Review:
Petzl Headlamps
A good headlamp is one of the most important pieces of outdoor equipment you will need, regardless of the activity. It is very convenient to have hands free lighting and you never know when you will find yourself running out of hours of the day and you have not finished your adventure!
Climbing was something we did not start doing until after we turned 50. Our initial approach was cautious but full of optimism. When we spoke with Petzl they suggested the Corax harness. This model is perfect for the true beginner. All of the pressure points are well padded. It was easy to put on and adjust the buckles for a good fit. For us the comfort was our priority followed closely by ease of use. The Corax excelled exceptionally well in both categories. We highly recommend the Corax if you are just beginning or are looking for a comfortable fit.
This is compact and ultra-light (28 grams), so it can always be with you. It is designed to prevent accidental operation with locking switch. It is developed for performance lighting with two white lighting modes: maximum and economic, one red lighting mode, two flashing modes: white or red (for signaling), and it shines enough light to allow easy movement in the dark:
We love how this tiny light shines up to 19 meters and provides up to 4 consecutive nights of lighting (45 hours) This multi-use light is extremely easy to use and very practical, coming even with a long-range whistle for communication or rescue. It can be worn on the head, around the wrist or neck or attached to thin-edged objects with integrated clip always shines in the direction you want. The light source can be directed 360° and the red light beam helps preserve night vision. All this comes in a handy waterproof case to protect it from the elements, and it has a belt loop for quick access.
Petzl has hit the nail on the head with this women’s specific climbing harness. By increasing the length of the belay loop, the rise has been increased, giving it a more better fit to a woman’s waist and lower back. There are adjustable leg loops that can be easily adjusted depending on thigh size or layers of clothing. The woven polyester mesh on the inside wicks moisture for increased comfort. This allows the harness to dry more quickly in extremely hot or wet conditions. The closed cell foam on the waist belt breathes incredibly and adds to the comfort.
For novice climbers, the green belay loop helps identify proper tie-in / attachment point. As women we are well aware of how easy it is for men to relive themselves without having to take off their harness- not fair! But this harness has detachable elastic leg loop straps so we can do it too!
Right out of the box this harness was worn all day and it was incredibly comfortable with no pressure points. Whether you are heading to the climbing gym for an hour or out to the rocks for an all day excursion, this harness will impress you with comfort and function!
The TIKKA2 is one of the most versatile and generally useful headlamps I have encountered. It is great for working around the house, fishing, barbecuing outside, camping, reading a book or map, cross-country skiing, working on your vehicle, canoeing, working in the dark reserves of your home or just going for a walk. If I missed anything assume it works for that too.
It has three lighting modes: maximum, economic and flashing. On maximum the four LED lights allowed me to see about 90 feet ahead. When wanting to maximize your power usage, the economic mode provides up to 120 hours of burn-time. The flashing feature is an excellent safety precaution to have as well. The light tilts so you can aim the beam ahead or closer to your feet.
I conducted my product test using the three AAA Duracells that came with it. It does accommodate lithium batteries which perform better in colder temperatures. There is option to use the CORE rechargeable battery.
CORE is a lithium ion rechargeable battery for the TIKKA2 and the ZIPKA2 models. It has the equivalent life of 900 average AAA batteries. You are able to recharge it up to 300 times before the power capacity begins to diminish. Not buying 900 batteries saves a lot of money and is great for the environment. It is compatible with all chargers that use a standard USB. This means you can use a USB compatible computer at home or work, cell phone charger in the car or a solar charger in the woods. Which is perfect because who needs a head lamp if it is sunny out.
If your needs of a head lamp are more specific, you can customize the performance of your headlamp. Make adjustments to the intensity of the light or battery life depending on the type of activity. Petzl offers an operating system you can download by clicking on the specific product link here in the review.
The TIKKA XP2 by Petzl is a compact and light headlamp with a 3-way adjustable white lighting system, allowing the user to change the beam proximity. It can shine up to 60 meters at maximum length. I found this feature quite useful for a dark hike into camp and adjusting it for a little sleeping bag reading! The white light has a burn time up to 160 hours, great for long distance hiking, and has a battery change indicator light.
There are also two red lighting methods, continuous or blinking, useful for emergency situations.
For lower temperatures you can choose to use lithium batteries, which allows for better performance.
This headlamp was extremely comfortable with an adjustable headband and no pressure points. Very easy to use with a switch system to keep you from accidentally flipping turning it on or off.
...Fiftysense Product Review Panel