Some advice on a new headlamp please

[peripatew]

I'm looking at getting a new headlamp, as my Zipka Plus died recently. I liked it quite a bit for it's size. My wife still has a regular Zipka that does alright. I wouldn't mind some extra brightness though. I recently got a Nitecore D10 and I couldn't be more pleased with it. I'd love similar features and technology, but I'm not sure what that is?

I've been poking around the forum, and looks like the PT Eos gets recommended often, but how much better is it than a Tikka XP? I like the diffuser on the XP, as well as the boost.

Ideally, I'd like super-ultra-low setting, a max that is bright, that I'd use not to often, and a mid setting in the middle. Seems that both have this, but the XP has a boost mode. Long last battery life is awesome too.

Will both work with Energize Lithiums? Are there other headlamps in this category?

Thanks in advance!

L!

 

[saabgoblin]

Petzl's and lithium's don't mix, that is one of the reasons why I always go with PT products that are lithium compatable. They have a lot of great Hl's and my most direct experience is with the Eos and the Aurura so I can really only offer actual advice on those two, oh yeah and an old Solo as well. The new model of the Eos seems to really rock and I assume that you have seen Woods Walkers review so Pt took a really great headlamp and made it much better as long as you get the newest version. The old version is a really great light as well but I think that I would greatly enjoy the extra output at times. PT just upgraded many of their headlamps with newer led technology and I am looking at the new Eos, Quad Tactical and the new Corona. Something about the Apex turns me off but I may be interested in the new Pro model.

I feel that PT's are the most durable HL's in their price range with a simple and straightforward UI with great flexibility.

 

[hopkins]

difficult to say which you'll like more. The Petzl plastic is more rugged than
the formula PT uses.

If you're bored you could always add a small hi/low switch to your dead petzl.
and wire it to bypass the PCB. Choose resistors for high and low of course.

-I assume the electronics are dead and not the led's-?

 

[peripatew]

Petzl's and lithium's don't mix, that is one of the reasons why I always go with PT products that are lithium compatable. They have a lot of great Hl's and my most direct experience is with the Eos and the Aurura so I can really only offer actual advice on those two, oh yeah and an old Solo as well. The new model of the Eos seems to really rock and I assume that you have seen Woods Walkers review so Pt took a really great headlamp and made it much better as long as you get the newest version. The old version is a really great light as well but I think that I would greatly enjoy the extra output at times. PT just upgraded many of their headlamps with newer led technology and I am looking at the new Eos, Quad Tactical and the new Corona. Something about the Apex turns me off but I may be interested in the new Pro model.

I feel that PT's are the most durable HL's in their price range with a simple and straightforward UI with great flexibility.

When did the new PT's come out? I'm likely ordering from Amazon, and I want to make sure I get the new one if that's what I decide to go with.

Also, how big of an issue is it that the Petzl's don't like Lithiums? I've only just bought some for my D10, and they are awesome for sure. But are Lithiums in the PT, and regulars in the Petzl a huge difference in comparison?

 

[saabgoblin]

My understanding of the circuitry is limited but I have heard and read that non regulated lights aren't compatible with lithium batteries and Petzls website strongly discourages the use of lithium's and I have heard of some serious overheating issues if lithium's are used in a Petzl product.

As for acquiring the latest PT models, cruise their website and check the Lumen specifications for each light and if a seller doesn't list the lumen rating, be very cautious of pulling the trigger. Bright Guy sells most if not all of the newer PT products and the lumen outputs are clearly listed and with good pricing as well and you can rest assured that you are getting what you want.

The new lumen output on the Eos is 50 as opposed to the 24 or 25 older model.

 

[Woods Walker]

I am a big fan of the new EOS. I rejected the EOS years ago as it was too much of a spot light but now it has great throw, flood and a fine Rebel LED tint. I have not tried the Zebra light but might break down when the new ones are made for AAA. Might be a nice camp light. I don't own a Zipka however do have a Tikka plus and like it for a direct drive 3xAAA headlamp for a backup or camp use.

 

[d1337]

When did the new PT's come out? I'm likely ordering from Amazon, and I want to make sure I get the new one if that's what I decide to go with.

Also, how big of an issue is it that the Petzl's don't like Lithiums? I've only just bought some for my D10, and they are awesome for sure. But are Lithiums in the PT, and regulars in the Petzl a huge difference in comparison?

The Eos bike is available from amazon with the new rebel led. One of the buying options specifies "Rebel LED". The EOS bike comes with the usual headband as well as a bike and helmet mount. I bought one at a local store (for only $31) and I like it a lot. The extra mounting options are a good bonus. I still prefer my Zebra light H50 overall.

 

[Mundele]

The Eos bike is available from amazon with the new rebel led. One of the buying options specifies "Rebel LED". The EOS bike comes with the usual headband as well as a bike and helmet mount. I bought one at a local store (for only $31) and I like it a lot. The extra mounting options are a good bonus. I still prefer my Zebra light H50 overall.

The "Bike" version has a clip on the back of the battery case that increases the distance the light is from your head by 1/4" or so. Not a huge amount, but after having a non-bike EOS I prefer the plain one to the bike version. It's available in the new Rebel LED too.

BTW I usually mount my eos to my helmet using one of those velcro straps. Works awesome. Don't even bother mounting it to the bike anymore...

--Matt

 

[d1337]

The "Bike" version has a clip on the back of the battery case that increases the distance the light is from your head by 1/4" or so. Not a huge amount, but after having a non-bike EOS I prefer the plain one to the bike version. It's available in the new Rebel LED too.

BTW I usually mount my eos to my helmet using one of those velcro straps. Works awesome. Don't even bother mounting it to the bike anymore...

--Matt

Matt, I have both as well. I prefer the bike version because it gives a lot more mounting options out of the box. However, the main reason I recommended it is that the original poster said (in his second post) that he wanted to know how to tell if an EOS had the new led and that he was planning on buying from Amazon. A quick search on Amazon shows that as of today the only EOS that they have with a Rebel is the EOS Bike.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

+1 for the 50 lumen Rebel EOS.

I don't know what generation of Zippa Plus you have, but if it was the original, a new one would probably be 3-4 times brighter. I think the l.e.d.s were updated twice since the original. The Tikka XP, however, was never updated and claims to be 40 lumens. However, that 40 lumens is only on a turbo setting that can only be on for up to 15 seconds. On high, it's more like 10 lumens. You can't use lithium batteries in Petzl lights or even rechargeables in some (most of the lights with rear battery packs). An EOS gives a constant 50 lumens, a new PT Quad gives a constant 45 lumens, and a new Tikka Plus or Zippa Plus gives 35 lumens unregulated. The Petzl lights do have better plastic than Princeton Tec lights, but aren't very waterproof, are not regulated, and can't take all types of batteries.