Princeton Tec Yukon HL

Summary

Lifesaving.

Recently we had a bit of trouble in the backcountry of Arkansas and made a run for the vehicle late in the day. My buddy had this little beauty as an extra for the trip and let me borrow it after my Black Diamond burned out.

I complained at first about the weight but soon I had forgotten all about that as we scrambled up and down "mountains" to try and get back before nightfall. We didn't make it. We were tired, sore, and had seen mountain lion tracks the entire trip.

I turned this bad boy as we approached the final ascent and descent of the last mountain — right as darkness fell. This light shot a beam so powerful I could see all the way to the top of the mountain. On the way down I could adjust the focus and scatter the light to make sure that each step was secure.

Yes, it was heavy for a headlamp, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have had my own for a few years now and the review has held true during that entire time. Long burn time with interchangeable rechargeable batteries, bright on "beam mode," easy to use and durable.

BEST. HEADLAMP. PERIOD.

This is a great lamp. It has a voltage regulator chip in it so you can use rechargable batteries so that you don't end up throwing away half-used batteries after overnight trips (most LED headlamps use resisters, which cut the voltage too much when using the lower-voltage rechargables), and because it uses AA batteries, battery life is great.

The beam pattern is adjustable for "tight" to "scattered" by twisting the headlamp lens, and the headlamp pivots up and down to adjust for trailfinding. The imperfections in the reflector where the three small LED's go through it add just enough light scatter that you can see your feet while pathfinding with the big LED, and the three small LED's give great battery life for use in your tent or around camp.

The only real downside is that the three AA batteries makes this a heavy headlamp. Well, and after close to two years of use the pushbutton switch quit working, but considering that I used this for everything (even for working on my car and motorcycle -- much more convenient and put more light where my eyes needed it than conventional "work lights"!), it's hard to fault the headlamp for that.

In the end, the size, weight, and bulk are the only reason I give it 4 stars. They make it more of a car-camping light than a backpacking light -- nothing wrong with that, but this is a backpacking site!

Have owned this headlamp for almost four years and have used it on my oyster lease during cold winter nights, taken it on numerous hikes and treks and it has travelled around the world for 15 months! I took it back for a warranty repair because the rubber cord that houses the wires had pulled from the lamp exposing the wires and compromising water-tightness (this is most likely a result of pulling the light out of a tightly-packed backpack). Princeton Tec simply gave me a new light, which I didn't think was necessary but appreciated it very much! It is good advice to have a small bag to put your light in to avoid pulling on exposed cords when retrieving from bags and backpacks.

It has been a sturdy and reliable light as I certainly abused it. Princeton Tec honoured their warranty, no questions asked, and although a basic model without brightness settings on the two lighting types, it is priced right. Not sure if they make this model anymore but the Yukon HL is the newer version which my girlfriend has.

Owned and operated for a little over a year...stopped using after the cable from the power supply to light started to short out. Sent for warranty repair...lost in transit.

Light was used in all weather in all seasons in a northern Canadian climate for inline skating (extreme skating even).

The light never leaked...the light cast a true white light for the life of the batteries (the smaller leds cast a blue light not good for skating at all...good for visibility lighting...better if they would strobe).

In complete darkness the 1 watt bulb provided resolution of pebbles 1 (one) inch in diameter at a distance of about 4m...good for slow speed skating .

Battery placement left the batteries open to cold winds...zapping energy and burn time in climate used.

Replaced with 3 watt Petzl Myobelt XP using single led with three power settings, diffuser, strobe feature and remote battery pack.

This light is a GREAT value. My experience with this company and their product was similar to the first reviewer. I would highly recommend any product Princeton Tec sells on the basis of their excellent customer service.

Great product, almost as bright as my Petzl MYO 5 on Xenon. All LEDs are awesome. Very comfortable. Easy on/off button. Great battery life. Great headlamp.