Headlamp Help

[utidcapaco]

:idea:
I'm trying to choose my first headlamp. There's a short thread on the Caving forum, but I need something a little more all purpose. Since most posters here seem to be involved in a broad range of outdoor activities, I thought I'd solicit your feedback, too. Thanks in advance. Here's the thread (on the Product Reviews forum):
http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=32329#32329

[Scott Card]

Petzl Tikka XP.... nuff said... :2thumbs: I have owned three head lamps and this is by far the brightest head lamp I have had. I love the white light, the fact that it is light weight and small. Batteries last a long time. I use it for general camping, night reading and particularly canyoneering. My Tikka XP out shined every other headlamp in my little group in Heaps a couple of weeks ago.

[Iceaxe]

I also use the Petzl Tikka XP and I really like it. I carry one headlamp in my possibles bag at all times and I have a couple I use around camp and for hiking in on trails at night.

But if I was going to do some serious headlamp activities (caving) I'd get something a little bigger and a lot more powerful.

What do you plan to do with your headlamp?

:2thumbs:

[asdf]

http://www.karstsports.com/pete69duo5le.html

Hands down the best headlamp I have ever had.
I used it for about 4 years, then sold it. Why?... I ask my self that evertime i use my "night ray" http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD0722/Black-Diamond-NightRay-Headlamp.html?id=PFQoND3a

[Iceaxe]

Now here is some serious illumination.

:2thumbs:

[asdf]

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/karst_1925_39937309

Now that is some serious lighting.

:2thumbs:

I got rid of mine because it was so heavy.
It was so bright, the halogen is a mini spot light. I wore that lamp in snow and heavy rain with he no issues at all.
I even put it in sink to see if it would work under water (like it said on the box) ... and it did.

I also have a Tika.
Its like a candle in the wind compared to the duo

[stefan]

you can always use rechargeable batteries to keep the light as bright as possible.

petzl tikka LED :2thumbs:

i have used mine since march 2001 ... fantastico

[nosivad_bor]

I think basically any lightweight LED headlamp from a reputable company will serve you fine. I personally like to look for the lightest weight with 4 or so LEDs does the trick. This website has a nice chart listing the different attributes of the Blackdiamond line of headlamps.

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/blackdiamond/

To me a headlamp will never give me the kind of power that my hand held light does so I don't even attempt to match that.

For hand flashlight I use a Surefire C3 or A2 depending on the activity.

-Rob

[utidcapaco]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. It's hard to plunk down almost double for the Petzl (compared with the Princeton Tec Quad), but I trust your advice.

Ice, per the other post, it will be used for general stuff (camping, hiking, canyoneering, emergency use, etc.). I'd prefer to have the battery compartment integrated with the lamp housing, for compactness.

All info/advice/etc. welcome. Thanks. By the way, the BD Ion is on sale for half price at http://www.bdel.com.

[Iceaxe]

Last year I found and purchased a bunch of the old Petzl Tikka (pre XP) for about $15. I use some of them and gave some away as Christmas presents. They are not a cool as the XP but they were still plenty good if you can find some for cheap.

The best thing about the XP is it has the power boost button which does greatly imprive the light when you need it.

[utidcapaco]

Is that power boost button easy enough to use with gloves on?

[Iceaxe]

Is that power boost button easy enough to use with gloves on?

Not really....

You will seldom use the boost... but... when you are lost, at night, drunk, in a snowstorm..... the boost is a nice option to have.

If you don't want to spent all your coin then get the standard Tikka. They are deluxe, but not a deluxe as the XP. You orginally asked what everyone thought was the best headlamp.... not best buy for the buck.

:popcorn:

[utidcapaco]

Actually, I said I'd like to stay under $50, but I guess the Tikka XP fits that bill. I need to suck it up and stop being such a tightwad. :nod: Thanks all for the input.

[Iceaxe]

need to suck it up and stop being such a tightwad.

Yeah baby..... blow the dust off that wallet and get busy :haha:

[accadacca]

From another post a while back: http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3197

[Joe Gardner]

http://www.karstsports.com/pete69duo5le.html

Hands down the best headlamp I have ever had.
I used it for about 4 years, then sold it. Why?... I ask my self that evertime i use my "night ray" http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD0722/Black-Diamond-NightRay-Headlamp.html?id=PFQoND3a

The Night Ray sucks, worst light pattern around. I had one for less then a week before i returned it for a BD Cosmo, $10 cheaper, half the weight, twice the use able light.