BackpackGearTest.org - Princeton Tec Yukon HL Paul Schilke

Initial Report: Princeton Tec Yukon HL

01/16/04

Product Information

Princeton Tec
http://www.princetontec.com
Yukon HL Hybrid L.E.D.
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Listed weight: 8 oz (227 g) w/ batteries
Verified weight: 8 oz (227 g) w/ 3 AA Duracell alkaline batteries
Power: 3 AA Batteries

Product Reception

Delivered by UPS, the Yukon HL arrived on my doorstep in a brown cardboard box sealed in tape self described as "Pilfer Proof Tape." The headlamp was inside, housed in a bright, attractive package with plenty of graphics and advertising copy printed on it. 3 included Duracell AA batteries ensured that I was able to test the light right out of the box.

Among other things, the box claims battery life to be between 25 and 120 hours (a claim typical of these kinds of lights.) Weight is both claimed and verified to be 8 ounces (227 grams) with 3 AA Alkaline Batteries; lithium AA batteries could both lower the total weight of the headlamp and should increase burn time. Bulb life is rated at 10,000 hours, another claim consistent with industry standards.

Simple instructions included inside the box describe push-button operation, maintenance of the battery compartment, and warnings regarding the use of certain batteries.

Product Description

The Yukon HL is a headlamp with a total of 4 light emitting diodes (L.E.D.). Three of the L.E.D.s are listed as "high output" and appear to be similar to other L.E.D. lamps listed as "high output". Those L.E.D. lamps sit in a triangle pattern inside a mirrored and rounded housing. They encircle a 4th L.E.D. which is centered in the housing.

The 4th L.E.D. lamp appears to be something new. Listed as a 1 watt L.E.D., Princeton Tec says its light "rivals the high output typical to incandescent halogen and xenon bulbs." So far it appears to be brighter than any other L.E.D. light I've ever used.

All bulbs receive power from 3 AA batteries housed in a remote battery pack located at the rear of the headband. The batteries sit in an O-ring sealed compartment. The compartment can be difficult to open with one hand but I managed it. Princeton Tec claims the setup is water resistant, not water proof; I believe the light will hold to most encounters with water and perhaps even a brief dunking. A wire connects the power pack with light. The wire appears to be securely attached to the headband.

The headband is the style with a strap that runs over the top of the head. Ultra-lightweight headlamps don't include an over-the-head strap. My initial impression is that this strap is unnecessary on the Yukon HL; it could be cut off to save some weight. However, unless I'm planning to spend 6 months on the trail, I'm not a big fan of irrevocably destroying my gear. I won't be removing the strap. Perhaps Princeton Tec could make the over-the-head strap removable. The headband is made of stretchy material about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) wide.

How it Works

The light is easy to use and activate. A simple push button is the sole control. The first push activates the 3 "high output" L.E.D.s. A second push deactivates the lamps. The third push activates the 1 watt lamp and a fourth shuts the Yukon HL off. The 3 "high put" lights economize power, allowing the batteries to last for approximately 120 hours. The 1 watt lamps drains battery life at the rate of 25 hours per set, a respectable rate of drain. The light is hinged at it base. The hinge allows the user to focus the Yukon HL at the ground rather than straight ahead.

Initial Report:

When first tried on, I thought the fit was poor because the light seemed to be nonadjustable. That turned out to be false.

The light tilts, its beam can be focused where needed to ensure a constant, comfortable gait. I believe the Yukon HL will prove to be very comfortable.

Things I liked initially

Solid construction
Up and down adjustable focus
The ability to go with AA Lithium batteries
The ability to choose between brighter light and battery-saving, less-bright light

Things I didn't like initially

The ultra-lightweight hiker might find this to be too much product, i.e. too heavy

I'm not sure the upper headband is required

Test Plan

For the field test report, I plan to use the light on at least two night hikes, each covering approximately 4 miles of the same route somewhere in southwest Michigan. To ensure battery freshness each hike will have fresh batteries. The first time, the 1st half will dedicated to the high output light, the second half will be dedicated to the 1 watt option. The second time the order will be reversed.

For years trail wisdom has declared that the usable battery life of L.E.D. lights, in actuality, was nowhere near claimed because the light fades as the batteries become progressively weaker. My experience has been that "high output" L.E.D.s provide about 10 hours of excellent light per battery set. After that they're still usable but not as enjoyable.

It's my hope that the 1 watt L.E.D. will provide great light even after 10 hours of battery use. The Long Term Report will document the test of this hope.

Personal Data

Paul Schilke, 30, Male, 165 lbs (75 kg)
Berrien Springs, Michigan USA
Paul AT qtm DOT net (primary)

Backpacking Background

I grew up on a farm and have enjoyed the outdoors for 25 years. In the past 11 years, I've been on several multi-night backpack expeditions. In 2002, I spent 7.5 months hiking roughly 2 thousand miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT). In 2003 I hiked 350 miles on the North Country Trail (NCT) through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Other outdoor activities within the last 20 years have included rock-climbing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and cycling. Although I have a paralyzed hand which limits my ability to paddle, I've ridden inside a canoe on the Green River through Canyon Lands National Park in Utah.

My hiking style is lightweight but I carry the gear needed to be comfortable. Currently my base pack weight ranges near 20 lb. (9 kg). On the AT, I carried only a sylnylon poncho tarp that measured 3 x 8 feet (0.91 x 2.44 m). On the North Country Trail I used an 8 x 10 foot (2.44 x 3.05 m) sylnylon tarp, with 1 hiking staff, an alcohol stove and a titanium pot. My synthetic sleeping bag continues to be the heaviest item in my pack. One day I will purchase a down sleeping bag.

Where I recreate

The terrain of Southwest Michigan ranges from the sand dunes of coastal Lake Michigan to inland forests, meadows, marshes and bogs. The highest point in Michigan is Mount Arvon at 1,979 feet (603 meters) above sea level. The average elevation throughout the state is about 900 feet (274 meters), according to Netstate.com.

Temperatures in Michigan range from an average low of 17° F (-8° C) to an average high of 81° F (27° C) in July. The highest temperature ever recorded was 104° F (40° C) and the lowest temperature ever recorded was -21° F (-29° C), according to the Midwest Regional Climate Center's website. We have quite a few lakes here in Michigan; summers are humid and sticky.

Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Yukon HL > Paul Schilke > Initial Report

Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec Yukon HL > Paul Schilke > Initial Report