List Price: $46.99
Sale Price: $28.96
Today's Bonus: 38% Off
Having used this light on multiple hikes, backpacking trips, and climbing trips, I have to say it is one of the best pieces of equipment I've ever owned.
Much of the headlamp market is filled with near-identical clones that differ only in LED and battery types, but the Vizion is a rare example of innovation.
Pros:
-----
-Waterproof, durable cylindrical casing. This thing looks and feels extremely solid, and there are no hinges or moving switches to break.
-Everything is integrated into one sleek unit; there are no interchangeable filters or tiny screws to lose.
-Extremely adjustable.
* Three filter modes (spot white, diffuse white, diffuse red). Both white modes are great for night hikes/climbs; the LED is bright and the diffuser does its job well. The red is awesome for around-the-campsite use (it doesn't blind others as much and helps preserve night vision).
* Two beam levels (high and low).
* Angle adjustment (up to down).
-Comfortable as hell. The weight all but disappears on my head, thanks to the snug casing that stays close to the head and the wide, comfortable headband.
-Uses widely-available AAA batteries. There are great rechargeables out there, including the newer low-discharge NiMHs (eneloops, Duracell Pre-charged, etc.).
-Big, tactile on-off button.
Cons:
-----
-Adjustment knob for filters requires two hands to operate -you have to keep one hand on the center part of the casing while twisting the knob. It's too tight for one-handed adjustments. Not a big problem, as I usually just set the mode prior to an activity and then let it be. The angle knob, on the other hand, is smooth and easily adjustable.
-Lantern mode, while neat in concept, isn't terribly useful in practice. The unidirectional light is good for lighting up a specific area, but I usually use lanterns in the center of a group to light up a circle around the area we occupy. The Vizion can't do that.
-The beam power adjustment via the on-off button is a bit counter-intuitive. It goes high-off-low-off instead of high-low-off. It's not that easy to tell the two levels apart, so it might take a few cycles of practice to be able to accurately gauge the lamp's current power level.
Conclusion:
-----------
The overall usability and durability of the headlight far outweighs its minor flaws. It's quickly grown to be my favorite lightsource and I now carry it with me on every evening/night trip I take.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Pros:1. Large, easy to find power button.
2. Two brightness levels.
3. Comfortable, with easy to adjust strap and no headlamp pad like some. It just uses the strap as a cushion underneath the unit.
4. Angle adjustment is not preset like some. It will rotate, within a certain range, to the desired spot which allows for fine-tuning of position. Also, it is not possible to knock the position out of alignment like on most headlamps. Once it is set, it is set.
Cons:
1. This con just depends on your memory. If you forget which side the angle adjustment is you might end up flipping through the filters instead, and vice versa.
2. Not the brightest LED, even with fresh batteries.
3. Red filter is not as red as you might expect. Especially not as red as true red LED's like on other units.
4. Sometimes it takes two hands to rotate the angle, and it definitely takes two hands to rotate the filter sleeve. Either that or you push it hard on your forehead while you use one hand.
5. Diffusion filter has little effect.
6. The filter sleeve (lens) rotates around the light. The problem with this is the lens gets small scratches every time you rotate it. I've only rotated the lens less than 10 times and already there are several noticeable abrasions. Over time this will create a haziness that will lower light output.
7. The focus of this LED is not great for up-close work. Even when using the different filter options.
8. This isn't a con of this particular light, but lights like this that only have one LED. When working on projects up close, the LED hampers 3D vision/depth perception. I recommend a unit with stereo LED's. I had an old, less durable, Energizer like this that was perfect for up-close work and had a single LED for long-range (walking, etc.). Also with a two LED unit, when working on things like cars where one LED and eye might get blocked by something, you still have your other LED and eye to see with. I did not realize this would be a problem until buying this unit.
Not a pro or con, but the color of this light is lower on the kelvin scale than many other units. Not quite yellow, but definitely lower.
Also, some might want to know that there is no flashing feature on this headlamp.
Overall a good waterproof light. Good for average use such as hiking/walking in very dark environments. (LED is not bright enough for brighter situations.) I wouldn't recommend this light for any precision work, especially at close range.
Best Deals for Underwater Kinetics 3AAA Vizion eLED Headlamp
I started to look for a new head lamp after my 4th Petzl had cracked at the top. Sick of paying $40+ for a light to only last a year. I had used Petzl in the field, backpacking and in Iraq and alway had an extra one around. I really like the fact Petzl had a red lens and a very low setting. Funny thing about the UK light on the low is a little too bright if you are worried about that kind of thing.I have had one for 4? Years and still going strong. I love it around camp as it lights up everything. My wife over heard a couple guys on a backpacking trip who had to walk 5 miles at 2 am in the dark with headlamps because they got to the tail head late. She nodded and said how sorry she was for them, but laughed to me because she knew with "our" lights this would not even be an issue!
The high and low are so close to tell which one you are on you have to look out 20 meters and switch it back and forth, If you need a dim light up close you have to switch to red or it is almost blinding. Not a big issue for me.
Pros bright, well made, red lens does not attract bugs
cons low is really too bright
My new favorit light
Honest reviews on Underwater Kinetics 3AAA Vizion eLED Headlamp
After having a Petzl headlamp fail me during a light rainstorm at night, I have been searching for a truly waterPROOF headlamp.Just dropped this one in a 12 foot deep swimming pool and it was totally dry when I pulled it out (not even any condensation).
This lamp is ruggedly built and came with three copper top batteries (my favorite). The head strap is wide and thick.
On all counts--price, quality, reliability, ease of use and made in USA, this headlamp is head and shoulders above the cheap, unreliable, imported junk that will fail you when you most need it.
[Yes. I am still sore about that Petzl headlamp. "Whatever doen't kill me makes me angry."]
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Underwater Kinetics 3AAA Vizion eLED Headlamp
I love my headlamp. I use it all the time camping. I took it to Hawaii and went snorkeling. Perfect! A little heavy, but not bad.
0 comments:
Post a Comment