2010 Gear Guide: Petzl TIKKA XP²

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:21:57 +0000

The devil is in the details, as the saying goes, and no one nails details better than Petzl. Here, Petzl, which in 1973 brought to market the first modern mountaineering headlamp, continues to push forward with headlamp tech, producing the TIKKA XP2. This unit has all the basics in place: it’s lightweight (3.1oz, with batteries); water resistant; offers multiple modes; and has a big, top-mounted on/off push button. But Petzl has added innovations, like a flip-up wide-angle lens and a secondary red LED, ideal for preserving night vision, or for use as a blinking safety light.

RED AND WHITE
With one white, high-output LED and one red LED, the TIKKA XP2 is useful in a wide array of scenarios. The white LED casts up to a 60-meter beam, perfect for spotting the ends of your rope on an after-dark rappel. The red LED sips battery juice and casts light enough to read a map by, while still leaving your night vision intact. To select white or red, just depress the power button for two seconds.
POWER UP
The TIKKA XP2 runs off three standard AAA alkaline batteries, but it also accepts lithium batteries, which are lighter, more resistant to cold, and hold their charge longer when shelved. A battery-life indicator light clicks on when juice is running low.
FAR AND WIDE
With the wide-angle lens up, the headlamp’s powerful beam is cast wide, illuminating the world close-up — a nice option for reading, cooking at basecamp, or locating that straggler cam while packing up at the base of a route after sundown.

$54.95, petzl.com
Weight: 3.1oz Lumens/beam length: 60 / 200 feet
Batteries: 3 AAA (included)
Max burn time: 160 hours

Climbing2010 Climbing Magazine Gear Guide: Petzl TIKKA XP²

2010 Gear Guide: Petzl TIKKA XP²