Does anybody have a headlamp they wou...

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Author Message   Brian Jackson (Nerover) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 03:36 pm:    I mean the type for your dome, not your truck :-) I'll be using this mostly for close-up food prep and reading around the fire, but also will be using it for hiking and wheeling at night - so a long range would be nice and an adjustable beam focus. It seems they've come a long way since the last time I bought one. They have new batteries and separate packs, as well as LED models. Does anybody have experience with one that they found to be good? I'm looking for some personal experience. Thanks in advance, Brian   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 03:40 pm:    I have one like the Petzl Zoom that I've had for years and love it. It can take either AA or C batteries ( as well as a larger specialized battery) and has good range. I've used it for cooking, hiking, climbing, finding things in the attic, etc... Haven't tried the LED though, they are probably more efficeint and brighter. pwc   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 03:51 pm:    Uh, Peter, I think you mean a Mega.... the Petzl zoom is 4.5v or 3-AA, whereas the Mega had the flip-up saddles to hold AA, or fold 'em down for C batteries.... I have both.... I like my Petzls, but the next one I'll probably get is a Black Diamond dual LED and halogen... LED is a softer light, good for close-up around a campsite, and lasts for ever, bulbs don't die and batteries just keep going and going (lol, sorry...). But, it is nowhere near as bright at longer distances... Petzl's little LEDs are nothing to carry around, great to toss in the glove-box, or for hiking with if you're not planning on hiking at night, just need a "just-in-case light. Since I cave, I prefer to have all of my lights to have a bit more oomph, which is why I'm thinking about a dual-light. FWIW... -L   Carter Simcoe (Carter) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 03:51 pm:    I got one from wal-mart that has both a krypton bulb and LEDs (different modes, you turn them on or off separately), it was only $14 if I remember right. I have a friend who has a $60 petzl (LED model), we switched once and even he admitted that you can't tell the difference. I have used mine pretty regularly to (lots of night fishing) and it has held up very well with no problems. For $14 I could probably afford to replace it a time or two anyway. So if you aren't to good to buy "high end outdoor equipment" from wal*mart you might want to give it a shot.   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 03:56 pm:    Carter, The Petzl LED models are more like $30, give or take.... For just an around-camp light, sure, save some money. But when I'm 5 miles from daylight, I'll stick with the light that I know will work. -L   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 03:56 pm:    Leslie, you're right. The Mega has the dual battery option. It also has a regular and a halogen bulb (which is stored behind the lens unit in a holder) which is handy if you are on a long trip or some place where you don't need the battery draining halogen all the time. And you always have a spare. pwc   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:01 pm:    Exactly. When caving, reduncancy is a must. Spare bulbs, batteries, lights, are must haves. -L   Steve (Scrover) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:07 pm:    Pelican makes my favorite. I think EE has it in stock: Steve   Carter Simcoe (Carter) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:12 pm:    Yeah, they have dropped the prices, when he bought it they were still pretty pricey. I totally agree with you, if I was down in a cave I would have the most expensive one I could find but it sounds like Brian is more interested in a camp light so I figured I would throw the idea out there. I really like the dual nature of my light (and the dual light petzels are around $50-$60), the krypton bulb is nice to have when I need a light that will shine far, the LEDs don't shine much past seven or eight feet (great for night fishing, but not so great for trying to walk through the woods). The wal*mart special ain't for everyone but if your a cheap-bastard like me its a good option (actually this is one of the few wal*mart items I will whole heartedly recommend, it has surpassed me expectations by 200%) BTW, I'm probablly going to go caving in a few days myself (first time) so wish me luck. Oh yeah and don't worry the walmart light will be NOWHERE around.   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:14 pm:    I've got a Pelican handheld flashlight that a dog of mine tried to eat, and it still works... good light. -L   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:18 pm:    The Black Diamond Gemini is about $30, it won Backpacker's Editor's Choice for 2002.... FWIW.... Carter, Remember: Take nothing but photos Leave nothing but footprints Kill nothing but time And, the rule of threes.... Tell three people where you're going and when you'll be back. Go with a minimum of three people. Take at least 3 lights for each of you. Have fun! -L   Carter Simcoe (Carter) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:23 pm:    yeah, I am going with some fairly experienced friends so hopefully we will have all the gear (got to see If this shit is all its cracked up to be before I retire the wal*mart light ). And of course telling people where you are is always a good idea when you go out into BFE, I made that mistake once a few years back and it wasn't any fun. BTW- I've never heard the "kill nothing but time part" thats a good addition.   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:24 pm:    Quote: Kill nothing but time What??!?! When'd THAT ONE get thrown in?? I also have a REI headlamp that worked well for many years before my dog chewed on it. It works fine now but just isn't water tight, so it's used under the Rover as need be. pwc   Carter Simcoe (Carter) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:29 pm:    I just looked up the Gemini, thats a sweet light and yeah REI has it on sale for $29 right now (normal price is still only $38 though). They must have dropped prices on these things recently, if they had ones that cheap when I was shopping last year I wouldn't have the wal*mart one. Brian- I would say get that Gemini Leslie pointed out unless you are an even cheaper bastard than I am -in which case Wally world might have a "roll back" going on, who knows.   Brian Jackson (Nerover) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:33 pm:    Thanks guys for all of the input. While I'm sure the Pelican is a fantastic product, it's too big for me. I'm up between the Petzl Tikka and the B-D Moonlight. Both seem very long-life, durable and light-weight for $35. Whatever I get, I'm sure it'll spank my old Petzyl Micro. Does anyone have either of these models? Thanks, Brian   Sus (Susannah) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:34 pm:    Princeton Tec makes a few that are pretty reliable as well...I can't remember specifics right now. But I like the brand   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:40 pm:    I have the Petzl Tikka. I like it. It's small, very lite, you don't even realize that your wearing it half the time. It's pretty bright for it's size and the batteries last for a long time. It puts out an Ok amount of light. For walking it is good but, it doesn't light up that big of an area.   Brian Jackson (Nerover) Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 04:45 pm:    Hmmm, that Gemini is really nice. I like the Tikka because there is nothing on the back and no top strap - good for reading lying down. I guess I have to decide whether I want the output of the Halogen in addition to the LED. Also going to look into Princton Tec. I'm not familiar with them. Thanks everyone for chiming in. Brian   Andrew Clarke (Aclarke) Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 02:56 am:    I have the Tikka. I love it. It's soooooooo much better than those huge Petzls. Like Eric said, it's not the best for seeing long distances, but it works great for reading (puts out a very regular beam) and works great as a headlamp while working on your truck too. Carter - where are you going caveing? In Arkansas? I did a pretty sick cave in Arkansas once with my friend who lives in Russellville. He did it by himself first with no info about it - he crawled 45 minutes on his stomach with no place to turn around before getting to a room at the end. I went back with him a year or two later and he'd gained a bit of weight since then. The passage was small enough that he couldn't fit through the second time! Pretty funny (since it wasn't me).   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 09:00 am:    Well, there's a plaque at the entrance to Bristol Caverns that's been there for at least 25 years that had the "Take, Leave, Kill" message on it, so, it's not like it's really new.... thinking about it now, I can't think of not seeing it included.... hmmm, maybe it was a TN/VA cave-thing, I dunno..... A buddy has a Zipka, and loves it. I like it too, but that you need a second brighter light with it. Princeton Tec should be respectable, I won't knock it, but that Gemini will be what I get before long to have in my grab-bag. Petzl, B-D, P-T, Pelican, I'd trust them.... -L   Tony Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 05:21 pm:    The Petzl Tikka is the way to go. Very solid.