Headlamps - thoughts?

[Blackhorse7]

I am thinking about purchasing a headlamp for minor field duty and tent line admin. .  Has anyone had any experiences with these, or any suggestions about what to look for?  Right now I'm leaning towards an LED model, possibly the Petzl Tactica (just for the red filter).

 

[Bomber]

You found the best one I have come across so far.  I bought the one below it, without the fancy flip down lens.  I went and got the filter kit form Bushtukah in Ottawa for 5 bucks.  That thing comes on every ex now and camping in the summer months.  It disappears under the scrim on my helmet, and the batteries have gone for about 50 hrs.  I have yet to change them.  Another simple one I got was a headlamp with a magnet on the back and it has the headband of the Zipka.  It was 10 bucks at Giant Tiger.

 

[Blackhorse7]

Which one do you mean?  The one with the sliding switch?  Because honestly, one this that is turning me away from the Tactica is the different light features.  I don't need an economy setting and a blinking setting.

 

[dw_1984]

I have the Rayovac LED headlamp (seems like half my unit has them). http://www.rayovac.com/products/flashlights/LED.shtml

2xRed LED
1xWhite LED
1xIncandesent

Runs on 3xAAA

Very useful and lasts a long time (as long as you use the LEDs).  Price...around $15-20 @ Wally world.  Another plus is that it's got another strap running along the top of your head to keep it stable.  Good overall light, only problem is that it does not come in the most tactical colour but just paint it over.

 

[I_Drive_Planes]

I have two, a petzl MYO, with both led and halogen bulbs, and a black diamond (forget the model offhand) LED.  I wouldn't get one that is just LED.  They're not bright enough to safely walk with, but they're great for just reading or looking in your pack, and they're extremely light.  The MYO is really handy because you can use the halogen bulb (which is adjustable from spot to flood) for walkinf ang looking for things aways off, and you can save batteries by switching to the LEDs when you don't need as much light. 

 

[Arctic Acorn]

I recently bought a Petzl Tikka, and IMO, I think it's the cats ass. It's compact, and the strap and case is tactical (once you marker out the big PETZL's on the side). Super bright too.

It only comes with the clear lens, but you can purchase a lens kit (with a clear, red, and green) lens separately for about 5-6 bucks.

:dontpanic:

 

[Bomber]

The one I got was the Tikka, I wish I had found the Tactica before I bought mine though.  It would just make using it for camping that much nicer if I didn't need to pop off the red lens and put on the clear one.  Plus the batteries last for about 150 hours, I never noticed a blinking setting on the Tactica when I looked at the package, but if it does, oh well.  I just think it is the most simple one that can be used in two roles, tactical, and camping with buddies.  Another thing to look at is the Battery powered glow sticks at Can tire.  I believe they are made by Garrity and cost about 5 bucks, they come in every colour of the rainbow, and so far my batteries have not died.  I use mine to help illuminate my collimator as the tritium in it is almost dead, and we have yet to be issued the new battery powered ones.

 

[qjdb]

I bought the Energizer battery brand one at Home Depot (in the tool corral).  Slides from white LED to red LED, and has a 'tilt-down' feature, which I find quite handy.

It's purple and silver and black, but not too bad.

Quentin

 

[my72jeep]

Petzel Tieka have two one with green lens and one red best kit I've seen.

 

[gore226]

I have the Tikka as well......wished I would have had it when I was workiing EMS!!!  Where can I pick a lense kit up for the tikka......is there anyone who might be willing to grab one for me?

Chris 

 

[big bad john]

I have the Tikka as well......wished I would have had it when I was workiing EMS!!!   Where can I pick a lense kit up for the tikka......is there anyone who might be willing to grab one for me?

Chris  

They have them at MEC

 

[soldiers301]

You can also try the Inova 24/7HeadLamp ...it is compact and have a variety of light like SOS Signal, mutli color flash ... etc. Cost around 40$ CAD

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16037&item=5167869479&rd=1

 

[Freddy Chef]

A less compact/bulkier option is a mini-flashlight headband

From MEC:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=673277&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=12863&bmUID=1109445229456

From factory direct:

http://www.niteize.com/head.html
(available in Olive Drab)

Or from Wheelers:

http://www.wheelersonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=1019

Though bulkier, mini-flashlights offer relative off-the-shelf-availability, parts and accessories inclusive.

 

[gore226]

So I picked up a lense set for my lamp( tikka) today!!!!!  ;D  I found it tottlay by accident.  Got home, the lenses fit into a regular film canister, along with 3 extra batteries. 

 

[Arctic Acorn]

Where did you get the lens kit from? MEC?

 

[PViddy]

I have a BLT Spelunk'r it's a sweet light and retails for $40 or $50 (i purchased it on a "pro deal" for half price) if not for the price, i wuld have bought the Petzl tactikka all the way.  anyways, check it out if you want.  http://www.blt-lights.com/spelunkr.htm


cheers

PV

 

[sapper13]

I bought a ray-o-vac from wallmart for $20.  It has a red LED, white LED and normal white light all in one.  For that price you can't go wrong

 

[gore226]

I happened to find my lense kit by accident in Saskatoon.  Other people on the board have said you can find them at MEC.

Chris