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euroford
Jan 6, 2006, 6:03 PM
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good tips guys!! and yeah, i definitly always take two lamps. my trusty BD ion has found a place somewhere on person ever since the first time i've climbed outdoors. it doesn't weigh anything, and for damn sure it'll save my arse someday.
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cragmasterp
Jan 6, 2006, 6:21 PM
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If you want a really bright headlamp, go with a bike specific light, like the 10 watt Niterider Head trip. these run about 100 bucks but are bright like a car head light and have a rechargable battery. Much brighter, although larger and heavier, than any petzl or similar "camping" headlamp. There are some super bright head lights out there that are metal halide, and the newest ones are LED. but some of these units can run in excess of $350. So check the online bike shops, or your local bike shop, and see the differnce for yourself.
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mlcrisis
Jan 6, 2006, 6:26 PM
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[quote="euroford"]boulders might actually be onto something.... let's not get too carried away, here euro.....
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chh
Jan 6, 2006, 6:29 PM
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I have a Princeton Tec Corona that I really like, though the new 3 watts seem like a good way to go. The Corona is 8 led's which you can use all at once in two brightness settings as well as bump it down to 4, 3, or 1 for belaying or getting that beer. I also use it frequently caving and it has stood up to some substantial abuse. Once, after a very cold and very wet cave emerging into a hot humid summer day caused the lens to fog up. An eyeglass repair kit screwdriver and about five minutes in the open air fixed the problem. Look closely at your lights. Can you get to all the important parts if you needed to without breaking plastic? I think this is an important feature, as well as good rubber seals on EVERYTHING. I've used the Myo XP outdoors and really like the light it provides, but I question it's durability. It just seems like an errant boot on that thing would just crush it. And the little plastic flip down diffuser?......definitely coming off at some point. Also, I think making the weather sealing better would be a plus, especially around the boost button on the top. That said, its a GREAT light for night hiking/trail running as well as biking. Super bright and looong battery life. Nobody know has yet taken their XP through all the paces for more than a season. I'd love to be proven wrong on it's durability. Zip-Taktikka? I'm sold......
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trenchdigger
Jan 6, 2006, 7:06 PM
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In reply to: Nobody know has yet taken their XP through all the paces for more than a season. I'd love to be proven wrong on it's durability. I've been abusing mine since last Spring (before they were in stores) and it's still going strong... It's been on backpacking trips, climbing trips, SAR trainings, etc. No durability issues. My Princeton Tec headlamps have had the most issues with durability - specifically the EOS, Scout, and Aurora.
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epic_ed
Jan 6, 2006, 7:14 PM
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Gear whore, here...headlamps are one of my weaknesses. I'm one of those OCD guys who carries at least two sources of light with me no matter where I go (work, dinner, shopping...as if our entire planet will suddenly be submerged into cave-like darkness at any moment). I have nearly all of the headlamps you guys have mentioned, and as far as an overall, category-pleaser I'm a big fan of the Tikka plus. It's my emergancy headlamp in two vehicles and in the zipper compartment of my chalk bag. I have used the BD Ion and I curse anything with a tiny, impossible-to-find battery. For emergency purposes, you're better off having nothing than having this damn thing and counting on it to bail you out of a pitch-black epic. It will stay bright enough to be functional for about an hour and then yer fucked. Big walls and aiding are entirely different. I want a spotlight if I need it, but it needs to have the battery stamina to go from dusk till dawn if necessary (and God knows it's necessary more often than not for me). I have yet to use any headlamp with tricked out LED magnification used to boost the brightness that out performs a good halogen beam. LEDs (super-bright, ultra-bright...whatever) certainly have their advantage, but when I want to cast a beam 100+ feet away to try to spot the next anchor nothing beats a halogen bulb. I've been disappointed by the BD Zenix, the Petzl XP, and the BD Spot -- screw the LED, gimme a halogen. Since the LEDs are essential to me for battery saving purposes and for handling most regular climbing tasks, a good hybrid lamp is my preference. I absolutely love my Petzl Myo5 (and Myo3), but I'm looking forward to buying a BD Vectra to see how it compares. Ed
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euroford
Jan 6, 2006, 7:33 PM
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i'm with ya on that idea Ed. a hybrid lamp was one of my first ideas. so thats another plus on the bd vectra. though i have to say i was pretty impressed by the video's on petzl website showing the 'boost' feature on the myo xp.
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hosh
Jan 6, 2006, 7:53 PM
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In reply to: The Petzl Myo XP is the headlamp. I fully support this statement. hosh.
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sspssp
Jan 6, 2006, 7:57 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: And finally, if you are planning on climbing after dark, take two headlamps (even if the second is a wimpy micro). I've learned this lesson very painfully, twice. The first time I was cursing my dumb luck. The second time I was cursing my own dumb ass. Why take two? Have you lost/broken one while climbing? A spare set of batteries has always been enough for me. Yes, twice. The first time it was the bulb (this shouldn't be a problem with the new led lights). The second time it was a loose connection with the battery (this can still happen) and yes you can always drop one. Both times the leader got the light and the second got darkness (even though there was some moonlight we were in dark corners both times). For about 15 minutes its cool climbing by feel. Why can't I move up? Oh, theres a peice I need to clean. But it turned what we thought was going to be a couple hour outing into an all night affair. Even one of the tiny key chain lights would have allowed the second to move much, much faster. Not to mention that rope management can be unnerving when you are trying to lead belay your patner when it is pitch black.
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climbinginchico
Jan 6, 2006, 8:02 PM
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I LOVE my Myo XP. The thing is by far the brightest LED I have ever seen. Also, it seems to be just as bright as my BD lunar I was given. Not too bad, comparing an LED to a halogen...
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davidji
Jan 6, 2006, 8:04 PM
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In reply to: I absolutely love my Petzl Myo5 (and Myo3), but I'm looking forward to buying a BD Vectra to see how it compares. My Myo 3 seems to work pretty well for climbing too. I saw the BD Spot, and some competing PT & Petzl models for the first time yesterday at the store, and they looked pretty nice in the lighted room, but I didn't test 'em in a dark room, or outdoors. Of what I saw, I think the Spot was my first choice to replace my Tikka as an emergency light, and for trail use. In the store it looked like it might work for climbing, but I don't expect it to replace my Myo 3.
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euroford
Jan 6, 2006, 8:11 PM
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since i also climb ice/alpine stuff i have to ask, how do the vectra and myo xp compair for gloved operation?? i usually wear bd drytool gloves while climbing, but sometimes some big fatty insulated columbias. the buttons on that petzl jobber look kinda small.
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climbinginchico
Jan 6, 2006, 8:20 PM
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you might have a hard time getting to the small buttons on the Myo XP with thick gloves on. They are kind of separated, but they aren't exactly huge.
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climbinginchico
Jan 6, 2006, 8:53 PM
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OK, I retract my above statement. I was just able to easily use either of the buttons on my Myo XP with heavy snowboard gloves on. The kind with the heavy duty PU palm/fingers, gore-tex and fleece lining. No problems using the on/off/dimmer or boost buttons. Or telling them apart. There is a nice ridge next to the on/off button that serves as a nice tactile locator. edit: typo
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euroford
Jan 6, 2006, 9:00 PM
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thanks man! awsome of you to do the research and write up your findings. you would hope and think that somebody at Petzl did the same thing, but god only knows.....
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crackers
Jan 6, 2006, 10:14 PM
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I'd go with the Myo everybody's talking about or mal's mcgyverlight, but the brightest LED lights are probably Pelican's. I make some stuff like this for fun, and I know Pelican was making a headlamp using 3 of the Luxeon 5 watt package lights in an array with a focus lense which is REALLY bright and has a long throw as well. I couldn't find it on their website though...maybe they just made it for specops folks.
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tattooed_climber
Jan 6, 2006, 11:20 PM
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myobelt 5 (which ever battery type you perfer, i'd go with the AA just because they're more common) or myobelt XP if thats your thing i'm still currently on my myo3 (i cheaped out at the time for it over 5)...i'll upgrade for the myobelt 5 or whatever premo headlamp petzl has in a year or two
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the_capt_yac
Jan 9, 2006, 12:54 AM
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Registered: Jan 5, 2006
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I have the BD Zenix pro's- small light weight, has the choice of two LED's or one Hyperbright bulb. Its my perfect choice when I go climbing at night,caving,backpacking,and just screwing around at camp and in my tent. cons- could be a little brighter, and have a battery meter, but the new Zenix IQ has a find me light and a battery meter. -nick
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moondog
Jan 9, 2006, 4:07 PM
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Registered: Nov 25, 2002
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In reply to: in this case, i'm looking for the stoutest, baddest, 'git r done' headlamp around, cost and weight be damned. Ooooh. Cost and weight be damned? - then check these out: STENLIGHT ACTION LIGHT NOVA3
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skinner
Jan 13, 2006, 6:42 AM
Post #45 of 57
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Registered: Nov 1, 2004
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I've had (9) headlamps That's right 9 Finally settled on the Princeton Tech Yukon Love it, wouldn't trade it for anything and will be the last one I own.
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landgolier
Jan 13, 2006, 2:22 PM
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Registered: Mar 3, 2005
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This has been a pretty sweet thread (despite my hijack attempt). Everybody who weighed in here should take a minute to put what they wrote into the reviews section for future reference.
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moondog
Jan 13, 2006, 5:33 PM
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In reply to: i went for the Princeton Tec Apex, it rocks Yes, it does rock...but it is not Super Awesome. None of the lights from the mass-market guys (Petzl, PT, BD, etc.) are Super Awesome. You only get Super Awesome from Super Specialty manufacturers such as the ones I linked a few posts above. I hope the originator of this thread one day gets a Super Awesome headlamp and posts back with a review!
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crackers
Jan 13, 2006, 7:23 PM
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Registered: Apr 20, 2005
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i must say that i suspect that moondog knows exactly what he is talking about...plus the rumor is that he likes sitting in dark caves testing headlights.
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witcomb
Jan 13, 2006, 9:09 PM
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One company which may be of interest is Lupine. They have several lights which they advertise for caving. I know their mountain bike lights are some of the brightest around, I'm assuming that the caving lights follow their reputation. You won't get the same burn times as the other headlamps, but you won't get the same brightness without the power.
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