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Detailed
Information:
Princeton Tec has taken a solid design and added even
more reliability . This hybrid is all LED so there are
no bulbs to blow. Low output LEDs are used when less
light is needed or when battery life is at a premium
and a high output Luxeon Star LED is used when greater
output is needed.
The body of the Yukon includes a 3 point
fully adjustable elastic suspension system, a plastic
battery box and a plastic bezel assembly which contains
the bulbs and switching mechanism. The bezel assembly
is attached to the battery box via a cable that runs
around the user's right side and is attached to the
headband at 2 points via clips. The cable connections
are reinforced at the battery box and the bezel. The
entire assembly is waterproof via an O-ring in the bezel
and a gasket in the battery box. The straps are designed
to be removed through slots at all of the connection
points for the purpose of cleaning or replacement.
The bezel has a rubber cover with raised
sections for protection and grip. The Luxeon Star bulb
is focusable by twisting the front of the bezel. The
switch is rubber covered and is found near the rear
of the bezel. Pressing once turns the LEDs on, next
press is off, next press turns the Luxeon Star bulb
on, next press is off. The switch requires a significant
amount of pressure to activate so I don't believe there
is a serious chance of the light turning on by accident
in your pack.
Output is good. The LEDs produce a nice flood of light
with a bluish tinge while the Luxeon Star bulb can produce
a fairly tight spot. The reflector is textured to smooth
out the Luxeon Star beam, which it does an OK job of,
but a hole in the center of the beam appears on a broad
focus as well as some blotchiness. This is partially
due to the fact that the 3 LEDs protrude through holes
in the reflector. It is also due to the fact that the
lens on this particular side emitter LED is slightly
deformed. Behind the bezel there is no padding and the
strap presses directly against your forehead giving
the impression of an even distribution of pressure around
the head.
Side
emitter Luxeon lens
The battery box lid is hinged and uses
a clasp to close the lid. 3 AA batteries (included)
power the unit. The battery box is sealed with a rubber
gasket. OTHER MANUFACTURERS TAKE NOTE: this battery
box is watertight and easy to open/seal. Why can't they
all do this? So many battery boxes are overly complex
or seal poorly. It's just ridiculous. I really like
the ease with which the battery compartment opens, making
battery changes simple. However, the packaging does
warn against putting the batteries in incorrectly as
this may damage the unit
 
What I Liked: Water resistant,
Impact resistant, Long battery life, Good output, Easy
battery change - especially for a headlamp, Lightweight
What I Didn't Like: Slightly deformed
Luxeon side emitter lens - however output does not seem
to be affected much at all. Still a better beam than
an incandescent bulb in my opinion.
Other Things I Noticed: Nothing
significant.
Conclusions: Overall it is an exceptionally
versatile headlamp. For comparison sake, the Luxeon
can light up a target about 3 times the distance of
the LEDs and it can light a target almost twice as far
away as the xenon bulb in the original Yukon! Plus you
never have to worry about your primary bulb going *pop*
when you're on the side of a rockface. Tough, well made...
It's hard to go wrong with this one. I think most folks
who use it will come to like it a lot.
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