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I recently upgraded from a Princeton Tec Fuel (3 LED bulb model, 2 - 3 years old) to a Tikka XP^2 (Note: It is an XP squared, denoted by a raised '2', not XP 2).
This thing is the best headlamp for UE in my opinion. I'm blown away by it. I'll try to explain why.
The thing is a TINY 3 x AAA unit, so it is super easy to stuff in a pocket. The single high output LED bulb is VERY bright. In a pitch black room this thing can FUNCTIONALLY illuminate a radius around you of about 33 m or 100 ft. The 3 bulb princeton was at perhaps 10 - 15 m. It's the first headlamp I've worn where I can just walk around with it, comfortable, not constantly wishing I had more light. I still carry my spot as a luxury, but I don't sweat when it runs out of batteries. Most of the time I have it on low setting, where it will run for 160 hours, likely 120 to 140 functionally bright. It has a red LED for when you need your night vision to stay intact, or when you want to maintain low visibility on approach, and just need a touch of light in the pitch black. Best of all you set it to either red mode or white mode, and can turn it on and off in those modes, rather than having to cycle through all 5 trying to find the mode you want, sending flashes of light everywhere and night blinding yourself in the process. It has a very simply slide-across wide angle/spot selector which works VERY well and is super easy to use. It's water resistant enough to handle a good rain. Perhaps best of all, it has a built in low battery light, so you never get caught out with dead cells. And it's around 60$ with a lifetime guarantee.
You really have to see it in action to appreciate it. Will it be as bright as a high-output Xenon with a belt carry 4 x AA or similar? No. But it takes 3 x AAA, fits in the palm of your hand, is enough light to keep you happy, has features like red light, wide angle/spot selection, and unlike a high output Xenon it will run for 70 - 80 hours on high, or 160 on low.
Get One.
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Posted by Phaedrus1982
I recently upgraded from a Princeton Tec Fuel (3 LED bulb model, 2 - 3 years old) to a Tikka XP^2 (Note: It is an XP squared, denoted by a raised '2', not XP 2).
This thing is the best headlamp for UE in my opinion. I'm blown away by it. I'll try to explain why.
The thing is a TINY 3 x AAA unit, so it is super easy to stuff in a pocket. The single high output LED bulb is VERY bright. In a pitch black room this thing can FUNCTIONALLY illuminate a radius around you of about 33 m or 100 ft. The 3 bulb princeton was at perhaps 10 - 15 m. It's the first headlamp I've worn where I can just walk around with it, comfortable, not constantly wishing I had more light. I still carry my spot as a luxury, but I don't sweat when it runs out of batteries. Most of the time I have it on low setting, where it will run for 160 hours, likely 120 to 140 functionally bright. It has a red LED for when you need your night vision to stay intact, or when you want to maintain low visibility on approach, and just need a touch of light in the pitch black. Best of all you set it to either red mode or white mode, and can turn it on and off in those modes, rather than having to cycle through all 5 trying to find the mode you want, sending flashes of light everywhere and night blinding yourself in the process. It has a very simply slide-across wide angle/spot selector which works VERY well and is super easy to use. It's water resistant enough to handle a good rain. Perhaps best of all, it has a built in low battery light, so you never get caught out with dead cells. And it's around 60$ with a lifetime guarantee.
You really have to see it in action to appreciate it. Will it be as bright as a high-output Xenon with a belt carry 4 x AA or similar? No. But it takes 3 x AAA, fits in the palm of your hand, is enough light to keep you happy, has features like red light, wide angle/spot selection, and unlike a high output Xenon it will run for 70 - 80 hours on high, or 160 on low.
Get One.
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hey we have this in common!
I tried it the other night, and it really is impressive. Nice light output for something so small, and its regulated so like Phaedrus1982 said its going to last and you won't get caught in the dark with dead batteries. Amazing light for something so small and that runs on aaa batteries. I paid $50 for mine, but it actually was free as I traded in a defective flashlight and headlamp at MEC.
"The extraordinary beauty of things that fail." - Heinrich von Kleist | |
| fits in the palm of your hand, is enough to keep you happy |
Fleshlight ftw!!! They need to make a head-mounted fleshlight.
My simple mind just recoiled in terror at the thought of that, and the resulting mental image.
GO PETZL!
Give a person a match and they'll be warm for a minute, but light them on fire and they'll be warm for the rest of their life. =) | |
I've been impressed with my Zebralight, but I rarely wear it on my head because it is difficult to use with one hand (older twisty model). I like clipping it on to a strap or shirt pocket and leaving it on medium for nice, floody light.
Audaces Fortuna Iuvat | |
Posted by KeyGrip
I've been impressed with my Zebralight, but I rarely wear it on my head because it is difficult to use with one hand (older twisty model). I like clipping it on to a strap or shirt pocket and leaving it on medium for nice, floody light.
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Yeah, I have the old H50 or whatever it is, and you really do need two hands.
http://www.longexposure.net | |
After having seen the sten, I don't think I can ever own a headlamp without feeling utterly inadequate.
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You have a Stenlight?? Please go on.
Audaces Fortuna Iuvat | |
I looooooove headlamps. But I'm talking cheap, home made, there's a flashlight on some rope stuff somehow stuck to my head kind of headlamps. What price range are you all willing to drop to get a 'good' headlamp? what features are a must? What's the best "bang for your buck"?
I know I could look this all up myself, I'm not being lazy here I'm trying to push the discussion forwards
EDIT: I just realized I didn't explain why I love them. I'm all about heights and I find I often need both hands to feel safe in what I'm doing. The headlamp saves me from having to balance something in one hand or putting it repeatedly in my pocket and taking it back out again - and if there's somebody coming up a ladder or something behind me who needs a bit of light for a handhold, it's as easy as looking at them to lend them a hand.
my two cents 
[last edit 5/31/2010 2:04 AM by Yield - edited 1 times]
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For a regular, knockaround camping/night hiking headlamp I don't think I'd go over $50. If I were caving, or required something a little extra special, I could change that and get something fancy, but for general hands-free illumination there are plenty of lights under $50 that will do you just fine. The "must have" features tend to vary from person to person, but I prefer one handed operation and multiple output levels.
Audaces Fortuna Iuvat | |
Posted by KeyGrip
You have a Stenlight?? Please go on.
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I wish. No, I mean after knowing that such a thing exists, I don't think I can ever feel headlamp satisfied without one.
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It makes kitty sounds when you push its nose. The pic is a link if you want to pick one up for the kids, or yourself 
[last edit 6/2/2010 4:38 AM by bonnie&clyde - edited 1 times]
The question is not when are we gonna stop, It's who's gonna stop us?
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Posted by digital_me
After having seen the sten, I don't think I can ever own a headlamp without feeling utterly inadequate.
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It sounds neat, but offers nothing I need thankfully
The Colorblind Photographer | |
Posted by digital_me
I wish. No, I mean after knowing that such a thing exists, I don't think I can ever feel headlamp satisfied without one.
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Ah. Yea, I know what you mean. Fuckin' magnets and everything.
Audaces Fortuna Iuvat | |
I was browsing Shiningbeam and spotted this 1xAAA headlamp that reminds me of a zebralight:
http://www.shining...01-Headlamp/Detail
Headlamps that you can stuff into a pocket are always good.
http://www.longexposure.net | |
can anyone reccomend a good minimal but bright headlamp, e.g. something i could stuff in my pocket. but it would be pretty bright. i've heard good things about the tikka xp squared, any other good ones?
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Posted by digital_me
can anyone reccomend a good minimal but bright headlamp, e.g. something i could stuff in my pocket. but it would be pretty bright. i've heard good things about the tikka xp squared, any other good ones?
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Black Diamond icon
http://www.ems.com...cp=3677338.3737366
I've used this for the last 2-3 years, usually the brightest headlamp of anyone around and batteries (3AA) last longer than most as well. Might be slightly heavier than you're looking for is all.
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Posted by bfinan0
Black Diamond icon
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yeah that's bigger than I'm looking for. ideally it wouldn't have an external battery pack. i've got the bd headlamp that preceded the icon, has served me well for probably over a thousand hours but it's dying and needs to be put to rest, preferably by something smaller.
anyone got something weird but good I may not have heard of?
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Posted by digital_me
can anyone reccomend a good minimal but bright headlamp, e.g. something i could stuff in my pocket. but it would be pretty bright. i've heard good things about the tikka xp squared, any other good ones?
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I'm a huge fan of the Princeton Tec EOS. There's a reason that it's one of the most popular headlamps on CandlePowerForums. It's small, tough, waterproof, and has constant-current regulation (something most other 3xAAA headlamps don't have). Brightguy.com sells it for around $35 or so.
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tick, i'll check out the eos. thanks for the reccomendation.
what about the zebralight h31? some people on minimalist backpacking fora were making noises about it. it's like the zebralight but with a reflector.
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Petzl Have 3 different models. All are great n easily fit in ur pocket & less than $50 to my doorstep. Read my reviews at the beginning of the thread.
The question is not when are we gonna stop, It's who's gonna stop us?
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