PRINCETON TEC YUKON HL

Princeton Tec Yukon HL, retail $43.99 ()
Manufactured by Princeton Tec (www.princetontec.com)
Last updated 06-06-04




The Princeton Tec Yukon HL is a medium-sized headlamp with a 3-point elastic strap, and four LEDs (one Luxeon and three 5mm whites) to produce its light. A stippled (textured) reflector directs the Luxeon's light forward. The Yukon HL has its battery pack on the back, so it doesn't feel front-heavy when in use. Speaking of battery packs, the Yukon HL feeds from three AA cells.

A more careful examination reveals that the Yukon HL uses a SE (side emitting) Luxeon LED, so it is more optimised to use the stippled reflector than a HD (high dome) or LD (low dome) Luxeon LED is.


SIZE



To use the Yukon HL, feed it first (see below), and then you'll be ready to rock.

To turn on the Luxeon LED, press and release the black rubbery switch on the top of the light's head once. Press and release it again to turn it off.
To turn on the three 5mm LEDs, press and release the switch a third time. To turn them off, press and release the switch again.
Just like the back of the shampoo bottle reads: lather, rinse, repeat. In other words, a fifth press of the switch will turn the Luxeon LED on.

I don't review many headlamps here, so please forgive me if I make some eggregious error in describing a strap or a buckle.

Test-fit the Yukon HL to your head first. If it's too loose or too tight, you can adjust the strap length of both the horizontal and vertical straps with the buckles on them. The straps are removeable if desired (or for cleaning); the attachment points for them on the battery box and on the head have an opening in the center expressly for this purpose. The wire leading to the battery pack is secured to the right-hand side of the horizontal strap with two grey clips; you can remove the clips from the strap or remove the wire from the clips to accomplish this.


The PT Yukon HL on a flashlight tester's head.
I really need to get a Foam Head Fred, like you see on Flashlightreviews.com.

Once you have the Yukon HL fitted to your head, you can adjust the angle of it by pivoting the light head up or down as you see fit.



To change the batteries in your Yukon HL, find the battery pack and orient it so the grey portion faces up and the black latch faces toward you. Using a very large standard screwdriver or a butterknife, slip the end of the blade into the curved opening next to the latch, and twist. Doesn't matter which direction. Your goal here is to pop the battery latch open. Once the latch pops open (it will emit a loud "click" kind of sound), lift the latch up, and swing the battery door open.

If there are any batteries inside the battery chamber, remove them and dispose of or recycle them as you see fit.

Insert three new AA cells into the chamber, orienting the flat end (-) negative of each cell with the spring for it in its compartment. Once the battery chamber is full (3 cells), swing the lid closed, and snap the latch into place. You'll know it's all the way closed because the latch will emit a loud snapping sound when it is pushed shut.

Current measurements are:
1 Luxeon LED: 360mA
3 5mm LEDs: 350mA (116.7mA apiece!)

Both measurements were taken on my DMM's 20A scale to help minimise shunt resistance error.

There is a platinum catalyst pellet in the battery compartment; this is there to help absorb hydrogen gas that the batteries may generate. If the battery compartment becomes flooded with water, it is recommended that you replace this catalyst pellet before using your Yukon HL again. The pellet is located under the (+) terminal of the first battery; I don't readily see a way to remove and replace it; I guess some experimentation is in order here.



The Yukon HL appears to be a durable, well-made instrument. I whacked it 10 times (5 on the head, and 5 on the battery pack) against a steel rod, and caused no damage that I could see, and did not cause any malfunctions of any type. I also threw it to the floor a few times (with batteries installed), and again, did not damage it in any fashion.

I believe it is water-resistant at very minimum. There's an O-ring between the body and lid of the battery carriage, and another O-ring on the light's head where the bezel screws onto the head. I haven't thrown it in the {vulgar term for feces}bowl yet, but I'll do the dunk test when I get time. At any rate, it should do just fine when used in the rain or snow. I don't think you'll have any problems with water, but like the old saying goes, better safe than sorry.
According to the package, I believe it is submersible to 12" (1 foot).

The beam that comes from the Luxeon SE LED iis a bright, very slightly purplish white color, and has a somewhat star-shaped hotspot, with a much dimmer, but still usable corona outside that.

With the three 5mm LEDs activated, it produces a bluish white hotspot with a soft fall-off toward the edges. The beam picture with the three 5mm LEDs activated (see below) pretty much tells the story here.



Beam photo at ~12", 1 Luxeon SE LED.




Beam photo at ~12", 3 5mm LEDs.

Measures 865,000mcd with the Luxeon LED.
Measures 51,600mcd with the three 5mm LEDs.

Both measurements were taken on a Meterman LM631 light meter.







TEST NOTES:
Test sample was purchased on Ebay, and was received on 05-28-04. The link I used is right here. When the link expires on 08-23-04, use the View seller's other items link instead; and see if this seller is still offering the Yukon HL.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:
No incandescent bulbs to blow out
Uses batteries that are common and relatively inexpensive
Waterproof and submersible to 1 foot


CONS:
5mm LEDs use almost as much current as the Luxeon LED


    MANUFACTURER: Princeton Tec
    PRODUCT TYPE: Medium-sized headlamp
    LAMP TYPE: 1.2 watt Luxeon SE LED, 5mm white LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 4 (1 Luxeon, 3 5mm white LEDs)
    BEAM TYPE: Varies depending on which mode you're using
    SWITCH TYPE: Pushbutton on/off/mode change on top of light
    BEZEL: 5mm LEDs, Luxeon LED, and reflector protected by plastic window
    BATTERY: 3 AA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 360mA (Luxeon LED) 350mA (5mm LEDs)
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: Yes, I believe to 1 foot
    ACCESSORIES: Batteries
    WEIGHT: ~8oz. with batteries
    WARRANTY: Lifetime

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star RatingStar Rating





Princeton Tec Yukon HL * www.princetontec.com






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