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Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp Review
By Eric Miller -
Monday, September 3rd, 2012 -
No Comments
I've been slowly getting turned to Princeton Tec headlamps. The Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp is one more light that is winning my favor. I've had the chance to test the Remix this summer thanks to Princeton Tec.
Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp Review Features
- Type: Headlamp
- Illumination type: one MaxBright LED, three 5mm LEDs
- Light output: 100 lumens
- Run time (High): 28 hours
- Run time (Low): 200 hours
- Light modes: High/low
- Batteries: 3 - AAA (Included)
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 2x2-1/2x1-1/2"
- Weight: 2.4 oz.
- Material: composite with elastic nylon headband
- Ideal uses: climbing, camping, hiking, running, fishing, work
- Made in United States of America
- Price: $39.95
Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp Review Review
The Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp is a powerful light in a little package. The MaxBright LED can reach up to 73m on high (so they say, I didn't get out the tape measure). It's bright enough that when running you don't have to worry about out running the light and I was able to spotlight considerable distances. On a Mt Hood attempt earlier this summer it was definitely bright enough to scout ahead. The dim, early morning light. The three 5mm LEDs are perfect for task work. They provide just enough light when setting up the tent, cooking a late meal, or reading the tent. We are seeing more and more combo lights and there's a good reason. You can get white, red, or green LEDs. With two setting modes for both sets of LEDs you can find the level of light you need while conserving batteries. On high the MaxBright LED will last 28 hours. The 5mm LEDs will last 200 hours on low. The lamp is powered with three AAA batteries. Ordinarily I'd give negative feedback for not being rechargeable, but for a versatile light like this I think it makes sense. Just use rechargeable AAAs. The headband is wide and comfy, even after a few hours of use on the trail. The pivot for the head is solid. Once set it won't bounce out of place. The head is close to being too heavy for the band though. I did experience some bouncing while running but it was manageable. The Good- Versatile
- Bright
- Price
- A little heavy for running
Bottom Line:
The Princeton Tec Remix is a versatile, powerful little light. Buy Now: Pick up the Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp Read more...
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Planet Bike Super Flash Turbo Rear Bike Light Review
By Eric Miller -
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 -
2 Comments
I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of the most important factors to consider when bike commuting is making sure you are seen by those nearby. The Planet Bike Superflash Turbo Rear Bike Light helps ensure that you are. The updated specs and flash pattern plus 100 hour battery life help ensure that motorists will see you from behind.
Planet Bike Superflash Turbo Rear Bike Light Features
- One Watt Power LED plus 2 red LEDs for visibility up to 1 mile
- New attention-grabbing Turbo flash pattern
- Turbo flash mode is highly visible, even in daylight
- Ultra compact vertical design is weatherproof, lightweight and durable
- Includes bike mounts and clip mount for multiple mounting options
- Soft-touch power switch accesses flashing or steady mode for up to 100 hours of run time on
- 2 AAA batteries (included)
- Price: $34
Planet Bike Superflash Turbo Rear Bike Light Review
The Planet Bike Superflash Turbo Rear Bike Light is very similar to the "regular" Planet Bike Superflash Tail Light. Same body design, same attachment. The main differences come in the LEDs, flash pattern, and reflector. The Superflash Turbo features a one-watt Power LED, twice the wattage of the regular Superflash. The one-watt is bright! It is still paired with two smaller red LEDs for increased visibility. Even with the larger wattage battery life clocks in up to 100 hours, same as the Superflash. I haven't run the batteries out yet! With that in mind, I haven't been able to test to see if the lights begin to dim as you near the end of the battery life. The flash pattern has been changed up from past models. It is still very attention grabbing and will get you noticed. It can best be described as an off-tempo strobe that alternates between super bright and bright flashes with the one-watt bulb. The smaller lights give a more consistent strobe. Video below demonstrates the strobe. The reflector is clear with a red cover over the one-watt bulb. It is clear on the sides, giving you 180 degrees of visibility from the rear. The Superflash Turbo does come with the bike mount along with a clothing clip on the back of the light so you can slide it onto a pack strap or onto your belt. The clip is replaceable, which is a huge plus for me. I've broken clips on similar lights in the past and have to buy whole new lights to because of this small failure. This really showcases to me the thought that Planet Bike puts into their lights. One downfall is the Superflash Turbo doesn't have a battery life indicator. The Good- Super bright
- Attention getting
- Well thought out design
- No battery life indicator
Bottom Line:
Be visible with the Planet Bike Superflash Turbo Rear Bike Light. Planet Bike makes some of the best lights out there and the Superflash Turbo is no exception. Buy Now: Pick up the Planet Bike Superflash Turbo Rear Bike Light [gallery]... Read more...
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Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp Review
By Eric Miller -
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011 -
No Comments
The Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp packs a lot of light in a little package. Princeton Tec gave me the opportunity to test the Byte this summer and it has been one of the best lightweight headlamps I've used so far.
Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp Features
- Lamp: Maxbright LED & Red Ultrabright LED
- Power: 35 lumens
- Burn Time: 96 hours (low)
- Batteries: 2 AAA (included)
- Battery Location: Front
- Headband Type: Elastic Strap
- Weight: 2.5 oz
- Price: $19.95
Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp Review
Each year headlamps seem to get smaller and more powerful. The Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp is no exception. It truly is a powerful light in such a small package. The Maxbright LED gives a lot of light. The specs put it at 30m on high, 15m on low, and 4m on red. It gives enough light for on the trail and around camp use. I found it to be great for hiking, it would be good for climbing, but it was a little hard with running. Battery life is pretty short on high and low didn't quite give as much light as I like when running. Battery life pretty good. On low the tech spec says 96 hours which is decent for 2 AAAs. On high it only says 2 hours which is problematic if you're out on a trip. I found for most everything low was sufficient for my needs. The Byte comes with a red ultrabright LED. The selling point behind this is that the red light preserves your night vision better than the white light. This is good for small tasks close at hand but even so I found it hard to see by the red light, even for the tasks while in the tent. The part about preserving night vision seems to be true. It was nice not to be blinded when turning it on. The weight is awesome. At 2.5 ounces it's hard to complain. It's easy on the head and easy on the pack. The elastic band is comfortable and didn't give any irritation or discomfort after long periods of wear. One of my favorite features, while small, is the battery door. It's easy to access, easy to open. I've had a number of headlamps where changing out the batteries was a bit of pain, that isn't the case with the Byte. The Good- Lightweight
- Powerful
- Bright
- Comfortable
- Price
- Battery life on high is very short
Bottom Line:
Looking for a lightweight headlamp that's bright and won't break the bank? You'll get that with the Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp. Buy Now: Pick up the Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp[gallery]... Read more...
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Light & Motion Vis 360 Light Review
By Eric Miller -
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 -
1 Comment
Want 360 degree coverage from a bike light? The Light & Motion Vis 360 Light delivers a helmet mounted front and rear light. I had seen some press about the Vis 360 and wondered if it really did provide 360 degree coverage and how well it did it. So as you can imagine I was stoked when Light & Motion sent me one to review.
Light & Motion Vis 360 Light Features
- Number of bulbs: 1 (front) / 3 (rear)
- Bulb type: LED
- Light output: 110 lumens (front) / 4 lumens (rear)
- Battery Life: 2.5 hrs (high), 5 hours (low), 20 hrs (flashing)
- Batteries: Lithium ion (rechargeable)
- Charge time: 4.5 hours
- Weight with batteries: 135 grams
- Mounting: Helmet
- Price: $169.95
Light & Motion Vis 360 Light Review
The Light & Motion Vis 360 Light is a pretty awesome light. The claim to 360 degrees of visibility rings true. Let's start off with the headlight. The single 110 lumen bulb is bright! It does have three modes: high, low, and flashing. The light-throw pattern is a more focused spot as opposed to a wider swath of light. It was bright enough for me to ride fast and be able to see the details of the road ahead of me. It is also bright enough to catch the attention of motorists. One night my wife had to come and pick me up after I broke the axle in my rear wheel. As she was driving up she said "I didn't think it was you, that light is as bright as a car headlight". I think that sums it up well. The front light features a transparent yellow "window" on each side of the light that light up when the the light is on. The goal here is to give increased side visibility, especially at intersections. These do give additional visibility, however, they are fairly small. When doing ride-by tests I could see them but they didn't scream "hey I'm on a bike and I am here" to me. When paired with the rear light (more on that below) visibility is better. Overall, don't just rely on these side "light windows" for your side visibility, work them in as part of your system. Next let's look at the rear light. The rear light features 3 red LEDs and 2 side facing yellow LEDs. The rear light only has a flashing mode. This is just fine with me. The LEDs are bright and are attention getting. My one concern with the helmet mount rear light is it may be hard to see. Depending on where/how you can mount it to your helmet and your body position while riding, the lights may mostly just point up. So when you are mounting the light to your helmet keep these two factors in mind. The two side LEDs also flash. These are more attention grabbing than the headlight side "lights". When paired all together though, it does give some good side visibility. Once again though, don't just rely on these lights, make sure you have good side visibility throughout your whole system. Here's a short video that highlights some of the main features and includes some video of the light at night: The helmet mount was versatile. The front light is mounted with a rubber strap for threading through your helmet vents and a couple of plastic mounting plates that help sandwich everything together. It was simple to get the light positioned and securely strapped on. The rear light has a mountain plate and long velcro strap. This allows for versatility in threading through the rear vents and sitting squarely on the helmet. The placement of the rear light is a little more tricky as you have to take into account helmet design and body position while riding. Make sure the light points back, not up. Battery life is decent. The Vis 360 is USB rechargeable and was sized to work with one of the more common sizes for USB charging (fits a lot of newer phones). When battery life starts getting low the front light will flash intermittently. It took me a while to figure out what was going on as I was riding and the high beam would flash a few times and then go back to the high beam. This is a great way to let the user know that the batter needs to be charged. I've had the light out in some pretty bad weather and it's totally weatherproof. One concern I have about helmet mounted lights is what about when you wreck? Chances are you are going to hit your head. Wrecking (your own fault or someone else's) isn't fun, but it's a fact of bike commuting. How will the light hold-up to the impact of smashing your dome on the pavement? You're going to be in pain and probably have to fix/replace your bike and possibly pay some doctor bills. It would stink to have to throw in a $170 light as well. This is a point I am curious about but don't plan on testing (and hope that I don't find out first hand, **knock on wood). This is just another thing to consider. The Good- High visibility
- Bright headlight
- Weight
- Rechargeable
- USB Rechargeable
- If you don't like helmet lights this light isn't for you
- Unsure of light durability if you wreck
Bottom Line:
The Light & Motion Vis 360 Light has become my main headlight. It's a great light, full of good features, and passed my personal test for everyday use. Buy Now: Pick up the Light & Motion Vis 360 Light ... Read more...
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Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light Review
By Eric Miller -
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 -
No Comments
Planet Bike knows their stuff when it comes to bike lights. The Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light is a powerful little package. This light steps up the traditional blinky game with a 2-Watt LED.
Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light Features
- Bulb: 2W LED
- Modes: High, Low, Flashing
- Battery Life: High=5 hrs, Low=12 hrs, Flashing=18 hrs
- Batteries: 2 AA (included)
- Mounting: Handlebar Quickcam
- Weight with batteries: 122 g
- Price: $60
Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light Review
My biggest complaint with blinkies is they are usually only good for just that, blinking. If you're ever in a pinch and you need a light to see by most blinkies fall ridiculously short. Not so with the Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light. While it isn't my top choice for a primary light it's at the top of the list if you can only have one light and you're on a bit of a budget. The Blaze 2-Watt features a super bright (my terminology) 2-Watt LED bulb. This bulb is brighter than most all of the blinkies I've used on steady mode. For my personal preference it wasn't quite bright enough for me to deem it as my primary light (I ride with one light on steady mode to see by and one on flashing mode to be seen by) it does feature a nice light throw. It provided a nice light throw on the road (partially due to the optically correct lens on the front of the light) but I did find that I could still out-ride the light. What I do like about the light is it is bright enough to work as a solitary light if needs be (most blinkies fall short in this regard). On high steady mode it is bright enough to see by and be seen by. In flashing mode you will definitely be seen during the day or at night thanks to the "SuperFlash" pattern. It features a fast flash pattern that has an alternating "super bright" flash that is definitely attention grabbing. The light does have some side cutouts to help with side visibility. I'm not sure just how much it helps but it's better than nothing. The QuickCam handlebar mount is awesome. As I said in my review of the Planet Bike Beamer 5 Headlight: "This is the best mounting system I’ve used for a handlebar light. At first it does take a little adjusting to get it just right, but then it’s literally two seconds to get it off your bars and onto your other bike.". There is a user error downside of accidentally flipping the cam open, but like I said, it's due to the user. So far battery life is good. I've been using this light (mostly in flashing mode) and I haven't had to change the batteries. Like I've said for most all lights I wish it was rechargeable. Yeah you can use rechargeable batteries but I'd like to have a way to charge it at work if I needed (and yes I could carry spare batteries). If I used it in steady mode more often I would have had to change the batteries a number of times. Five hours of battery life seems low, especially on a light where you potentially need to change batteries. The Good- Bright enough in steady mode that you can see and keep a decent speed
- Superflash flashing mode is awesome...good enough to be eye-catching even in the day
- QuickCam handlebar mount is the best handlebar mount I've used
- Not rechargeable
- If you ride fast all the time you can outride this light
- Battery life in steady mode isn't the greatest
Bottom Line:
If you are on somewhat of a budget or you only want one headlight the Blaze 2-Watt would be at the top of my list. Buy Now: Pick up the Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light ... Read more...
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Princeton Tec Byte: New Small Headlamp Packs a Punch
By Jason Mitchell -
Thursday, September 16th, 2010 -
2 Comments
Small is always the new big. Smaller mobile phones, smaller laptops, smaller cars and now Princeton Tec jumps aboard with their version with the Byte headlamp. Not only is it small in size, but it's a paltry $19.99. Check out the details below.
BORDENTOWN, N.J. (Sept. 16, 2010) – The new Princeton Tec Byte headlamp is small, bright and stronger than Hulk – all the attributes you want in a reliable headlamp, plus a little extra muscle. Oh, and it’s affordable too. Celebrating 35 years as one of the leading manufacturers of innovative outdoor lighting, Princeton Tec introduces the new, burly Byte headlamp (MSRP $19.99) into “The Family.” Weighing in at a lean and mean 2.25-ounces, this dual light headlamp proves that smaller can be better. Having created the Byte low rezRemix and Fuel headlamps to start “The Family,” the tech-savvy lab rats at Princeton Tec realized the need to complete the clan with a strong-like-bull little brother. Hence, the Byte was born. At 15-percent smaller and 18-percent lighter than its big brothers, the Byte features 35 lumens of light and the same solid asymmetrical single-arm bracket found in its older siblings. With the ability to shed precip like a reptile, the Byte burns with 1 Maxbright LED and 1 red Ultrabright LED – which boast burntimes of 96 and 146 hours, respectively. This dynamic devil also has high and low modes and comes complete with 2 AAA batteries. Take a big Byte out of darkness and keep yourself bright for your next adventure. For more information visit: www.princetontec.com. About Princeton Tec Celebrating 35 years, New Jersey-based Princeton Tec's goal has been to support the outdoor community by building lighting products for the people who need superior illumination for any situation. Our products are designed to enhance all outdoor activities, crossing the boundaries from scuba and water sports; to camping and backpacking; to snow sports; alpine sports and road/commuter biking.More Info: Visit PrincetonTec.com... Read more...
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Black Diamond Cosmo LED Headlamp Review
By Eric Miller -
Thursday, August 26th, 2010 -
2 Comments
I already own a couple Black Diamond headlamps and have had a good experience with all. I had high expectations when I got the new Black Diamond Cosmo LED Headlamp. After the first night of using it I knew I wasn't going to be letdown. After a couple months of use it continues to perform well.
Black Diamond Cosmo LED Headlamp Features
- Bulb type: LED
- Bulb detail: DoublePower LED/2 LEDs
- Weight with batteries: 3.2 ounces
- Light output: High: 55 / low: 4 lumens
- Maximum beam distance: High: 40 / low: 15 meters
- Brightness levels: 2 with dimming
- Beam type: Flood / Spot
- Battery life at 70 degrees: High: 50 / low: 250 hours
- Batteries: 3 AAA
- Price: $29.95
Black Diamond Cosmo LED Headlamp Review
The Black Diamond Cosmo LED Headlamp is packed with features that made me smile. Right off the bat is my favorite feature, the dimmer. The headlamps in the past that I've used had maybe 3 light settings. Bright, medium, and low. The Cosmo takes it to the next level. Instead of being locked into three, just push the button and hold it down and the light dims...just like the dimmer switch at your house. It's simple, others may use it, but the Cosmo is my experience with it and I love it! Oh wait, the light is too low now? Push the button and hold it down and the light comes back up. The Cosmo does feature three lighting modes: 1. High output beam/spot, 2. Flood lighting with twin LEDs, and 3. Strobe. Just click the button to cycle through each. The spot beam is bright and gives good distance. Not a problem for hiking or running at night. I even threw it on one night to test ride my bike after performing some maintenance and it was bright enough to ride with. The proximity or flood lighting is perfect for walking around, doing camp chores, and reading. I didn't experience any light flickering like other headlamps can do with their proximity LEDs. Once again the dimmer switch is awesome to adjust to just the right amount of light, conserving battery power. The strobe is a strobe. Not much to say. It is bright. It can even work as a backup blinkie on your bike with a zip tie (I had to do it the other night after my blinkie broke, it's not too stable though but it got the job done). The headband is comfortable and not too bulky. The light mount features a tilt and just clicks into place. This is a nice feature but I did find it was a little loose. It's easy to bounce it out of no-tilt into the first tilt position. This isn't too big of a deal because it's rare that I don't use the tilt. Once it's tilted it is fairly stable but if things get too bumpy it could bounce around. The Good- Bright
- It has a dimmer!
- Price
- Tilt is a little loose
- Not rechargeable
Bottom Line:
Black Diamond continues to impress with the Cosmo LED Headlamp. Buy Now: Pick up the Black Diamond Cosmo LED Headlamp today.... Read more...
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Coast H7 LED Lenser Headlamp Review
By Kendall Card -
Sunday, March 28th, 2010 -
6 Comments
The last of the suns rays were slipping over the Uinta Mountains and the Wasatch range to the west as the first few stars began to glimmer. I was ending another day of scouting for elk prior to last fall's archery season. I was 3 miles away from the trailhead and my car, one of those miles requiring a descent through aspens and dense undergrowth to get back to the trail. Not really the type of situation you'd like to be in without tried and trusted gear, particularly your headlamp. I had recently picked up the Coast H7 headlamp that features LED Lenser technology and figured it was as good as any for the job but just in case it didn't live up to the hype I had my Black Diamond Spot headlamp as backup. The Spot headlamp never made it out of my pack.
Who is Coast?
Coast is sure to be the biggest light company you've never heard of, particularly in the outdoor industry. My first exposure to Coast was at the SHOT trade show when my friend told me to look his direction only to be blinded by an oversized flashlight he was checking out at the Coast booth. Literally, I was blinded for about 15 seconds. Then at the summer Outdoor Retailer show in August 2009 I was checking out the Benchmade knives and turned around to see Coast at the show. I stopped by and after chatting with a guy about Coast and how they have been pioneering LED technology for such a long time, he showed me their latest headlamp the H7. Sure, it's an uninspiring name but I was surprised that even indoors the light shone bright, very bright. The H7 runs on 3 AAA batteries that reside in a rear housing that is quite small. The smallness of the rear housing keeps the straps to one around the head strap and no over the top, which I don't particularly like so that was a bonus. The dim mechanism is an easy to use (even with gloves on) lever on the battery pack. The on/off button is located above the light on the front and the narrow/wide slider is also located on the light itself. The on/off is again easy to use with gloves on but the dim/wide slider takes a bit to get used to. All in all, it's an easy clean design.Coast Hy Headlamp Features
- 160 Lumens (this is not a typo)
- 84 hour battery life
- 528 Feet Effective Range
- Lifetime Warranty
- Advanced Focus System with hinged position beam
- Variable Light Control Technology (VLT)