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#10 on this list
Vizz
Princeton Tec
AAA-powered, waterproof, red-light. Best 'give one to every guest at camp' headlamp.
- Price
- $150 MSRP
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#1 on this list
Actik Core
Petzl
Rechargeable, red-light mode, 600 lm on high. The all-around default headlamp.
- Price
- $150 MSRP
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Vizz | Actik Core |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | 3x AAA Alkaline or Lithium | CORE rechargeable battery or 3 AAA/LR03 batteries |
| Max Lumens | 420 lumens | — |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 (Waterproof) | IPX4 (weather-resistant) |
| Weight (with batteries) | 92 grams (3.25 oz) | — |
| Beam Distance | Up to 90 meters | — |
| Light Modes | Spot, Flood, Red | — |
| Brightness | — | 600 lumens (max) |
| Weight | — | 88 g (with CORE battery) |
| Beam Patterns | — | Flood, mixed |
| Red Light | — | Yes (continuous and strobe) |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Vizz
- Truly waterproof (IPX7 rated) and highly durable construction
- Simple, intuitive single-button operation
- Dedicated red light mode preserves night vision
- Runs on readily available AAA batteries
- Excellent value for its robust performance and features
- Not the brightest headlamp available on the market
- Slightly heavier and bulkier than some competitors
- Battery life performance with alkaline can be inconsistent
Actik Core
- Excellent balance of brightness, battery life, and weight
- Hybrid power source (rechargeable CORE or AAA batteries)
- Red light mode preserves night vision
- Durable, weather-resistant construction
- Intuitive single-button operation
- Beam doesn't throw quite as far as some specialized options
- Plastic construction isn't as premium as metal-bodied lights
- No dedicated lock-out mode (long press prevents accidental turn-on)
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