I'm nuts about some of the new headlamps that have been coming out in the last few months.
Specifically, the Princeton-Tec EOS and Corona, and the Petzl TacTikka Plus.
My P-T Aurora is still fine for many uses, but the new ones have relegated the Aurora to reading in my tent or hammock while out in the bush. It won't be going along on future trips, even though it is still a fine headlamp and one I recommend to most people. You can find them on Ebay for around $20.00 New. Every household in my extended family has atleast one of them.
I had bought a Petzl TacTikka last summer, the flip up/down red plastic filter sounded like a good idea to me (and it is), however, it was limited to on/off and had no dimming capability. Also, the head didn't have the tilting feature so I had to "aim" my head to get the flood where I wanted it.
The newer, Petzl TacTikka Plus has addressed what I considered short comings. The head swivels from the vertical a little (not as much as the P-T Aurora and EOS)but enough that I don't have to tuck my chin into my chest to get the flood where I want it.
The TacTikka Plus also has 4 LEDs rather than 3. It also adjusts to 3 levels of output and has a blinking mode for emergencies.
The red plastic flip up/down filter is a simple solution to having red light available to help keep your eyes adjusted for night vision.
It worked very well for me, even though the light looks almost orange up close, particularly on "high".
I just spent about 3 weeks working and walking in the bush at night. I wore the TacTikka PLus most of the time. We didn't have any grid power and I was the one with the most powerful flashlights, so at night my eyes were night adapted most of the time.
I found that on high output, the TacTikka yielded enough red light for me to walk around and keep from stepping on a snake or falling in a hole. For tasks within arm's length, the medium setting was ample. You lose a LOT of photons to that red filter! This is the case with all red filters in my experience.
The only time I used the low setting was so people could find me. So it stayed on generally all night long. I didn't keep track of runtime, I just changed the AAA cells when I felt that I "should". The AAA cells I replaced were given to those that had AAA lights or devices. They still had plenty of juice left.
The Princeton-Tec EOS, Luxeon I (or 1 Watt) is a geat little spotlight. When we were working at night, for instance digging a well, I used the EOS and it projected a good, white spot down 20 or 30 feet. I didn't use the EOS for walking around, it doesn't have enough spill and it totaled night adapted vision. Turn it off and I couldn't see anything.
For me, I think the Princeton-Tec headband is more comfortable when wearing it for a few hours. Also, the P-T heads tilt down further and without making the ratcheting noise of the TacTikka.
The Princeton-Tec Corona will go on my next trip. I think it is the answer for working at night, especially around camp. Lots of bright flood and several options for brightness. The separate switch for High-Low is a good idea. You can set it in a mode of output and then click it for a High or Low version of that mode. Sort of like turning on a supercharger.
Instead of my finding one headlamp to do everything (some things well, some things not-so-well) I've wound up with 3 headlamps to take with me. That's OK by me, though. They don't weigh all that much and they stow very compactly.
I've found that no flashlight is as convenient and practical when camping or working in the boonies as a headlamp. I tried a couple of Hybrids, but wasn't pleased with them. So I decided to "specialize" and carry more than one headlamp.
When I need a lot more light or projection (throw) I have flashlights for that.
What works for me may not work for those recreational and sport hikers and campers. They have to keep a tight rein on weight, so they'll perhaps be better served by a Hybrid that combines desired capabilities.
I am impressed by the innovation and improvement by the headlamp manufacturers in the headlamps they're offering in the last few months.
Britt
Specifically, the Princeton-Tec EOS and Corona, and the Petzl TacTikka Plus.
My P-T Aurora is still fine for many uses, but the new ones have relegated the Aurora to reading in my tent or hammock while out in the bush. It won't be going along on future trips, even though it is still a fine headlamp and one I recommend to most people. You can find them on Ebay for around $20.00 New. Every household in my extended family has atleast one of them.
I had bought a Petzl TacTikka last summer, the flip up/down red plastic filter sounded like a good idea to me (and it is), however, it was limited to on/off and had no dimming capability. Also, the head didn't have the tilting feature so I had to "aim" my head to get the flood where I wanted it.
The newer, Petzl TacTikka Plus has addressed what I considered short comings. The head swivels from the vertical a little (not as much as the P-T Aurora and EOS)but enough that I don't have to tuck my chin into my chest to get the flood where I want it.
The TacTikka Plus also has 4 LEDs rather than 3. It also adjusts to 3 levels of output and has a blinking mode for emergencies.
The red plastic flip up/down filter is a simple solution to having red light available to help keep your eyes adjusted for night vision.
It worked very well for me, even though the light looks almost orange up close, particularly on "high".
I just spent about 3 weeks working and walking in the bush at night. I wore the TacTikka PLus most of the time. We didn't have any grid power and I was the one with the most powerful flashlights, so at night my eyes were night adapted most of the time.
I found that on high output, the TacTikka yielded enough red light for me to walk around and keep from stepping on a snake or falling in a hole. For tasks within arm's length, the medium setting was ample. You lose a LOT of photons to that red filter! This is the case with all red filters in my experience.
The only time I used the low setting was so people could find me. So it stayed on generally all night long. I didn't keep track of runtime, I just changed the AAA cells when I felt that I "should". The AAA cells I replaced were given to those that had AAA lights or devices. They still had plenty of juice left.
The Princeton-Tec EOS, Luxeon I (or 1 Watt) is a geat little spotlight. When we were working at night, for instance digging a well, I used the EOS and it projected a good, white spot down 20 or 30 feet. I didn't use the EOS for walking around, it doesn't have enough spill and it totaled night adapted vision. Turn it off and I couldn't see anything.
For me, I think the Princeton-Tec headband is more comfortable when wearing it for a few hours. Also, the P-T heads tilt down further and without making the ratcheting noise of the TacTikka.
The Princeton-Tec Corona will go on my next trip. I think it is the answer for working at night, especially around camp. Lots of bright flood and several options for brightness. The separate switch for High-Low is a good idea. You can set it in a mode of output and then click it for a High or Low version of that mode. Sort of like turning on a supercharger.
Instead of my finding one headlamp to do everything (some things well, some things not-so-well) I've wound up with 3 headlamps to take with me. That's OK by me, though. They don't weigh all that much and they stow very compactly.
I've found that no flashlight is as convenient and practical when camping or working in the boonies as a headlamp. I tried a couple of Hybrids, but wasn't pleased with them. So I decided to "specialize" and carry more than one headlamp.
When I need a lot more light or projection (throw) I have flashlights for that.
What works for me may not work for those recreational and sport hikers and campers. They have to keep a tight rein on weight, so they'll perhaps be better served by a Hybrid that combines desired capabilities.
I am impressed by the innovation and improvement by the headlamp manufacturers in the headlamps they're offering in the last few months.
Britt
