The
Petzl Tikkina is the best value in small headlamps we have seen. For only twenty dollars you get solid light performance and one of the longest battery lives we tested. This headlamp went on and on and while many headlamps fell short of battery life claims, this one outperformed what Petzl said it could do. This headlamp greatly outscored any other headlamps that was $20 or less.
It was not surprising that the more expensive Petzl Tikka headlamps scored higher. The
Petzl Tikka XP 2 had better spot light, close proximity light (due to the diffuser) and comes with a red light option. However, the Tikkina battery lasted longer and overall performed in the same league at about a third the price. Surprisingly, the Tikkina scored higher than the more expensive
Petzl Tikka Plus 2 due to it's longer battery life.
The main competion for the Tikkina is the
Princeton Tec Fuel which is only $7 more expensive but scored higher in most categories except battery life. We recommend the Fuel if you are more active at night. But if you getting this lamp as a backup just in case you are out late or for car camping, the long battery life and solid performance of the Tikkina make it hard to beat for the money.
