Printable View
Okay I need a new light.
Something to replace my petzl zoom.
This will be a light for nighttime hiking and touring and all that stuff, so it needs to be high quality and bright.
I have enough shiny little l.e.d. headlamps, but I need something a little more substantial.
I'll probably buy another zoom, But I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for an even better version.
The black diamond Gemini looks pretty good, too. anyone know how well that one compares?
thanks
its a good lamp prolly.
i have the older model of gemini (4 battery, 1xenon, 1 led) in with the battery case is not attached to the headband.
instead its attached to an extension so you can hide it underneath you clothes.
handling is good, light is good in both modes too.
only gripes comes with the batterypack cord. as all the cords, it tends to stuck to everything. but thats the price to pay to keep the headlamp working for more than an half an hour in the cold.
so, if you do winter stuff, skiing and climbing, go with the space shot or polar star models. if you use it mainly in summertimes, id give a go to the LED lamps of black diamond or petzl.
suprisingly good light output, durable and longlasting.
hope this helps a bit.
I have both the zoom and the gemini. I don't ever use the zoom now. It is heavier, the batteries cost more and the light is no where near as clear or bright as the gemini's. Plus the gemini has the LED option - I've never burned down the batteries using that. I've used it in the cold; the batteries have not failed on me whilst out but the battery on the zoom would die much quicker (and it turned on easily in my pack).
My only gripe with the gemini is that the straps are too short to fit over a ski helmet (nine.9). Works ok with a climbing helmet though.
I used a zoom for many years...though it coudn't be beet...spent the money on the zipka...never used another headlamp or flashlight since!, the new version is better, dammed expensive for such a small thing but a whole world more reliable than the competitors and imitators!
I'm on the zipka too, perfect.
the zoom is huge, I used to have one but since switched to the polar star. I love it. My brobrah uses a Petzl myo3, and I perfer the BD because its less bulky and easier to adjust with gloves on. Great lamp. The Zipka is sweet, but I wanted something a little bigger and having better stay-on-your-head ability. But I do use a zipka for reading in the tent and such.
more $$$ than the ones listed here but the Myo 3 has been great for me. good combo of lighting options.
Just picked up a BD moonlight. It doesn't compare with the lighting power of some of the above mentioned, but is easy to turn on/off and stays on my head a lot easier.
The Gemini is a solid headlamp. I've been using mine now for almost a year. It has held up solidily, and performed flawlessly.
I know it's heavier, but how about a Petzl Duo? If it's brightness you want the Duo is a spotlight strapped to your head. The lower wattage bulb works fine for puttering around the campsite. When you want to scope an area for potential rodent targets the bright bulb kicks ass.
BobMc
Only problem I've had with Zipka's is that they're so small I keep losing the darn things! Otherwise they're awesome.
The adjustibility of the Black Diamond ones is pretty neat.