By Mark McLauchlin
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Photo Courtesy Essential Gear |
Reviewer Information
Name: Mark McLauchlin
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Height: 1.76 m (5’ 9”)
Weight: 80 kg (176 lb)
Email: mark at swanvalleyit.com.au
City: Perth, Western Australia
Backpacking Background
I have been hiking since 2006 with most of my hiking
consisting of day walks averaging 16 - 22 km (10 - 14 mi) and short
overnight trips where possible. Most of my hiking is along the Bibbulmun
Track and Coastal Plains Trail. I consider myself to be a light hiker
with an average pack weight of 5 kg (13 lb), which I am working to
reduce. I generally sleep in my tarp tent or huts that are often
scattered along the various hiking trails.
Product Information
Manufacturer: Essential Gear
Year of Manufacture: 2010
Manufacturer's Website:
www.essentialgear.com
Listed Weight W/Batt: 26 g (0.9 oz)
Measured Weight W/Batt: 28 g (0.99 oz)
Listed Size: 1.2" x 1.2" x 1.9" (3.1 x 3.1 x 4.8 cm)
Measured Size: 1.2" x 1.2" x 1.9" (3.1 x 3.1 x 4.8 cm)
Battery Type: 2 x CR2032
Burn Time: 25 Hours Steady, 50 Hours Flashing
Bulb Type: Nichia LED
MSRP: $11.95
Product Description
The eQ2 is essentially a dual function, lightweight headlamp
which can be mounted by the elastic head-strap or converted to clip onto
a cap worn by the user, or any other suitable item. It comes with two
function modes, steady on and flashing, and boasts a great burn time of
25 hours while on steady and 50 while on flashing mode. Described by the
manufacturer as "New dual function eQ with steady on & flashing modes
plus 10 lumens brightness. Weighing less than an ounce and featuring a
versatile clip mount that provides 9 light positions. Magnifier lens
provides focused beam."
Initial Impressions
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Converts to Clip-on Light: This is a very unique and functional part
of the eQ2 headlamp, it allows for use either with the traditional
adjustable elastic head strap or without which allows for it
to clip onto the peak of a hat/cap or another suitable object. This
seems to be very easy to use and to switch between the two modes.
Steady on or Flashing: Like many other headlamps on the market the eQ2
has two modes of light, Steady on and flashing which are both the same
white colour. Switching between the two modes and also the on/off
positions is done by rotating the light head. After some time spent
playing around with this I have been able to understand the use a little
better, here is what I have found. From the off position if you rotate
the light head clockwise, looking at the headlamp, the steady on mode is
activated. If you then rotate anti-clockwise the LED is turned off.
Rotate again clockwise and the flashing mode is activated, rotate
anti-clockwise and the LED is turned off, and so repeats the pattern.
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Focused Beam: The beam remains very directed due to a magnified section
on the front lens. There is no way to turn this focused beam off, it is
a permanent feature. From my initial testing directing
the beam at a solid object 80 cm (31.5 in) away will produce a
focused beam with a diameter of approximately 37 cm
(14.6 in).
Multi-angle ratcheting head: As the subtitle suggests the head of the
light can be adjusted by tilting up or down through 90 degrees or 9
positions. The headlamp is easy to move through the angle range and I do
not see any issues with it becoming loose and not retaining the set
position. The advantage of headlamps being able to move in this manner
is that it enables the wearer to direct the beam to focus it on the task
at hand. As an example if you are walking at night it might be relevant
to have the beam directed to the ground so that potential hazards can be
spotted. |
Initial Trial
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The eQ2 fits great while using the
elastic head strap, it is comfortable and easy to adjust
while wearing. It is also quite easy to convert to
clip-on mode, only taking a few moments. The
elastic strap simply slides out of the clip attached to
the main body of the headlamp. The body of the headlamp
has a large alligator type
clip which is squeezed open and attached to the front
peak of a cap or any other suitable mounting point.
Inside the clip there is a serration to assist with it
gripping and remaining attached.
In the dark the beam is very bright and focused which I have not
experienced with other headlamps. I am looking forward
to using this for night navigation as the beam being so
focused may make it easier.
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Reading the Instructions
The instructions for the eQ2 are on the reverse side of the packing.
They are very basic and easy enough to understand, and cover the areas
of: Specifications (as listed above), Battery Replacement (Which I will
try out during the field-report) and the operation of the two different
modes.
Summary
Overall I am sure this will be a great item to test, it is both
functional and lightweight which are my two main priorities when
selecting hiking gear.
Things I liked
Light-weight
Can be used as a clip-on light
Bright, targeted beam
Things I disliked
On/off mechanism will take some practice to operate.
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| Headlamp on floppy
style brimmed hat |
Removal of elastic
strap |
Adjustment clip |
This concludes my Initial Report. The Field
Report will be amended to this report in approximately two months from
the date of this report. Please check back then for further information.
Field Report
30th Match 2010
Field Conditions
Since January this year the Essential Gear eQ2 Ultra-light Headlamp
has accompanied me on three overnight hikes, where it has been used each
night, and numerous day hikes where it has remained in my pack as part
of my emergency kit.
The Heritage Trail in the John Forrest National Park was the first
overnight hike the eQ2 accompanied me on. Trip length was 17 Km (10.5
miles), and their was no significant elevation gain or loss. The
temperature was, at the time of recording, 22 C (72 F).
Myself and a fellow BGT tester went out on a multi-day hike in the
Monadnocks National park where we stayed at a campsite overnight and
returned the following afternoon. The total trip length was 14 km's (8.7
miles) and took us over some spectacular mountain tops including Mt
Vincent and Mt Cuthbert. I recorded a whopping 37 C (99 F) during the
return length back to the trailhead.
The last trip for the report phase was out to the Helena National
park for an overnight hike, 22 km (13.6 miles) round trip. I recorded
the maximum temperature to be 32 C (90 F) at 3 pm.
Field Performance
The eQ2 has proven thus far to be a great headlamp, its performance
and general characteristics are a winning combination. Performance of
the headlamp for me is measured by how well it does the job of
illuminating the subject area and how efficient it is at doing so.
Efficiency has been great, the dual CR2032 batteries have not been
replaced and are clocking up close to 10 hours of use. This use is a
combination of time spent around the camp area, cooking food and sitting
around at night chatting to fellow hikers.
The illumination 'pattern' of the eQ2 is unique to other headlamps I
currently own. As noted in the Initial Report it has a focused beam
rather than a much broader field of view. I had some hesitations as to
how well this would perform but after my first night out with the
headlamp my perspective changed. Not only does the focused beam mean
that objects much further away can be seen but it also means that when
around camp there is more control over where the light is directed thus
avoiding other peoples eyes, which is often seen as an annoyance.
During my hike in the Monadnocks National Park, whilst talking
around the campfire, we heard some noises in the bushes. A few
seconds later a small unidentified marsupial walked out. It was with the
eQ2 headlamp that I was able to remain focused directly on it for quite
a while as it walked around the camp. I doubt with my other headlamps I
would have been able to do this while remaining the same distance away.
I would estimate roughly 5 - 6 meters (16 - 19 FT).
The steady on or flashing selection of the headlamp has not proven
to be an issue for me, once I worked out the pattern as indicated in the
Initial Report. I did however pass the headlamp onto my hiking companion
who did find it a little difficult to use, but I am sure it is something
he too would get use to.
I have not been able to test the clip-on feature during this part of
the report for any significant amount of time. During the use that I did
have there were no issues and it performed as expected. I will however
aim to test this further during the next phase of the report.
The elastic head strap and adjustment clip have also
performed well. The head strap is quite comfortable and together with
the adjustment clip there is little if any re-adjustment required after
wearing for a prolonged period, it does not slip and require tightening.
The multi-angle ratcheting head of the eQ2 works well and shows no
signs of potential failure. The movement is still quite tight
which reduces the "free play" one might see with some moving parts.
Summary
I am very pleased with the performance of the eQ2 headlamp, it has
exceeded my expectations which makes for one happy camper. The "Things I
like" as reported in the Initial Report remain the same and my dislike
of the on/off mechanism is no longer a concern.
Thank you to Essential Gear and BackpackGearTest.org
for the privilege of testing the eQ2 Ultra-Light Headlamp.
This concludes my Field Report for the eQ2
Ultra-Light Headlamp.
Long-Term Report
1st June 2010
Due to personal injury I have not been able to test
the eQ2 headlamp as much as had hoped. My current limitation
restricting me from spending more than one consecutive night out
hiking. As a result the headlamp has only seen one nights additional
use hiking, however it has been use for several other night
activities such as geocaching and fishing. I am well on the way to
recovery now and expect make full use of the headlamp over the
coming weeks and months. Hopefully longer on the assumption the
headlamp will continue to perform.
The night I was able to spend out hiking was fairly consistent with
my other hikes in terms of geography and style. The total trip
distance was 11 km or 6.8 miles. There was no precipitation, however
the temperatures were very mild.
The geocaching night on the other hand was only a very short
distance, less than 1 km (0.6 mile), but I did manage to expose the
headlamp to some precipitation which was good. The headlamp became
quite wet and still managed to function well with no loss of
function.
I feel very strongly now towards how well the focused
beam performs when compared to other headlamps that do not have this
feature. It, in my opinion is a must. The additional control the
user has over how much of the light is directed is fantastic.
The headlamp shows no signs of wear and tear or durability issues.
The elastic head strap and adjustment are still very effective. The
ratcheting head still performs as if it was new.
The steady on or flashing 'switch' is a great feature which I am
well and truly used to and again this shows no performance issues or
loss of functionality.
It is safe to say that the eQ2 headlamp will
definitely form part of my regular hiking gear, it is both
functional and lightweight which are the two most important aspects
to me as strive to reduce my pack weight (currently 5 kg or 13 lb).
Thank you to Essential Gear and BackpackGearTest.org
for the privilege of testing the eQ2 Ultra-Light Headlamp.
This concludes my Long-Term Report and the test
series for the eQ2
Ultra-Light Headlamp.
