Petzl Zippka Headlamp

[Ironflight]

Best utility light I've ever owned!



I've been carrying on of these little things around in the airplane now for about 6 months, ever since Louise (the veteran cave explorer) showed me hers that she never goes anywhere without. It's a little LED headlamp with it's own retractable headband, powered by two AAA batteries that will last about 100-150 hours. I was reminded of it today when we were walking the unlit runway at Lake Whitney State Park before sunrise, and the light from this thing was enough to brighten the runway from edge to edge.

I have used it numerous times in the airplane for preflighting at night - you put it on, and light is everywhere you want to look. It is plenty of light to do the cockpit preflight until you get the instrument lights on. It also comes with a red and yellow lens if you want to preserve night vision - or use the clear lens if you want to read late into the night in your tent without worrying about the light dieing - this thing will last for a week!

Excellent little addition to the cockpit, is much smaller than an egg, fits in your palm, and is rugged as heck. Far better than a hand-held flashlight for just about everything you might do in the cockpit, or around the plane at night. The Petzl web site can tell you where to get them.

Paul

[apirkle]

I have their Tactikka Plus model, which has a red filter that simply flips up and down over the light. I had an older model with the interchangable lenses, but the flip-up filter feature is something I'd consider essential for flying. I think I paid about $40 for it at REI.

They have a few other models that have sliding color filters -- Tactikka XP for example.

[Ironflight]

I do like the fact that Petzl packages the same basic LED headlamp a number of ways - and they are all really rugged. You're right Adam, the Tactikka is a pretty nice model as well. I like the Zippka because of the cool retracting head band cords - it makes a solid little package with nothing to tangle when it's just tossed in a bag.

[the_other_dougreeves]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

... powered by two AAA batteries ....

You've hit upon the #1 problem I have with this (and pretty much every other LED) leadlamp - AAA batteries! 90% of the devices in the US use AA batteries ... I try and get everything to run on the same size battery - ANR headset, flashlight, handheld radio, backup GPS .... *sigh*

Yes, I have the one with the full elastic strap and I love it. But, please, Petzl, can we get a version that uses AA?

TODR

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by the_other_dougreeves

You've hit upon the #1 problem I have with this (and pretty much every other LED) leadlamp - AAA batteries! 90% of the devices in the US use AA batteries ... I try and get everything to run on the same size battery - ANR headset, flashlight, handheld radio, backup GPS .... *sigh*

Yes, I have the one with the full elastic strap and I love it. But, please, Petzl, can we get a version that uses AA?

TODR

You want a AA LED Headlamp? No problem! Take a look at any of a number of headlamps for caving - the one on my helmet (that Louise got me this year at the NSS convention) is from Princeton Tec - takes 4 AA's in a battery pack. If you go to AA's on a little thing like this is that it will no longer be, well, little.....

But we each have our different needs, and that's why they make so many different types!

Paul

[Louise Hose]

Originally Posted by the_other_dougreeves

Yes, I have the one with the full elastic strap and I love it. But, please, Petzl, can we get a version that uses AA?

TODR

Follow this link to 53 caving lights, mostly headlamps. Petzl has plenty of AA styles but, of course, you can't make them as compact at the Zippka.

http://www.innermountainoutfitters.n...bcategoryid=14

[JoeLofton]

Take a look at the new Petzl E+LITE. In addition to the normal white light, it also has a red LED for night use, a strobe feature, a clip in addition to the headband, and the light can be rotated for better aiming. It stores in a nifty little plastic case.

It is powered by two lithium batteries, which are more expensive, but Petzl claims they will provide up to 45 hours of use and can be stored for up to ten years.

I bought mine at REI.

...Joe

[tonycondon]

I love my Petzl Tactikka or however you spell it. I now view it as a must have for night flying, particularly in rentals or in those RVs that dont have the best night lighting. I cant believe that I did so much night flying without knowing about the headlamp.

[Ironflight]

The E+LITE that Joe mentions is also a cool little unit, and cheaper than the Zippka....I held both of them in my hands and decided on the Zippka because it is completely self-contained, no case, and you can put Lithium AAA's in it and make it last dang near forever!

Paul

[RV7Factory]

I have the Tikka XP and love it. It runs on AAA batts.

I haven't flown with it, but it sure comes in handy at camp Scholler for navigating your way to the Porto-o-Johns after a few beers.