Petzl Zipka question

I am about to buy a Zipka Plus (sorry Matt) but I wonder if the reel mechanism has caused anyone a problem???

Burak

Thanks for rubbing it in Burak <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />...

On original Zipka the reel mechanism is doing fine. It took a while to get used to but it holds the lamp in place. Since there is no band to hold it in place you don't sweat as much. Very cool way to use Zipka is to put it on your wrist and have a directional pointing light. My original worries were with the reel mechanism too but it is working well so no complains. Also my hair is very short. My girlfriend used it on an ocassion and she had some problems taking the headlamp off. I can see how some hair could get tangled in and jam the mechanism.

Matt

Thanks Matt.

I now have the zipka plus for one week. It is impressing! I also think if the reel gives away one day, I can fix the zipka on a head band someway and still use it. Three levels of lighting and especially the strobe function is superb. I wish the lens set was sold here too.

Burak

Yeah I couldn't resist so I tricked my boss into getting me one as well. After few hours of intense negotiations he agreed to pay half of it. I transfered the old one to my car as a part of my steady on board kit.

Matt

I also think I managed to trick the boss. She said "darling is that new?" and I said "Oh no , that, I was keeping in the Land-Rover don't you remember??"

The answer was a plain "hmmmm" and god knows what that means <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Burak

If you are into being seen S&R stuff check this strobe out:

http://flashlightsunlimited.com/inova24-7.htm

Plainly awesome. I got a chance to play with it all weekend and when it comes to being seen I think this is it. I will put it on my xmas list. It has two modes for steady white light and various distress strobe modes. It's well balanced and easy to operate. Too bad they used that damn lithium cell again.

Matt

Looks very cool, thanks a lot.

Burak

CountyComm has these listed for $35.00, plus they throw in 10 free pocket LEDs, kinda like these I think.

I don't know if they're Photon quality, but you could stash one in every pocket of your bag since they're free.

They also have shortwave radios for $10.00. Some comments here.

Haven't personally played with any of the above yet. YET.

Sorry for going off topic, but there are some good prices on that site.

I have one of the older versions (3 LEDs) of the Zipka and really like it except for the slide switch on the top-is the new "plus" version a slide switch or a push-button one?

It is a push button.

Burak

I ordered stuff from these guys and must tell you that they are an excellent outfit. They are polite, patient and professional. I think that this xmas I will do all my shopping thru them. Plus they are cheap. I ordered some stuff from TAD Gear and I found out that I would have saved about $25 if I went thru CountyComm.

Matt

Got the countrycomm $1.00 led's -- you're right, they're not Photon's <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you put them in a kit/pocket, tape across the switch w/electrical tape -- very easy to slide on & kill the battery! (I had to replace my kids' the first time around)

kf