UPDATE: About a week after this review was posted, this headlamp bit the dust. It ate through batteries in less than a day... I tried to troubleshoot the headlamp some, but to no avail.... I would have to say that for long term use, save your cash and look some other brands. We aren't the only ones who've had this problem either. I guess the adage that "you get what you pay for" rings true! Headlamps are probably one of the most under rated pieces of equipment that a person can carry while backpacking or hiking. Whether you are night hiking, spelunking, or just lost a headlamp can really save you in a lot of ways. Today we take a look at the Foxelli 165L Lightweight Headlamp. Here are some of the specs from their website: • Wide range of light modes • Maximum 165LM up to 50 meters • Average 80LM up to 35 meters • Minimum 40LM up to 15 meters • Red Light + SOS modes • Constructed of tough, high-quality, lightweight materials • Weighs only 3.2 ounces, making it a perfect running headlamp • Water Resistance rating of IPX5 (protection from 6.3mm spray of water in any direction for at least 3 minutes - does not include salt spray or high alkalinity fluids) • Cold and impact resistant • IPX5, CE, Rohs certified PLUS they offer a 90 day 100% satisfaction guarantee. It appears that Foxelli only offers two headlamps in the gear lineup but hey, why not just be really good at a couple things than ok at a bunch? We are happy to report that we are completely satisfied with this headlamp. It comes nicely packaged like any other headlamp with it's own AAA batteries and headband. Putting the headband on was simple and straightforward. One REALLY neat feature is the emergency whistle that is built into the headband. While most backpacks nowadays have them, it didn't add any weight, and you never know when you'd need it. The headlamp only has one button that operates both the white LED and the red light. It has a strobe, and SOS mode as well as high, medium, and low. Performance wise, this light performed as good as, and better than some of the others we have tested. My current go-to was the Princeton Tec Sync but it is only a 90 lumen light. Now 90 lumens should be plenty for most applications (midnight pee in the woods, miscellaneous household uses), but sometimes it just feels better to have more!
The run time of this lamp seems to be on par with others of a higher price that take similar batteries (PT Sync, Energizer, Bushnell). We haven't run them out yet, but really haven't noticed much of a drain while running it on high for every use. It claims 45 hours of burn time and we don't see it coming up too short of that. Claimed weight is 3.2 oz, so it certainly isn't the lightest headlamp available but it really isn't the heaviest either. We found it to be a nice in between and really aren't terribly concerned about the weight category. This also has an IPX5 waterproof certification so don't expect this guy to hold up being completely submersed but it should be fine if you're caught in a shower (or five). The beam that the headlamp puts out seems quite wide, which is why we'd guess that the 165 lumens is only rated to go 50 meters on high. The PT Sync is rated to cast light at around 35 meters on high, and the PT Vizz claims 78 meters on it's Maxbright setting. So we are happy to say that this little guy, again, falls right in the middle. The red light mode seems to put out about the same light as any other lamp that offers a red light. I personally don't use it that much but some, like my wife, use it all the time. We have a handful of headlamps including everything from the top name brands down to the cheap-o Walmart/Academy headlamps and this little fella holds it's own right at the top. You won't be disappointed if you decide to grab one and at Amazon you can snag it for $24.97. This has officially moved it's way to the top of our grab pile as a great go-to headlamp! If we have any issues with it's performance or waterproofness, we will update accordingly, but we don't forsee any issues! *Foxelli offered a headlamp at a discounted price. This did not influence our review in any way and the headlamp was purchased using our own funds.
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