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haertig · 02-07-2018, 01:00 PM

I use a Petzl Tikkina headlamp. Mine is the older (discontinued) version. It has two regular LEDs in it as opposed to the newer headlamps that have one super bright LED.

I bought this light specifically for reading, after much research to find just the right one, and these are the features that drew me to it:

Simple settings: OFF, LOW, and HIGH. None of those stupid flashy modes you have to cycle through that are so annoying. I mean, who wears a headlamp that is flashing SOS on their head?!
Low light output. You don't want mega power. You're just trying to read a book maybe two feet in front of your face. High power works against you, not for you.
Common batteries: Three AAA's. I have been using this thing for years and years and have not had to replace the batteries yet!
Very small and lightweight. Comfortable.
Cheap: I paid $12.95 for it.

Improvements I made to it: The beam had brighter and dimmer rings to it, as all but the highest end lights do. This is not noticeable for normal activities, but you can see it on a printed page of paper close to your face (if you're looking for it). I wanted a nice even diffuse beam with a wide spread. Scotch tape to the rescue! That frosted-looking variety (most is this way nowadays). I taped two layers of that over the light's lens and now I have a beautiful diffuse wide beam. I trimmed the excess tape with an Exacto knife and now you can't even tell it's there by looking at the light.

I wish this particular light was still made. I would buy another, to have as a spare, it works so well. Petzl does still make the Tikkina headlamp, but it is different now. It uses a single bright LED. Does this matter? I don't know. But *if* the new model performs as my old model does (no flashy modes, simple interface, wide beam, not super bright) then it might be worth looking into. As I look on Amazon, I see the newest version (as described on the Petzl website) is available. I also see an older version is available too (lower lumen output - may actually be better for close in reading). But I don't find my oldest version available any more. Mine probably has even less lumens than either of these two versions available on Amazon.

Petzl website:
https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/CL...dlamps/TIKKINA

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Petzl-TIKKINA...b_title_sports

https://www.amazon.com/Petzl-TIKKINA...ina&th=1&psc=1

02-07-2018, 01:00 PM	#27
haertig Wizard Posts: 1,941 Karma: 35129488 Join Date: Sep 2017 Device: PW3, Galaxy Tab A9+, Moto G7	I use a Petzl Tikkina headlamp. Mine is the older (discontinued) version. It has two regular LEDs in it as opposed to the newer headlamps that have one super bright LED. I bought this light specifically for reading, after much research to find just the right one, and these are the features that drew me to it: Simple settings: OFF, LOW, and HIGH. None of those stupid flashy modes you have to cycle through that are so annoying. I mean, who wears a headlamp that is flashing SOS on their head?! Low light output. You don't want mega power. You're just trying to read a book maybe two feet in front of your face. High power works against you, not for you. Common batteries: Three AAA's. I have been using this thing for years and years and have not had to replace the batteries yet! Very small and lightweight. Comfortable. Cheap: I paid $12.95 for it. Improvements I made to it: The beam had brighter and dimmer rings to it, as all but the highest end lights do. This is not noticeable for normal activities, but you can see it on a printed page of paper close to your face (if you're looking for it). I wanted a nice even diffuse beam with a wide spread. Scotch tape to the rescue! That frosted-looking variety (most is this way nowadays). I taped two layers of that over the light's lens and now I have a beautiful diffuse wide beam. I trimmed the excess tape with an Exacto knife and now you can't even tell it's there by looking at the light. I wish this particular light was still made. I would buy another, to have as a spare, it works so well. Petzl does still make the Tikkina headlamp, but it is different now. It uses a single bright LED. Does this matter? I don't know. But if the new model performs as my old model does (no flashy modes, simple interface, wide beam, not super bright) then it might be worth looking into. As I look on Amazon, I see the newest version (as described on the Petzl website) is available. I also see an older version is available too (lower lumen output - may actually be better for close in reading). But I don't find my oldest version available any more. Mine probably has even less lumens than either of these two versions available on Amazon. Petzl website: https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/CL...dlamps/TIKKINA Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Petzl-TIKKINA...b_title_sports https://www.amazon.com/Petzl-TIKKINA...ina&th=1&psc=1