Headlamp Recommendations
 

To All:

My 6 or 7 year old halogen headlamp broke and I can't fix it so I am
looking for a replacement. I only use it in emergencies such as having
to ski out in the dark and see the trail. Using it to read a book in a
tent is NOT important. These days, there are both halogen and LED
headlamps available. Any recommendations on LED v. halogen and any
recommendations on particular models is appreciated. If it takes AA
batteries that is a plus as my beacon runs on AA's too.

Thanks,

Steve

"Steve H" wrote in message
news:CdMyd.232222$5K2.1450@attbi_s03...
To All:

My 6 or 7 year old halogen headlamp broke and I can't fix it so I am
looking for a replacement. I only use it in emergencies such as having
to ski out in the dark and see the trail. Using it to read a book in a
tent is NOT important. These days, there are both halogen and LED
headlamps available. Any recommendations on LED v. halogen and any
recommendations on particular models is appreciated. If it takes AA
batteries that is a plus as my beacon runs on AA's too.

How big a lamp do you want? Do you want one that lets you keep the batteries
by your body (to keep them warm), or an all-on-the-head unit?

The only headlamp I've ever owned is a Petzl Tikka LED, which uses 3 AAAa.
I've found this lamp great for night walking and getting around the
campsite, but I admit I've never tried to ski by its light alone. For me,
weight was a premium concern, as I always have the lamp in my daypack.

(For 40 years, I insisted I could get the same functionality from a handheld
light... boy was I wrong. Not that I haven't X-C skied at night -- but only
in times of full moon, without any secondary light.)

There are many LED lights that run off AAs. Now Energizer is selling Li AAA
batteries, but Li AAs are a lot more common, and cheaper per mAh.


There are dual LED/Halogen headlamps-- e.g. Petzl Duo LED 5.

LED light is extremely good for camp chores, leisurely walking, reading etc.
but the light scatters widely, so for orienteering, running or looking for
ski track in dark halogen light is superior.
Matti

"Steve H" wrote in message
news:CdMyd.232222$5K2.1450@attbi_s03...
To All:

My 6 or 7 year old halogen headlamp broke and I can't fix it so I am
looking for a replacement. I only use it in emergencies such as having to
ski out in the dark and see the trail. Using it to read a book in a tent
is NOT important. These days, there are both halogen and LED headlamps
available. Any recommendations on LED v. halogen and any recommendations
on particular models is appreciated. If it takes AA batteries that is a
plus as my beacon runs on AA's too.

Thanks,

Steve
I would get a dual light model. When you need really bright light, use the
halogen source which will deplete the batteries in a few hours. When you
need a prolonged light source, use the LED source which can be powered for
tens of hours by the batteries. A would recommend the petzl myo 5 or the
myo 5 belt.

BobT

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In article tyUyd.34648$Ix2.25078@okepread02,
BobT wrote:
"Steve H" wrote in message
news:CdMyd.232222$5K2.1450@attbi_s03...
To All:

My 6 or 7 year old halogen headlamp broke and I can't fix it so I am
looking for a replacement. I only use it in emergencies such as having to
ski out in the dark and see the trail. Using it to read a book in a tent
is NOT important. These days, there are both halogen and LED headlamps
available. Any recommendations on LED v. halogen and any recommendations
on particular models is appreciated. If it takes AA batteries that is a
plus as my beacon runs on AA's too.

Thanks,

Steve
I would get a dual light model. When you need really bright light, use the
halogen source which will deplete the batteries in a few hours. When you
need a prolonged light source, use the LED source which can be powered for
tens of hours by the batteries. A would recommend the petzl myo 5 or the
myo 5 belt.


_ Those are good choices if you actually plan to use the
headlamp and are descending or route finding. For an emergency
pload to the car something like the Petzl Tikka or Princeton
Tec AAA headlamps are a lot lighter and "good enough". While
they use AAA, for occasional use they last forever and on
white snow they work well enough.

_ For planned nighttime endevours, I think the dual mode ones
are very nice. Always carry a spare halogen bulb as they go
out at the worst moments and seem more fragile in the cold.
It's also important to note that the batteries that work best
in headlamps ( lithium ) are not recommended to be used in
beacons. I'm not sure exactly why, I think it has to do with
the voltage decay, lithiums tend to stop suddenly, whereas
akalines gradually fade.

_ Booker C. Bense

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Steve H wrote:
To All:

My 6 or 7 year old halogen headlamp broke and I can't fix it so I am
looking for a replacement. I only use it in emergencies such as having
to ski out in the dark and see the trail. Using it to read a book in a
tent is NOT important. These days, there are both halogen and LED
headlamps available. Any recommendations on LED v. halogen and any
recommendations on particular models is appreciated. If it takes AA
batteries that is a plus as my beacon runs on AA's too.

Thanks,

Steve

To those who replied, thanks.

I really do not want to spend lots of money on a headlamp that I will
seldom use. The old one that broke cost me under $20 and sat in my pack
most of the time and was only used a few times over the 6 or 7 years
that I owned it. Each time was when I had to ski or hike out in the
dark due to unexpected circumstances. Some of the recommendations here
are real expensive for something that I will seldom use.

Steve

"Steve H" wrote in message
news:Po7zd.13565$k25.1916@attbi_s53...
Steve H wrote:
[...]
I really do not want to spend lots of money on a headlamp that I will
seldom use. The old one that broke cost me under $20 and sat in my pack
most of the time and was only used a few times over the 6 or 7 years
that I owned it. Each time was when I had to ski or hike out in the
dark due to unexpected circumstances. Some of the recommendations here
are real expensive for something that I will seldom use.

Many Petzl LED lamps are ~$20. My Tikka stays in my pack most of the time,
and is very light (pardon the pun). One gets something like 17 hours on
three AAA batteries.

At www.sierratradingpost.com:

Black Diamond Equipment Gemini Headlamp
For hands-free nighttime illumination, whether on a rockface or at a
campsite, Black Diamond equipment delivers. Long life xenon halogen lamp.
Prismatic reflector for brighter light. Has three... More Detail
Price $15.95 Reg. $38.50 Save 58% # 99031

Princeton Tech Matrix II Led Headlamp
Light it up! For sports requiring hands-free illumination, here's a compact,
lightweight headlamp from Princeton Tech that combines the best of an L.E.D.
and a halogen bulb into... More Detail
Price $24.95 Reg. $39.95 Save 37% # 98050

H.W. Stockman wrote:
"Steve H" wrote in message
news:Po7zd.13565$k25.1916@attbi_s53...

Steve H wrote:

[...]

I really do not want to spend lots of money on a headlamp that I will
seldom use. The old one that broke cost me under $20 and sat in my pack
most of the time and was only used a few times over the 6 or 7 years
that I owned it. Each time was when I had to ski or hike out in the
dark due to unexpected circumstances. Some of the recommendations here
are real expensive for something that I will seldom use.


Many Petzl LED lamps are ~$20. My Tikka stays in my pack most of the time,
and is very light (pardon the pun). One gets something like 17 hours on
three AAA batteries.

At www.sierratradingpost.com:

Black Diamond Equipment Gemini Headlamp
For hands-free nighttime illumination, whether on a rockface or at a
campsite, Black Diamond equipment delivers. Long life xenon halogen lamp.
Prismatic reflector for brighter light. Has three... More Detail
Price $15.95 Reg. $38.50 Save 58% # 99031

Princeton Tech Matrix II Led Headlamp
Light it up! For sports requiring hands-free illumination, here's a compact,
lightweight headlamp from Princeton Tech that combines the best of an L.E.D.
and a halogen bulb into... More Detail
Price $24.95 Reg. $39.95 Save 37% # 98050

HW:

Thanks for the info.

I looked at some headlamps on a few websites and at a local shop and
decided to get a BD Gemini. BTW, the old headlamp that broke was a
Princeton Tech and I always felt that it had some design weaknesses.

Steve