Headlamp question

I have the 4 led version of the Tikka Plus. High is "almost, but not quite" bright enough to see off-trail landmarks and blazes at night. Medium is great for shelter set-up and cooking. Low is great for reading before bed, but a little bright to keep from avoid keeping up people with you in the AT shelters. I like the 3/4" elastic for reading before bed. It also makes it easy to locate your headlamp by touch in your ditty bag :)

To avoid blinding your buddies, while stitting around cooking, playing cards, etc – just hang the light around your neck instead of leaving it on your forehead. It casts a pool of light that completely lights your workspace, and stuff you can just reach if you lean forward and stretch a little, but is angled downward at about 45 degrees.

I would look at there lights. the fuel is quite cheap an has similar output to the Tikka line. had better swivel and the batteries are easier to put in out, with out having the problem of putting the back cover back on. if you want more light look at the EOS or Remix lights. The Black diamond spot is pretty good to.

if yr looking for something super lite but flexible try the petzl e-lite

lot of settings/red light/strobe, runs on watch lithium bats that you can pick up at the dollar sotre

weights 28 grams with bats

http://www.spadout.com/p/petzl-e-lite/

Since the OP stated that his micro light was not bright enough I would say you can skip the e-lite as well.

i suspect the elite is brighter than the light the OP showed … the petzl has 3 bulbs

at the end of the day just walk into a REI and try all the lights

brighter (and handier as a headlamp) than the small micro lights, not a trail lighter (well in a pinch it does OK)- you'll need more light if that what the intended use is- for camp use (and occasional/minor trail work) the e-lite does pretty well for not a lot of weight

Yeah. I have one too. It's a good secondary source. Though the OP is mentioning the bIgger Petzls(es?) the e-lite is not in the same class.

No red light or brightness setting , but a much better beam I take one of these now http://www.equipped.org/dr_eqhtm

If you have not done so, go check out the headlamps discussions on candlepower forums.

I have a 3 LED Princeton Tec Scout that runs on 3 coin batteries. It is removable from the headband and has a built in spring clip for hats, collars, noses, tongues, etc.

For its weight it is the most versatile headlamp I know.

1. water resistant
2. light weight
3. 4 light modes (incl. strobe)
4. headband or clip-on attatchment
5. inexpensive

Oh, yeah, and US made.

The lamp mentioned by Ken is known in The Netherlands
as the favourlight supercompact

e.g.http://www.bever.nl/verlichten/hoofdlampen/5674.favourlight-light-super-compact

I acquired it for 10 euro.

Advertised weight is 28g, measured weight (by me) is 32g,

http://www.zebralight.com/H51-Headlamp-AA-200Lm_p_37.html

Look at the E-lite…yes it's a small headlamp but don't be fooled by it's size…it puts out alot of light
it will put out a heck of alot more light then the clip-on one you used …and the strap adjuster has a whistle built in so one less thing to carry

also i used one called the atom from cabela's ..there $10
thats also not bad for it's size

stay away from the coleman one at wally world it's nice..but
has bad battery life ..i think only 4 hours

I would respectfully disagree and recommend everyone look away from the Petzl eLite — if you plan to hike anywhere sandy!!

JasonKlass posted here that he dropped his eLite once on sandy soil when hiking in Canyonlands (I was there too actually). He picked up the light within 1-2 seconds — but in that short time — the lever switch jammed with a bunch of sand inside that couldn't be completely shaken out!!

Jason exchanged his eLite for a new one. Another trip, a bit of sand was blowing in the air — not a sand storm or anything, but just a bit dusty. Yep. The darn thing jammed again — just like that. The eLite is cute as heck, but looks can only get you so far…

I use an eLite. It's bright enough to rely on as a primary light (for me & my wife, anyway), and the red setting's useful for nights when you go stargazing. I tossed the container it came with and just store it with the bulb side facing backwards.

Besides being wet, the worst environment I've had it in is in my attic while applying pulverized newspaper insulation. I did that for a couple hours then decided it was too nice to abuse like that, so I switched to an old Princeton Tec light. The eLite still works fine.

… try the Princeton Tech SCOUT. It's a great little light & thoughtfully designed, such as a backer plate that protects the switch from being accidentaly turned on when in your pack or pocket. See my post above.

I have used the E-lite for the past three years. No issue at all. I even used it twice on the West Coast Trail where one camps on sand.

But did you have experience dropping the light on the sand? Was there winds driving the sand to the level of your light?

Light should be fine most of the time — but just saying you take a chance if the light should come into contact with sands — aerial or ground. Jason really liked the thing and gave it a second chance — then swore it off. YMMV, as usual.

Driving sand? No. I did drop it, however. I would think if you are hiking in the dark in driving sand you might want a more powerful light with a stronger casing to begin with. Understanding the limitations of any gear is the first step to accepting the limitations of the gear. The E-lite is an UL headlamp designed for camp duties and for some on groomed trails, night vision.

It was windy, and there were sands around. But it wasn't exactly driving wind either. Jason was at camp that time, if I recall correctly.

Understanding the limitation of our gear is one thing. But the way the lever turns — and the spacing that's part of the design — is IMHO seriously flawed if sands can get in that quickly and easily!

I was there when Jason dropped his light and it was just a sandy trail (not sand dune or anything deep at all) — and he picked it up within a second — and sands made their way in. He had I think 2 light options for the remainder of the night as he "grinds" the lever.

But anyway, the more info. from all of us, the better OP can make his choice.

speaking of the e-lite :) I added a miniature "ranger band" to mine so the switch can't be inadvertently turned while packed- I also (like one of the above posters) ditched the plastic pod it came in

Zebralight:

I have seen nothing but good about the H51 at CPF.

It will be interesting to see the comments on the H51W when available, and how the H51W will compare to the H501.

Personally, I'm inclined to pick up an H51W, when available and provided the initial user reviews are favorable.

–MV

FWIW, I own and like the ZIPKA. I love it's compactness and I find the retractable cord mechanism useful because you can affix it to a wrist or ankle easily. I also frequently slip it over one of the toggles on my tent roof for a hanging nightlight. I like not having to adjust a headband as I add or remove head layers. It's bright enough for camp tasks and for night hiking but I noticed on a trip this weekend that compared to my companion's compact light, the beam was rather more diffuse and has a blue cast.

This trip was also the first time I've had issues with the retracting mechanism. It got a little "sticky" and a had to wrestle with it for a couple mins but it worked ok after that. That's the only time I've had issues though and this is my second one (washed the first one).

The only other minor gripes would be that ts hard to turn off/on while wearing gloves, and that you can't adjust it up or down, but I remain a happy owner and a fan.

The H51 looks good, but I read something like it only gets full brightness on lithium batteries. That may not be entirely bad since I'm considering switching to lithium AA's for long hikes anyway.