Oct
13
Gotta Light? Petzl’s Zipka Plus Headlamp
October 13, 2007 |
Weighing in at an impressive 65 grams with batteries, I just received Petzl’s Zipka Plus headlamp as a birthday present from my friend Kat. Accustomed to the traditional adjustable strap, I was at first a little hesitant to fit the rectractable Dyneema cord around my big head. After a few times though, it felt perfectly natural. What is Dyneema you might ask? According to the manufacturer, Dyneema is the world’s strongest fiber, a polyethylene synthetic that is 15 times stronger than steel, used in industrial fishing nets, military armor, and so forth. Cool right, but what are the advantages of the rectractable cord? It cuts down on bulk and weight, can secure around a wrist or tentpole, and does not require adjusting if lent to a friend.
I have to say that the Zipka Plus’ 4 LED beam, regardless of the three variable intensities and a strobe setting (who has ever used the strobe setting, really?) is magnificent. Last night I went searching for two lost puppies in nearby fields and was able to cover ground quickly and thoroughly. It puts my Tikka Plus to shame, although my Tikka is pretty worn out. I have yet to see how efficiently it uses the batteries and whether or not it and the spring on the cord will stand up to consistent abuse in the field. That being said, my first impression of the little lightweight is a good one: I give him a 8.5 out of 10. If any readers own one and want to post their impressions feel free as I am curious to see what others think of it. Thanks Kat for a lovely birthday present!
Comments
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those are cool. We used them on a night when we nearly had a major accident out in the atlantic: they were the only lights we had and the only thing that i remember not liking was that one of them had a slack elastic which meant that the lamp would slowly fall down too low, which was a drag without having a hand free. Overall a good tool to have. Read more about that adventure on http://antiguaisland.blogspot.com/2007_02_28_archive.html
Wow. I don’t know what some of the sailing terms mean but “the screacher was behaving like a prehistoric python on crack” summed up the mishap pretty well. Like Andre I wouldn’t have been able to do much more than hold the sail down! Great yarn…