Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Yukon HL > Clifford Haynes > Initial Report

Princeton Tec
Yukon HL
Headlamp
Initial Report
1/16/2004

Personal Stats:

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:

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. Simple take out the old batteries, and put the flat end of the new batteries against the spring in each battery slot.

Initial Report:

My Princeton Tec Yukon HL headlamp arrived on 1/9/2004. Upon opening the shipping box I found an attractive display box containing the Yukon HL. The box was printed with a lot of the information provided on the web site. Upon opening the display box, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the clear plastic thermo molded inner sleeve was not heat sealed, and Princeton Tec had included three Duracell AA batteries. I didn't have to struggle and cuss to get the headlamp and batteries  out of the inner sleeve, and I can use the box and sleeve to safely store the light when it isn't in use.

While inspecting the lamp I noticed two very tiny dimples on the inner surface of the of the lamp's reflector. These appear to be minor casting defects and do not appear to interfere with the reflectors performance. Other than the previously mentioned dimples, I could find no other defects or shipping damage. I installed the three AA batteries and proceeded to test the light. Of  course I had to look directly into the light to see how bright it was when I turned it on, which was not a good idea. For the next few minutes I had three blue green dots dancing before my eyes. I didn't look directly into the light when I tested the 1-watt LED. 

First Impression:

The Yukon HL appears to be a rugged well made light. The headlamp is much brighter in both the close range three 5 millimeter LED mode and the 1-watt LED mode than I expected it to be. Had I purchased the Yukon HL based on the information provided on the Princeton Tec web site, I would have been surprised that the printed battery life information with the light (on the box ) only claimed  25 to 120 hours of useful light and not the 44 to 120 hours of useful light claimed on the web site. But, frankly given my first impression of the amount of light the Yukon HL provides, I will be very happy with a 25 to 120 hours of useful light. 

Test Plan:

I will be hiking and backpacking (both day hikes and overnight outings) in Maine, with the Yukon HL as my primary light. The Princeton Tec Yukon HL headlamp will see considerable use snowshoeing, as I enjoy snowshoe hikes in the evening. I will also be using the Yukon HL headlamp for my evening walks about town and as a general purpose light around the house and car. Some of my primary areas of interest are: is the
light output adequate for camp chores and hiking, battery consumption (both cold weather and after things warm up in the spring), switch functionality (can it be operated with gloves or mittens on, how well it works and reliability), is-the head band adequate for the weight of the headlamp, will the Yukon HL be reliable in cold weather, is the Yukon HL water resistant enough to keep working in rain and snow and over-all reliability.

Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Yukon HL > Clifford Haynes > Initial Report