Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Aurora LED Headlamp > Owner Review by Kaushal Desai

Owner Review: Princeton Tec Aurora Headlamp - Kaushal Desai Date of Review: January 27, 2006 Biographical Information Name: Kaushal Desai Age: 29 Gender: Male Height: 5’ 6” or 1.7 m Weight: 127 lb or 58 kg Email address: kaushal@above14000ft.com City, State, and Country: Manali City Himachal Pradesh, India Date: 27/ Jan /06 Backpacking Background: I started backpacking and rock climbing as a 15 year old. My trips usually vary in length from one week to one month. I am a strong supporter of Alpine style climbing and believe in climbing/traveling light. I have extensively backpacked all over the Indian Himalayas and spend an average of 200 days in the wilderness, backpacking, climbing or guiding. I run a small guiding company out of Manali, Above 14000ft Product information The Tech Specs Manufacturer: Princeton Tec Year of manufacture: 2004 Website: http://www.princetontec.com/ Listed weight: 2.7 oz or 77 g Weight as delivered: About 2.8 oz or 79 g MSRP: $ 23.95 Power: 15 Lumens Lamp: 3 White LEDs Batteries: 3 AAA Batteries Operation Modes: 5 modes (High, Medium, Low, Fast Flash and Slow Flash) Manufacturer Quoted Burn Time: High Beam - 50 Hours Medium Beam - 110 Hours Low Beam - 160 Hours Fast Flash - 120 Hours Slow Flash - 200 Hours Actual Battery Life: See Field Information Product Description The Princeton Tec Aurora is a L.E.D. headlamp; it has 5 settings (high, medium, low, fast flash and slow flash). It uses 3 white LED bulbs in a triangular configuration. The modes are operated with the help of a rubber covered pushbutton switch atop the lamp. The Aurora combines the light and battery module and rests vertically on a hinged back plate that is attached to an adjustable elastic headband. Field Information and Use I have used my Aurora headlamp on every backpacking and climbing trip in the last 2 ½ years. My usual destinations have varied from the high altitude Tibetan plateau of Changthang to alpine environments all over Himachal and Gharwal and other extreme high altitudes, in varying conditions and in all seasons. The usual altitudes I have used the headlamp vary from 1800 m to 7300 m (6000 ft to 24,000 ft). Temperatures I have used it in vary from - 40 C to 35 C (-71 F to 63 F). I have used it in all the three regular modes extensively but have not had the need to use the other two flash modes. My Aurora has seen it all: blizzards, thunderstorms, extreme winds, intense cold and even mountain rescues. It has fallen off cliffs and seen some extreme abuse but so far it has never faltered and never let me down. Life for it hasn’t been all abuse as it has seen pleasant camp times. I have cooked and cleaned with it at nights, read endless hours lying in my sleeping bag. Over the years it has become more like my third eye at night. The high beam is my favorite when I have to leave for early summit attempts on moonless nights, hiking on defined trails after the daylights faded, looking for pack animals (horses and mules) that have been let loose around the campsite for grazing. Every once in a while a horny Mare decides to run away with a Kyang (Wild Ass) and those are the days I thank myself for having an Aurora to go looking for the Mare in the darkness. I generally use the medium beam to wander around the campsite and doing camp chores like cleaning utensils after dinner, filling water from a nearby source etc. To me, the low beam is best suited for lying in my sleeping bag and reading late into the night. The quality of the beam is good and does not put too much strain on my eyes. The elastic headband is still very comfortable and so far after all the use hasn’t yet snagged or curled. The hinge however needs to be regularly tightened. I have never calculated its burn times but then considering the variables of my environment I don’t think I will be able to calculate it. I generally use alkaline batteries and a trio lasts me anywhere between 2 to 4 months. The beam is still very good even though the protective lens cover has acquired scratches all over it. Conclusions It is the perfect complement to my style of backpacking and climbing. The Aurora has been a perfect companion; compact, rugged, lightweight, and bright enough to climb mountains at night as well as comfortable enough to read with. I can no longer think of going on trips without it. Overall it is a very good product

Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Aurora LED Headlamp > Owner Review by Kaushal Desai