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Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Remix Hybrid Headlamp > Test Report by Jamie LawrencePRINCETON
TEC REMIX HYBRID
HEADLAMP Initial Report – 2nd October 2009 Field Report - 1st December 2009 Long-Term Report - 10th February 2010 Tester Information
I was introduced to backpacking/tramping/hiking as a young child in Boy Scouts and through my school physical/adventure education. After leaving school, I mainly did short daywalks until recently when I started to re-walk some of Tasmania's key routes and try others I was yet to attempt. I mainly walk in the winter months, in Tasmania's central highlands area. I prefer light gear, extended walks (3-5 days) in a group of 3 or shorter walks (1-3 days) walking solo. I would generally carry a base weight pack of around 8 kg - 10 kg (17 lbs - 22 lbs). 2nd October 2009 Product Information & Specifications Manufacturer:
Princeton Tec
Initial Impressions of the Remix This is the first Princeton Tec product that I have owned, but I have always regarded Princeton Tec as a high quality manufacturer. After removing the Remix from the packet I immediately felt that it was strong and sturdy in its construction. Without reference to the instructions I was easily able to connect the headlamp to the elastic band and insert the batteries. One of the features I have already found that I prefer on this headlamp compared to my others is the large battery door on the side of the headlamp. I was able to open the battery door and insert the 3 AAA batteries within around 30 seconds. The elastic band features a battery door tool which I did not need. By comparison to my other headlamps this is very quick as I usually need a knife blade or screwdriver to open the battery compartments. I actually
have 3 other headlamps (maybe I have a gear
addiction??!) and my first thoughts were that the Remix is quite chunky
and
heavy. Having said this, after playing around with the Remix for about
10
minutes after removing it from the packet, I decided that it isn't that
bad,
but it is slightly larger than my other 3 LED lamps. The Remix has
adjustable
tilt and I first found this to be very stiff. I was not able to adjust
the tilt
with one hand whilst wearing the headlamp. I had to hold the main body
with one
hand and tilt the lamp component with the other. Hopefully this will
loosen up
a little with more use. I am certainly not concerned about the tilt
moving when
I don't want it to. Summary In general terms I am quite impressed with the Remix. It is certainly very bright! I find it comfortable to wear and easy to use. I have 2 simple initial concerns. First is the colour black. This may prove the Remix hard to locate in my dark tent or at the bottom of my pack. I guess this will soon be discovered as I embark on my field testing. The second is that there is no flash/blink mode on the Remix. As a keen cyclist I quite often use a headlamp under my helmet on flash as an extra safety light that I can flick to a beam for increased vision. This won't be an option with the Remix. I usually carry 2 headlamps when out walking, a wide angle multi LED for use around camp and reading and a single bright LED for navigation and walking around in the dark. Given the hybrid design of the Remix I intend using it as my principle headlamp over the coming months during my testing. This concludes my Initial Report of the Princeton Tec Remix headlamp. My thanks to Princeton Tec and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product. 1st December 2009 Field Locations & Conditions I have began testing the Princeton Tec Remix on a recent trip to Freycinet National Park. This 3 day trip was mainly on coastal tracks at sea level but did involve a climb of Mt Freycinet (620 m/2,034 ft) and Mt Graham (579 m/ 1,900 ft). During this trip there was no rain and temps were around 20 C (68 F) during the day with night time lows of around 8 C (46 F).
Performance in the Field As stated in my Initial Report, I would usually carry 2 headlamps with me when out and about walking. I am pleased to report that I have found that the Remix is suitable as a hybrid lamp. I found that in Ultrabright mode, I was easily able to tend to jobs around camp such as cooking and sorting my tent in a nice bright crisp light. I was also easily able to dim the lamp to Ultrabright low which I found more suitable for reading in my tent. I use this setting the majority of the time as it is generally bright enough even outdoors. With no hassle what so ever I can switch to Maxbright mode and make the track to the campsite toilets where a decent beam of light was highly useful to avoid tripping on the uneven track. On Maxbright high mode, this is a really bright lamp and I can easily see about 20-30 m (66-98 ft) ahead of me on the track. I have found the Remix a highly comfortable headlamp to wear when backpacking. I tend to find myself adjusting my other lamps all the time as I find them too tight or they slip around and annoy me. I am very pleased that I have had next to no hassles with having to adjust the headband and find it really soft but secure.
Throughout my testing so far I have had no major issues with the exception of 2 incidences where the Remix would not turn on, regardless of how long I held down the button. The only way I could get the lamp to fire up was to open the battery door and close it again. Once this was done, the Remix worked fine. I cannot figure out what prevented the Remix from working as the lamp had not been dropped or has any water got into the body. To date I have not had to replace the batteries. However, as outlined above I have had to open the battery door a few times. What I have found interesting is that using the battery door lever, that is part of the elastic strap, does not allow me to fully open the battery door. In the photo above I have tried to show that I can lift the door latch but not enough to open it using the lever. I have given up using this method and simply use my thumb to open the door. Summary All is good so far in my testing of the Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp. I have enjoyed the flexibility of moving between Ultrabright mode and Maxbright mode. I am a little alarmed about the few occasions where I had to open then close the battery door to get the lamp to switch on so I hope this doesn't develop into a fault as I continue my testing. This concludes my Field Report of the Princeton Tec Remix headlamp. 10th February 2010 Field Locations & Conditions I continued my field testing of the Princeton Tec Remix headlamp in various settings, including some backpacking and camping as well as off-shore sailing. As all my long term testing has been during my summer, I have spent a lot of time at the beach and in coastal locations. I recently spent 2 nights camped at Bridport, at sea level. There was no rain and temps ranged from 35 C (95 F) to lows around 12 C (53 F). I also used the Remix on an overnight walk into Mt Field National Park. During this walk I was between 1,038 m ( 3,405 ft) and 1,272 m (ft). Again the weather was lovely and sunny with no rain and temps were hot, getting to 38 C (100 F) during the day and only dropping to 18 C (64 F) at night. I also threw the Remix into my bag for a recent off shore ocean race. This short race of around 90 nautical miles (166 km/103 mi) was from Hobart around Bruny Island and involved travel between 43° 31.421² S and 42° 52.945²S latitude. Sea and weather conditions were light and sunny with no rain.
Performance in the Field Throughout my
field and
long-term testing, I have greatly enjoyed using the Remix. I identified
in my
field report that I had 2 instances where the Remix failed to turn on
and I was
forced to open the battery door to make the lamp work. I am pleased to
report
that I have had no other instances of this happening and am still at a
loss to explain
what caused the issue. I am actually still using the original batteries
that
were supplied with the Remix however I noticed that the brightness is a
getting
low and I assume the batteries could benefit from being replaced. I
have a few
other headlamps, my favorite actually maintains brightness at full
power then
starts to flash when the batteries are too low. This is a handy
feature, which
the Remix does not have, the light simply gets dimmer. I would prefer
the flash
option. Final Summary When I
commenced testing
the Princeton Tec Remix I was keen to discover if it was capable of
being a
true hybrid of a spot lamp and broad beam capable of use around camp
and for
long distance lighting. I am pleased to report that I have found this
is the
case, the Remix is highly capable in each of its 4 lighting modes. I
have also
found that the Remix is comfortable to wear for long periods of time
and is
durable and resistant of weather. Read more reviews of Princeton Tec gear Read more gear reviews by Jamie Lawrence Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Remix Hybrid Headlamp > Test Report by Jamie Lawrence |