Petzl E48 PBY Zipka Plus 4-LED Headlamp, Black and Yellow
by Petzl
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Petzl E48 PBY Zipka Plus 4-LED Headlamp, Black and Yellow
Customer Review: Useful for so many things, but expensive
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great little light. It's so small, light, and convenient I even find myself using it in stituations where I'd thought about using a flashlight in the past but didn't want to bother. Here are a few examples of when I've used it:
- I've used it when I'm working in the attic so I don't have to lug a flashlight with me while I'm crawling around. (I have a very low attic. You either crawl or walk like a duck when you're up there, so carrying things is very inconvenient.) There are three brightness settings, and I found that even the dimmest was sufficient for use in the attic at night, with the only other light source being a bulb at the other end of the house, and its light is blocked by ventilation ducts where I was working.
- I've used it when fiddling around the back side of my audio system so I can see the connectors on the backs of components. It's pretty dark back there between the shelves.
- It's handy when you need to peer into a small opening and want the light shining along the same line as your line of sight. It's so small you can actually hold it between your eyes for the most direct light possible. (Try it the next time you want to look in your kid's ear. ;-)
- It's great for cleaning. I found when using it to do some other things, like making changes to my audio system, that I could see dust and dirt that I normally couldn't see, so after I was done with the original job I used it to help me do some thorough cleaning. You'd be surprised how much dirt hides in the shadows.
- As a handheld flashlight. With the "headband" retracted, the whole thing is no bigger than a very small flashlight and it's easy to hold.
This thing is useful pretty much any place there isn't a lot of light and your eyes are open. ;-)
My only real complaints:
- The beam is angled down. Either the makers expect you to be looking down with your eyes all the time or it's apparently designed to be worn at the top of your forehead. In the middle of my forehead, where I'd prefer to wear it, the light point downs about 45 degrees. To get the beam to go out closer to my normal line of sight I have to wear it up at my hairline, which feels a bit odd. The Tikka Plus has a tilt feature, but I haven't tried it so I can't comment on how useful that would be. The tradeoff there, of course, is that you give up the retractable cord for a full fledged headband.
- I think it's overpriced. $39.95 just seems like a lot for what's here, even though it's nice. I'm thinking it should be $20 tops given that you can buy a 9-LED flashlight with an aluminum housing for $5: Super-Bright 9 LED Heavy-Duty Compact Aluminum Flashlight - Jet Black.
Oh, and although I ordered this item, the one that came was black and red, not black and yellow.
Customer Review: Head of the Class
Summary: 5 Stars
I love the strap mechanism. It's nice to not worry about sweaty, bulky headbands. I initially worried about the spring mechanism wearing out, but I've owned a similar model, the E44P, for 3 or 4 years with no problems. I'm upgrading from the E44P because this model improves on 1) 4 vs. 3 LEDs, 2) 4 power modes instead of 1, and 3) water resistance.
This model's lowest brightness setting is about as bright as my old E44P and at the highest brightness setting, brighter than any headlamp I've seen in this price range. The water resistance is basically just splash resistance, but at least it's something. On the older model, the sliding switch was an open door for moisture. This model, the E48P, has a push-button switch that is much more resistant to moisture. The seal with the battery door, however, is not going to keep water out if you're in a consistent downpour. A rubber gasket would have been nice.
I love this headlamp. I loved the older model, too. It's just that this is model is a great improvement in many ways. Oh, it also has a larger lip under the lamps which helps a little bit in keeping potential light spill out of your eyes. Great for the workshop (I use it when soldering or fixing PCs) and great for camping (it's nice to have both hands free, especially if you have kids). A real outdoorsman will probably want something a bit more robust (and expensive). Another nice touch is the availability of replacement lenses, including a 3-pack of colored lenses. I don't know what you'd use any color except red for, but it was nice to have available. I had to replace the lens after an air vent and various debris came crashing down on my head. Nothing broke (on me or the lamp), but the lens popped off and I never found it in all the mess.
Customer Review: Serious Petzl Fan!
Summary: 5 Stars
When my Petzl Tikka with a full headband got sucked up into the void that is my closet, right before a 2 week camping trip, I raced out and bought a retractable Zipka headlamp and haven't looked back. My boyfriend immediately adopted the old one when we got back.
Five years later, I added the Zipka Plus to my collection because I like having a red lens sometimes. It's not hard to take the lens off but I switch between the two often.
For camping I like the red lens because you keep your night-vision and it's less obtrusive. I keep it on my wrist when not in use. At home I use the Zipka Plus with a clear lens for reading in bed and anything else one might need a flashlight for. Living in Hurricane country we use our headlamps far more often then we'd like to but it also makes it a much more valuable Christmas present!
You can purchase an extra set of lens filters, it comes in a pack of three, red, green and clear or you can do what I did and just take a red Sharpie to it. The effect is exactly the same. Test out the color change on a piece of plastic wrap first just in case you don't like it. FYI Alcohol and a little baking soda can take the ink off of most plastics if you want to change it back.
Some models have issues with flickering or shutting off. I had this happen with my Tikka after about 4 years of heavy use (5 to 10 hours a week). I changed the batteries which aleviated the problem for a while but I found that I kept changing batteries before the light was dimming, then I used a contact cleaner/lube, problem solved!
I would definately recommend this product, you can't beat the price and versatility.
Customer Review: proved it is worth every penny
Summary: 5 Stars
After minimal research, I bought this headlamp at least 4 years ago for my husband as a unique gift. It has been worth EVERY penny, and has become one of his prized tool possessions. He does HVAC service, and needed a strong light that he would not have to hold in his hand. Thanks to the little zip cord (instead of a bulky headband) this unit is small enough for him to just slip into his pocket like small change, and therefore he ALWAYS has it with him. Though he tries to keep it dry, he has had to use it in all sorts of weather. He is not purposely rough with it, but he does carry it in his pocket all the time, and has dropped it or dropped things on it numerous times. The lights are brightest when the batteries are fresh, but it will perform adequately for MONTHS of everyday use on a set of batteries. While I got it for him with the idea that he would use it for work, having it with him all the time has allowed it to evolve into much more than that:
--He wears it when he runs outside in the dark to grab an armload of firewood, or to get the mail at the end of our long driveway.
--I use it when trying to read maps or books when riding with him in the dark.
--He uses it when working in any dark or dim setting, like under the hood of the car, or in a cabinet under the sink, or in a closet or shed
--It becomes simply a flashlight that he has ALL the time
Just remember to ALWAYS use two hands to remove it from your head, just like the instructions tell you.
There are very few things that my husband has appreciated--at any price--like this little gadget.
Customer Review: Compact and bright
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had this little light since Dec 2007. It's now Dec 2010.
I couldn't be happier with this little light. It's bright and the battery life lasts a very long time.
I've used infrequently, totaling perhaps a few hours a month. I've only used it on the lowest setting
as it's bright enough for whatever I needed to do. From reading to installing computer parts to looking
for things in my closet I've never used this on the highest setting as low was always bright enough.
After 3 years I've yet to change the batteries.
I've read the other reviews and never had the problem with it shutting off. What I did notice though is
that it was a real pain to get batteries in because it's such a tight fit and when I finally got them in
there's a slight gap in the case but that hasn't affected my light in any way.
No complaints except for the price. I'm only doing this review because I was going through my old
emails and came upon this in a 3 year old "Review your recent purchase" mail and happen to be wearing
my light right now. I'd bought this for $25 during a lightning deal or a deal of the day and that's a
perfect price point for it, but 3 years later it's still $40 so -1 star for price.