Get the Best and only cry once

By Amanda Ranked #140 - Headlamps December 6, 2009

If you are serious about having quality gear that you can count on working when you need it to work, then this is the headlamp for you. Ruggedly built to withstand substantial punishment, the TacTikka XP will still be working when you finally return to civilization.

It is very solidly built, and has a rubber O-ring/gasket seal that keeps the water out and the batteries dry. I've been using mine for over a year now, and it's the best headlamp I've owned to date (out of 4 previous others on the market I've owned/broken/given away).

I took it with me when I had to complete the Army's 3-week survival school, and it performed flawlessly. It did not burn thru battery power like other headlamps (when the water was freezing in our worn Camelbacks), and it did not short out when it was constantly exposed to rain for three solid days and nights (just to give you an idea of some of the conditions that destroyed other's headlamps). Prior to that, I used it heavily for night land navigation (Army Orienteering), and it's my #1 "go to" light. Once you get the band(s) adjusted to your head, the light stays solidly in place even while going over severely uneven terrain.

There are three brightness settings...low, med, and "land your aircraft with it" bright. I don't understand why people say the light is not bright enough. Once your eyes have adapted to the dark, medium puts out plenty of light. If you've been inside or using bright, white light and immediately go outside during a new moon...sure, the headlamp may seem dim, but so would my Surefire under those conditions.

It's probably overkill for "casual campers" who have a much lower cost/quality ratio...but a definite must for people who are looking for rugged, reliable, and dependable quality. Absolutely five stars.

View Details: Petzl TacTikka XP Adapt Headlamp

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