driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 4, 2018 3:10:47 GMT -8
My old Princeton Tec bit the dust, so I'm in the market for a new backpacking headlamp. I don't intentionally hike at night, but just in case I want a decent spot with 200 lumins or more. I'd also like an adjustable flood. Red light mode would be nice, but lack thereof is not a deal breaker. Needs to be lightweight with elastic headband. Batteries need to be in the lamp, not rear of head strap. Must have adjustable tilt. Rechargable is a plus, but regular batteries option a must.
The Black Diamond Spot seemed to check all those boxes, but reviews say the one button control with tap adjustments is difficult to use and overly sensitive, changing settings unintentionally.
User friendly and good battery life are more important than ultralight (max 4 oz with batteries) and I'd like to keep the price under $40.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Sept 4, 2018 6:17:23 GMT -8
Not sure this checks all your boxes, but I was in an outdoor store this past weekend and saw a (new to me) Petzl.
The e+LITE.
A really cool little headlamp for $30
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 4, 2018 9:32:09 GMT -8
Thanks, but it doesn't check my boxes. 50 lumins max with no spot, and run time is only 15 hours at low setting. The Petzl Tactikka is more to my liking, though it doesn't seem to have adjustable light levels other than the modes. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Sept 4, 2018 10:22:47 GMT -8
Princeton Tec Vizz is the best I can find for you. 150 lumens (90 meter light beam), over 100 hours burn time on high, tiltable housing, 3 AAA, $23. Or, you could try Amazon
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 4, 2018 13:08:45 GMT -8
zeke, reviews for the Vizz aren't good but it was very recently upgraded and might be significantly improved. Aside from the features I noted, I wouldn't mind some input on headlamps that others have used in the field (even if it doesn't check all my boxes).
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Sept 4, 2018 13:23:50 GMT -8
Don't look my direction. I use cheap headlamps until they fail, then go buy another cheap one. I so seldom use a light that it doesn't matter to me how far it casts light.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Sept 4, 2018 14:06:28 GMT -8
I have an older version of the BD Storm, or maybe Spot. Works for me.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 4, 2018 14:50:25 GMT -8
I have an older version of the BD Storm, or maybe Spot. Works for me. Does yours have the tap adjustments? The big knock on the BD Spot & Storm is complicated to use and accidental change of settings. |
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Sept 4, 2018 15:03:06 GMT -8
Beats me. I don't use the fancy settings much. If I get in a bad place with the setting I just try different stuff for a few seconds and get to where I want to be.
I mostly use it for ordinary illumination, reading before falling asleep. So I turn it on, dim it, and turn it off.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Sept 4, 2018 19:23:46 GMT -8
I use an old Petzl Tikka which I like a lot. I looked at the new one and it look like it checks your boxes. For $30 not a bad deal.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Sept 5, 2018 4:37:57 GMT -8
zeke , reviews for the Vizz aren't good but it was very recently upgraded and might be significantly improved. Aside from the features I noted, I wouldn't mind some input on headlamps that others have used in the field (even if it doesn't check all my boxes). Haha, I still use a 15 year old Petzl Myo 5 with the battery pack on the back of it. The xenon bulb can light up the entire trail for even the darkest night hikes, and the adjustable LED is perfect for anything around camp. My wife still jokes that I'm headed to the mines when i put it on. |
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Sept 5, 2018 18:36:05 GMT -8
I like my BD Spot. It does accidently go bright occasionally, but it's not a big deal. It's really versatile.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 6, 2018 2:53:19 GMT -8
I like my BD Spot. It does accidently go bright occasionally, but it's not a big deal. It's really versatile. Can you give some more specific feedback on the operation of this product? I really like the fesutures of the BD Spot, but my one concern is user friendliness. One of the online reviews mentioned that even after the learning curve he still had to take it off to fuss with it on occasion. |
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Sept 6, 2018 4:58:11 GMT -8
From the light turned off: Push the button once for one white light push the button twice for the other white light push the button 3 times for blinking white hold button down for red hold some more for locking off so it doesn't come on in your pack With one white light on, tap side to make both white lights come on With one white light on, hold the button for brighter or dimmer. So a lot going on with the one main button, and sometimes you bump the side and it goes bright. Getting the white beam you want can take some fiddling, but it's not that bad for such a versatile light with great battery life. I did carry the instructions with me the first few trips.  |
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 6, 2018 5:28:23 GMT -8
Thanks toejam, looks like my decision is between the BD Spot and the Tikka. |
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