Thanks to kindness of Princeton Tec and Specshop.pl companies we have received APEX flashlights.We think it is hardly possible to find better opportunity for tests of such piece of equipment than orienteering polar race - Expedition Amundsen 2015. This ultramarathon takes place on the highest plateau in Europe - Handagervidda. The major part of plateau is the national park and there Amundsen himself was getting prepared to his polar expeditions.
After 48h of march, making over 100 km, "admiring" two sunsets and sunrises, surviving snow storm and freezing cold temperatures, when mercury in the termometer drops so low it almost reaches hell, we admit - headlamps passed the final exam. We consider having some experience with utilizing this gear, so we will eagerly share it and explain you our point of view.
Our first impression was more than positive - we were really surprised with the lightstream. It completely overwhelms popular tactical headlamps of competitors we used to take for such expeditions. They simply got nothing to balance this disproportion.
Flashlights are operated with two buttons - one is responsible for turning on - as we called it - "camping mode" (2x2 LEDs placed on the sides), another one turns on "marching mode" (One strong LED). First mode gives us weaker, dispersed light in three options - full power, medium power, strobo), getting switched with clicking the button. This mode did great job during any activity inside the tent, as it doesn't both blind your fellows and "overexpose" surrounding objects.
"Marching mode" on the other hands serves us with strong, concentrated lightstream from central LED. Light was visible even in the middle of the day, when sun was getting hidden behind thick layer of clouds. Flashlight gets turned off, after keeping appropriate button pressed a bit longer thann usual.
Here we have one curious phenomenon from our trip - in polar conditions, when everything around is white and there lacks main source of light coming from any direction, your eyes are unable to spot shadows. It causes difficulties in spotting three-dimensional objects. We can't see what's in front of us, can't see footprints, hills, slopes and similar attractions. It's something like reversed darkness.
It's very dangerous situation, that mustn't be neglected, as we are technically blind, despite theoretically splendid visibility. In situations like that using strong source of light is essential. You turn the light on and suddenly start to spot footprints and obstacles in small "window" created with lightstream. Situation is obviously really far from comfort, exactly as moving in deep darkness, but makes it possible to detect dangers. Polar expeditions are not romantic walks in the woods - here you have to watch literally each step and get used to numerous inconveniences.
APEX provides then strong lightsource in thr march and wide angle of light during camping. It is powered with four AA batteries used for example in GPS devices. It is really cool, as we don't need to carry millions different batteries in hundreds of standards for each one of necessary devices. Moreover this headlamp is really energy-efficient. we bet we don't need to explain how important this is for people as far away from civilization, they could operate on Mars.
To be honest we haven't checked declared water resistance (up to 1 m deep), as finding liquid water in the north of Norway is rather tricky. Nonetheless, when we got the opportunity - we will do it. Despite that, for us this headlamp is simply fabulous for marches and campings even in the hardest conditions on the planet. It's design is so clever, that huge size and weight don't cause any inconvenience for owner. Headbands place it on the head in surprisingly stable position.
Well, there were some things annoying us - first of all pointless, annoying blinking informing about batteries going dead. the same about little red LED onn the side of the headlamp body. Each experienced user knows when to replace the power source. Of course, it's good such a solution exists, than someone less savvy with hard conditions sacrificed his or her life. Nevertheless, it would be great if it could be turned off. there are people, who don't need it at all.
It is easy to mistake upper part of the headlamp with it's bottom. When you sit in the middle of bloody iceberg you got bit different worries and priorities than wondering which part of the flashlight is top and which one is not. a bit different shape of this parts could be helpful. The lack of red light letting for using the headlamp without gettting used to darkness again disturbs as well. Apart from "tactical" situations this option is sometimes useful.
Finally, it is hard to operate buttons, when hand is frozen or is placed in thick gloves, but we must admit buttons are huge and located on the lower part, so can be easily pressed using thumbs.
Taking everything into account, Princeton Tec designed really solid piece of gear, that will make it's job in hardest possible conditions. Even if it is not completly flawless it is still worth money spent on it.
If you are interested in night orienteering marches or stride frequently by night in the wild, APEX is something you look for. There is very strong reason for APEX being chosen the best one among 36 different energy-efficient headlamps with the range over 70 m by really popular outdoor magazine Fjell&Vidde.
Source:
http://www2.turistforeningen.no/article.php?fo_id=2771&ar_id=21788
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