Petzl TacTikka XP

I am very pleased with it. It's water resistant (for rain), it has 3 brightness settings, and another button for super bright mode (must hold button in, lasts only 20 secs to avoid damaging the bulb).

The buttons take a little to push in (reduces the chance of accidental turn on), and if you hold the button in for a bit, when you let go it will turn off (another anti-accidental lighting feature). It comes with 4 sliding lense covers (only able to use 1 at a time, and store 1 on the head strap), red, green, blue, and clear (to disperse the beam better).

There's a battery life indicator light on the side. it advertises that when used on the low setting, the batteries will last 120 hrs. i've had mine for a few months and have used it a good amount of times, usually on the bright setting (makes the red lense usable for night walking) and the batteries that came with it are still giving me a green light.

The construction seems pretty solid too. I don't feel the need to baby it at all, and i do get pretty rough with some of my gear when trudging through the wilderness. I'm a hunter, backpacker, fisherman, and all around outdoor adventurer who loves "crappy" weather, and this light works great for me.

The only thing that I can find on this thing that I don't like is that when you engage a colored lense cover over, a minimal amount of white light escapes out the little hole on the left (as you look towards the light), but this doesn't effect anything. i'm just trying to come up with something negative to say about it to be fair. it's just barely noticeable off to your right as you are walking, but again, i don't see how this could effect anything, or realistically be called a negative.

Nothing is 100% perfect, but this light tries real hard.

I have used this model of headlamp for many years, then bought a second as a back up and then bought several more for a racing team that I was racing with.

Likes;

• The sliding lens (I use red) which allows me to switch from a focused (white) beam to a wide (red) beam with one quick movement.  Or, while on soft setting red, move it the very slightest to expose a tiny bit of white to assist as needed but with very little white light out going.
• The three lighting levels and a flashing mode.
• The Boost mode to temporarily increase light intensity.  I usually run on the lowest light setting and boost briefly when/if needed.
• The ease it can aimed with one hand.
• The battery charge indicator light (70 % and 90 % discharged) and the auto intermittent flashing of the headlamp which allows keeping track of battery life.
• Relatively compact and I use the Petzl Poche Tikka 2 Headlamp Pouch when packed.
• Fairly light weight at less than 100 g including batteries.  Batteries = 3x AAA in lamp case.
• The horizontal (only) strap which allows quick and easy one handed pulling down to around neck and back up again to on forehead positioning.
• Strongly water resistant.

Dislikes;

• Doesn't float, but hardly any headlamps do.
• Not waterproof.

Yes I do recommend this headlamp and would buy it again.

This is my favorite headlamp from Petzl so this review will be mainly about explaining why.

This is very durable and water resistant, yet still compact and not heavy headlamp. I am very happy that it´s still in Petzl's range of lamps, because the replacement of old Tikka XP by the new one was not the best solution in my opinion. But that's not so important right now

The possibility of using the lens for dispersed light (wide beam instead of focused) is great and the small pocket for them located on the lamp belt is very clever and simple solution. Boost mode is very useful, when you are looking for a route or markings in the night and the indicator of battery life is very helpful, mine is still green, despite the fact I have been using Tactikka for more than a year a lot, even during winter (I use non rechargeable batteries for cameras).  

If Petzl makes a truly waterproof version of this lamp, it will be absolutely perfect. Anyway, it's my number one and I will definitely buy it again.

Pros:

• durable
• highly water resistant
• light and compact
• color lens included
• battery life indicator
• boost mode
• 3 lighting levels plus flashing mode are more than enough 

Cons:

• not fully waterproof 

Very bright and batteries last a long time.

Bought this while on deployment and it has seen some serious mileage. I have dropped, kicked and thrown this headlamp as well as having it be run over with a Humvee and it is still working. From a civilian standpoint though this thing is well worth the money and the battery lasts an amazing long time.

I have come to love the bright strobe when spotting noises in the woods at night. Glad I spent the money on it even though mine does not look as pretty as the pictures anymore!