I'm new here, been reading some threads, but now I'm being indecisive on my next headlamp so I figured I'd ask the experts for thier opinion.
Looking for a new lightweight headlamp (primarily for backpacking) since my last one took a nasty fall down a boulder field and into a crack from where it can never be retrieved except possibly by a pika . My criteria is lightweight (no bulky extra battery pack) with red LED for night vision and a bright spot for when I need it, and able to stand up to a little rain and condensation.
After looking around a bit I feel like my best choice is the Remix, or Remix Pro. I like the function, size and form of them. One thing I didn't like about my last headlamp was that it hinged on the bottom of the light/battery compartment, meaning there was some leverage applied to the hinge and it would flop down if I jumped off a rock or something. The Remix's central swivel seems like it would solve that.
I should say here that I'm not committed to either AAA or CR123 since I already have a Surefire G2X, and my last headlamp used AAA, I'm comfortable with either format. So here are the pros for each as I see it.
Remix
-Less expensive.
-Brighter beam. (100 Lumen vs 70 on the Pro according to PT, although I can't figure out why the Pro doesn't match it)
-Cheaper batteries.
-Much, much longer run time.
Remix Pro
-Lighter.
-Regulated.
-Works better in cold. (Although if I buy Li-ion AAA for the standard Remix this may not be so)
Right now I'm leaning toward the standard Remix mostly because of the much longer run time, less frequent battery changes with cheaper batteries sounds good to me. But then again I don't like that it's not regulated, and from what I read always turns on the high beam first, which kind of defeats the purpose of the red LED if you have to cycle through a bright white one to get to it.
What are your opinions? And for that matter is there some other better option altogether that I have missed? I checked out all the options from Petzl, PT and Black Diamond and like the Remix design best, but I know there are lots of other brands out there I don't know about.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
Looking for a new lightweight headlamp (primarily for backpacking) since my last one took a nasty fall down a boulder field and into a crack from where it can never be retrieved except possibly by a pika . My criteria is lightweight (no bulky extra battery pack) with red LED for night vision and a bright spot for when I need it, and able to stand up to a little rain and condensation.
After looking around a bit I feel like my best choice is the Remix, or Remix Pro. I like the function, size and form of them. One thing I didn't like about my last headlamp was that it hinged on the bottom of the light/battery compartment, meaning there was some leverage applied to the hinge and it would flop down if I jumped off a rock or something. The Remix's central swivel seems like it would solve that.
I should say here that I'm not committed to either AAA or CR123 since I already have a Surefire G2X, and my last headlamp used AAA, I'm comfortable with either format. So here are the pros for each as I see it.
Remix
-Less expensive.
-Brighter beam. (100 Lumen vs 70 on the Pro according to PT, although I can't figure out why the Pro doesn't match it)
-Cheaper batteries.
-Much, much longer run time.
Remix Pro
-Lighter.
-Regulated.
-Works better in cold. (Although if I buy Li-ion AAA for the standard Remix this may not be so)
Right now I'm leaning toward the standard Remix mostly because of the much longer run time, less frequent battery changes with cheaper batteries sounds good to me. But then again I don't like that it's not regulated, and from what I read always turns on the high beam first, which kind of defeats the purpose of the red LED if you have to cycle through a bright white one to get to it.
What are your opinions? And for that matter is there some other better option altogether that I have missed? I checked out all the options from Petzl, PT and Black Diamond and like the Remix design best, but I know there are lots of other brands out there I don't know about.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.