AyeMayanor
Enlightened
Petzl Tikka 2 XP Headlamp
While attending FCW-6, I was fortunate to have won this headlamp which was one of many lights provided by numerous sponsors. This one was donated by Petzl.
I had an opportunity to look over and test the lights prior to the giveaway and this headlamp was high on my list of favorites for many reasons that I will share in this review.
I must admit, I'm a little behind on what's what in headlamps these days. Until now, I've only had two: A Streamlight Trident and a Zebralight H30-Q5. The Streamlight is bulky, cumbersome, and is the only incandescent light in my collection. The Zebralight is lightweight, tiny and very bright.
What immediately impressed me about the Tikka was the battery configuration. Like the Streamlight, it operates on 3 AAA batteries, but they are lain side-by-side, flat against the back of the housing, whereas the Streamlight's battery compartment is a tube that only serves to make the unit larger.
My uses for a headlamp would include walking at night, reading in bed, or doing odd jobs around the house where holding a light in my hand is not an option. For these reasons, I prefer a headlamp to be small and lightweight. That's why I like the Zebralight so much, and though the Tikka is not THAT small, it is very light and comfortable to wear. And the inclusion of a red LED makes the Tikka more versatile.
Based on form factor alone, the Tikka scores big with me. Now let me tell you what it can do!
The packaging lists the high mode as 60 lumens with a runtime of 80 hours. The low mode does not have a rating but with it's runtime marked as 160 hours I would assume it is 30 lumens.
Whether on high or low, this is a bright and very useful light. The beam is nice and tight with good throw (60 meters) and just enough useful sidespill. The integrated diffuser allows you to change to a floody beam, perfect for illuminating a broader area directly in front of you.
Switching modes is very easy. Pressing the button on top of the light will turn it on high, pressing it again within 2 seconds will drop it down to low, and another quick press puts it in flash, or beacon mode. Pressing and holding the switch for 2 seconds will activate the red LED, and another quick press will put that into beacon mode.
I say beacon because it is a slow flash, nothing like the strobing that is a common feature of other LED flashlights. The practicality of a strobe or beacon mode was brought into question during the trip and I not only embrace it, but can honestly say I use it often. A flashing light will garner attention faster than a steady light, a welcome safety marker when walking at night.
The specifications claim an 80 hour runtime on high but I don't have the means or desire to test that. I've just been using it as I normally would. The night I got it, I went on a short hike for about 30 minutes with on high. Since then I have used it a few minutes here and there, sometimes on high, sometimes on low.
Speaking of safety, the Tikka has something that I did not notice until a few days had passed: There is a whistle attached to the headband! It's just a little detail but I think it's really cool.
All things considered, the Petzl Tikka XP is a fantastic headlamp and I am very pleased with it's performance and design.
Specifications:
Battery type: AAA x 3
Modes: 5 (White: High, Low, Beacon. Red: On, Beacon)
High: 60 Lumens
Low: 30 Lumens, estimated
Runtime:
High: 80 hours
Low: 160 hours
Beacon: 240 hours
Red: 100 hours
Red Beacon: 750 hours
Other features:
Tilting body
Sliding diffuser
Built-in whistle on head strap
Low Battery indicator
Average sale price: $50
While attending FCW-6, I was fortunate to have won this headlamp which was one of many lights provided by numerous sponsors. This one was donated by Petzl.
I had an opportunity to look over and test the lights prior to the giveaway and this headlamp was high on my list of favorites for many reasons that I will share in this review.
I must admit, I'm a little behind on what's what in headlamps these days. Until now, I've only had two: A Streamlight Trident and a Zebralight H30-Q5. The Streamlight is bulky, cumbersome, and is the only incandescent light in my collection. The Zebralight is lightweight, tiny and very bright.
What immediately impressed me about the Tikka was the battery configuration. Like the Streamlight, it operates on 3 AAA batteries, but they are lain side-by-side, flat against the back of the housing, whereas the Streamlight's battery compartment is a tube that only serves to make the unit larger.
My uses for a headlamp would include walking at night, reading in bed, or doing odd jobs around the house where holding a light in my hand is not an option. For these reasons, I prefer a headlamp to be small and lightweight. That's why I like the Zebralight so much, and though the Tikka is not THAT small, it is very light and comfortable to wear. And the inclusion of a red LED makes the Tikka more versatile.
Based on form factor alone, the Tikka scores big with me. Now let me tell you what it can do!
The packaging lists the high mode as 60 lumens with a runtime of 80 hours. The low mode does not have a rating but with it's runtime marked as 160 hours I would assume it is 30 lumens.
Whether on high or low, this is a bright and very useful light. The beam is nice and tight with good throw (60 meters) and just enough useful sidespill. The integrated diffuser allows you to change to a floody beam, perfect for illuminating a broader area directly in front of you.
Switching modes is very easy. Pressing the button on top of the light will turn it on high, pressing it again within 2 seconds will drop it down to low, and another quick press puts it in flash, or beacon mode. Pressing and holding the switch for 2 seconds will activate the red LED, and another quick press will put that into beacon mode.
I say beacon because it is a slow flash, nothing like the strobing that is a common feature of other LED flashlights. The practicality of a strobe or beacon mode was brought into question during the trip and I not only embrace it, but can honestly say I use it often. A flashing light will garner attention faster than a steady light, a welcome safety marker when walking at night.
The specifications claim an 80 hour runtime on high but I don't have the means or desire to test that. I've just been using it as I normally would. The night I got it, I went on a short hike for about 30 minutes with on high. Since then I have used it a few minutes here and there, sometimes on high, sometimes on low.
Speaking of safety, the Tikka has something that I did not notice until a few days had passed: There is a whistle attached to the headband! It's just a little detail but I think it's really cool.
All things considered, the Petzl Tikka XP is a fantastic headlamp and I am very pleased with it's performance and design.
Specifications:
Battery type: AAA x 3
Modes: 5 (White: High, Low, Beacon. Red: On, Beacon)
High: 60 Lumens
Low: 30 Lumens, estimated
Runtime:
High: 80 hours
Low: 160 hours
Beacon: 240 hours
Red: 100 hours
Red Beacon: 750 hours
Other features:
Tilting body
Sliding diffuser
Built-in whistle on head strap
Low Battery indicator
Average sale price: $50
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