Petzl

Tactikka Headlamp

It’s alright.

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

N/A

Height:

6' 1"

Weight:

176

Solid white light with 3 settings, brightest isn’t crazy. Good battery life. No red light It’s alright

By far the best headlamp I've owned.

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Height:

6' 1"

Weight:

185

I was expecting yet another cheap branded headlamp. I got a high quality unit with excellent functions. Dimming and bright works marvelously from just enough white light to see to a glaring spotlight that will blind the unwary. The red night vision protection mode is a godsend- a function not available in most other similarly priced units. It is bright enough to see what you are doing without defeating the purpose of red light. The head band is solid, sturdy and wide enough it doesn't slide around your head or helmet. The light unit itself is a sturdy, streamlined package that resists getting hung up on branches and such. The button is easy to find and operate even while wearing.

Consistently good, inconsistent naming.

My only negative comment is the confusing overlap and changing between the Actik and Tikka line of head lamps. I recently bought my girlfriend a Tactikka Core because backcountry didn't have an Actik Core at the time. It arrived and looks identical to my Actik except the strap, sames specs too, that head lamp is no longer listed and and the Tactikka for sale now looks different. Not a big deal but keep this in mind if you read a review, Petzl keeps changing the names and specs around so check the specs on what you buy. My Thoughts on the Actik which I have: Get the Core battery. I have had several petzl head lamps over the years and am happy with all of them. My current head lamp is the Actik Core, which I have had for 2 years and is still going strong. Its bright, has enough charge for a weekend of camping, and since it's rechargeable I can always know its topped off before going on a trip. AAA batteries last longer, but when packing I always found myself scratching my head wondering how old they were. I bring spare AAAs on longer trips but haven't run out the core battery yet.