Petzl Tikka XP - Award Winning Headlamp with "Coolness" Factor
Written: Jul 08 '06 (Updated Aug 02 '06)
Product Rating:
Pros: Light weight design, long battery life, easy to use controls, high output LED
Cons: There is a wide variety of $20-$30 units, so $45 may seem high
The Bottom Line: A great multipurpose headlamp that won't break the bank to own. Cool enough for the younger set. Powerful enough for the seasoned camper.
scourge442's Full Review: Petzl Tikka XP Led Headlamp
The editors of Backpacker Magazine selected the Tikka XP for an Editors Choice award in March 2006 and it has lived up to that standard in my opinion. I have owned multiple headlamps through the years and this has emerged as one of my favorites.
Aside from the fact that they are just cool to own, I really do use mine. For me, headlamps come most in handy on return hikes at night when I have pushed it on the trail too long. They are also handy around campsites, on bike rides, and during the occasional power outage at home. In contrast to my older and more bulky units, I was immediately elevated to “cool” dad when I unveiled this one on my latest camping trips. My 2 girls used it while walking to the campsite restroom and remarked that this model did not make them feel like a nerd. Anything that raises my status in their eyes has got to be a plus.
Setup - This unit comes fully assembled and ready to use. Mine came prepackaged with 3 AAA batteries included (rechargeable can be used if desired). It has a single elastic headband, which is easily adjusted to accommodate use by multiple persons. The unit features a tilting head so light can be directed down toward the walking area in front of you (this saves you the annoying crook in the neck you sometimes get near the end of long hikes).
Light Levels: The controls for the 3 lighting levels (economic, optimum, and maximum) are located on the top of the unit and are easily cycled through without breaking stride. I leave mine on the economical setting because it delivers ample lighting while achieving the maximum battery duration of 120hrs. Don't underestimate the economic mode. The single LED packs a good punch and it only takes mistakenly staring directly into it once to earn your respect. It took me a few minutes to get those fuzzy purple images out of my eyes after that happened to me. The other settings are there for your use, but the net of it is; the higher the light output, the shorter the duration of the batteries. Need different lighting options? There is a handy wide-angle lens on the front of the unit. It too can be easily switched back and forth with one hand. There is also a separate switch on the top of the unit for a 20s boost mode. This increases the maximum light distance from 35M to 50M.
Size & Weight: This headlamp is diminutive in size (approx. 2 1/2 sq in) and weighs just 95g when loaded with batteries.
Cleaning & Storage - This is an electronic toy... I mean... an essential camping device, so proper care and storage should be exercised. In general, keep it clean and try to avoid storing batteries within it for long periods of time. There is a handy battery life indicator (indicator light + blinking LED) which warns when the batteries are approximately 70 % drained and 90 % drained. Check it before you hit the road. It is water resistant, so if you get caught in the rain out on the hiking trail or while cycling - don't worry. Just be sure to dry it off when you settle down. If you are going on rafting or tubing trip - I suggest you put it in a dry sack until needed.
Accessories: - There are 5 additional accessories available for this headlamp, which can be obtained via their web site or local retailers (see their web site for details)
It comes standard with a 3-year manufacturer guarantee, so purchase with confidence and have fun.
Just when you think LED lights can't get any better, Petzl comes out with the Tikka XP Headlamp. This single LED lamp has a range of up to 35 meters a...More at Backcountry.com
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.