Flashlight/Headlamp Suggestions

My Princeton also died.
My Petzl Zipka is still going strong and is the most versitile light I have owned. It is the light I reach for first, and recommend first. Not the brightest or lightest on the market, but the small form factor, light weight, smooth wide beam with no artifacts, water-resistance, and especially the retractable strap are a winning combination. Using a girth hitch (think luggage tag), Ive secured it to inner tent poles, bike bars, tree limbs, body limbs, helmets, heads, etc..
My Every Day Carry is a Fenix L0D.
In these lights I use the common AAA NiMh rechargables.

Check out the review here

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_l0dce.htm

I’ve had really good luck with this $12 energizer. I’ve used it night hiking and on an almost daily basis at work. Picked it up at Target.

hd33a1en

My PT Aurora headlamp still works but I have to use duct tape to kep it closed as the flimsy snap closure broke. It's in my car for emergencies.

But the one I really like is my Princeton Tec Quad. I have a similar Back diamond headlamp but it's heavier and has no regulated circuit.

The PT Quad has that very important feature all headlamps need – namely a REGULATED CIRCUIT to keep light levels up as the battery drains.

The Quad's a regulated circuit works on all settings except for the HI. With lithium bateries, which are the best for this kind of circuit, I get many tens of hours of use on the MED setting. I use the LO setting for reading at night.

Plus I'm sure you're aware that the lithium batteries weigh a lot less and are good in cold weather. If you're a belt and suspenders type you can carry extra lithium batteries but for up to a 10 day trip, even in winter, I see no need if your headlamp batteries are fresh.

Eric

Thanks for the link Rod, but I've already read that :) That is one of the reasons I am very much interested in that flashlight. I may have found out about that site via one of your other posts (it is a great site by the way). It sure looks like a good light. I'm just wondering if anything has changed in the market since that review was written. For example, how does the Rebel bulb compare with the Cree? Also, how well does the clip work for attaching to your head. I'm sure I can work out something to attach it to my head, but I would like to hear more about that. The other issue is turning it on and off. I really like simple controls, even if there are fewer options (I would prefer off/low/medium/high). So, if someone has this but finds the controls annoying (or anything else about it) I would love to hear about. At this point though, I don't see any real competition for that much light at under an ounce (including battery). Maybe the ZebraLight? That one looks nice (and does have a head band) but the 90 degree thing might make holding it kind of weird.

In other words, I'm just trying to avoid a "You bought that!? You should have bought this other thing!" moment (which so often happens with electronics).

Hi Rod,
I've got the Fenix LOD and it's a great little light. You might also check out the Arc XXX P (premium). I've got that one also. The Fenix is better on paper (at least the Cree version)when you look at brightness/run time etc but I much prefer the Arc XXX.

The Fenix has more of a spot output with less side scatter, while the Arc XXX output is a little more floodlike, which I prefer for general use. Also, I really don't like the clip on the fenix, it's flimsy, not holding very good. The one on the arc is much more robust and will hold great to a hat brim.

By the way, the arc XXX has been updated recently with a brighter LED (nichia ds) so it should be even better.

Both great lights, you probably can't go wrong with either one.

Dan

Thanks Dan, I haven't looked at that. I'll take a look at the Arc.

I have been using the Petzyl eLite lately and absolutely love it. Only possible concern is the watch type batteries, but when you look at weight, brightness levels, run time, function, and reliability it's tops in my book.