Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#175304 - 02/24/13 02:35 AM Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp?
rionada Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 493
Loc: Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
Anyone tried this:
PT Vizz
As I get older - I need more light. I saw the recent headlamp thread, but nothing mentioned really works for me. This thing weighs 3.7 with alkaline batteries (which I would replace with lithium) - a little heavy but I'd carry it if it does the job.

I'm looking for a light that has both ends covered - really bright (night hikes), and fairly dim (rumaging the tent while others sleep). This is supposed to have a "dimmer" mode that allows for infinite adjustment (within the specs of course).

So, anyone tried it? What'd think?

Any other lights that you know of meet my requirements?
_________________________
i really don't think that applies to me.

Top
#175306 - 02/24/13 02:47 AM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
rionada Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 493
Loc: Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
I just read a review that says the Vizz doesn't ship until April - oops. Still interested in alternatives though.

Here's the review: Vizz Review
_________________________
i really don't think that applies to me.

Top
#175307 - 02/24/13 06:38 AM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
oldranger Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
Check out the various models offered by ZebraLight (lite?). They have an absolutely ewildering variety. The folks on Candlepower Forums love them/ I have been very happy wih the one I purchased.

Top
#175308 - 02/24/13 08:09 AM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
How about something like the Petzl Zipka/Tikka? They have a couple of white brightness settings, but they also have a red light you can switch to. I find I use the red light a lot when rummaging in the tent. The red light seems to be a lower brightness than the low white light. I know other manufacturers also make red-white combo lights. (I apologize if this was mentioned in the other thread - I didn't go read it.)

Top
#175310 - 02/24/13 12:41 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
It's perhaps a descendant of/replacement for the Eos, which has been an excellent headlamp, if lacking several of the features of this model.

I've been using the Tikka2 XP for three seasons, the last two with the Core programmable, rechargeable battery. It's not perfect (no headlamp is) but does everything I need in a small, light package. Plus, I can recharge it for essentially unlimited use.

One tip--ditch the alkalines for NiMH rechargeables. You'll get better performance and never again have to leave with half-dead cells. Lithium are even better, but they remain stubbornly expensive.

Cheers,

Originally Posted By rionada
Anyone tried this:
PT Vizz
As I get older - I need more light. I saw the recent headlamp thread, but nothing mentioned really works for me. This thing weighs 3.7 with alkaline batteries (which I would replace with lithium) - a little heavy but I'd carry it if it does the job.

I'm looking for a light that has both ends covered - really bright (night hikes), and fairly dim (rumaging the tent while others sleep). This is supposed to have a "dimmer" mode that allows for infinite adjustment (within the specs of course).

So, anyone tried it? What'd think?

Any other lights that you know of meet my requirements?
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#175311 - 02/24/13 01:19 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: Rick_D]
rionada Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 493
Loc: Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
Thanks'
Rick D - have you tried the programmable feature? Do tell.
_________________________
i really don't think that applies to me.

Top
#175312 - 02/24/13 04:48 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Yup. Via a PC connection to the Petzl software, the Core can be set to regulated/unregulated and the two white levels can be set by percentage of maximum output/time of operation. What's more, you can save multiple configurations by name and by headlamp model (among the models the Core connects to). One could have summer, winter and trail running profiles, as random examples. I reduce the giant gap between default low and high.

Red LED mode isn't programmable, but I don't miss the option.

I confess I like the whizbang nerdy appeal of the thing. I'll add that with NiMH and lithium cells, the Tikka acts like it's regulated, even though it's not. Not the case with alkalines, though.

Cheers,
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#175321 - 02/25/13 01:32 AM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: Rick_D]
rionada Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 493
Loc: Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
Thanks Rick,

It looks like the core adds some thickness to the light, but I am geeked out by the idea that I can program it to my liking.

I also like the zebralight h31 - it's lighter than the petzls and has multiple brightness settings that may compensate for it's lack of programmability.
_________________________
i really don't think that applies to me.

Top
#175347 - 02/26/13 10:04 AM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: Rick_D]
Blue_Ridge_Ninja Offline
member

Registered: 09/09/11
Posts: 98
Loc: North Georgia
A programmable headlamp? Good grief... lol

Top
#175351 - 02/26/13 12:56 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Funnily enough, I like the extra thickness because the headlamp can throw glare onto glasses so moving it forward a quarter inch or so reduces this somewhat. Weightwise, I think it's a push versus three AAAs, and possibly even a weight savings compared to NiMH or alkaline.

Cheers,

Originally Posted By rionada
Thanks Rick,

It looks like the core adds some thickness to the light, but I am geeked out by the idea that I can program it to my liking.

I also like the zebralight h31 - it's lighter than the petzls and has multiple brightness settings that may compensate for it's lack of programmability.
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#175353 - 02/26/13 02:23 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: Rick_D]
rionada Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 493
Loc: Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
Blue Ridge - you know you like it. Let us know when you've ordered one. smile
_________________________
i really don't think that applies to me.

Top
#175687 - 03/09/13 10:25 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
rionada Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 493
Loc: Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
OK so I ended up with a ZebraLight H31.
H31
It weighs 2.9 oz (with battery).
The headband set-up seemed a little excessive to me so I made my own and brought the weight down to 1.9 oz. At that weight I don't see how you can beat it. It has a setting for everything I do - all the way from very dim to super bright.
I'll try to post a pic of the mod that I did.
_________________________
i really don't think that applies to me.

Top
#175690 - 03/09/13 10:56 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
rionada Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 493
Loc: Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
I posted the pic over in MYOG
_________________________
i really don't think that applies to me.

Top
#205910 - 10/05/21 04:49 AM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: rionada]
Keirv87 Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/11/21
Posts: 6
Loc: CA, USA
PETZL Actik Core is one of the best LED headlamps, It's also come up with red light. Durability, dual beam, and red light make it a perfect headlamp to use during hiking.

Top
#205915 - 10/05/21 02:46 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: Keirv87]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Why the attempt to resurrect a long-dead thread?

This thread is 8 years old, and I suspect is a bit out of date, since most manufacturers change their models fairly frequently. I would suggest starting a new headlamp discussion about current models.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#205916 - 10/05/21 03:00 PM Re: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp? [Re: OregonMouse]
aimless Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
This same user already started a headlamp discussion in the Beginners forum just two weeks ago, stating:

Hello I'm new here and I want to ask the experienced people, How many lights are guys carry during your 5-7 days camping? As a new camper, is it enough to take a good flashlight and one small to use as a survival?

It seems Kierv87 has accelerated their learning process amazingly, rapidly advancing from professed ignorance to confident expertise in just a matter of days! shocked

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
MSR Recall
by balzaccom
02/24/24 11:13 AM
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Yosemite Winter Rangers
by balzaccom
12/21/23 09:35 AM
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 65 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum