User Review: Princeton Tec Apex

Princeton Tec Apex
Above: The current Apex, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed February 25, 2006 by Navy_Dave

Rating:
Price Paid: $57

I bought this off of Ebay for $57, I've found several places that sell it for 65 or less so it is definitely in the same price range as all the other headlamps out there.

I've found that it puts out more light from the center 3-watt light than my 1-watt lights, but with almost the same power consumption. However, if I use it on high, although it does put out a lot of light, it blasts through the alkaline batteries.

NiMH batteries last quite a bit longer, about two times as long, and Lithium batteries last even longer. If you plan on using in the cold either keep the battery pack under your cap (to keep the batteries warm) or use lithium batteries b/c as most know the cold will dramatically shorten the run time of alkaline and NiMH batteries.

I have had no problems with waterproofing yet, but it is still very new. This is just something that time will tell.

As a side note:
For camping I use my Aurora, Corona, or APEX (see a trend here? All are Princeton Tec products, and all are LED’s).

Each has its own merit:

Aurora-Small, light, very reliable (I've had it for close to 4 years with no problems at all). Primary use: jogging on city streets (on strobe mode) and car camping.

Corona-Larger but still fairly lightweight since I do not have battery pack on the headband. The battery pack can be placed in a pocket or attached to belt or pack w/the Velcro straps on its nylon case. Primary use: Cold weather hiking, some general hiking, night time outdoor activities like fishing and kayaking, and as a bike-or-helmet mounted light (I just bought the DiNotte Lux V for my helmet). Now it will probably just remain on my bike since I bought the APEX unless I need an additional light for a friend.

APEX--too soon to say but I suspect it will take the place of the other two. Since it combines the best qualities of both of the other lights and adds a third dimension of providing a light with decent throw as needed.

Good Luck, and be safe!