PT VorTec headlamp questions

[pedalinbob]

it is getting close to snow season here in Michigan.
last year, i had to do snow removal frequently in the dark. well, not completely dark, but i felt i needed more light.

i tried my PT Solo: definitely not enough light. strangely, my Aurora was better, but still not enough light.

so i have been thinking of getting a more powerful headlamp. though i am also considering the Myo or Yukon, what do you folks think about the VorTec? it seems like a Tec40 for the head, which should provide plenty of light.
my snow removal chores usually only require about 1 hour of steady work, so i think that battery life should be fine.

the concern: it looks pretty front-heavy.

any opinions?

thanks,
Bob

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Front heavy is a bit subjective, and depends somewhat on the person wearing the headlamp. I happen to find that the Lightwave Illuminator is front heavy, and it has 3 AAs in front.

There is one mitigating factor: the Winter cap aka watch cap aka ski hat. It helps to cushion your forehead.

You could always stuff an everled or the one from LEDCorp in that Vortec. If you put an everled in, you can use 4 Lithium AAs and they won't be wasted.

The Yukon HL would be an excellent choice for this, as well as numerous other things that you need a headlamp for. I am planning on getting an HL.

Currently, if I had to shovel snow, I would put 4 lithium AAs in my Arc LS headlamp Mod and uses either my rev1 LS head, or LSH-S (wiring is series/parallel).

Battery life depends on temperature as well as the bulb used, for a particular battery size and type.

Even the Matrix 2 would be an excellent choice, with its Side emitter LS.

 

[pedalinbob]

thanks charles.

yes, i am thinking of stuffing a micropuck and luxeon into my solo, or buying the matrix2 or yukon HL.


i think what i need is about 50ft of "wide" throw. essentially a fat flood. i dont think i need much of a spot, so a well driven LS might be just fine--especially with the reflectivity of snow!

does the yukon HL, matrix2 have high dome, low dome or side emitter?

man, i love LED's.

possibilities: Vortec, mod my Solo, ?Everled for Solo, Yukon HL, Matrix 2, Myo.

Bob

 

[Hoghead]

pedalinbob,
You hit the nail on the head when you said the VorTec is a Tec40 for the head. IMHO this is a good thing. It is a little front heavy, but not bad. This was also my main concern. I have two and I will probably buy more for the kids and grand kids to frog gig with. This is a good choice for a bright head lamp and lithium batteries are OK.

 

[Ben H]

I've got the VorTec and I like it. You have several brightness options depending on what bulb you put in it. Mine's a few years old and has been great. It never seemed too front heavy for me.

 

[pedalinbob]

but, hey...you have a hoghead, so it wouldnt feel heavy!

kidding!

hmmm. maybe the vortec would do. i could later put an everled in it if i wanted LED power. i like the simplicity and robustness of PT products.

all info/opinions welcomed!!!

Bob

 

[chumley]

Bob, the PT Vor-tec was my first headlamp. It has a very bright hotspot, and good spill with fresh batteries. I think it is too bright for close up task light duties, like camping use. However, it would probably work great for your needs. It isn't too front heavy if you use lithiums. I used mine this fall for picking up apples after it was dark, to avoid the wasps.

I would like to get a PT Yukon HL, I think it be much more useful for a variety of tasks.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

The Yukon HL, Matrix 2, and Impact XL all use a Side Emitter.

Of Course, if you could get an EverLed, you could put it in your Solo.

 

[itsme1234]

From what I understand battery life, color, reliability are not issues. But the brightness is. Is the everled _much_ brighter than the stock solo (2 W halogen) ?

 

[Jerimoth]

i'm a park ranger in NH...the stock light we use is the Vortec. I just bought the Matrix 2 and Yukon HL...both are great and I will be using my vortec less now. just came down using the Matrix until I ran into some hikers and I turned on my Lupine to light up the trail. the Matrix was fine for night hiking. the Vortec is much brighter in the first 30 minutes and then it dims somewhat...the Yukon is a great match that has much longer life...you ¬C