Short Description:

Zipka Plus Photo courtesy of Petzl - used with permission

Tikka Plus Photo courtesy of Petzl - used with permission

The extremely compact Zipka Plus and its more traditional companion, the Tikka Plus, are a pair of general use LED headlamps by Petzl that take the original design of the Zipka and Tikka forward one step. The Zipka Plus still has a unique mechanism inside of its translucent case where a fine cord is wound inside the rear plate. Pulling that plate away from the light causes the self-retracting headband cord to extend. A user can then fit their head inside the loop of cord to hold the Zipka Plus in place. This results in an extremely small, lightweight package which is surprisingly comfortable and easy to pack. The Tikka Plus is a more conventional design of the same headlamp that utilizes a traditional style wide elastic headband which is a bit more comfortable for long periods of use, but is a little bulkier to store. The "Plus" comes from the fact that both headlamps have 4 LEDs instead of three for improved brightness, both have 3 selectable levels of brightness from the LEDs and one blink mode, and the Tikka Plus is tilt adjustable.

Reviewer's Impressions:

The Zipka Plus and the Tikka Plus are great general use headlamps for close area lighting and a definite step up from the original Zipka and Tikka. The Zipka Plus has the retractable cord of the original and still serves as an excellent backup headlamp. It is small to pack, easy to use, and extremely lightweight. The Tikka Plus also has the wide adjustable headband of the original, but in addition to the new switching system it is now vertically tilt adjustable. The Zipka Plus should be kept out of the mud for fear of damaging the headband retracting mechanism.

The body of both the Zipka Plus and the Tikka Plus are made from plastic. The Zipka Plus body is translucent clear and black, allowing the user to view the headband retracting mechanism. The Zipka Plus headband is self adjusting, tightening on the users head as the mechanism's springs pull the cord tight. When removing the headlamp from the head it is important to remove the back plate first, otherwise the hair can become entangled in the mechanism. The Tikka is also translucent clear and black. It has a fully adjustable 2 point headband which is removable for replacement or cleaning.

The Zipka Plus headband creates 2 pressure points where the main parts press against the user's head. To help avoid any discomfort the front portion is padded with a foam backing. The Tikka Plus is a touch more comfortable as the headband applies equal pressure around the user's head.

The Zipka Plus is not vertically adjustable. The bezel is pointed downward at a good angle for general close tasks and provides a nice flood of light. The Tikka Plus is hinged, allowing the user to more easily focus the light onto the task at hand. The bezel itself is simply a matte silver/gray reflector that contains 4 white LEDs. In front of the LEDs is a clear plastic lens which can be replaced. Colored lenses are available as accessories. The LEDs were all color matched very well.

Accessing the battery compartment is very simple in both headlamps. There is a tab at the top rear that is pressed inward using either the cord compartment of the Zipka Plus or one of the plastic adjusters on the Tikka Plus headband. Opening the compartment reveals the 3 AAA batteries.

The back separates completely from the front and the two halves of the clamshell design are held together by a pair of straps that rest under the batteries. When reassembling the headlamp it is important to make sure that the tabs at the base of the back plate are inserted into the front plate before snapping the two halves together.

The switches are hidden underneath orange rubber covers. Pressing the switch once turns the headlamp on High, twice gets you Medium, three times for Low, and a fourth for Blink. Leaving the headlamp in any one mode for more than about 2 seconds results in the headlamp turning off if the button is pressed. The Medium and Low modes are accomplished by rapidly blinking the LEDs so fast that you cannot easily see the effect. Instead it simply appears as though they are dimmer. Moving quickly in one of these modes can result in a slight strobe effect.

Water resistance is slightly better than in the original versions. They are advertised as H2OK, meaning they can get wet and should still work even if damp inside. Simply open, remove the batteries, and allow to dry if they get wet. Salt water inside the case requires that they be flushed with fresh water first before allowing to dry.

Pouches are available for storage as an additional accessory.

Great little general use headlamps. The additional brightness levels and the ability of the Tikka Plus to tilt up and down make them very versatile.

+ + + Pluses: Some water resistance, Long battery life, Bright, Easy battery change, Lightweight, Convenient

- - - Minuses: Keep the Zipka self winding mechanism away from mud and grime, Zipka lamps not vertically adjustable.

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