Spikelight - Review
A short review of the Spikelight.
The first thing that got me is - this thing is BIG! Ok so maybe I knew this was coming since I had previously been using a compact headtorch in the Petzl Tikka XP, but it still surprised me when I unwrapped the package.
The cells are big
(AAA, AA, 18650 cell)
The battery pack is big
Yep, the whole thing is big
Spikelight V3 on left, Petzl Tikka XP on right.
In other news - it's fiercely bright. A great upgrade for me. I took it out into the bush over Easter and shone it around a bit - super fun! Its first test will be a caving trip to the Nullarbor next week. Unfortunately I won't be going to the SA Rogaining state champs but this thing is, as expected, perfect for rogaining. The flood is BROAD and the spot is TIGHT!
Another unexpected thing is that the spot beam is kind of an odd square shape - not the usual round. This is only really apparent when looking at things up close (and burning your eyes at the same time.) I couldn't get my smartphone to photograph this very well though.
Finally, the entire unit has a robust, home made feel about it. The battery pack is decidedly agricultural, with a rough finish but solid feel. The elastic straps are super wide. The switch on mine is a little sticky sometimes, and wobbles around a little but with a bit of a fiddle seems to come good eventually.
Ash was very helpful and even gave me a couple of extra batteries after accidentally sending me a light with the wrong UI.
