Princeton Tec EOS Headlamp

Inital Report

Biographical Information:

Name: Chuck Carnes

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Height: 6’0” (1.83 m)

Weight: 175 lbs. (79 kg)

Email address: ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com

City, State, Country: Taylors, S.C. United States

Date: January 6, 2005

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: Princeton Tec

Model: EOS

Year of Manufacture: 2004

URL: www.princetontec.com

Listed Weight: 3.7 oz (105 g)

Weight as Delivered: 3.8 oz (108 g)

Bulb type: 1 L.E.D. (1 Watt Luxeon)

MSRP: $38.99

Delivery:

            I received my Princeton Tec EOS headlamp in a brown box that had the Princeton Tec logo and their web site on the side and on the tape that was holding the box closed. Inside the box was a wad of paper and the headlamp. The headlamp was encased in a molded plastic container that sandwiched the light and held it in place for display use.

Dimensions and Weights:

            Width: 2.4 in (61 mm)

            Height: 1.7 in (43 mm)

            Thickness: 1.6 in (40 mm)

            Mfg. weight: 3.7 oz (105 gm)

            Actual weight: 3.6 oz (102 gm)

Initial Inspection:

            First of all I pried open the sandwiched container and took the light out for an inspection. I first noticed how light it was and how easily it was to turn on. I also noticed that the color did not match the web site picture. The web site shows the light housing to be a light grey with blue around the light itself and what was shipped to me was a light grey housing and neon green around the light. Since the color did not matter to me it was okay that it was different but that might not be the case if someone was expecting the exact same color as the one on the web site. When I put the headlamp on, it fit just right with no adjusting. The light comes already in its upright position. While in this position, the on/off button is on the top of the light and is located on the right hand side of the wearer. There is no protection of the on/off button to prevent it from accidentally turning on if pressed while in a pack. The declination of the light can be changed by rotating the light head forward with the thumb and pointing finger very easily. 

The light has four modes of different illuminations, which are set by depressing the on/off switch a number of times until you arrive at the mode that you want. The modes are high, medium, low and slow flash.  If you want to toggle through the modes, you have to depress the button in under two seconds of each mode to get to the desired mode. If two seconds elapses before you depress the button to go to the next mode, the light will turn off when you depress the button. This feature may become very aggravating, depending on the situation. Comments on this feature will be included in my Field and Long Term reports. 

The on/off button is a rubber covered, spring loaded button that is flush with the body of the light. The button is a reasonably good size and is very easy to depress. I will monitor the ease of the on/off button as I use gloves or try to turn it on or off with cold hands. After placing the light on my head in its correct position, the comfort level so far is pretty good. I was able to try the light out immediately when I had to adjust a screw at the back side of our dishwasher. I set the light mode on high and it really worked out well. It is so nice to have a bright light and still have both hands free.

The light can easily be removed from the headband if the head band needs to be cleaned separately from the light. The back of the light has a single Phillips head screw that has to be removed to have access the batteries. The screw is raised a bit from the light housing and has knurl on the outer edge for gripping. I attempted to use my fingers to unscrew the screw by hand but it was too tight. I used a Phillips head screwdriver and removed the screw. The screw loosens enough to open the back but does not remove itself from the housing to get dropped or lost. The back hinges open to expose the three, AAA size batteries that came with the light. As I closed the back I finger tightened the screw so that the next time that I need to access the battery compartment I can unscrew it with my fingers and not have to have a tool.

So far I really like this headlamp and it functions as well as I had expected. I look forward to using it in the field.

Test Plan and Location:
            As further testing goes on, I will be looking at the light’s ability to withstand abuse and water. 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. Since the EOS has only one bulb; will this one bulb be bright enough? The web site says that as long as the batteries have sufficient voltage, the light will remain at a constant brightness. 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? 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. Can I wear the baseball cap and the light on the headband together? If a hat can be worn, does the brim of the hat affect the declination of the light beam? 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, will the headlamp have a tendency to slide down during walks? 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?

I plan to take this light on several planned weekend hiking trips to the Great Smokie Mountains and the Pisgah National Forest where I will use it to the fullest to test these and other features.

Thank you Princeton Tec and BGT for the opportunity to test this light.