headlight advice wanted

[Mad1]

I need a decent headlight for camping and hands free lighting.

My budget is allowing for a Princeton Tec EOS or a Petzl Tikka XP. I would love to go for an PT Apex but my budget wont allow for it. (unless you guys convince me otherwise. )

It needs to have a decent amount of output and throw and be sturdy on the head.

The PT EOS seems to have a narrow beem, does it have any useful side spill?

The Tikka XP seems to be ideal but is lacking in output, I'd rather not have to use the boost feature.

Thanks.

 

[Strauss]

Just buy the Apex and be done with it I went through almost every PT headlamp before I finally bought the Apex Pro. I should have just bought the Apex in the first place....but I was like you trying to save money and just ended up spending more in the long run The Apex rocks!

 

[Mad1]

You guys suck.

I just ordered a Princeton Tec Apex Pro.

 

[Sigman]

I don't think you'll be sorry with the Apex Pro, but did you do a search in this Forum for "headlamp"?

I did and came up with 350 threads...now granted they aren't all exactly what you had requested, but there's some fine reading available in those threads.

Actually I was going to go through the Forum & merge a lot of headlamp threads that hopefully had some of the advice that you were seeking...TOOOO many threads & not enough time.

Enjoy the Apex!

 

[Mad1]

I did a little search but didnt really find what I was looking for.

Checking lighthound today it looks like I got the last PT Apex Pro. They seem to be very popular at the moment.

I'm the kinda person who changes my mind alot so when Strauss said i'd end up spending more on different headlights, I knew he was right so I just went and ordered it.

 

[Strauss]

I think you made the right move. Congrats on the purchase

 

[greenLED]

You guys suck.

I just ordered a Princeton Tec Apex Pro.

You're welcome! :lolsign:

My only complaint with the Apex Pro is the (relatively) short runtime. Other than that, it's a really nice headlamp.

 

[TorchBoy]

What's the Apex (AA) runtime like compared to the Apex Pro?

And Strauss, thanks for the wisdom in post 2 (since it looks like no one else will come out and plainly say it ).

 

[Strauss]

What's the Apex (AA) runtime like compared to the Apex Pro?

And Strauss, thanks for the wisdom in post 2 (since it looks like no one else will come out and plainly say it ).

No problem

The AA version gets about 3x the amount of runtime. Then again you are comparing the same lamp driven by 4AA or 2xCR123's....quite the capacity difference.

I like my pro version because it is so light that I don't even need the center strap. I run 3.7V RCR123's in it as I already have quite a few extra. If I plan on going on a hike where I will need lots of runtime, I just bring along my SC2 spares carrier loaded with 6 extra cells. I got 50min of runtime on high fully regulated before the cell protection kicked in and shut off the light. Primaries would give you more runtime as they would be sucked dry and output would just start to diminish.