The first time we donned a headlamp was during a camping trip. A kind co-worker gave us a Petzl for a gift and we thanked them and thought, "headlamp=total dork". And then we found out how important the two-hand rule is when carrying boiling hot water around your campsite in the total dark. Or when reaching in to dark corners in the basement. Or for fumbling for keys on the ground when you forgot to leave the porchlight on. Now our headlamp lives on our bedside table when it's not stashed in our purse or strapped to our forehead...
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We've since re-gifted our original headlamp to a friend who works with pyrotechnics and found it better than a lighter for mid-show in-the-dark searches (yikes). We recently picked up a newer and flashier version at REI. This one has 4 settings to select from: low, medium, high and strobe (for those campfire dance parties).
We like the retractable band that makes it easy to wear on your head or wrist; we've attached it to our bike and our bag...
But our favorite uses?
1. As a mini light when someone next to us zonks out earlier and our book is too good to put down.
2. On the plane when our reading light inevitably doesn't work.
3. In the middle of the night when the earth starts quaking and you need two hands to find your shoes.
4. For working in some dark place where you need two hands to hold the nail, screw or hammer. This one has proved particularly handy and we're considering adding a second Petlz to our hardware kit...
Get your own Petzl here, $39.95 includes batteries.
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As useful as it may be, Total Dork still applies.
I use mine hiking pre-dawn in the mountains.
Thank you modernguy. She gets the prize. And this is said by someone who even loves her.
Best photo of Shayna EVER!
Those are very handy in pitch dark when you need two hands free. Believe me, under the circumstances that I've worn them on my forehead, you don't care if you look like a dork.
I so want one.
huh
my husband has been using a headlamp as a flashlight since... well, since we first met. never thought him dorky then, and sure as hell don't think he's dorky now. (former) head ski instructor, has put out house fires, used to parachute, saw him save a woman from being raped and beaten in an alley (in his bare feet no less)...
nah, he makes these look hot...
Hi my name is Katie and i have at least 5 headlamps....oh and i'm a dork....a dork that's REALLY afraid of the dark. LOL i do a lot of night sports so headlamps are a must. i just have to say that after getting my hair so caught up in the spring string i will only use the ones with a band. this petzl is only for those with medium/short hair. oh and the spring string leaves a wonderful halo on my husband's bald head! what can i say, dorks of a feather flock together! :)
I love this headlamp; it got me through my first backpacking trip (an unintentional night hike through incredibly steep terrain while carrying my first pack) though we still almost stepped on a sleeping black dog. My favorite part is the little stick-figure graphic that comes with it showing you how not to pull it off of your head. Safety first.
I actually found one of these under a mattress in a yurt I was renting with some friends!
It was awesome.
Sorry, to whoever left it, but I love it. And, it's mine now. :)
I have an older generation Petzl Myo for camping, this one must be new and it looks much lighter. The battery pack on mine is pretty heavy.
My dad gave all of us these dorky headlamps for Christmas one year. Previous years we got handguns, burial plots, etc. so this was just another weird gift. BUT we have all used the hell out them. I keep mine in my briefcase so I can easily find it. I have used it on trips and it came in most handy during a recent hurricane. Great on a bike or walking at night - even took it fishing.
Oh, just reading this post and these comments embarasses me!
Dorky? Maybe. But function>form right? I've used headlamps for years (granted, I've also been backpacking and climbing for years). Wouldn't have it any other way. I guess I'm a dork at heart.
Now I know what to get my husband for Christmas!!
Thanks Shayna and AT!
psssttt ... it's not the headlamp that's dorky; it's paying almost $40 for one that shows some lack of sophistication.
if you're looking for these, try lowes or target on sale. oh, ok; they're not petzl zipka, whatever that is so i don't have the cool brand name thing going on. they're energizers or maglites or whatever that have something like 200 hours guaranteed runtime on the bulbs. i have several and i generally pay around $6 or $7 for them.
I'd be wary of the energizers or whatever. It's not the bulb time, but the battery time that you want. the LED really makes a difference.
Anyway, just wanted to say I've been using a petzl with the wide band for years and couldn't do without it.
loislane: completely understand you taking issue with the $40. i did too, for a while. i also have a target headlamp, it's the second one i bought after they wouldn't replace the first one after the third time i returned it...after that, i don't regret my petzl for 2 seconds!