Rating -4.5 Stars = Highly Recommended Best in mediumweight Class

Petzl "Vertex Vent" Helmet provided by: RescueDirect.com

Description.

The Princeton Tec Apex is rare in it's class in that it sports a waterproof LED headlamp design,. With its four light levels, safety flash mode, and impact-resistant design, the Apex is an ideal headlamp for personal use as well as SAR & CERT. The Apex combines a regulated three-watt Maxbright LED with four regulated Ultrabright LEDs, for Constant Brightness on all modes. Switching modes is accomplished through the dual switch system allowing users to independently control the lighting from the MaxbrightLuxeon LED, and the wide-angle, close-range lighting from the four Ultrabright LEDs. Proprietary heatsink technology allows the LEDs to burn brighter and longer. The Apex is compatible with alkaline, lithium, and rechargeable batteries

Features

• One Luxeon III LED + Four Ultrabright 5mm LEDs
• Runtime-1 hr 44 min to 50% on High with alkaline cells (Advertised)
• Weight - 279g
• Two dual mode switches
• Low battery indicator LED
• High electrical and optical efficiency make the most of your batteries (96% electrical efficiency from 7.2V, 93% from 12V)
• Case Material-ABS & Elastomer
• Case Features-90ºpivoting head, removable top strap, fully adjustable straps
• Case Access Type-Slide out locking battery tray
• Switch Type-Two dual mode click switches
• Photon management-collimating optic for Luxeon &Integrated In Optic for 5mm LEDs
• Beam Types- Medium combination
• Power -4 x AA alkaline, NiMH, NiCad, or 1.5V Lithium
• Environmental Protection .........Gasket Seals - Dunkable
• Warranty-Limited Lifetime

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Sales Source: http://www.rescuedirect.com
Retail Price:Price: $60.00
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Evaluation Results & Conclusions...

Ease of Use
Good . Requires very little learning if any. Functional model is easy to learn and to remember. Little cognitive overhead .Once the battery carrier has been loaded with fresh AA Batteries.Note: AA Batteries are universally the most common battery type and a good choice from the point of view of standardization and interoperability. The Apex is donned and activation is simply a matter of pressing either the left side switch for Full power Luxeon III or using the right hand switch for the 5mm LED's. In either case a second quick pressing switches mode to the Low setting. A third pressing of the right switch puts the 5mm LEDs into a slow flash mode. In the case of either switch, a sustained pressing will turn the light off. In the case of either switch, pressing the opposite switch will simultaneously turn the active light off and turn the inactive one on. This type of flexibility has some utility as the operator may want to manage beam output and battery drainage with flexibility. Changing batteries is simple and the water-tightness of the Apex affords a lot of confidence in the seals. The only problem we encountered was that the switch was not as quick to operate with gloved hands as some other designs available
4.5 points
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Task performance optimization
Very Good. The Apex effectively accomplishes the task of illuminating subjects for the purpose of identification or for illuminating a passageway hands free. Its usable range is up to150' indoors at full power with Luxeon III selected.The maximum usable range outdoors is between 12'5 and 200' depending on topography and reflective surfaces around.. The beam pattern is a moderately wide corona with soft spot in the center. The Apex provides sufficient hands free illumination for reading close up or for navigation and spotting at medium distances. It's an excellent all around headlamp that allows it's user to successfully illuminate work sites that may be damp or at risk of flamability. While not in the welterweight class, it nonetheless feels negligible on helmets and provides one of the most comfortable head worn light experiences- due to very good attention to ergonomics and anthropomorphics.The neutral to coldish hues of the Luxeon as well as 5mm LEDs are less than ideal for navigation or searching in environs containing particulate matter. but they are servicable for most close-up tasks.
4.5 Points
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Durability
Long term and stress tests have been performed. Our first impressions are that in normal use the Apex is very durable for moderate use. Testing over a period of five months has proven the Apex to be a respectable occupant in the gear bag of any professional that must risk life and limb to help others in disasterous situations.The use of polymers makes it less prone to damage from impact than many lights currently on the market. Unfortunately, plastic is prone to some damage both from intense heat as well as shock, and we would only recommend the Apex in less than the higherst class of risk for first responders. It is an excellent choice for the citizen as well as occassional SAR/CERT operator.
4 points
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Brightness Settings Summary