Headcase? Very nice. (Petzl LED Headlamp Tikka Plus)

Member Name: firemanspam

Product:	Petzl LED Headlamp Tikka Plus
Date:	17/08/08 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Hands free.

Disadvantages: Not a one apart from fashion.

These headlamps by Petzl, are by far the most useful gadget you can imaging. I felt I just had to write a review on them, they're so very good. As usual, My first thoughts were "What a gimick" but then after using one, I was convinced. I used a variation of these years ago, the type the Miners were issued, and although that light output was very good for it's day, they required trailing wires, plus the very heavy battery made them hard work.

The particular model I used, was a quality, and i mean quality version (you will find a are a lot of cheap & nasty ones about) The one i have experience of is ud=sed by the Emergency services. they all use a cluster of LEDs, you opt to illuminate a few, or light them all. (some of these have up to 21 LEDs) They use standard AA batteries, and you can use rechargeables. The batteries last a long time as LEDs use very little power.

Some examples of uses-
First aid
Breakdowns
Cycling
Canoeing
Walking
Night fishing
Climbing
Visits to the cellar/attic
Locking the shed/garage last thing at night
Dog walking
Plus any other activity requiring the use of a light when you don't have a hand free to operate it. (add your own rude comments here)

They are made of strong plastic so there is no rust, these are very small, so will fit into gloveboxes, and there is no maintaining. My own method, is to put the brand new batteries in items like this, the old ones being replaced are then downgraded for use in remote controls etc, that way you will never find a flat battery in your essentials.

The elasticated head strap is very secure, whilst still being comfortable, and once set up, you light whereever you look. It's easy to dazzle people without thinking, but this is a small side effect.

The cost of these very useful headlamps, can be as little as £5, so grab yourself a bargain, they really are good. You could spend nearly £30 on them if money is no object. They ones are used by the emergency services, and the military, etc.

Don't just think of buying a torch for your car, get a headlamp and you won't be sorry. It will pay for itself next time you have to change a wheel, or find something in a dark corner of the boot, or any one of dozen of jobs that need a light holding on something, when you just don't have a spare hand.

As regards safety, they are a must, if you're concerned a vehicle may not have seen you, a quick glance in their direction should do the trick, plus the fact that there should be enough light shining on your hi vis jacket (you always use one when changing a wheel don't you).

The other night, I saw a commercial tyre fitter using one of these, he quoted they were "the best thing since sliced bread"

You can get these for 99p on ebay, but please bear in mind the p&p can be as much as £6.

Thank you - I hope you enjoyed my bit of light reading!

Summary: A very useful piece of kit.