Headlamp Advice

[outdoor_lover]

Ok, so I was at REI the other day and looked at Headlamps. Knew nothing about them then, just read Joe's article, so have an idea about the Technical stuff. The only headlamp I ever had was for night fishing years ago. They were about 12.00 and when the light bulb burned out, you just bought a new one. We used them just for retying and did not keep them on full time. (Can you say, "bug magnet"?) We used black lights to watch our lines.

Is there a Brand out there that people seem to like better than others? If I'm going to spend the money, then I want to get a good one. Waterproof preferred... And tell me, is it really necessary to have 3 lamps? I mean, really, how much candlepower do you really need? I saw some three lamp units that went upward of 60.00.

The last hint of a thread on this subject was in 2003, I think we have come a long way in technology since then and it talked more about flashlights....

[te_wa]

if you are not going ultralight, and dont intend to use a headlamp every time you go out hiking... thus saving around $30.. you just go to a discount store and pick up the Energizer brand headlamp, complete with batteries for $14

http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-LED-Hea ... ikearizona
this link is just an example of the product, i am not endorsing any particular store.. they can be found in lots of places.

[big_load]

I switch off between two units. When I want to save weight and mainly use it for camp chores, I use a Petzl Zipka Plus. I've done a fair amount of night hiking with it, but some people prefer more light. The main negative on that one is that it uses a thin retractable cord that easily tangles in long hair (I keep my hair very short). For spending much time in dark places or serious night hiking, I use Black Diamond Spot. A lot of people seem to have moved on the Storm in that line.

[PatrickL]

I got this one after browsing reviews. It's my first. I've taken it up Vulture Peak, and Piestewa a couple times. I can see well enough to hike when it's on the lowest setting with the orange filter on. The lava tube north of Flagstaff had me second guessing its capability, but I just keep telling myself it was extra dark in there...

[SuperstitionGuy]

Headlamps are most helpful while working in and around your campsite or in your tent. For hiking at night I prefer to hold my light in my hand and low so I can see the irregularities on the trail better. You can do this with a headlamp but the head straps get in the way unless you can remove them or tie them together and then hold them in the palm of your hand.

[chumley]

So, I gotta say I'm not sure how a newbie could ever know this ... I literally had to search Google to find it ... but there are "articles" about some useful topics on this site.

This one may be slightly outdated, but certainly worthwhile reading nonetheless. It was originally penned by our own "dear leader", who thankfully is still around .
Check it out:

http://hikearizona.com/article.php?ID=32

edit: call me blind. it's right there on the homepage above the state map. you know, where it says "articles"

[autumnstars]

Ahh, remember those old-school Petzels that took 4-8 AA batteries and were so heavy they slid off your head???

But as far as modern headlamps, I have loved my Petzel Tikka. They now have a rechargeable battery pack you can buy for them which allows you to make some settings adjustments to what the different light levels are. I think almost all headlamps now have a red light setting so you don't ruin your night vision or attract insects.
As SuperstitionGuy says, though, headlamps can have a negative impact on depth perception when hiking at night.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

I have an original Petzl Myo and tikka that are both approx. 5 years old and never had problems. The Myo has a 3 watt light and the tikka a 1 watt. They both have diffuser lenses that flip down for balanced light or flip up for spot and 3 brightness settings. I bought a princeton tec for preflighting the aircraft w/red light for night flying and after two weeks I took it on a hike and it failed. The same with the replacement which lasted another 2 weeks. I bought another Petzl with white and red led for the cockpit and have had no problems with it either. I'm not sure about the newer versions of these lamps, but my tikka fits in my pocket takes 3 aaa's and I never replaced the batteries for the 5 days in Grand Gulch. Definitely, a necessity for me as a lot of my hikes end up coming back in the dark.

[outdoor_lover]

Thanks for all of the replies and recommendations! I now have some more info to go on.

Now, being the smart pumpkin that I am, I'm going to personalize an answer just because he walked right into it!

So, I gotta say I'm not sure how a newbie could ever know this ... ....call me blind.

Ok, you're blind!!! If you had actually really read my original post, you would have noticed that I did read Joe's article and had also researched the old threads before posting a new topic. I may be a "newbie", but I don't consider myself that new, especially since I pretty much live on this site. Pretty bad when a "newbie" knows how to find the "articles" better than you do... :whistle: XXOO! It's ok, you know I just had to give you some pumpkin! But :thanx: for the information! If I had truly been a dumb blonde and not done my homework beforehand, I would have found your info very useful.... :kf:

As SuperstitionGuy says, though, headlamps can have a negative impact on depth perception when hiking at night.

Not as bad as counting on the light reflecting off clouds after dark! See last paragraph of Ford/Willow/Mesquite triplog from 12/16/11. (For some reason, could not get the shortcut)

Thanks Everyone! Ya, even you chumley!!!!

[chumley]

Yeah. Sorry. Self-FAIL. Just another reason for my haz-exile.

[Trishness]

Pam,

I have an old Petzl Tikka Plus (5 yrs old I think) It works well enough but I've dropped it a couple of times and now every once in a while it just flickers off by itself. However, one good rap with my hand brings it back to life! I've only had to use it for night hiking 4 or 5 times and it's not as bright as I'd like it to be even on the highest setting. But it works great for around camp and I always carry a lightweight hand-held one too.

Maybe I should look for a new one too

Trish

[azbackpackr]

Petzl.

[kevinweitzel75]

I recently bought the energizer $20 headlamp for work. Great headlamp! Low and high settings and a red light. Haven't tried it on a trail yet, but definitely coming with me on my next overnighter.

[RickVincent]

Petzl Zipka for me. Can't stand the ones with the straps which is pretty much every other head lamp out there. The straps get tangled up in other gear in your pack. Love being able to reach into my pack, grab the compact zipka and put it on. Very nice for around $40.

[BEEBEE]

I use the cheapie ones you can get at lowes and home depot for work that way if they get damaged or I leave it someplace I am not pissed. I have a good Petzl that I keep in the pack it works great and is light

[outdoor_lover]

@Rick Vincent
Thanks Rick, that's very helpful to know. Looks like no matter what "style" you choose, everyone seems to either prefer Petzl or Energizer. Or both.

I use the cheapie ones you can get at lowes and home depot for work

You use it to fly the plane? Do Boeing and McDonnell need to start installing headlights???

[autumnstars]

The retractable cord on the Petzl Zipka does tend to get stuck in hair, though.
Never known a person with much hair to like them for that reason.

[azbackpackr]

The retractable cord on the Petzl Zipka does tend to get stuck in hair, though.
Never known a person with much hair to like them for that reason.

I had to look that one up. I use my Petzl Tikka almost every night for something. Going outside to get a load of firewood. Reading in bed, whether camping or not. If there is someone else in the room and I want to read at 2 a.m., which I frequently do, on goes the Petzl. I also use it to look at the darned finicky disc brake spacing on my mountain bike. If you have darned finicky disc brakes on your mountain bike you won't need to ask why...

So that thin elastic cord thing would definitely get caught in my hair, or get gummed up or knotted up somehow. I have had the same Tikka for at least 5 years, with no problems (once I figured out the battery installation procedure--I think that part is a bit tricky and you kind of need to be nimble-fingered, at least on the model I have.

[BEEBEE]

You use it to fly the plane? Do Boeing and McDonnell need to start installing headlights???

It is an option my owners are cheap so I have to use a headlamp

[te_wa]

definition of UltraLight.. just duct tape it to your head. presto!