What's your reccomended headlamp?

**chazlawyer** · 06-11-2009, 12:05 PM

I've seen some reviews on REI and Amazon, but I wondered if anyone here had a few reccomendations as to what a good quality headlamp is. I'm looking to spend around $25-$50 for one. I'm also looking for it to be fairly bright with a good battery life. I'm not so concerned about having multiple brightness settings, strobe, etc. I've heard Petzl is a good brand. Any thoughts?

**Ken** · 06-11-2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by chazlawyer

I've seen some reviews on REI and Amazon, but I wondered if anyone here had a few reccomendations as to what a good quality headlamp is. I'm looking to spend around $25-$50 for one. I'm also looking for it to be fairly bright with a good battery life. I'm not so concerned about having multiple brightness settings, strobe, etc. I've heard Petzl is a good brand. Any thoughts?

Petzl is a GREAT brand. Well built and reliable. I own two and they're keepers. My sons also swear by them.

**rat31465** · 06-11-2009, 01:23 PM

I have a Streamlight that I really like.

**Rick** · 06-11-2009, 01:26 PM

I have a Petzl Tikka Plus that I really like. Having said that, Princeton has come out with a line of waterproof headlamps. You might check out the Princeton Quad or Quad Tactical. I have not used them, only read about them.

The Tikka Plus is water resistant while the Princeton is water proof to 1m. Could be a big difference if you kayak or canoe.

**DOGMAN** · 06-11-2009, 01:52 PM

i love my pricetontec yukon

**crashdive123** · 06-11-2009, 03:08 PM

I don't have any Petzl headlamps, but have heard great things about them. I've got a couple of Princetontecs that perform great. I have a Streamlight that is extremely bright, but has a much shorter battery life. I've got a couple of Eveready head lamps that work well too. The of course there are the Photon series of lights ant the Streamlight Nano. Two pretty tiny lights.

**Icemancometh** · 06-11-2009, 03:20 PM

Streamlight, with white and green leds and a xenon bulb.

**crashdive123** · 06-11-2009, 04:25 PM

Here's a few pics that may spark an idea or two for you. The top, left is an inexpensive Energizer. It uses a regular incandescent bulb. It is a little bulky - I do not use this for backpacking (pretty good under a house though). The second light on the top row is another Energizer. Again, inexpensive - but this one has two white led's and one red one. Runs on 2 AAA batteries - the only complaint on this one is the switch, which can be bumped and come on easily (small piece of tape stops that from happening) - long run time. The third is a Princeton Tec - three white led's, three brightness settings - powered by two AAA - long run time, especially on low setting. The fourth is a Streamlight Argo - one xenon bulb, three brightness settings, powered by 3 AAA's, short run time on high (but very bright), fair run time on low. The headlamp in the second row (on the right) is an LED Lenser - extremely bright, powered by 3 AAA's at the back of the head strap, fair run time. The six small lights are Photons and Photon knock-offs - very bright, good run time, powered by watch type battery. The four at the bottom are Streamlight Nanos - very bright, good run time, powered by watch type (4) batteries.

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**chazlawyer** · 06-11-2009, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the replies...

I've got a few options and I'm leaning towards the Petzl Tikka Plus...It's $35 at REI...

Petzl® Tikka Plus boasts bright illumination along with its lightweight, efficient and comfortable design.

* Switch lets you select from four lighting levels to meet your needs: low, medium, high, bright strobe

* Four LEDs provide even lighting throughout your field of vision, with no blank spots in the beam

* Improved illumination is 80% brighter than the classic Tikka Plus, giving you more confidence and security in the dark

* Water-resistant construction for full-on reliability in inclement weather

* Ratcheting swivel head aims light where you need it

* Adjustable headband holds the light securely in place; colorful headband and casing add a touch of style

* Batteries included

Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp Specs
Specification

Description
Bulb type 4 LEDs
Weight with batteries 2.75 ounces
Dimensions 2.4 x 2.3 x 1.7 inches
Brightness (lux @ 2 meters) High: 64 / low: 14
Maximum beam distance High: 32 / low: 15 meters
Brightness levels 3
Beam type Flood
Strobes 1
Regulated output No
Battery life at 70 degrees High: 100 / low: 150 hours
Batteries 3 AAA

BTW, i love thos little nano lights...I keep on one the shoulder strap of my pack...

**warrigal** · 06-17-2009, 07:56 PM

Love my Petzl tikka plus but I also have a couple Petzl E-lites as back up and for red led use ( red led doesn't wake the three year old up when I check on him during the night)
Surefire G2 led for longer range use.
Carl