Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Fuel 2009 > Test Report by jerry adams

PRINCETON TEC FUEL HEADLAMP
TEST SERIES BY JERRY ADAMS
INITIAL REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - September 17, 2009

TESTER INFORMATION

Backpacking Background: I started hiking about 45 years ago. My first backpack was 40 years ago. I currently try to do one backpack trip of 1 to 5 nights every month (which can be tricky in the winter). Mostly I stay around Mount Hood, Columbia Gorge, Mount Adams, Goat Rocks, and the Olympic Peninsula. In recent years I have shifted to lightweight - my pack weight without food and water is about 15 lb (7 kg). I make a lot of my own gear - silnylon tarp-tent, bivy, synthetic bag, simple bag style pack. My sleeping pad is a Therm-a-Rest air mattress.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Princeton Tec
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: http://princetontec.com/
Specified weight: 2.75 oz (78 g)
Measured Weight: 2.8 oz (79 g) including 3 alkaline AAA batteries
Other details:
Headlamp Head Size: 1.1x2.25x1.4 in (3x5.6x3.5 cm)

The Princeton Tec Fuel headlamp I am testing (henceforth referred to as "the headlamp") is supposed to be available in August 2009. I don't see it yet on their website, so it should be available shortly.

The headlamp is similar to the Princeton Tec Fuel headlamp sold previously, except it has 4 LEDs, rather than the 3 in the previous version. Princeton Tec says that it is brighter (43 Lumens) than the previous version (35 Lumens). The headlamp I am testing is specified to have a 146 hour burn time vs 164 hours for the previous version.



The headlamp uses 3 AAA batteries. I will test it with Alkaline batteries.

The headlamp has an adjustable elastic strap to go around the head.

To replace the batteries, there is a tool that is part of the elastic strap that is used to pry open the battery compartment:





The head rotates straight to see distances:



The head rotates down to see close up:



There is a push button on top of the head. When the button is pushed, the light comes on to high intensity. If the button is pushed again within about 1 second, the light goes to medium intensity. If it's pushed again within about 1 second, the light goes to low intensity. If the button is pushed again within about 1 second, the light flashes. If the button is pushed after about 1 second, the light goes out.

The headlamp is water resistant.

TRYING IT OUT

I installed the batteries. It's a bit difficult to get the battery door open and closed back up, but this is probably good so it doesn't open accidentally.

I wore it on my head and it feels good, stays up, the length is easily adjusted.

I turned the light on to its various modes and it works great.

I'm looking forward to testing it over the next 4 months.

Thanks to Princeton Tec and backpackgeartest.org for letting me test this.

Look forward to my field report in about 2 months.

Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Fuel 2009 > Test Report by jerry adams