Backpacking Background:
I am from and live in Maine. I have been hiking, backpacking, and canoe camping for over 45 years. I am also an assistant scout master; I average 2 to 3 days a week in the woods year round.

Over the years I've used or tried a variety of different gear. When I joined scouts as a boy, most of the boys my age didn't have backpacking gear, and their families didn't have money enough to buy it. So we had great fun making our own gear.

I can't really say that I have a backpacking style. I take what I need or want, depending upon what I plan to do on the outing. Even before my knees became a problem, I could never see being in a big rush. It is my opinion that camping is part of backpacking, and should be enjoyed at least as much as the hiking. In areas where there is a lot of hiker traffic, I tend to pack heavier in order to minimize impact. I just like being out in the woods, and exploring.

Product Information:

Manufacturer:	Princeton Tec
Web Page URL:	http://www.princetontec.com/
Model:	Yukon HL (Hybrid LED) Head Lamp
Year Manufactured:	2004
Listed Weight:	Approximately 8 oz with batteries
Weight as Delivered:	8 oz (227 gm) with batteries
Weight Light only:	5.4 oz (153 gm)
Battery Life: 1-watt LED	25 hours of useful light (note 1) *
Battery Life: three 5-millimeter LEDs	120 hours of useful light (note 1)
Bulb Life:	10,000 hours

Note 1: The battery life estimate is a range of from 25 hours to 120 hours of useable light.
* There is a discrepancy between the battery life estimate on the web site and the printed information on the box. The web site claims a battery life range as from 44 to 120 hours of useful light and the information on the box claims 25 to 120 hours of useful light.

Product Description:

At first glance, the Princeton Tec Yukon HL looks like a lot of other headlamps one might see in gear shops or on the trail, a small lamp in the front and an elastic head band with a battery compartment on the back. But that old saying about not judging a book by it's cover certainly applies to the Yukon HL. The Princeton Tec Yukon HL (Hybrid LED) is an all LED headlamp. The Yukon HL's light reflector has three high output 5 millimeter LEDs arranged in a triangle around a state-of-the-art 1-watt side emitting focusable LED. The lamp has two modes of operation, the single 1-watt LED "on" or the three 5 millimeter LEDs "on". The 1-watt LED mode provides a bright long distance beam that according to Princeton Tec rivals typical incandescent halogen and xenon bulbs. Compared to incandescent lamps, the 1-watt LED provides longer battery life and a white light that doesn't yellow as batteries wear down. The three high output 5 millimeter LED mode provides extended battery life for close up applications.

Detailed Description:

Lamp:
The lamp is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter and about 2 in (51 cm) long. The LEDs are mounted on a plate behind the reflector. The three 5 millimeter high output LEDs are arranged in a triangle configuration around the 1-watt LED. A spring encircles the 1-watt LED and pushes the reflector against the lamp's lens. The reflector is molded such that the three 5 millimeter LEDs enter the reflector cone about half way up its side, with the 1-watt LED in the center at the base of the reflector cone. Since the reflector is spring loaded against the lens cap, turning the lens cap in or out changes the LEDs position in the reflector, changing the focusing of the light beam. The on/off mode switch is a rubber sealed button in the top of the lamp. Pressing the button once turns on the three 5 millimeter LEDs, pressing it again turns off the three 5 millimeter LEDs. The next time the button is pressed the 1-watt LED is turned on, pressing it again turns off the 1-watt LED. The lamp is hinged at it's base and can be adjusted up and down.

Head Band:
The straps of the head band are 1 in (2.5 cm) wide elastic material. This elastic material has a sort of fuzzy texture that, to me, does not feel itchy or scratchy. The strap around the head and the strap over the head are both adjusted for fit with buckles. On the right side of the head strap, there are two plastic retainer clips that hold the power cable parallel to the head band. The battery compartment is mounted on the back of the head band.

Battery Compartment.
The plastic battery compartment is a box about 2.75 in (7cm) long, 2.75 in (7 cm) tall, and 1 in (2.5 cm) deep. It is molded in a shallow curved so it fits the contour of the back of the head. The cover is hinged at the top and has a clip fastener, that holds it securely closed, on the bottom of the case. The inside edge of the cover has a rubber gasket attached to its circumference that seals the battery compartment. The three AA batteries are installed in series, in a staggered configuration. The spring in each of the three battery slots is on the negative (flat end) of the battery. Due to the spring configuration, it is easy to change battery in the dark. Simply take out the old batteries, and put the flat end of the new batteries against the spring in each battery slot.

Field Report:

Thus far, during this test, I have had the opportunity to use the Princeton Tec Yukon HL during over a dozen snowshoe camping outings. During two of these outings we chose to hike in the dark and camp in a sheltered location during the daylight, due to severe wind chill. The first night after about 6 hours (mostly using the three 5 millimeter LED power saver mode), the Princeton Tec Yukon HL was putting out noticeably less light. My son was using a different brand headlight with LEDs and a halogen bulb, and had already gone through two sets of batteries. We stopped in a sheltered spot for a hot drink and food. During the break we used a candle lantern to conserve our batteries. I was sure part of our battery consumption was due to the temperature, -29 F (-34 C). We were able to warm our batteries during our break by keeping putting our headlights inside our jackets. When we hit the trail again, I decided to try putting my hat on over the Princeton Tec Yukon HL in order to keep the batteries warm. This worked well for me. My son‘s battery compartment was on the front of his headlamp, so he was unable to do this, and had to exchange his frozen batteries with batteries he warmed in his jacket.

The rest of the snowshoe camping trips were normal hike in the daylight and camping nights. On these trips the Princeton Tec Yukon HL was used for camp chores and evening reading before bed, even though the temperatures were below 0 F (-18 C), keeping the batteries warm in the evening before bed wasn’t an issue. I seldom needed to use the 1-watt LED, actually around camp I prefer to use the three 5-millimeter LED power saving mode. When it is time for bed I take the light into my sleeping bag so it stays warm overnight and is easy to find if I need it.

I have also used the Princeton Tec Yukon HL on several evening mystery snowshoe hikes. On these hikes I usually go into the woods to a predetermined location, while my wife and / or my son lead a group to the location by a different route. When I arrive, I get a fire going and prepare hot chocolate and a snack (cardboard box pizza party is always a big hit with the kids), to be ready when the group arrives. These outings often include an activity after the group arrives often a sliding party or skating party. In previous years I usually used a kerosene lantern to prepare for the groups arrival (to conserve battery life), but this I just used the Princeton Tec Yukon HL, because I didn’t have to worry about battery life.

Even though I have really enjoyed the Princeton Tec Yukon HL hiking and camping, I have found the light the most useful around the house or in the car. I can’t honestly think of a day since this test started that the Princeton Tec Yukon HL hasn’t been used by one of us. The three 5 millimeter LED setting is great as fill light for most jobs, but when lots of bright light is needed for jobs like reading the fine print on the motherboard inside a computer the 1-watt LED is just the ticket.

I have tried several times to check the manufacturers battery life claim, but haven’t been successful. I felt that just turning it on and seeing how long the batteries last wasn’t representative of real field conditions, so I have tried to track actual field use. Unfortunately the batteries last so long using the three 5 millimeter LED mode, I have been unable to accurately track the hours of battery life. My latest effort is to check the 1-watt LED’s battery consumption. I currently have 26+ hours (26 hours of 1-watt LED burn time and minimal use of the three 5 millimeter LEDs) on a set of batteries, and the light from the 1-watt LED is still adequate (in my opinion) for use in the field. In my opinion, the light from the three 5 millimeter LEDs is marginal at this point.

The headband has proven to be very comfortable in my opinion. On several occasions I have worn it for many hours. After I adjusting the headband it stays adjusted until I change it. The Princeton Tec Yukon HL has stayed in place and not slid around weather I was hiking, doing camp chores, or trying to repair something. When I want to read on bed or work under a vehicle, I just slide the battery compartment off to the right side of my head, so I don’t have to rest my head on it.

The switch has worked well with no problems thus far. I find that I can operate it with heavy mittens (home made wool double knit) on, but when wearing my buckskin over mitts (Chops) over my wool mittens, I can’t operate the switch (they are too bulky). I haven’t had the light out in heavy rain, but have had no problem with moisture from snow and freezing rain. The switch even operated incrusted with about an eighth inch (3 mm) of ice.

The light output, in my opinion, from the three 5 millimeter LEDs is adequate for camp chores and most trail needs, while the 1-watt LED are more than adequate for those times when I need a brighter long-reaching beam. I have been very impressed with the Princeton Tec Yukon HL. My only complaint with this headlight thus far, is that my wife and son want to borrow it all the time.

Field Information:

Western Maine at elevations from 600 feet (123 m) to about 2800 feet (853 m). Temperature ranged from 30 F (-1 C) to -29 F(-34 C). Terrain is typical New England, rolling hills and mountains, and mixed growth forest. During the winter I generally stay below tree line. Precipitation that I have hiked experienced while testing the Princeton Tec Yukon HL consisted of snow and one afternoon of freezing rain.

Test Plan:

I will continue to hike and backpack (both day hikes and overnight outings) in Maine, with the Yukon HL as my primary light. I hope to use the Princeton Tec Yukon HL headlamp on a spring canoe trip. I will continue to use the Yukon HL headlamp for my evening walks about town and as a general purpose light around the house and car. I feel the light output is adequate for winter camping I will be commenting reconsidering output once the snow is gone. I also hope to get out in the rain with the Princeton Tec Yukon HL, so I can evaluate how water resistant it is in the field.

I'd like to thank Princeton Tec and BGT for the opportunity to participate in this test.

Read more reviews of Princeton Tec gear
Read more gear reviews by Clifford R. Haynes

Field Report

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