Headlamps

Idaho Jarhead

Idaho Jarhead

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
1,415
Hey all,

I figured WSS was the best place to ask this since you all seem to spend more time in the outdoors than most of the folks that hang out in other areas of the forums.

I'm going to buy a headlamp for general outdoors use including hunting, hiking, biking, and some trail running. Never having worn a headlamp a whole lot personally, I'm curious if you all prefer the second strap that goes over the top of the head. I kinda worry that without it the lamp would slide down with all the jarring from running and biking. But alot of the quality lamps don't have that extra strap. Also, do you prefer the fancy battery packs at the back of your head or the batteries in the lamp itself?
 
The third strap is usually to support the extra battery pack at the back of the head. When there is no battery pack, there probably isn't really enough weight to warrant the third strap.

I have a Princeton Tec Scout and Fuel, both good lamps. The Scout is small, light, and bright. It takes button cell batteries to cut the weight, but that's annoying if you need to change the batteries alot. I have used it running, hiking, and biking, and just as a general camp light. The fuel is a little bigger, a little heavier, and the swivel doesn't allow it to point quite as far down (not really an issue). It takes AAA batteries, a good thing if you want to use rechargeables or if you are using it alot.

Both of the lights are good quality, but for moving around alot (running), I would suggest the Scout because it's lighter and you will hardly notice it on your head. For a bike light, you are probably going to want the highest power lamp you can get, most of which use an external battery pack of some sort. Because of this, I would suggest getting two different lamps.

There are other brands out there that I'm sure put out alot of quality stuff, but I've only used Princeton Tec.
 
I have some old petzl headlamps and all of them have center straps.
It surely gives nice stability but the lamp will not slide down to your face without it.
The stability concerns about banging or hopping of the lamp on your forehead
in case you are running or jumping.

Recent products with LED bulb is so light weight that looks like they do not need extra straps.
 
I'm partially with fujita yuji. I definitely needed the strap on my old Petzl Zoom, and I'm pretty sure I would have missed it on my old Petzl Arctic even though the cells are held remotely. Over tightening it around the bonce to stop it slipping is the only other option and that sucks.

I don't miss it at all on the Myo XP. I think that is probably the best headlamp around for tool money not bragging rights.

Strangle timing: I was curious about the Zebra lights because they looked good. But then I got to thinking about wanting the AA version. I binned that idea off and am currently working on using a pair of modded AA Mags. The ability to put out 280 lumens from a headlamp appealed. I'm rigging them to an old Petzl cradle with center strap and I'm glad it has one.
 
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I like Petzl. The Myo XP has a remote battery pack with 3 x AA's so a long light output at a good level. Option of reduced output levels handy as well. Down side is 3 x AA's is noticable in fast activities.

My preffered overall is the Petzl Tikka XP. 3 x AAA's so not bad on runtime and also, various output levels.

I have used both on the MTB and prefer the Tikka XP ....YMMV!
 
I'll second siguy on the Princeton Tec Scout, I've had one for 3 years, and love it. It's so small it almost disapears in a pocket.

Brandon
 
Been a huge Petzel Tac Tikka Plus fan for years but now my entire group who trains together are switching over to the Princeton Tec Quad Tactical.

Reasons include: It can use rechargable AAA, Alki's and even Lithium for maximum flexiblity in power sources. In AK with the cold weather you'll want to run with the Lithiums during the extreme cold weather. Many other lamps don't do Lith...lith is perfect for cold weather useage. Approx 80 to 90 hours on low steady. It is 45 lums which is adequate for most outdoor activities. It is lightweight and very low profile. I've lived with mine around my head and neck for weeks on end when in the wild. It is not bulky or heavy.

It has three steady beam settings (I usually run on low and do just fine), the LED's are regulated, and it has a red cover for protecting night vision. The swivel/piviot on this thing rocks big time (far better than Petzel's) and it comes fully sealed for up to 30 minutes submerged at 1 meter. Unlike the Petzel you do not have to rip your fingernails apart trying to open this thing up to change batteries. It comes with a easy to use large head screw and an attacked screwdriver built into the head band (Cool ideal Princeton Tec!) A hard core mil-spec head lamp that is affordable. Buy with confidence. Small enough to fit in a vest pocket.
 
I highly recommend the new Rebel-LED Princeton Tec EOS.

Light weight, very bright, nice spread for camp use (not too narrow, not too wide).
 
Zebralights are great unless you need decent throw -- they're very much short range floodlights, and not really suitable for things like nighttime biking or running. But for around camp -- cooking, reading in the tent, etc., they're very nice.

I really like the Mammut TXlite for when more throw is needed; the Princeton Tec EOS is popular and often recommended, but I don't like it's design. Always have trouble with finding the switch, especially with gloves on. The Black Diamond Spot's okay, but personally I'm staying away from 5mm LEDs because they're too blue. The Petzl Tikka XP's not bad either. All take 3 AAA batteries and no top strap.

For more power, the PT Apex or Petzl Myo RXP are probably the best choices without getting into super high end orienteering or caving lights. Other decent ones include the BD Icon and Mammut X-Zoom.
 
I'm kinda disappointed in all of you, but especially Kuruptd. In a thread titled "Headlamps," why has no one yet posted a pic of an incredibly busty woman?
 
I use the Princeton Tec Eos while cycling (road and mountain biking) and while running. The third strap is not necessary for the Eos. It stays in place while running and cycling. I think it is a little heavy for running, but it is tolerable. I like it because of the varying brightness, the strong output, and its battery requirements (3 AAAs). It is easy to change batteries in the dark, and no tools are needed.
 
My only headlamp is a Petzl E-lite. It is meant as a backup because it is tiny. However, it is bright, durable and full of features, so I like to use it a lot as a main light.
 
+1 on the Petzl Tikka Plus :thumbup: Reasonable price, excellent quality, batteries last forever.
 
+1 on the Petzl brand and more specifically the tikka series. I also have a black diamond with the center strap and rear battery pack. I hate it, and not just because it has never worked properly... Its heavier, the straps get twisted which makes it harder to get on your head and i find the center strap is slightly annoying.
 
I have an E-lite. I will be needing a new one because the bright mode failed to work and its now only useful around the house for odd jobs.

I will either go with the tactiika XP: http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/tactikka-series/tactikka-xp

Or I will try out the Princeton Tech Quad tac forementioned.

The Princeton is brighter, however brighter isn't necessarily more usable. The Tactikka has spot and wide angles and it comes in O.D. CAMMO. :)
 
I've tried quite a few. My handsdown, without a doubt favorite is the PT Apex. It has a comfortable, two band design. You can remove the top of the head strap easily. With two level, four leds flood and two level, single 5W spot led, it will work for almost any situation. The spot on bright is enough to navigate the river bank from a boat at night. I have even used it to wade the bays with, gigging founder and netting blue crabs. The low level flood is soft enough to read or tie a hook by. It uses common AA batteries and will run a long, long time. They have a newer version out that is even brighter than mine; I will be ordering my wife one soon. The only drawback is the four battery pack. It will probably be too heavy for trail running. They also have a lighter model that runs on two CR123s, but I prefer AAs, widely available, cheap, and my other lights and GPSs run on them, so I only need to carry one battery type. If you want a headlamp that will do just about everything you need, short of a million+ candlepower spotlight, I'd suggest you check it out. They are not outrageously expensive, either. Ohh, I can attest to it's waterproof rating also.
 
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