Headlamp

[craigepo]

I need a headlamp. Uses/requirements are:
1) Night trailrunning;
2) use in a canoe for trips when my route takes longer than my estimated time(read--stopped too long for beer) and the sun goes down;
3) hunting/outdoors stuff, some at altitude;
4) need red-lens capability.

Have been looking at this: http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Tec-Tactical-Quad-Headlamp/dp/B000RLM3P2

Would love some input as to opinions on high-quality headlamps.

[cornelyj]

I have also been searching for something similar for land nav and running home at night from the gym watching for snakes, cars and etc.

When is Surefire going to make a red led version!!!
http://www.surefire.com/SaintMinimusHS2-A-BK

This one also has gotten very good reviews....?
http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/tactikka-series/tactikka-xp-adapt

I am still shopping maybe something really cool will come out before I leave in Jan around xmas time. Good luck shopping craigepo.

[x SF med]

Here's a link to the Petzl Pro headlamp area... not cheap, but what technical rescue and a lot of other gear killing people use. Ptezl has a sport side too, but i'd stay here for toughness.

http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/headlamps-0

[JJ_BPK]

I have used an older model Princeton, water-resistant, led, 2 AAA's, head-lamp with over the top strap, for night fishing, worked well, but it had it's weaknesses.

It had to be snug or it would wobbled when you WALKED, to tight and you had headaches.

Light was perfect for tying knots, grabbing bait in the live-well, but quickly dim'd after about 10 ft.

Did well in the rain.

If your running or need visibility for 30-40-50 ft ahead, I would suggest a good LED AA bat hand-held. Especially if you might run into critters..

Something like the Princeton TORRENT LED


POWER 95 Lumens
LAMP Maxbright LED
BURN TIME 30 Hours
BATTERIES 8 AA Alkaline
WEIGHT 365 Grams

Power meets versatility in the Torrent LED. It’s small enough to be a backup light, but with a 95 Lumen Maxbright LED, it’s more than powerful enough to be a main source. A simple switching mechanism and a 100-meter waterproof rating ensure that the Torrent LED will be shining bright whenever and wherever you need it to go.

[NoRoadtrippin]

I would second the Petzl suggestion over the PrincetonTec. I have only owned one Princeton and it burned out its circuit board in short order. They just feel cheaper in hand as well. I have no less than three Petzl Tikka or TikkaPlus lamps. They have all seen many a day in the field over a number of years without much damage at all.

One thing to think about when considering your uses is whether or not you want a beam of light (navigating/running) or a wider area light (cooking in camp). A lamp with a true bulb typically offers a much more concentrated flood whereas LED lights like the PrincetonTec or Tikka series are much wider but dimmer in any given spot. Some options like the Petzl Myo offer the best of both worlds. The Myo is also nice because its AA rather than AAA. This might or might not cut back on the battery types you have to carry.

As far as the Surefire, I'm not a huge fan of it personally. I haven't used it, but I have held it and played with it a bit and it was enough to make me decide against it even after being initially really excited. Its big, and ugly, and cumbersome. The construction did not feel nearly as great as their flashlights. Maybe some others have more extensive thoughts on this one.

[Snaquebite]

I have several Petzls and am very satisfied with them. I have been looking at the Tactikka XP. Has some great features and the price of $57 isn't bad either.

•Powerful headlamp with 3 lighting levels, Boost mode and colored Wide Angle lenses
•Colored (red, green, blue) and transparent Wide Angle lenses included
•Interchangeable lenses
•Carrier for second lens located on headband
•A single light source that addresses multiple lighting needs
•3 lighting levels : maximum, optimum, economic
•Flood beam for sharp, proximity lighting (Wide Angle lens)
•Spot beam shines up to 35 meters
•Boost mode : shines 50 meters for 20 seconds
•Compact and lightweight
•Single compartment for LED and batteries
•Less than 100 g including batteries
•Battery level indicator light
•Warns when the batteries are 70% and 90 % discharged
•Available in desert or forest camouflage
•Water resistant for all-weather use
•Wide Angle lenses made of impact resistant polycarbonate
•Operates on 3 AAA/LR03 batteries (included)
•Weight : 95 g including batteries
•3-year guarantee

http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-2745/TACTIKKA-XP/Detail.bok

[Peregrino]

Petzl. My Princeton leaked below 100'. At 240' it was completely flooded. Took a while to dry out. :D

[The Reaper]

I have Petzls, Princeton-Tecs, Photon Fusions, and Black Diamonds.

If I started over again, and needed gear I could bet my life on, I would bite the bullet and buy the Petzl again, probably the Tikka XP for your purposes.

TR

[NoTime89]

My family has been using Petzl's for backpacking and hiking ever since they looked like coal miners lamps.

That being said, if you are looking for a very good alternative, check out Energizers headlamp. I know, I know..."ENERGIZER?"

Seriously, the illumination, strobe, 6 LED, plus red LED functions are really good.

My dad picked one up from Sam's Club for 13.00 dollars and it worked great for night kayaking/fishing. It has all the necessities of a headlamp including the down-swivel for aiming at the ground. The swivel has not started to wear down (after about 40 hours of use) like my Petzl's had a bad habit of doing.

I guess the fact that it isnt made by a big name trail company could imply faulty manufacturing, but so far it has worked well for me and my family.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&expIds=17259,25856,25901,26446,26515&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=17&q=energizer+headlamp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=2683454439221743046&ei=sGyRTPetItujOK3SpeYM&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQ8wIwAg#

[BearW]

I have one of those uber expensive climbing/spe-lunking waterproof to a bzillion feet Petzl badboys.

I have about 3 normal Petzl Tikka and TacTikka headlamps too.

The only difference i found is in the price, really. The inexpensive, lightweight petzl tikka's do everything i need them to do, for work, play and changing a tire on the side of the road at 2am.

I would buy a good one but like a 50$ Petzl is really all you need i think.

[craigepo]

This one also has gotten very good reviews....?
http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/tactikka-series/tactikka-xp-adapt



I just ordered this one. Besides the other attributes, I thought the strap over the top of the head would help it stay in place while running.

Will write a review soon.

[The Reaper]

I just ordered this one. Besides the other attributes, I thought the strap over the top of the head would help it stay in place while running.

Will write a review soon.

My ears usually stop mine from falling down around my neck, but that is just the way I roll. :D

TR

[cornelyj]

craigepo please let me know how that light preforms as I will be needing to make a purchase soon enough. Thanks.

[drymartini66]

We use headlamps to post flight the aircraft after night ops. Petzl is the brand of choice for flight crews however I was always paranoid of losing an expensive headlamp. It gets a bit hectic post flight and gear can wind up in someone else's helmet bag. With that, I've always used the el cheepo Energizer. If it gets lost or broken, no big deal. It's pretty easy on the batteries, illum is pretty good, no headaches and stays pretty stable on the head.:munchin

[18C4V]

Petzl is the heat. My petzl inventory has increased, but my original petzl that I bought in 2001 still works like a champ.

[craigepo]

I wound up purchasing the Petzl Tactikka shown below. Very good light. Many different ways to attach it to your body for use. Also, quite impressed with how the red lens is built-in, and is solid, to prevent light accidental discharges.

Thanks for the help guys.

http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-E89-TacTikka-Headlamp-Colored/dp/B000JUB2QC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1286298236&sr=8-5

[JJ2K1]

I found that LED Wholesalers has some pretty nice headlamps for a really great price. They are not tactical or have anything special about them other than the fact that they are not over priced and get the job done. They also have a selection of UV LED headlamps which are cool if you like to go out looking for critters.

http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=55

[Golf1echo]

I see some great headlamps mentioned. The Petzl's and Black Diamond Lights are both lights I have had good luck with although I have broken Petzl head lamps before. A light I do not see mentioned is the Gerber Meridian head lamp. I had one given to me and give it high marks after years of constant use. It has a large main lamp which is White LED (w/its own switch)and two smaller lamps, Green and Red (w/ their own switch) It is powered by 3 AA Batteries at the back of the head piece which is an over the head arraignment so it stays on while running and hiking. I use it both as a head lamp and also hand held.
http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/4