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tradguy
Aug 23, 2002, 6:22 AM
Post #26 of 42
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Registered: Aug 22, 2002
Posts: 526
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I got a BD Gemini about 5 months ago. Hands down the best headlamp for the money. I own 3 other headlamps, and each has it's own issues that made the gemini an obvious purchase. 3 AA batteries allow for 1000 hours of LED time, and something like 10 hours on the halogen. The switch design is very good, and does not turn itself on like Petzl headlamps do. I've found the combination of LED and halogen to be perfect for all types of climbing - rock, ice, and mountaineering.
2 drawbacks: Beam is not focusable. It is pretty good as it is, but I really like the ability of the traditional Petzl lamps to go from beam to flood and back with a simple twist. Also, I've felt the LED could stand to be brighter. I would be willing to sacrifice half the burn time (ie 500 hours) if they added a second LED bulb.
If you're on a budget and only want to buy 1 headlamp, this is the one to get.
[ This Message was edited by: tradguy on 2002-08-23 06:24 ]
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kmae
Aug 23, 2002, 7:25 AM
Post #27 of 42
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Registered: Jul 14, 2002
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Seems like the consensus is that the Tikka is great for climbing, but not so great for walk-offs. I am more concerned about having to walk off in the dark. Any thoughts? Is the BD better for that?
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pattray
Aug 23, 2002, 7:34 AM
Post #28 of 42
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Registered: Mar 26, 2002
Posts: 294
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I bought my Tikka in Jan and I'm still on my first set of batteries, I mostly use it for walking out, its light and gives off plenty of light,to date i've had no problems with the on/off switch
[ This Message was edited by: pattray on 2002-08-23 07:36 ]
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bolder
Aug 23, 2002, 7:39 AM
Post #29 of 42
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Registered: Jun 28, 2002
Posts: 203
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They rock. Better light, longer life.
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tradguy
Aug 23, 2002, 2:16 PM
Post #30 of 42
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Registered: Aug 22, 2002
Posts: 526
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Kmae, the big thing about the BD Gemini vs a tikka is that they really are 2 different classes of headlamps. If you are looking for something "just is case" you get caught in the dark, and have low weight as your most important criteria, then the tikka or zipka is the way to go. If you want a headlamp that you actually *plan* to use (pre-dawn approaches, post-sunset descents, midnight starts for mountaineering summits, etc) the versatility of the BD Gemini will be invaluable. I almost always use just the LED and save the battery life. But when the trail gets thin and I need more light - bam, turn on the halogen. It's also nice if you happen to be climbing in the dark to be able to get that nice bright beam and shine it around to look for key holds, belay bolts, rap stations, or various route features.
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drewcoleman
Aug 23, 2002, 2:24 PM
Post #31 of 42
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Registered: Aug 5, 2002
Posts: 47
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The battery life is great! They are also pretty bright, good for small task work.
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marmot
Aug 23, 2002, 3:08 PM
Post #32 of 42
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Registered: Jun 12, 2002
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My wife and I really like her Tikka. I disagree with the "not good for night hiking/walkoffs". In Jan. we did a backpack trip out to the WA coast. Night hike in. My princeton tec solo died on the way in (one mile trail...no make that mud slick through dense forest canopy). The two of us did fine by the light of the tikka. It did well when we had to scramble over drift logs on the beach (OK, so we had the moon helping by then).
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bouldertoad
Aug 25, 2002, 8:03 PM
Post #33 of 42
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Registered: May 26, 2002
Posts: 352
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One more vote for the Zipka.....I love mine and have hiked many times in the dark with it without a problem. If you are lookign for a true back up headlight take a look at the BD Ion. Super small and about as bright as a Tikka and only weighs about an oz. That one is for my fishing pack though.......
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moun10man
Sep 22, 2002, 8:39 PM
Post #34 of 42
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Registered: Sep 20, 2002
Posts: 39
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Tmunny and I work together and he has a couple of hedlamps, the led is great and dosen't use a fraction of the battery that halogens do. He has had these for 3 or 4 months and hasn't had to change batteries yet and we use them a couple of times a week.
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tanner
Sep 24, 2002, 2:12 PM
Post #35 of 42
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Registered: Apr 27, 2002
Posts: 491
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I have the black diamond moon light. I've climbed with it.(It gave me enough light)
Hiked around the crags at night(Enough light if you know where the trail is)
I would not want it as my only light sorce for any thing challenging. But it great for cooking and doing stuff around camp
70hrs usable light. The Thing I like about the black diamond is the pivating head!
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canadianclimber
Oct 25, 2002, 10:09 PM
Post #36 of 42
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Registered: Apr 27, 2002
Posts: 43
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i have a question for people who have the bd moonlight. i have seen pictures of it and it appears that the led bulbs are sort of exposed and unprotected, at least more than the tikka's bulbs. it seems to me that they might be more likely to break but i dont know as i've never used one or seen it up close. if you've had any experience with this please post. thanks.
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mtnsprts
Oct 25, 2002, 10:24 PM
Post #37 of 42
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Registered: Sep 14, 2002
Posts: 125
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Led lights rock....I use one when I go camping...my batteries usually last at least 40 hrs.
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mike
Oct 29, 2002, 6:01 PM
Post #38 of 42
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Registered: Aug 20, 2002
Posts: 1461
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Check out this LED headlamp. Never heard of it before.
*http://www.flashlightavenue.com/septor.html
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boz84
Oct 29, 2002, 9:25 PM
Post #39 of 42
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Registered: Sep 7, 2002
Posts: 473
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If you are looking for an LED headlight, check out the Princeton Tech Matrix.
It is interchangeable between LED and incandescant/halogen. I havent seen any othe LEd lights in action, s I cant compare their brightness or whatever, but the Matrix is an extremely comfortable lamp, and for those times when you need the extra brightness of incandescent/halogen, its a simple change.
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Tiaoch
Sep 18, 2012, 3:29 AM
Post #40 of 42
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Registered: Sep 18, 2012
Posts: 2
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[quote "mtnsprts"]Led lights rock....I use one when I go camping...my batteries usually last at least 40 hrs.[/quote]
Are they too expensive? I am looking to purchase them
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billcoe_
Sep 18, 2012, 6:32 AM
Post #42 of 42
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Registered: Jun 30, 2002
Posts: 4593
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Tiaoch wrote: Are they too expensive? I am looking to purchase them
In the 10 years since the person before you posted, the prices have dropped so far that they are almost paying you to take them. So no, they are not too expensive. Furthermore, everything about them has gotten better. Circuits leak less, lights are brighter, last longer, some have dual or triple modes so you can choose brightness level, and they have also gotten smaller. Everyone should have at least 2. I stuff one into my trad chalkbag zippered pockets alnog with a mini-knife and a mini lighter and it stays there all the time. My biggest issue is that I don't take my trad chalkbag out all the time.
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