gcbryan
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yes. That would be a good price.
Black Diamond Spot or Icon?
- Thread starter rydude07
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Thanks guys! so all of you think that the tikka 2 is better than the pt quad?
And it seems that the petzl tikka 2 isnt regulated...which kind of turns me off. I contacted BD and they said that the icon is regulated. I know that the eos and quad are supposed to be regulated too.
And it seems that the petzl tikka 2 isnt regulated...which kind of turns me off. I contacted BD and they said that the icon is regulated. I know that the eos and quad are supposed to be regulated too.
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robostudent5000
Enlightened
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i wouldn't get caught up on regulation. regulation only really makes a difference if you have a lamp that requires a lot of current and you plan on running it at a high brightness level for a long time. i don't think either of those really apply to your situation, so for your use, it won't really matter. for you, it would just be additional cost and weight for a feature you don't really need.
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carrot
Flashaholic
I do think that the PT Quad is a good headlamp. I do not think it is a good competitor to the Petzl Tikka 2, however. It is noticeably heavier and a good deal less svelte.
The Quad has 3 output levels, which is impressive on paper, but in real life use the difference between the three isn't big enough for me to care which I'm using. The Tikka2's secondary output level is always a fraction of the high output, so is always useful. The button is less stiff than on the Tikka2, which means I've seen it accidentally activate.
Biggest reason you'd pick the Quad over the Tikka2 is if you are going to be submersing it a lot and need that waterproof rating. It is rated waterproof to 1M, which is better than the Tikka2's rating of "splash proof" (IPX4). Both have withstood my water intrusion tests (leaving them in the shower for half an hour) as well as being dunked in my sink, however.
As to regulation... in a light designed to run as long as a traditional headlamp... not the least bit of concern. When I am wearing a headlamp, the output matters not as much as the fact that I'm getting light out of it. Your eyes will adjust to the (very slowly) diminishing output.
The Quad has 3 output levels, which is impressive on paper, but in real life use the difference between the three isn't big enough for me to care which I'm using. The Tikka2's secondary output level is always a fraction of the high output, so is always useful. The button is less stiff than on the Tikka2, which means I've seen it accidentally activate.
Biggest reason you'd pick the Quad over the Tikka2 is if you are going to be submersing it a lot and need that waterproof rating. It is rated waterproof to 1M, which is better than the Tikka2's rating of "splash proof" (IPX4). Both have withstood my water intrusion tests (leaving them in the shower for half an hour) as well as being dunked in my sink, however.
As to regulation... in a light designed to run as long as a traditional headlamp... not the least bit of concern. When I am wearing a headlamp, the output matters not as much as the fact that I'm getting light out of it. Your eyes will adjust to the (very slowly) diminishing output.
Seems like the consensus is the petzl tikka 2 over the EOS, quad, tikka 2 plus, and XP. What i like about the quad is that it shows when the battery is getting low which can be nice. But, I dont need the extra waterproofness of the quad. Seems like I will go for the petzl tikka 2 after i somehow get rid of my icon...
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gcbryan
Flashlight Enthusiast
With lights that aren't regulated the need for a battery strength indicator is less. It just keeps getting dimmer until you decide to change the battery. In other words it doesn't just suddenly stop working.
You can get most anything you want feature-wise you just generally have to pay more than $30.
gcbryan
Flashlight Enthusiast
Get the 70 lumen EOS. I don't see any more coming out anytime soon (if ever). You should be able to get it for $35 shipped if you look around. I got it at that price. Start with Amazon and then click on the feature that shows all the sellers that sell through Amazon and make sure you look for the lowest combined price (price + shipping).
The only reason they are selling for $30 is that they have been out for a while. When they were new they were typically selling for $45 or so plus shipping.
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You don't see one coming out with like 100 lumens or something like that in the future?
gcbryan
Flashlight Enthusiast
My point is , who knows? I'm not sure the EOS line will even be continued. I'm sure PT will continue to make headlamps in the future and some will have increased output but the EOS has been out as is for a few years and I've heard nothing about any new version about to come out.
It wouldn't make much difference anyway...70 lumens or 100 lumens...you wouldn't notice a big difference. If they did come out with one it would probably cost close to $50 and then there would probably be better choices at that price.
They could also redesign it and make it less desirable as Petzl did (in some people's eyes) when they "improved" the XP with the XP2. No one knows the answers to these questions in advance.
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carrot
Flashaholic
The EOS is one of PT's best designs. I saw a disassembly thread here and it was very clear that it was designed to easily adapt to the ever-changing LED supply market. The output is regulated, which is not terribly important for most headlamp users, but definitely icing on the cake, and it is both rugged and water resistant. It seems to be a favorite among cavers due its water resistance as a backup headlamp to less rugged or less reliable primary headlamps. It would be incredibly dumb of PT to discontinue it; hopefully they have enough sense to realize that the EOS way outdoes their more "current" models.
But I digress. For most of my uses the floodier and lighter Tikka2 seems preferable.
But I digress. For most of my uses the floodier and lighter Tikka2 seems preferable.
Wow you guys are awesome in responding!
So i found out that I can return the Icon.
Seems like I will be getting the PT EOS or the petzl tikka 2. These are much better lights than the same priced Icon eh? It just seems weird that so many other sites, if not all except CPF love the Icon (those reviewers may not be flashaholics like you guys)
I will also be using the headlamp without a hat so i heard that the ICON may not be as comfortable as well. The 100 lumen output and the so many modes impress me lol.
So i found out that I can return the Icon.
Seems like I will be getting the PT EOS or the petzl tikka 2. These are much better lights than the same priced Icon eh? It just seems weird that so many other sites, if not all except CPF love the Icon (those reviewers may not be flashaholics like you guys)
I will also be using the headlamp without a hat so i heard that the ICON may not be as comfortable as well. The 100 lumen output and the so many modes impress me lol.robostudent5000
Enlightened
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dude, unless you really need to have two headlamps, instead of getting a Tikka 2 ($30) and a Eos ($30) why don't you just get one Zebralight ($64)?
oh wait, i read your previous post wrong. you're thinking about a Eos OR a Tikka 2, correct?
you know, if you do plan on doing some caving in the future and want a lamp with a lot of features, maybe you should get the Storm.
when i recommended the Eos, i kind of assumed you'd be using it for camping and night hiking.
when i recommended the Tikka 2, i thought you'd be using it around the house mostly and in a campsite a little bit.
if you plan on using your lamp around the house, at a campsite, and for occasional caving, that covers a wider range of uses. so at that point, the BD Storm might be the better choice for you. that way you get the option of a spot beam and a floody beam all in one package instead of being stuck with just one or the other. the Tikka 2 doesn't throw very far and its battery compartment isn't sealed, and the Eos isn't great for close use, the Storm can kind of give you the best of both and is only slightly heavier than the Eos. i should mention though that the Eos and the Storm are pretty heavy for one piece headlamps and push the boundary of what's comfortable to wear. if you plan on wearing your lamps for a long time and are concerned with comfort, that might be something to consider.
i think the L.L. Bean deal is over, but i think i saw the Storm at a couple other places for $40. i think Amazon has it for $42 but their prices are always fluctuating so i don't know how long that will last. (Amazon has the Eos for $28 right now, but i don't expect that to last long either.)
i'll say it again about the Icon. it's not a bad light, it's just really bulky. if you don't mind the extra bulk (or the PWM flicker), i think it's fine. but then again, if you plan on doing some caving, you should have a lamp that's waterproof. and since the Icon isn't waterproof at all, that's another reason to avoid it.
oh wait, i read your previous post wrong. you're thinking about a Eos OR a Tikka 2, correct?
you know, if you do plan on doing some caving in the future and want a lamp with a lot of features, maybe you should get the Storm.
when i recommended the Eos, i kind of assumed you'd be using it for camping and night hiking.
when i recommended the Tikka 2, i thought you'd be using it around the house mostly and in a campsite a little bit.
if you plan on using your lamp around the house, at a campsite, and for occasional caving, that covers a wider range of uses. so at that point, the BD Storm might be the better choice for you. that way you get the option of a spot beam and a floody beam all in one package instead of being stuck with just one or the other. the Tikka 2 doesn't throw very far and its battery compartment isn't sealed, and the Eos isn't great for close use, the Storm can kind of give you the best of both and is only slightly heavier than the Eos. i should mention though that the Eos and the Storm are pretty heavy for one piece headlamps and push the boundary of what's comfortable to wear. if you plan on wearing your lamps for a long time and are concerned with comfort, that might be something to consider.
i think the L.L. Bean deal is over, but i think i saw the Storm at a couple other places for $40. i think Amazon has it for $42 but their prices are always fluctuating so i don't know how long that will last. (Amazon has the Eos for $28 right now, but i don't expect that to last long either.)
i'll say it again about the Icon. it's not a bad light, it's just really bulky. if you don't mind the extra bulk (or the PWM flicker), i think it's fine. but then again, if you plan on doing some caving, you should have a lamp that's waterproof. and since the Icon isn't waterproof at all, that's another reason to avoid it.
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Thanks for such an informative post!
Yah I guess the Icon is a lot builkier than either the EOS and the storm and the Tikka2. The Icon, just like the storm both has a flood mode and spot mode right?
I may go for the EOS on sale on amazon. I may be able to make due with the lack of spill since the price is so good
Yah I guess the Icon is a lot builkier than either the EOS and the storm and the Tikka2. The Icon, just like the storm both has a flood mode and spot mode right?
I may go for the EOS on sale on amazon. I may be able to make due with the lack of spill since the price is so good
What's the best cheapest light that has the throw of a EOS (maybe not that much) and the flood of a petzl tikka 2? (something like the BD icon that has 2 types of modes?) Just in case i want to not only use it around camp but hike as well
The throw of the BD Icon is same as the PT EOS?
The throw of the BD Icon is same as the PT EOS?
carrot
Flashaholic
I would hike with the Tikka2 just fine. In fact, I have. I have also hiked and done camp chores with the EOS. You can't go wrong with either, really!
I think you'll find they have a surprising amount of overlap. The EOS is definitely on the throwy side but it has tons of sidespill. The Tikka2 is floody, but it has a decent bit of throw. Both have *very* well-balanced beams for a variety of uses and both have their advantages. Pick the one that sounds good to you right now, and try the other one later. Honestly, as someone who has both, I hate to have to choose which one to take hiking. For me it works well enough to pair a floody headlamp of my choice with a small thrower, but often enough the thrower stays in my pocket and is only used when I'm checking my bearings against trail markers or mini-landmarks. If you prefer to go with one headlamp and no flashlight, the EOS gets a slight edge, but is less optimal for reading and other close-up work.
Both the BD Storm and the Petzl Tikka XP2 offer the option of throw AND flood, however I can't stand the UI of the Storm although YMMV, and as mentioned earlier I actually prefer the balance of flood and throw better (on the Tikka2) than the option to pick between either on the XP2.
I think you'll find they have a surprising amount of overlap. The EOS is definitely on the throwy side but it has tons of sidespill. The Tikka2 is floody, but it has a decent bit of throw. Both have *very* well-balanced beams for a variety of uses and both have their advantages. Pick the one that sounds good to you right now, and try the other one later. Honestly, as someone who has both, I hate to have to choose which one to take hiking. For me it works well enough to pair a floody headlamp of my choice with a small thrower, but often enough the thrower stays in my pocket and is only used when I'm checking my bearings against trail markers or mini-landmarks. If you prefer to go with one headlamp and no flashlight, the EOS gets a slight edge, but is less optimal for reading and other close-up work.
Both the BD Storm and the Petzl Tikka XP2 offer the option of throw AND flood, however I can't stand the UI of the Storm although YMMV, and as mentioned earlier I actually prefer the balance of flood and throw better (on the Tikka2) than the option to pick between either on the XP2.
robostudent5000
Enlightened
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the way you keep talking about the Icon, it sounds like you want to justify keeping it. if you want to keep it, just keep it.
gcbryan
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'm here for the entertainment value at this point
Haha thanks for your help guys.
Yah the reason why i keep saying the Icon is because of REI and every other sites reviews. Seems like a light that is "too good to be true" sort of light according to the many non flashaholics on amazon, rei, backcountry etc
Yah the reason why i keep saying the Icon is because of REI and every other sites reviews. Seems like a light that is "too good to be true" sort of light according to the many non flashaholics on amazon, rei, backcountry etc
