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Princeton Tec Sync Review

A well made light at an attractive price, but lacks the that similarly priced performance competitors offer
Princeton Tec Sync
Photo: Abriah Wofford
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Price:  $30 List | $27.18 at Amazon
Pros:  Inexpensive, easy to use, excellent close proximity optics
Cons:  Short beam throw, cannot be operated one-handed
Manufacturer:   Princeton Tec
By RJ Spurrier ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 28, 2018
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55
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#16 of 27
  • Trail Finding - 35% 3
  • Close Proximity - 20% 8
  • Battery Life - 15% 6
  • Weight - 15% 6
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7

Our Verdict

With a red light, spot mode, floodlight, and good battery life, the Princeton Tec Sync is a full featured light that is high quality, selling for $30 list. The Sync offers strong close proximity performance, with a nicely wide and evenly lit beam. But, higher performing products such as the Black Diamond Astro and Best Buy winning Petzl Tikkina offer better value for 33% lower price.

New 200 Lumen Sync Announced — Summer 2018
Princeton Tec is rolling out a new version of the Sync that offers significantly better performance with 200 lumen power which could make it much more competitive.

Compare to Similar Products

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Princeton Tec Sync
This Product
Princeton Tec Sync
Awards  Editors' Choice Award  Best Buy Award  
Price $27.18 at Amazon$39.95 at REI$29 List$19.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$19.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
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Pros Inexpensive, easy to use, excellent close proximity opticsExcellent spot light capability, wide evenly lit flood beam, above average in most waysGood performance for the price, 94 meter beam throw, easy to useSuper easy to use, inexpensive, solid performance, compact, and reliableLightweight, small size, excellent flood beam, great price
Cons Short beam throw, cannot be operated one-handedBelow average battery life, claimed battery life is wildly misleading, single button hard to use, lame waterproofingAverage in most waysGood but not great spot beam for trail finding, slightly below average flood beam opticsToo weak a beam for trail finding or distance viewing
Bottom Line A well made light at an attractive price, but lacks the that similarly priced performance competitors offerA quality, durable, and bright light that hits the sweet spot for most people's needs, despite dubious marketing claimsThe Yalumi is a good light, at a good price, that provides basic functionalityFor $20, the Tikkina offers impressive performance at a great price, that will meet most people's needsOffers great close proximity lighting at a budget price
Rating Categories Princeton Tec Sync Black Diamond Spot Yalumi LED 140-Lumen Petzl Tikkina Black Diamond Astro
Trail Finding (35%)
3.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
3.0
Close Proximity (20%)
8.0
9.0
5.0
4.0
7.0
Battery Life (15%)
6.0
4.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Weight (15%)
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Ease Of Use (15%)
7.0
6.0
9.0
10.0
9.0
Specs Princeton Tec Sync Black Diamond Spot Yalumi LED 140-Lumen Petzl Tikkina Black Diamond Astro
Measured Beam Distance 31 m 94 m 94 m 62 m 38 m
Claimed Distance 38 m 80 m 90 m 55 m 35 m
Measured High Mode Run-time (ANSI) 20.5 hrs 2.9 hrs 4.3 hrs 3.5 hrs 4.8 hrs
Claimed High Mode Run-time 97 hrs 30 hrs Not specified 60 hrs 20 hrs
Measured Low Mode Run-time 74 hrs 9.7 hrs 47 hrs 223 hrs 95 hrs
Claimed Low Mode Run-time 113 hrs 175 hrs 100 hrs 220 hrs 80 hrs
Measured Weight 3 oz, 86 g 3.1 oz, 89 g 2.7 oz, 77 g 2.9 oz, 83 g 3 oz, 86 g
Battery Type 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA
Water Resistance no data found Splash proof (dubious IPX8 claim) IPX4 splash proof IPX4 splash proof IPX4 splash proof
Manuf Claimed Lumens 150 lumens 300 lumens 140 lumens 150 lumens 150 lumens
Beam Type flood/spot flood/spot flood/spot flood flood, dimmable
Red Light yes yes yes no no
On Switch Lock yes yes no no yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

Princeton Tec makes a plethora of lighting products. Distinguishing between them can be difficult. The Sync seems to hit a sweet spot in their line-up, with long battery life and multiple modes available at a very reasonable price and with perfectly acceptable weight and bulk.

Performance Comparison


Photo: Abriah Wofford

Trail Finding


While the bulb is far from the brightest in our test, throwing a beam just 31m, the lenses on the Sync make the most of it and send an even, usable beam that entire distance.


Beam Distance Photos
Beam photo of Princeton Tec Sync
Beam photo of Petzl Tikkina

Princeton Tec Sync
Petzl Tikkina

Close Proximity


Every tester appreciated the smooth, even light of the close-up functions on the Sync. The only negative comment we have is that the high-profile housing sticks out into the upper periphery of the users' view.


Battery Life


Lasting 20.5 hours in our ANSI High Mode Run time test, and 74 hours in our low mode test, the Sync offers better than average battery life performance.


Photo: Abriah Wofford

Weight


At 86g, the Sync is a lightweight product, a bit better than average.


Ease of Use


Of the models with multiple modes, the Sync is the most obvious to use. With 5 light types and levels, the rotating switch leaves the user with clear instruction on how to choose the next level. This system is indeed much clearer than the one-button, multiple-press method that other products use. However, this rotating switch is basically impossible to use with one hand. Changing modes requires one hand to stabilize and another to turn the switch.

Photo: Abriah Wofford

Conclusion


This is a good headlamp for occasional camping use. If don't you need to see long distances, and want a light that won't require frequent battery changes, this could be a good choice. Overall, while it doesn't offer nearly as many modes, we feel the Petzl Tikkina is a far better value in this size range.

— RJ Spurrier