Mammut Lucido TXLite Editorial Review

An Illuminating Subject

By Josh Higgins (bandycoot)

Mammut Lucido TXLite

bandycoot

Mammut Lucido TXLite.

The Mammut Lucido TXLite is an awesome headlamp. I must admit, when I received it in the mail to review I was a little hesitant at first. This meant not using my Petzl Tikka Plus which has been with me for so many memorable climbing experiences, and has performed so well. However, once I threw some batteries in the thing and got it up and running, I quickly realized that it was going to be at least as good as my trusty Petzl. As time went by I found myself grabbing it every time I thought I might do some night climbing!

It clocks in at an extremely light 71g (with batteries) making it barely noticeable, and yet I found it highly functional. The main feature that set this little guy apart was the beam of light it throws out from a single LED. It’s not like a typical Petzl Tikka which throws out a diffuse light in all directions, concentrated in the middle. The Lucido TXLite throws a 45 degree angle conical beam with an even MORE concentrated beam in the center. It’s light pattern looks like a bullseye on the wall. This is accomplished through what Mammut calls its Total Reflex Optics, and they claim that it can hit 41m on high and last 80 hours. I haven’t pulled out a tape measurer, but I know that when I was doing the Mt. Whitney approach at 4am, the Lucido TXLite was doing a much better job of trail finding than my Tikka Plus that my partner was wearing.

Notice the even and bright light from the Lucido's beam

bandycoot

Notice the even and bright light from the Lucido's beam.

I’ve tested this thing for a few months on alpine starts and hikes, and even a midnight multipitch climb of Tahquitz and I must say I’m happy. I’ve only replaced the battery once, and I’ve used it almost every weekend since I received it. Its longer, more concentrated, beam of light allows for easier trail and route finding. While there isn’t the same diffuse light in all directions as my Tikka, which means I move my head a little more when I want to look down or to the sides, that’s fine with me!

The light settings are a basic, toggling between off, low, and high. The angle of the headlamp adjusts easily swiveling smoothly so you can stop at any angle desired, and the headlamp has one last feature which I really thought was an obvious improvement. There is a small red switch which can be turned “off” and the headlamp can no longer be turned on using is on off button! Brilliant! I have found my headlamps on in my pack, as have some of my friends. It’s rare, but for those ascents or trips where the battery life really matters, just flip the switch and no worries! That headlamp cannot turn on accidentally draining crucial lifetime from the headlamp.

I’m really impressed with the headlamp. The Petzl Tikka has been demoted to loaner/campground headlamp, and as I mentioned before, the Mammut Lucido TXLite is my new go-to headlamp when I’m potentially climbing or hiking at night. For those looking for an ultralight headlamp with no-frills, this is the one for you!

Full Disclosure: The company that manufactured this item provided it free of charge to rockclimbing.com, who in turn provided it as compensation to the reviewer for his review.