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

Princeton Tec
Yukon HL
Headlamp
Long Term Report
7/19/2004

Personal Stats:

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

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 curve 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.

Final Report:

Since the Field Report I have continued to use the Princeton Tec Yukon HL on camping and backpacking trips. I've used it on weekly overnights, several long weekend outings, a five day outing and weeklong canoe trip. The warmer weather has increased battery life to the point that I don't normally worry about the batteries running down. Even after I notice reduced light output, experience has thought me I still have a weekend trip or two left in my batteries. Most of the time, I only carry one new spare AA battery on outings. If the battery in my Zip stove needs to be replaced, I pull an old battery from the Princeton Tec Yukon HL for the stove and put the new battery in the light. I realize I could save weight by just replacing my batteries with new before each trip, but this works for me (I hate having a bunch of partially expended batteries around).

The evening before leaving for our week long canoe trip, I decided to leave 12 hours early and avoid high winds on the lakes (the first two days were on large lakes) by paddling at night. The Princeton Tec Yukon HL's 1-watt side emitting focusable LED proved to be adequate for locating our shore line campsite in the dark. Fortunately I decided to bring a set of new spare  batteries for the Yukon HL because my son and his friend forgot the fuel for there liquid fuel stove at home. All four of us had to cook on the Zip stove. After our second night of paddling, I replaced the batteries in the Yukon HL with the new ones and used the old batteries in the Zip stove for the rest of the week. Even though the Yukon HL was our primary light for the next four nights, I still feel I have enough battery life for a couple of more weekends of use.

Between camping and backpacking trips, the Princeton Tec Yukon HL does double duty around the house and on the road. My night vision isn't what it used to be. I use the Yukon HL daily for all sorts of repairs and jobs where I need a more light and free hands to get the job done. The Yukon HL head band is comfortable and the light stays put on my head while I'm working.

As the Princeton Tec Yukon HL is not advertised as waterproof, I have never submerged it but I have used it for many hours in rain and wet weather. On more than one of these occasions, the thing I had that was dry was the internals of my Princeton Tec Yukon HL. Twice last winter the Yukon HL was heavily incrusted with ice to the point that I had to melt the ice that had formed over the switch in order to shut it off. I have never found water or condensation inside the lamp or battery pack.

I have carefully inspected the Yukon HL prior to writing this report. The head band is soiled and stained. I hadn't really noticed it, but it is probably time to wash the band (I'll scrub it with a bit of Ivory bar soap next time I'm hiking in the rain). There are a couple of scratches in the cover of the battery compartment. The battery compartment still looks like new and seals tight. The latch is also still tight and stays closed. The lamp shows no signs of use and the switch is still crisp with no cracks in the rubber cap covering the switch. The power wire shows no signs of wear or degradation (even though I have frequently slid the battery pack around to the side of my head while reading in bed). After six months of constant use the Yukon HL looks almost new. 

 Field Information:

Western Maine at elevations from 600 feet (123 m) to about 2800 feet (853 m). Temperature ranged from 90 F (32 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. I have used the Yukon HL while backpacking on the A.T. and bushwhacking in Maine. I have also used it while canoeing and kayaking. 

Final Thoughts:

After six month of using the Princeton Tec Yukon HL, I would be lost without it. In my opinion the 1-watt LED provides plenty of light to find blazes when I night hike on the A.T. or locate campsites along the shore while canoeing at night. I find that most of the time, I only need the "three 5 millimeter LED mode" for most of my night hiking, walking about campsites, and camp chores. I'm extremely happy with the battery life and reliability of the Princeton Tec Yukon HL. The Princeton Tec Yukon HL has become the battery operated light of choice for myself and my family.

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

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