Whoa - Talk about good things coming in small packages! This headlamp kills my old Petzl micro in general use. I was amazed at how much light it generated, and how long the batteries tend to last. I just finished a 3 day kayak trip in Seattle, and this is the only light source I bothered to take.
If I didn't already have one, I'd buy it tomorrow, it's that good.

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Great Product. This little light can illuminate a larger area than expected. I had no problem opening the case, use a car-key or coin to push on the top latch, and presto it's open. Insert the batteries, and snap the case shut.

I bought it to duct tape to my helmet while skydiving at night. This light will work for the general hiker following a trail or map reading. To protect your night vision, order the red/green night lens kit. Check out www.brightguy.com for the latest in flashlights.

Pros
1. Long Battery life
2. Intense blue/white light
3. Light weight
4. Fairly durable case

Cons
1. Lack of waterproof case

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I'm a headlamp and flashlight nut... and i have most of the range in Petzl and 2 in Princeton Tec and a few in Maglites.

This Tikka headlamp is expensive.. but i figured out in the long run with LED's u can't go wrong with it because of it's 150 hours of burn time and it's bulb life of 100,000 hours.

At the shop.. i tested the Tikka and Princeton Tec Matrix. I favoured the Tikka over Matrix because of it's weight, brightness and price. It was certainly brighter than the Matrix.. but i hear that the Matrix maintains it's brightness for 40 hours before it becomes less bright.

The Tikka is also much smaller and it only weighs a mere 70 g compared to Matrix 160 g. Over here in Malaysia... the Matrix cost twice as much as Tikka.

Never mind that the Tikka is not waterproof.. but i guess i won't be using it in difficult route finding in the dark and night trekking so it won't be exposed to rain, i can use the Duo and Vortec for nite trekking. I been using the Tikka for about 15 hours for camp use.. and once nite trekking and i don't see a drop in it's light performance. When i use it once at nite trekking .. i did not lead the way for route finding as it's not bright enough but it was good enough to illuminate the trail infront of me. So the problem of waterproof is not a problem for me.

The Matrix though waterproof to 2000 feet.. but i bet u won't be using it for scuba and route findings at nite because of it's brightness. It just isn't bright enough to do those things.. and it's not as bright as the Tikka.

Unlike others...i did not find opening the battery cover a problem at all. U will have to get use to it man. I use the fingernail of my thumb to open it. It's quite easy actually.

If i don't foresee to do much nite trekking in my trips, i have been coupling the Tikka with the Princeton Tec Blast. I'll use the Blast if i need more brightness. The Tikka and Blast together only weighs 120 g compared to Matrix's 160 g's

Overall i am pleased and happy with the Tikka and favour it over the Matrix. It has attracted a lot of attention from fellow trekkers because of it's size, shape and light colour. Get it man.. it's a great product if u use it for what it's meant for.

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Petzl Zoom and Duo.
Maglites 2A's 3A's and 3D's
Princeton Tec Blast and Vortec
Coleman headlamp

This headlamp really stands apart for its tiny profile and light weight. True, it's not a powerhouse light, but for most applications it should be enough. In darkness it provides fairly bright illumination with a fixed aim about ten feet forward, and a good bit of reflective light beyond that. Should be fine for close work such as reading a map, working on equipment, etc.

I didn't have a problem with the light reflecting off my nose, as one reviewer mentioned. The battery cover is flimsy as described, however. It's a bit of a trick to keep the batteries in place long enough to get the battery door closed. Once closed though, it seems fairly secure.

The case is somewhat plasticky, but it looks fairly durable under normal conditions. If your headlamp takes a lot of abuse (falling rock while climbing, etc) you might look elsewhere. I suspect the Tikka wouldn't handle a hard impact well. For backpacking duty, it should be sturdy enough. Nice comfy strap, too. The light weight makes it really nice to wear.

I haven't used the Tikka enough to comment on battery life yet, but it shouldn't have a hard time outperforming conventional lights in that regard.

Overall, a great light if you accept that it's a LED utility light and not a powerhouse. Very light, very small, very handy. I recommend it.

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Let There Be LED Light

For those trying to decide between the Petzl Tikka and the Princeton Matrix, the two leading LED headlamps on the market, the decision would seem one of the least daunting of gear choices.

At first glance, the Petzl is smaller, lighter, brighter (initially) and cheaper than the Princeton, making it the clear winner by a backcountry mile. Closer inspection, however, yields a few interesting points to consider. The Tikka does not have a hinge on which the light can pivot and tilt; the Matrix, on the other hand, does offer this important feature, providing variable adjustment in changing conditions. The Tikka operates on 3 AAA's while the Princeton uses 2 AA's and can also be powered by lithium batteries - an essential distinction. Most gadgetry in your pack typically utilize AA's (cameras, GPS's, etc.). Lithiums are proven performers in cold temperatures, unlike their alkie counterparts. It isn't clear why the Tikka wouldn't be lithium-capable, but it's something Petzl makes no mention of anywhere in its literature. On lithium, the Matrix has a burn time of 100 hrs. (40 with alkaline) compared to the Tikka's 150. What many reviewers fail to note is that Princeton's design provides consistent luminesce over the duration of its burn time whereas the Tikka's brightness is markedly reduced after the batteries' first 15hrs., after which time it plateaus at a dimmer output.

The Matrix sports an additional strap over the top of the head for a more secure fit, but a greater consideration is the Tikka's lack of waterproofness. Princeton claims the Matrix is waterproof to 2000 feet.

Ultimately, both lights are ideal for different applications. For the serious backpacker who anticipates occasions that call for extended trekking in wet or extremely cold conditions, the Matrix is the clear choice. Dayhikers who rarely encounter inclement weather and who want peace of mind knowing that they've prepared for any unexpected late returns to the trailhead will appreciate the Tikka's small footprint in their pack and tiny headprint on their noggin.

For my own purposes, I purchased the Matrix and although skeptical at first of whether the lamp would be bright enough for trail use, I found it more than adequately bright, even for steep hikes and moderately rugged terrain. Nevertheless, enthusiasts have been known to pair either one of these headlamps with a small flashlight such as the Princeton Blast or Pelican Tracker to provide a longer beam for sighting distant objects.

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Princeton Matrix

I was skeptical of this product based on the size and somewhat flimsy construction of the case. Getting the batteries in and the case closed was a challenge but after that it was great. The beam is bright enough for camp side duties and light hiking. The battery life is impressive. A must for all campers.

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If you are looking for a spotlight then this headlamp is not for you. But if you are looking for a light weight headlamp that will work for hours upon hours then you are looking in the right place. Light weight and bright enough for camp duties. I have used this light for walking trails with no problem at all. I did not find installing the batteries a problem. The batteries are included in the price of the headlamp. I am very happy with this product.

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Petzl Micro

For a number of years, I have not been too impressed with the various headlamps available...until I tried and purchased the Petzl Tikka. Light, comfortable, don't even know it's on my head. Bright light that illuminated approximately thirty feet ahead and fifteen to twenty feet wide. No distortion for close-in objects, light crystal clear. The price is a bit on the high side and it's not as heavy duty or water resistant as I would prefer, bit what can you expect in a three ounce package. I will take this light on all of my ventures into the mountains and back country and coupled with my trusted min-mag AA light, I think that I have one tough combination. I might want to semi-retire my Primus Mesh Lantern, or at least save this for "special"`occasions.

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I love this light! So light- hardly notice its on your head- bright enough for most chores around a camp in the dark, great for reading, or flytying, and lasts forever on the 3 batteries. Batteries were a hassle to put in and the battery case cover difficult to shut- but worht the hassle every 70 hrs or so. Seems expensive for what its size.The perfect backpacker light!

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Heavier headlamps of various brands-used batteries quickly!

The Tikka concerns me for the fact that it doesnt seem very durable. Seemed I was cheating myself of some bucks for such a simple constuction. But I was amazed how bright the beam is and I can easily hike in the dark with it. The one thing that bothers me the most is that the lamp is soo close to your forehead (not protruding out like other headlamps) that the beam actually shines on my big nose and creates a mirror effect. Maybe I should blacken my nose to illiminate the annoying reflection. Time will tell if this lamp will hold up.

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