LED Headlamp Suggestions?

I'm going to use this headlamp for night time ice climbing, and b/c fun. The light needs to be lithium battery compatible. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.
England

one with removable belt pack that you can stash inside the jacket. I have a lithium battery in my digital camera that has to be kept close to body temperature or it dies a sudden death after two or three pics in the winter. I have a Petzl Tikka that i've gotten plenty of mileage out of and with 3 AAA batteries it isn't obnoxiously heavy. It works well for night hiking in the Adirondacks.

I have the original Tikka XP and my partner just got the Tikka XP-2. The new design seems better.

Anybody use the Mammut X-zoom?

The Myo XP is more powerful than the Tikka XP. Better if you ever need to move quickly or light large areas.

I've been using the BD Icon--I have no complaints and have used it for about a year+. When it comes to LED's, however, things change rapidly. Try and stay away from the blue-tinted white lights. It is much harder to spot trails and routes since this is a lower color rendering light and many details get lost. The warmer white (3000K to 4000K) I find work the best although you loose a little efficiency as you gain a better color temperature (warm white is a blue LED with a phosphor coating, basically). I thought the ICON has a decent LED and you can also dim it for things like reading. I find you either want a nice adjustable beam pattern or you want a separate flood and a spot in one unit as these features allow for route finding (spot) plus trail hiking/reading in the tent.

I've been really happy with my Petzel Zipka and Tikka. As far as batteries are concerned, I've had brighter beams and longer life with just standard double AA's (dura or eng). My lithiums were always running low, so I went back to regular batteries. Haven't change them since.

The petzl tikka series is a great all arounder. I have two. One that lives on my helmet for surprise nightfall and one that I stick in my pocket if I know I will be benighted. Its a PITA to change a headlamp battery in the dark.

Anyway, batteries last a long time. If you want somethign with a lot of throw, though, you might look at one that has a halogen or battery pack.

Evan

Ive been using the Mammut tx1, its a pretty sweet light. 3 levels of brightness, with the brightest being BRIGHT! Ive worn it biking on occasion and the rear pointing red leds come in handy there. I also like that you can swivel the head backwards to protect the lens while its being crushed in the bottom of your pack.

Ive had it for a few months and so far so good with reliabilty but to me it just doesnt feel super solid. The plastic seems kinda chinsy, and the "clip" that holds the battery cable onto the side was beyond worthless (I easily replaced the clip with one off an older petzl).
So we will see how it lasts, Ive got my fingers crossed because I really do like its performance.

As for who ever asked about the xzoom. A partner of mine had one on a recent trip and I can tell you it is WAY bright! Very handy for tring to find the trail that doesnt exist after a long 14 hour day.

I've used the Princeton Tech EOS and now EOS II for years. It runs AAA lithiums like champ. I'll be taking it on the Iditarod in Feb.

I just got a Petzl Tikka 2 XP last week and I really like it. I've used it ice climbing a couple of nights and it worked great, much brighter than the last version of the Tikka. It has a flip up lens so you can switch between wide angle and spot which also comes in handy.

I've been eyeing the Tikka 2 XP myself because it has a built in red LED among other things. The red LED makes it super nice for around camp at night, or back country hut use. The other thing the Petzl Tikka series has going for it is the Adaptikka kit which has all sorts of nifty mount options ( petzl.com/us/outdoor/headla… ).

Petzl Tikka XP is ballin'! Just sayin.

Thanks everybody!! I think I will check out the Tikka 2 XP, and Plesko's suggestion of the Princeton Tech ESO II.

Princeton Tech Apex or Apex Pro (one uses camera batteries, the other AA's) - easy buttons to operate with gloves, 3 different settings and very bright. They do also have a model with the removable battery pack that you can stash in your pocket if you prefer going that route.

I tried the Mammut tx1 - the bright setting is a seemingly small spotlight compared to the Princeton Tech - and the button is horrible to try to operate even with only a thin glove liner on. I ended up returning it and buying the Princeton Tech.

I have the regular Tikka, and the Princeton EOS. The EOS is a winner by several miles... it's a little heavier but built better and has three levels of illumination. I don't know about the other Tikka models.

I got the EOS much cheaper than retail on ebay, If I remember right it was around $29 shipped

Check out the Surefire Saint or Saint Minimus. Surefire is a HIGH END lighting company that really engineers their kit. They cater to professionals in in industries where light=life. They are spendy but nice; have multi battery [lithums/AA] capability and the best quality LED light in the business. Im saving my pennies.

I really like the BD Icon for overall use. If you get the rechargeable battery pack it is an awesome long lasting light. you plug it in to the wall when you get home and pick it up on the way out the door the next morning. Just like your cell phone. It throws a great beam that you can climb or ski with. I have been using mine pretty much 4 mornings a week for over a year now and love the fact that I haven't had to throw away one set of batteries. BD makes a car charger for it too. If you are out on a trip it takes 3 regular AA batteries...

My understanding about Lithium batteries is that they are great for cameras and such but don't give you any edge over regular batteries when it comes to lights... They are lighter but way more expensive.

+1 for the Tikka Plus. lightweight, simple, inexpensive

+1 for the Princeton Tec Apex. I just bought one and have only used it a few time but its super bright (130 lums). A little heavy with 4AAA but if you need to see any distance, where the Tikka fails, I vote for the apex.