headlamps

[toasty tiger]

I know I know - probably been discussed four hundred times - I am having a tough time selecting a head lamp to use as a primary - I have a good old energizer and another hat light that I use to run in every morning - I cant decide on which $50 headlamp to get - I have seen raving reviews on the black diamond spot and on the Tikkas - is there one that any of you use that will get more than one year of use and is not related to the latest greatest marketing campaign?

[toasty tiger]

sorry - petzls not tikkas

[Mikeha33]

I have the Black Diamond Polar Icon 200 Lumen, and it is awesome. It has a bright setting, a low setting, red, strobe, and can be dimmed down to wherever you like it. Battery life is also very good for that kind of lumen output. It's waterproof, and with the external battery pack, there isn't hardly noticeable weight on your head. It's so bright that I use it for frogging. I do recommend it.

[twinkieman]

I have the Black Diamond Polar Icon 200 Lumen

X2 love it

[Backyard]

Been using Petzl Tikka's for about 15 yrs now. Have a couple. First one lasted about 10 yrs, got a new one for X-mas then realized that the LED gets dimmer with years of use (they all do), couldn't really tell up to that point. But I love it, weighs almost nothing, I sometimes forget that I'm wearing it if it isn't on. Has high, low, strobe, and red. Can usually find 'em for less than $35.00 too.

Good luck!

[stykbow67]

I've got a Petzl Tikka XP2 attached to my hardhat 24/7 and come on every time I need it. I'm a powerlinemen and it's out in all types of weather and hasn't failed me yet!

Steve

[kizer00]

^^ +1 for Tikka XP2

[WapitiTalk1]

Nick, I also have a few older Tikkas.. They have never failed me. I picked up an Xtreme Beam headlamp a few months ago; it has a low, medium, and "spotlight" setting that really kicks out there. Here's a VID I made about the Xtreme Beam headlamp a while ago. It was a nasty, rainy night in WA when I made the VID but this lamp really kicks out the light. The only bad thing is that it has a long snout on it. I'll be using it as my primary this fall and one of my older Tikkas as a backup. They are "very" reasonably priced. Here's the link to their webpage http://buyextremebeam.com/products/osr- ... head-light . I also have one of the Zebra lights (close quarters, wide beam light) which really rocks as a camp light.

[Fullabull]

I just bought a Princeton Tec for $49, 165 lumens, dimmable. Seems nice, waterproof. I have an old Petzl that I still use but it has gotten dimmer over the years.

[welka]

Black diamond spot

[Lark Bunting]

I just bought a Princeton Tec for $49, 165 lumens, dimmable. Seems nice, waterproof. I have an old Petzl that I still use but it has gotten dimmer over the years.

Another vote for Princeton Tec. I love mine; bright, dimmable, strobe, and most importantly, comfortable. I also love that it tilts/pivots down. I have others that don't tilt and I don't like them.

[Fridaythe13th]

I have an old Petzl that I still use but it has gotten dimmer over the years

I have never herd of this, Is it true? that the bulb gets dimmer, or is it technology gets better with the bulbs. Wow!!! I learn some new every day on this site.

[NirvanaFan]

I have an old Petzl that I still use but it has gotten dimmer over the years

I have never herd of this, Is it true? that the bulb gets dimmer, or is it technology gets better with the bulbs. Wow!!! I learn some new every day on this site.

Both. LEDs definitely dim with age. Newer designs are much better than old ones at preventing this. LEDs also shift their color output over time as well. It's probably not a big deal for a head lamp compared to some applications (lighting fish tanks for example), but a shift in color output could make it seem dimmer.

[Fullabull]

I have an old Petzl that I still use but it has gotten dimmer over the years

I have never herd of this, Is it true? that the bulb gets dimmer, or is it technology gets better with the bulbs. Wow!!! I learn some new every day on this site.

Both. LEDs definitely dim with age. Newer designs are much better than old ones at preventing this. LEDs also shift their color output over time as well. It's probably not a big deal for a head lamp compared to some applications (lighting fish tanks for example), but a shift in color output could make it seem dimmer.

It has one bright bulb and two small clear bulbs that are smaller so they are dimmer. It also has two red bulbs in it. It should work out pretty well.

[pointysticks]

I never knew LED dims with age. I have two very old Tikkas. They won't die.

I just got a new black diamond and it is almost uncomfortably bright. The difference was amazing. I still have the old ones as spares. New headlamp and technology was worth the $50.

[a3dhunter]

I have the Princeton Tec Remix but needed a backup, so I picked up a Black Diamond Storm from REI.
That thing is much brighter than the Remix and hiking in the dark up into the Sangre De Cristo's friday night I found I only needed low to light the trail.

[Csrbowhunter]

I use the cabelas xpg. It's really bright plus has red, green, blue or white light. The green is what I use the most. It seems to be the brightest I can see with and the elk and deer can't see it.

[N5J]

We get the cheap ones from Walmart for $19. They have the red, green, and white light and really bright. They last a long time and for the price we have three each, couple in the pack and one at camp.

N5J

[Wagnon89]

I just bought a Princeton Tec for $49, 165 lumens, dimmable. Seems nice, waterproof. I have an old Petzl that I still use but it has gotten dimmer over the years.

This Princeton Tec Vizz is my go to lamp. I also have a Petzl Tikka but I like the Vizz a little better.