tnuckels
Enlightened
Thought I'd lost my headlamp :mecry::hairpull:
… and just could NOT bring myself to the point of buying a replacement.
I bought a Petzl Tikka XP back when they first came out in late '05. A few years later, when the light was getting a bit long in the tooth, I did the SSC P4 USV0H star mod. That was back in August of '07 and have been quite content with the light ever since. I know it's not regulated, and it's not IPX certified, and it's a stinking AAAx3, but it works for me, primarily because the diffuser adds so much versatility to it.
My contenders for replacement it were:
PT EOS – priced in the low $30s you now get around 50 regulated lumens and possibly better water resistance, making this is a great little light. Compared to the Tikka XP, the only things it lacks are a battery indicator (big whoop) and a diffuser. I just can't stress how useful having two modes of operation, long distance throw and short diffuse lighting, is to me, so much so that not having it both is a deal breaker.
PETZL TIKKA XP – priced in the high $30s to mid $40s for 35 unregulated lumens, by the time you add shipping and another P4 mod you're pushing the $60 mark. As much as I liked my old XP, especially the new red & black color combo, for this kind money I should consider the next level up in performance and runtime.
PT APEX/PRO – priced from the low $60s (AA) to the upper $70s (CR123A), depending on where you buy from, you can now get 130 regulated lumens with either a somewhat bulky AAx4 or the smaller CR123Ax2 battery pack. The idea of cheap, available, rechargeable AAs sounds great until you consider how uncomfortable the AA holder looks, especially considering how much reading I do at night with my headlamp. I'm also not keen on having yet another 123 light, with the requisite pricier and more difficult to find batteries. But, I think what steers me away from this light the most is the thought of resorting to "angry bluish" 5mm lighting whenever I want to work up close or for a more diffuse view around me. I could replace the 5mms, but for this money I sort of expect it to be right, straight from the box.
PETZL MYO XP – priced from $60-$70 you get 85 unregulated lumens. Add shipping and a P4 upgrade (???) and your pushing the $80 mark. For that kind of money I might as well wait and see how the new programmable, regulated, 140 lumen MYO RXP turns out when it becomes available some time in early 2009 at around the $100 mark. Still not a comfortable read in bed, it's a compromise in bulk, runs off cheap AAs, provides diffused white lighting, and might fit the bill.
And then there's the SILVA L1/BRUNTON L3 that looks bright, comfortable, long runtimes, diffuser???, external "C" cell pack, but sorta' lacking on several specific details …
And then there's the SUREFURE SAINT, due out a little after that, for just a little more money. In for a penny, in for a pound, once you're past the $100 mark …
Fortunately, all's well that ends well, and I found my old Tikka XP after searching for it for over 2 weeks. There it was, in an unpacked bag from our last trip, hanging out with the socks.
Whew!:sweat: Decision differed!
Can anyone else appreciate this tortured escalation in logic, or was I just over thinking the matter by not following the CPF credo of "buy 'em all"?
… and just could NOT bring myself to the point of buying a replacement.I bought a Petzl Tikka XP back when they first came out in late '05. A few years later, when the light was getting a bit long in the tooth, I did the SSC P4 USV0H star mod. That was back in August of '07 and have been quite content with the light ever since. I know it's not regulated, and it's not IPX certified, and it's a stinking AAAx3, but it works for me, primarily because the diffuser adds so much versatility to it.
My contenders for replacement it were:
PT EOS – priced in the low $30s you now get around 50 regulated lumens and possibly better water resistance, making this is a great little light. Compared to the Tikka XP, the only things it lacks are a battery indicator (big whoop) and a diffuser. I just can't stress how useful having two modes of operation, long distance throw and short diffuse lighting, is to me, so much so that not having it both is a deal breaker.
PETZL TIKKA XP – priced in the high $30s to mid $40s for 35 unregulated lumens, by the time you add shipping and another P4 mod you're pushing the $60 mark. As much as I liked my old XP, especially the new red & black color combo, for this kind money I should consider the next level up in performance and runtime.
PT APEX/PRO – priced from the low $60s (AA) to the upper $70s (CR123A), depending on where you buy from, you can now get 130 regulated lumens with either a somewhat bulky AAx4 or the smaller CR123Ax2 battery pack. The idea of cheap, available, rechargeable AAs sounds great until you consider how uncomfortable the AA holder looks, especially considering how much reading I do at night with my headlamp. I'm also not keen on having yet another 123 light, with the requisite pricier and more difficult to find batteries. But, I think what steers me away from this light the most is the thought of resorting to "angry bluish" 5mm lighting whenever I want to work up close or for a more diffuse view around me. I could replace the 5mms, but for this money I sort of expect it to be right, straight from the box.
PETZL MYO XP – priced from $60-$70 you get 85 unregulated lumens. Add shipping and a P4 upgrade (???) and your pushing the $80 mark. For that kind of money I might as well wait and see how the new programmable, regulated, 140 lumen MYO RXP turns out when it becomes available some time in early 2009 at around the $100 mark. Still not a comfortable read in bed, it's a compromise in bulk, runs off cheap AAs, provides diffused white lighting, and might fit the bill.
And then there's the SILVA L1/BRUNTON L3 that looks bright, comfortable, long runtimes, diffuser???, external "C" cell pack, but sorta' lacking on several specific details …
And then there's the SUREFURE SAINT, due out a little after that, for just a little more money. In for a penny, in for a pound, once you're past the $100 mark …
Fortunately, all's well that ends well, and I found my old Tikka XP after searching for it for over 2 weeks. There it was, in an unpacked bag from our last trip, hanging out with the socks.
Whew!:sweat: Decision differed!
Can anyone else appreciate this tortured escalation in logic, or was I just over thinking the matter by not following the CPF credo of "buy 'em all"?
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