Application: Gerber Triode headlamp (amytys)

I am applying to test the Gerber Triode headlamp.

I have read the BackpackGearTest survival guide, ver. 1202, and agree 
to fully comply with the rules outlined within.  I have also signed, 
sealed, and delivered the tester contract, and have received 
verification that my contract has been received.

Date of App     09/16/2005

Personal biographical information:

Name                    Andrew Mytys
Age                     33
Gender                  Male
Height                  6'1" (183 cm)
Weight                  165 lbs (75 kg)
Head Circumference      23 1/4 inches (59 cm) 
E-mail                  amytys (at) highstream (dot) net
Location                S/E Michigan


Why I would like to participate in this test:

I believe that this is one of those great items that many BGT testers 
overlook due to it not having the WOW! factor of competing items, 
like the GoLite Feather sleeping bag or some fancy, high priced 
raingear - so it lines up well with my M.O. :)

Seriously, I think that this is a pretty slick item.

First, it promises to deliver a LOT of light in a small, lightweight 
package while doing away with the high-priced proprietary battery 
that similar lights, such as the Black Diamond ION, require.

Second, as a lightweight/ultralight backpacker the headlamp seems 
extremely flexible to my concerns with weight - I'm not sure if the 
light module is removable from the headstrap or not, but considering 
that the light can "clip comfortably and easily to your cap or vest" 
I have high hopes (it appears that the light module can simply be 
slid off the headstrap when undone).  Heck, the stock package, 
including headstrap, seems to be pretty lightweight on its own.

Third, the light has multiple illumination settings, meaning that I 
might be able to wear it in a group setting without everyone throwing 
their arms up like vampires seeing a cross whenever I gaze their way.


Field information:

If selected to test the Gerber Triode headlamp, I would be using it 
while either dayhiking or backpacking. With winter being just around 
the corner, the days are already noticeably shorter and I'm already 
finding myself on the trail before sunup and after the sun has set.

I'll use headlamp both on the trail and in camp.  While used on the 
trail, the light will be exposed to moisture in the form of rain, 
sleet, and snow.  I would use the headlamp both with the headstrap, 
as well as clipping the light to various items.

Test locations would include Michigan (both lower and upper 
peninsulas), specifically The Waterloo and Pinckney State Recreation 
Areas, The North Country Trail, and various State and National 
Forests within Michigan.  

Uninterrupted time in the field would range anywhere from 2 to 5 
days.  Temperatures are expected to range between 10 F (-12 C) and 75 
F (24 C).  Elevations would range from around 300 to around 1,500 
feet (90-450 meters).


Specific trip plans include:

October 6-10 - During this time, I plan to either attend ALDHA or, if 
I can't get together a carpool of fun people, turn this into a 
weekend trip (Oct 7-9) in Michigan.  The plan is to only show up for 
Andy Skurka's presentation of his Sea2Sea hike, using the remaining 
time for peak bagging in New Hampshire's high country.

October 15, 29th - 20+ (32+ km) mile dayhike in the Waterloo 
Recreation Area.

November 8-13 - From November 8-11, I will be hiking along Michigan's 
North Country Trail for about 75 miles (120 km).  I will be hiking 
into White Cloud, MI, where there a gathering of local Michigan 
hikers (greatlakeshikes (GLH) Yahoo! group) is commencing.  The 
Gathering will include dayhikes of 6-12 miles (10-20 km) on both 
Saturday and Sunday.

December 2-4 - GLH Winter Gathering, Waterloo Recreation Area.  This 
event will include dayhikes of 6-12 miles (10-20 km) each day, in the 
Waterloo Recreation Area.

December 21st - GLH Winter Solstice Death March - location to be 
determined, but it will be a dayhike of anywhere from 20-25 miles in 
length (32-40 km).

January 13-16 - Winter outing, location to be determined.


Test Plan:

I plan to use the headlamp as my sole in-field light source for the 
duration of the testing period.  It will be used in all sorts of 
field conditions, as described above.

Questions and issues that I will be addressing fall into multiple 
categories, including:

Construction - I would evaluate the headlamp's construction, 
including such details as headstrap material, stitching, attachment 
of the battery compartment's door, design of the "tilt" mechanism, 
etc.  I would also comment as to whether the light module can be 
easily detached from the headstrap or not.  

Access - I would evaluate all aspects of access, including if the 
light was easy to turn on and off and if illumination levels were 
easy to adjust while the headlamp was being worn, in addition to 
commenting on how field-maintainable the headlamp was in terms of 
access to the battery - are any special tools needed to change the 
headlamp's battery?  As much of my testing will be in cold-weather 
conditions, general use will also be evaluated while wearing 
gloves/mittens of various thicknesses.

Navigation - I'm interested in seeing how well the headlamp 
illuminates the trail in front of me, and also areas that are off-
trail while bushwhacking.  The headlamp is advertised as "casting a 
wash of light out some 50 feet," but it remains to be seen how 
effective the illumination is - specifically, at how great of a 
distance can the light cut though shadows and show the hiker what 
obstacles lie ahead?

Reading - In addition to lighting up the surrounding terrain, I will 
also use the headlamp to illuminate maps.  Do I find that the same 
light intensity used to light up the trail can be used to comfortably 
read maps, or does that level of light just harshly reflect off the 
paper, forcing me to drop down to a dimmer setting.  Are dimmer light 
settings adequate for reading maps at arm's length?

Camp Life - I've found that LED headlamps are great when hiking solo, 
but when in a group there are often requests to either turn the light 
off or move away from fellow campmates - the issue is that the LED 
lights are highly focused and intense, and can be painful when shined 
directly into the eyes.  Are any of the headlamps illumination levels 
suitable for worry-free interaction with fellow campers?  Also, I 
will be using the headlamp to illuminate close-up tasks, like undoing 
knots in cord, opening and peering into stuff sacks, cooking meals, 
etc.  How well are the headlamps various light levels suited for such 
common tasks?

Attachment/Headstrap - When used with the headstrap, is strap length 
easy to adjust?  Does the headlamp rest securely, and at an 
appropriate angle for use, when attached it stiff hats such as my 
Tilley T6, as well as when used with softer hats, such as a knit wool 
hat?  What about if the hat's material is slick, such as the nylon 
shell of my down balaclava - does the headlamp stay in place?

Attachment, Clip - How large of a base can the headlamp's "clip" 
attach to?  While I expect that it will slide onto the brim of a hat, 
I'm also interested to see what sorts of objects inside my tent it 
can clip to, allowing it to be used as a lantern.

Battery Life - I will be testing the Gerber Triode headlamp with 
various AAA batteries, including Alkaline, Lithium, and rechargeable 
batteries.  I am mainly interested in how long the light maintains 
FULL intensity at its various light levels when used with different 
batteries.  In sub-freezing conditions, I will be interested to see 
if the battery continues working well with non-Lithium batteries or 
not.  As the current needed to power a LED is rather low, the results 
may be surprisingly favorable.

Durability - As mentioned in the Field Information, above, the light 
will be exposed to moisture in the form of rain, sleet, and snow.  
I'm interested to see if the headlamp is weatherproof, sealed in a 
basic manner such that basic levels of moisture have no ill effects 
on the headlamp.  If the headstrap is made of elastic, I expect that 
it will maintain its elasticity throughout the test period.  The 
light is advertised as pivoting up and down - will the angle that I 
set the light at stay fixed, even after months of use, or will the 
adjustment mechanism loosen over time, giving the headlamp's position 
the staying power of a wet noodle?  Will the headlamps clip continue 
to solidly grab thin objects, such as the brim of a hat, after being 
attached to thicker objects over long periods of time?  Odds are that 
the headlamp will be dropped onto the ground at some time within the 
test period - will there be any damage to the light as a result?


Additional Background/Backpacking style:

I live in Michigan and have been hiking seriously for 15 years, 
although I've camped since I was 6 years old.

I consider myself a lightweight hiker, meaning that I carry the 
lightest gear I can find that meets two simple deliverables -
providing a comfortable wilderness experience and adequately 
supporting the goals of my trip. Unless my goals are time/distance 
oriented, my pace is always slow. I rarely exceed 1.5 miles/hour. I 
rest frequently, hike long days, and enjoy whatever nature throws my 
way.

The amount of gear that I carry varies extremely, depending on who 
I'm with (solo, wife, kids, dog) what the nature of the trip is (day-
hike, fast-packing, expedition), and the hobbies that I will be 
exercising during the trip (photography, fishing). My base 
packweight, therefore, can weigh anywhere from 9 lbs (4 kg), which is 
my current level of ultralight comfort, to an excess of 35 lbs (15.8 
kg) - again, this is base weight... no food or water. As the Lightrek 
Trekking poles are marketed towards ultralight and lightweight 
backpackers, I will be keeping my base weight down under 15 lbs (6.8 
kg) for my test cases.


A Word on my Current BGT Work Load:

Currently, I am involved in two tests, one that is in the Long Term 
phase.


Current Tests:

Ibex Wool Glove Liners - Currently Long Term testing (next test due 
September 27)

Wayah Press; A Wildly Successful 200-Mile Hike - Currently Field 
testing (next test due October 4)


Tests Yet to Start:

  None.


Outstanding Application(s):

  Five Ten Insight trail shoes
  Gossamer Gear Lightrek Plus Trekking Poles


Previously Completed Test Series:

  Black Diamond Lighthouse tent:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/Tents/Black%
20Diamond%20Superlight%20Lighthouse%20Tent/Andy%20Mytys/

  Ultimate Direction SpeeDemon Backpack:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Frameless%20Backpacks%
20and%20Day%20Packs/Ultimate%20Direction%20SpeeDemon/Andrew%20Mytys/


Additional Test Series Completed:

  . OR Motion Fleece Balaclava
  . Highgear Axis watch
  . Rocky Gore-Tex socks
  . Bear Vault BV-200 black bear resistant food canister
  . Insul Mat Max-Thermo
  . Magellan SporTrak Topo 2003
  . Six Moon Designs Starlite pack
  . HSSC Fluid Pack
  . Bite X-Trac OS Sandals
  . Rite in the Rain All-Weather Pocket Journal
  . LEKI UL Ti AE PA AS Trekking Poles
  . Psolar.EX Mask
  . Granite Gear Vapor Trail Backpack



Previously Written Owner Reviews:

  Everest Designs Sherpa Hat
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Clothing/Hats/Everest%
20Designs%20Sherpa%20Earflap%20Hat/Owner%20Review%20by%20Andrew%
20Mytys/

  Aloe Gator Waterproof Gel
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Health%20&%
20Safety/Sunscreens/Aloe%20Gator%20Waterproof%20Gel/Owner%20Review%
20by%20Andrew%20Mytys/


Additional Owner Reviews:

  . Kenyon K+Tape
  . Porcupine Mountains Companion
  . Clever Toothbrush
  . Porcupine Mountains Companion
  . REI Folding Bucket
  . GSI Outdoors 16oz Lexan Flask
  . REI All Mountain Mitts
  . Osprey Aether 60 Pack
  . GoLite Snow Cap
  . REI Half Dome Backpack


Additional BGT Participation:

  . active in the Mentor program
  . active in the Test Manager program


I thank you for considering my application.

Andrew Mytys





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