Petzl Tikka 2

It is a decent camp light. It has good water resistance. The battery life on low is good. The lamp has been reliable.

I bought this lamp to replace the Tikka offered  from about 3 years ago. That lamp was, um,  permanently borrowed when I was overseas.

I was really happy with the model this design replaced, and from the other reviews I read, this model seemed to be a decent lamp.

Maybe because the other lamp was so amazing, I was spoiled, but I just haven't been nearly as satisfied with this as its replacement.

The range of working light on high is probably about 40 feet. But the light is pretty diffused. If I didn't have decent night vision, I would struggle with the throw and intensity of the light.  I found myself getting very frustrated that I was not able to change the setting from diffused to beam, much more than I was expecting that I would.

Another frustration is this version's shroud is translucent under the actual lightbulb, and light "leaks" into my eyes when the headlamp is squared on my forehead. In order to stop that, and not have itaffect my night vision, I have to push the headlamp up farther on my head, and then it wants to slide off the top my head.

The lamp came with batteries, and I have not had to change the batteries yet. That is one of the great things about his light. It sips the juice, especially on the low setting, which is what I tend to use when I at camp to conserve the battery life.

The batteries are easy enough to change. Just watch the flanges to not pry too hard.

The design shucks water fine.  I have not had any issues with moisture.

The button is pretty straightforward. It cycles through the settings fine, and it does turn on in the same mode it was last turned off.

The red mode seems bright enough to use at night, but I find I just tend to use the low white light setting. I find that I would rather have a mid white setting than a strobe setting. Realistically, I doubt I will ever use the strobe setting. The need seems to be pretty limited.

One of the primary reasons I bought the Tikka is because of Petzl's reputation. I have been quite happy with  physical durability of their products.  This headlamp seems to represent that durability.

I used this headlamp for all of my backpacking last season. I did some night hiking, and lots of camp duties at night.

In my experience, it is barely adequate for night hiking. At 70 lumens, and its diffused design, I can use it on the trail hiking, but I sure wouldn't use it for running trail. It makes an adequate camp light, and its dim setting is fine for tent reading.   I am sure that the strobe setting would be fine for biking or emergency beaconing.

If I had it to do over again, I would not go with this lamp.

I have no good, clear images of my personal use, but I am including some pictures that feature the lamp in its look, use, and design:

Got this as a Christmas present in 09. It replaces a Princeton Tec light which was cracked open by my 2 yr old daughter. Light is powerful. Cons only high/low setting. Good light for the $$$.

Had the standard energizer lamp before I bought this. WOW! What a difference. Covers the perfect amount of area/depth and is brighter than expected. Incredibly light and comfortable.