, fairly waterproof, long burn time. It is also very tough, I take mine caving all the time, that sport can kill gear.
Time To Fly 97
08-01-2007, 10:34
I think the Petzl Tikka Plus is the best. I've tried others including the Petzl Tactikka.
Happy hiking!
TTF
Alligator
08-01-2007, 10:39
I think the Petzl Tikka Plus is the best. I've tried others including the Petzl Tactikka.
Happy hiking!
TTFWhat did you think of the Tactikka, specifically the flip down red filter? Does the filter stay out of the way of the beam? I too am looking for a new one. I have to replace my Aurora (2nd time).
Also, if anyone can comment on the light output of a Tactikka vs. the Tactikka plus (3 vs. 4 Leds), please do. I found the three LEDs on my Aurora adequate for night hiking but somewhat short in distance. That is, last time out at night, I found my pace slowed while looking for blazes.
Time To Fly 97
08-01-2007, 10:51
Hey man,
What I liked: The zoom feature is super bright
What I didn't like:
The light diffuser that flips over the lens for color or to broaden the beam actually dims the light quite a bit. So If I want a broad beam it will be noticably dimmer than my Tikka Plus when both are on the high setting.
When the diffuser isn't being used, the beam is bright but seems too narrow.
I think my old Tikka Plus is just right on (and still going after 1000s of miles). Kinda wish I just got another Tikka Plus : )
Happy hiking!
TTF
Footslogger
08-01-2007, 12:56
I posted earlier in favor of the Petzl Tikka (original design). Got to thinking about it and realized that if you are going to use the headlight for night hiking my answer would probably be different.
That said ...I do not hike for the most part after dark so a headlight for me is a means to journal and find things in my tent as well as for those calls of nature at night.
As the headlamp market boomed with added LED's and features the plain old Petzl Tikka just kept getting more and more practical ...at least for me.
'Slogger
earthbound
08-01-2007, 13:49
I'm not into night hiking. I want my headlamp for nighttime camp chores, writing, reading, and the like. what do you all think about the petzl E+lite??
Appalachian Tater
08-01-2007, 14:05
If weight is your primary concern, it is certainly lighter. Part of the reason it is lighter is that it uses watch-type batteries, which are expensive and don't last nearly as long. If you are planning a long hike, it may not be as practical.
Any decent headlamp will probably function okay--it's just a matter of slightly different features and price. You don't need anything fancy, although having different brightness settings is handy.
I would caution against anything handheld or containing just one LED or cheap LEDs.
Footslogger
08-01-2007, 14:06
I'm not into night hiking. I want my headlamp for nighttime camp chores, writing, reading, and the like. what do you all think about the petzl E+lite??
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Don't own one but have seen them and read up on them. Only real difference is the battery. Reason I like the old 3 AAA cell Petzl Tikka is that I can ALWAYS find batteries for it and they last a ridiculously long time. I am still carrying the Tikka from my thru in 2003. If memory serves correctly I think I got just about all the way to Katahdin on the same 3 Alkalines before I noticed the brightness starting to fade. Then again ...I did not hike with the Tikka and only used it inside my tent at night and for "nature's calls".
I dunno ...to each his/her own but I like to keep things as simple as possible. Developments in headlamp technology/features have been impressive over the past 5 - 7 years but to be totally honest I would never use the majority of those features and they generally DO end up consuming more battery life.
'Slogger
Midway Sam
08-01-2007, 15:32
I'm not into night hiking. I want my headlamp for nighttime camp chores, writing, reading, and the like. what do you all think about the petzl E+lite??
I just bought an e+Lite and love it. I "debated" here on WB somewhere with Sly and someone else (perhaps ALHikerGal?) that my Tikka Plus was superior to their e+Lite because of the battery issue mentioned above.
I enjoyed my crow with a side of black beans. :D