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Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:50 am
by logsden
I've got both the Spot and the XP2. Very similar performance. Both provide plenty of light for glacier or trail navigation. Both have a decent battery life.

I use the XP2 more often because I have the rechargeable battery kit for it. Nice option - for night time trail running I can run it at full brightness regulated w/o worrying about burning up $$$ on batteries. I use it unregulated on alpine stuff and have had plenty for multi-day trips.

I'd be happy with owning either one on their own.

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:21 am
by Diego Sahagún
TimB wrote:
Autoxfil wrote:The MYO XP is so tried and true, and it's such a small amount of weight that I wouldn't bother.

Switch to lithium batteries to save weight - they work much better in the cold as well.


+1 on both-the lithium batteries are very nice, indeed.

But they need a different charger. Don't they :?:

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:36 pm
by TimB
Diego Sahagún wrote:
TimB wrote:
Autoxfil wrote:The MYO XP is so tried and true, and it's such a small amount of weight that I wouldn't bother.

Switch to lithium batteries to save weight - they work much better in the cold as well.


+1 on both-the lithium batteries are very nice, indeed.

But they need a different charger. Don't they :?:


Diego,
The ones I use(Energizer Lithium) are not rechargeable. You just use them in place of Alkaline AA, AAA, etc., batteries.

Note: I have heard that some headlamps aren't designed for use with the Alkaline replacement lithium, something about voltage regulation?
However, most light manufacturers have information on their websites about such things-so one should be able to tell if their light is safe to use with lithium.

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:11 pm
by Diego Sahagún
Concerning Lithium batteries and Peztl headlamps. Not all of them are compatible:

http://www.petzl.com/en/node/9935

Petz say that for Myo XP: use alkaline batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Do not use the lamp with Lithium batteries. Due to recent advances
in their performance characteristics (especially their higher output
during discharge), they can cause the lamp to overheat and possibly
damage the LED.


All TIKKAs are not compatible with Lithium batteries. What Black Diamond say about using Lithium batteries in their Spot :?:

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:21 pm
by Diego Sahagún
More about batteries and Petzl headlamps: http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/headlamps/batteries

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:58 pm
by Luc
I've used Lithium in my Tikka XP(1), no issues there.
I've used those mainly as a weight concern and performance in the winter.

One big issue with using Lithium is the battery's output curve, It runs fairly straight then sharply dies as opposed to alkaline that output on a curve.
Headlamps with power rate control may not be designed with this in mind and also, you don't get much of a warning when the batteries give out.

The Myo XP has that battery pack, some people have issues with it (3xAA) and it makes for a bigger package, but if you're looking at a lot of winter use, the Myo XP belt is the way to go I think.

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:10 pm
by Diego Sahagún
Luc, I have the Myo XP but I'm looking for a lighter headlamp with the longest bright distance. I don't know what to choose Tikka XP2 or BD Spot...

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:15 pm
by Luc
I haven't tried the spot yet,

Though having different LEDs configuration for wide/Narrow may increase performance instead of using the XP's diffuser lens.

I'm happy with the wide output on the XP, I rarely remove the diffuser, it's the perfect amount of light to follow a trail, I don't know if those 2 LEDs on the Spot offer enough light for that, or are they only good for around camp? Is the DoubleLED wide enough to allow you to navigate without turning your head all the time?

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:28 pm
by TimB
Luc wrote:I haven't tried the spot yet,

Though having different LEDs configuration for wide/Narrow may increase performance instead of using the XP's diffuser lens.

I'm happy with the wide output on the XP, I rarely remove the diffuser, it's the perfect amount of light to follow a trail, I don't know if those 2 LEDs on the Spot offer enough light for that, or are they only good for around camp? Is the DoubleLED wide enough to allow you to navigate without turning your head all the time?


I haven't played with either the XP or Spot, but my Princeton Corona(yes, a bit heavier than what the OP wants) has a nice floodlight feature.
FWIW.

Edit: also, it IS compatible(per Princeton Tech) with Lithium batteries, which save a fair amount of weight.

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:05 am
by Diego Sahagún
Luc wrote:I haven't tried the spot yet,

Though having different LEDs configuration for wide/Narrow may increase performance instead of using the XP's diffuser lens.

I'm happy with the wide output on the XP, I rarely remove the diffuser, it's the perfect amount of light to follow a trail, I don't know if those 2 LEDs on the Spot offer enough light for that, or are they only good for around camp? Is the DoubleLED wide enough to allow you to navigate without turning your head all the time?

No Luc, I think that those 2 LEDs on the Spot are not sufficient for trail finding, they are only for using them in the camp. BTW, I can't find the new Spot in any shop of Madrid, Spain

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:41 pm
by Luc
Diego Sahagún wrote:No Luc, I think that those 2 LEDs on the Spot are not sufficient for trail finding, they are only for using them in the camp. BTW, I can't find the new Spot in any shop of Madrid, Spain

I tried the Spot in a store here (not very conclusive to try it out indoors)
I'd stick with the XP2 and forget using the core pack, it makes for a bigger package and doubles the price...

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:26 pm
by logsden
Diego Sahagún wrote:No Luc, I think that those 2 LEDs on the Spot are not sufficient for trail finding, they are only for using them in the camp. BTW, I can't find the new Spot in any shop of Madrid, Spain

The Spot and XP2 both offer PLENTY of light for nighttime navigation. I've used them both for navigating approaches through dense forest w/ no moonlight, glacier nav. under same, and rock climbing at night. Anything larger is just wasted weight and size in my opinion.

Re: Headlamps with lowest weight & longest bright distance

PostPosted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:14 am
by pjc30943
Per a conversation with BD, the Spot is compatible with lithium batteries. I've used mine many times with lithium and it's been fine.