Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Petzl Tikka XP > Chuck Carnes > Field Report

                                         Field Report                                          

Petzl Tikka XP
Report date: December 19, 2005

Biographical Information
Name: Chuck Carnes
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0" (1.83 m)
Weight: 175 lbs. (79 kg)
E-mail address: ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com
City, State, Country: Greenville, S.C.  USA

Backpacking Background
I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one-man tent camper for now until a lighter two-man tent comes along and will give me more room. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information
Manufacturer: Petzl
Model:  Tikka XP                                 
Year of Manufacture: 2005
URL: www.petzl.com                         
Listed Weight: Headlamp: 2.08 oz (59 g) + Batteries: 1.27 oz (36 g) = 3.35 oz (95 g)     
Weight as Delivered: Headlamp: 2.0 oz (57 g) + Batteries: 1.27 oz (36 g) = 3.27 oz (95 g) 
Height: 1.45 in (3.68 cm)
Width: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
Thick: 1.75 (4.45 cm)
MSRP: Not listed on web site (Altrec Outdoors: $49.95 US)

Product Features:
(from web site)
Powerful, focused light beam with 3 lighting levels (maximum, optimum, economy) and a blinking mode, to adapt the light to the activity at hand.

Boost mode: 50 % more light than the maximum level for 20 seconds.

Wide angle lens for flood beam-like proximity lighting.

Battery life indicator (indicator light + blinking LED): warns when the batteries are approximately 70 % drained and 90 % drained.

Compact and lightweight.

Tiltable light body enables light beam to be directed where needed.

Comfortable and stable to wear: adjustable and ergonomic elastic headband.

Light distance: up to 35 m (115 ft.) (50 m (164 ft.) in boost mode).

Light duration: up to 120 h.

Initial Report
         
Field Report:
            The Petzl Tikka XP has been an excellent light source for my backpacking needs. With all of the different functions and settings, they are all used and produce a variety of light levels. See my Initial Report for descriptions and different mode settings.  I have taken the Petzl Tikka XP on two trips and it has been used numerous times around the house.

             The first trip I took was a two night stay to a small area in Clayton, Georgia. It has a few trails and a few campsites but is only known by the locals. I am not a local but I know someone who is and he showed me some of his favorite spots. The weather was great for this time of year. The temperature was 75 F (24 C) during the day and 47 F (8 C) at night. There was no precipitation on this trip. I was able to use the Tikka while doing some camp chores just before bed and the mode setting was set on high. I did have the wide angle lens in effect so that I would get a wide range of light on the ground in front of me while I was walking around. At one point, I did use the Tikka in the boost mode without the wide angle lens to look at some wild life that was scurrying around up in the trees. The boost mode gave a great direct beam up in the trees for at least 30 ft (9 m). At night I used the low mode with the wide angle lens while in my tent getting ready for bed and for doing a little bit of reading and writing in my journal. The whole time that I wore the Tikka during this trip, I never felt any discomfort around my head or in the forehead area. The declination was always easy to adjust and the buttons that are placed on top of the body of the light is very user friendly.

             My second trip was a two night stay at Jones Gap. The weather was a little bit colder than my first trip. The temperature was 62 F (16 C) during the day and 39 F (4 C) at night. On this trip, again, I did not experience any precipitation to test the lights ability to work in the rain. The light worked just as well on this trip as it did on the trip that I just mentioned. At one time on this trip I did have a baseball hat on while I was wandering in the woods and I quickly found out that wearing the Tikka on the baseball hat, above the bill, was not a good idea because I was not able to tilt the light down in order to see in front of me with the bill of the hat being in the way. I quickly removed the light and then the hat. I turned my hat around so that the bill was in the back, placed the light back on my head and everything was fine.

             I really like the light set in the high mode because it gives out a nice, broad, soft light that is easy on the eyes and illuminates the ground nicely. I do use the Tikka around the house a good bit when working on things that I need a flashlight and I am able to use both hands without holding a flashlight in one hand. The headband is very comfortable and the body of the light is still in good condition. I have dropped it a few times and the impact doesn't seem to affect the light at all. I really like the boost mode but I do wish that it would stay on longer and that it was a setting that would stay on instead of burning for 20 seconds and then going back to the previous setting.

Further Test Planning and Location:
            As further testing goes on, I will be looking at the light’s ability to withstand abuse and water. I have not yet experienced any water with the Tikka but as my Long Term testing comes to an end I will make sure that it is tested with water in contact with the light. I will also be noting the bulb and battery life of different modes as they are used. Long term comfort of the light and the headband will also be noted. As a long term test I will see if the headlamp is durable enough to withstand the constant bumping and dropping that sometimes takes place during camp set up and take down. I will test the lamp for stability and accuracy of the beam while cutting firewood, cooking, reading, hiking and other various tasks. Site distances will be tested and noted at various settings and declination if applicable. As the batteries start decreasing in power, is the decrease in brightness quick and noticeable or is it very slow to give me time to change the batteries before I am sitting in the dark? So far, the light levels have been steady from what I can tell. I have not seen a decrease in light levels, at least it has not been noticeable. With the battery life indicator, this shouldn't be a problem. How easy is it to change the bulb and batteries in the dark? With the simple design and construction of the headlamp, how compact can it get to be placed in a backpack or pocket?

            Comfort, to me, is very important when it comes to headlamps. I usually wear a baseball cap while hiking or at camp. As noted before, I have found that the light doesn't work the way I want it too while wear the hat with the bill in the front. It works great while wearing the hat backwards. I would also like to see if I am able to use one hand to operate the headlamp, such as turning it on and off and adjusting, while on the headband. Since the headband has no over-the-head strap, so far, I have had no problems with the light sliding down during my walks or doing things around camp. How comfortable is the headlamp on the forehead for an extended length of time? Does the headlamp feel front heavy or is it comfortable and light enough to not notice?

            Waterproof tests will be performed in the field if cases of rain occur. If accidents of dropping the headlamp in a river or lake has not occurred by the end of the review, I will submerge the headlamp in water to test the effects if this happening in the field. Does the light still work? Does water get into the bulb compartment? Will it short out or become dim? If and when the headlamp is to be cleaned, how easy is it to disassemble to perform this task? Is there a waterproof seal that is not to be broken in the light bulb area? Can I get to the light bulb area to change it?

            I plan to take this light on several more planned weekend hiking trips to the Great Smokey Mountains and the Pisgah National Forest where I will use it to the fullest to test these and other features. I will be in the field at least twice during this 4 month testing period (3 days and 2 nights at each trip which makes 4 nights). My other trips will be locally at a near by park that I visit frequently with my family. I plan to do at least 3 or 4 overnighters to this park that would make a total of about 7 or 8 nights that are planned. I sometimes do spur of the moment trips with my sons when we just get the urge to go backpacking. I would say at least 2 or 3 of those throughout the testing period. The elevation is about 6643 ft (2025 m) in the Smoky Mountains and at Pisgah, the elevation will be around 6200 ft (1890 m). The temperatures during the time of testing will be 40F to 50F (4C to 10C) during the day and 10F to 30F (-12 to -1C) at night, sometimes below zero. I will note weather conditions at the time of testing.

Thank you Petzl and BGT for giving me the opportunity to test this headlamp.

Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Petzl Tikka XP > Chuck Carnes > Field Report