Princeton Tec EOS II or PT EOS Tactical

[LOTL]

Im looking for a new headlamp to take on a camping trip and use for hiking. The reviews for the PT EOS and EOS II look good.
Im wondering how gimmicky having a red filter or red LED is when using inside a tent for reading etc.
Would it be worth getting PT EOS Tactical with the red filter over the EOS II?

Im open to other suggestions. Run time is of concern and would rather a AA or AAA headlamp.
I have some Eneloops that i plan on using, but if using Lithium batts gets me far better runtime, then im all ears.

Thanks

 

[woodentsick]

Hello,

Getting the EOS is, in my opinion, an excellent and unmatchable choice for your kind of use. I think a red filter might help a bit, but it is most definitely not required and considering the compromise you will make choosing the EOS Tactical it's definitely not worth it (IMO), compared to the EOS. The EOS can be very bright (for trail use) or quite low (for reading), depending on your needs. It also has excellent runtime with ordinary batteries, however, using lithiums will actually get you far worse runtime!

Hope this helps,

woodentsick

 

[Woods Walker]

It also has excellent runtime with ordinary batteries, however, using lithiums will actually get you far worse runtime!

woodentsick

It just depends on how yea look at it. The EOS seems to run longer regulated with Energizer lithiums at the expense of the DD.

 

[LOTL]

Thanks for the replies guys.
When you say the EOS are you referring to the EOS or the EOS II?
If the Red Lens or Red Led's are not really necessary, is the Fenix HL20 worth a look?

I like the idea of converting it to a flashlight, but something tells me ill just hold the headlamp in my hand if i dont feel like wearing it.

 

[woodentsick]

It just depends on how yea look at it. The EOS seems to run longer regulated with Energizer lithiums at the expense of the DD.

Yup with lithiums the regulation is much longer but the overall is much shorter...

I've never personally used a ZebraLight, but I've heard they're excellent... so it's certainly worth a look...

By the way EOS means the normal EOS, as the EOS II is only 50 lumens instead of 70...

Hope this helps,

woodentsick

 

[Woods Walker]

Yup with lithiums the regulation is much longer but the overall is much shorter...

I've never personally used a ZebraLight, but I've heard they're excellent... so it's certainly worth a look...

By the way EOS means the normal EOS, as the EOS II is only 50 lumens instead of 70...

Hope this helps,

woodentsick

The EOS II is a two mode work light (I like the UI better but wish there was med mode), the backpacking EOS is 4-modes. Don't know much about the tactical version. Looks like new ones are 70 lumens as believe PT moved up to a higher Bin Rebel but the drivers are the same. Also don't know if they upgraded the EOS II.

 

[LOTL]

Does anyone know if the 70 Lumen version shows 70 Lumens on the packaging? I see a lot of the EOS's on Ebay, but the packaging shows 50 Lumens.

Amazon doesnt state what the Lumen rating is and no one mentions it in their reviews.

Bright Guy has it and specifically mentions 70 Lumens. His shipping is $10 to my zip.
Any other reliable sources of the newer 70 lumen version?

 

[JNewell]

My recollection is that some of the early 70 lumen versions were found in 50 lumen packaging (not too surprising) but I think you're taking a risk if you buy a light now in the 50 lumen packaging. There's a good chance it is exactly what the package says it is.

 

[LOTL]

Got a better deal from on shipping from Bright Guy and went with the EOS. Thanks for all the help.
Any good links to directions for modding the EOS?