Australian Hiker

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Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp Review

Petzl is one of the dominant lighting brands and it produces a large range of lights ranging from the ultralight E+Lite through to models that have over 1000+ lumens capacity. Over the past couple of years there has been a trend towards higher power, lower weight lights. The Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp sits in what is now a a low-to-mid range capacity that just a few years ago would have been close to the top in lighting power.

For the sake of clarity this model is a 450 lumen unit that comes with the ‘Core’ rechargeable battery included. This is a headlamp that is now typical of the Petzl Range and one that can be used with the included Core battery pack or disposable batteries, and I will always carry a spare set of disposables ‘just in case’.

To charge the battery you need to open up the case which I find to be a bit of an old fashioned concept. The assumption here is that you swap out the battery, replace it with another Core battery, or a set of disposable batteries while your main battery is charging. For the average hiker this probably isn’t going to be an issue however if you are into extended periods of night hiking then having an alternative power option is wise.

This headlamp has five separate lighting choices which are:

• Red continuous
• Red strobe
• White – low (maximum burn time)
• White – standard
• White – maximum power

While we are still on lighting and battery capacity, this lamp throws a maximum 450 lumen beam that until about five years ago would have placed this light in the upper end of sporting headlamps At its brightest using the Core battery this headlamp with provide 450 lumens of power for around two hours. At its lowest power usage (7 lumen) for white light you will get 110 hours of burn time. For the average hiker who will sit somewhere in-between you will get around about seven hours of use.

Using the red light you will get some serious time with the red light lasting for 60 hours and the red strobe lasting around 400 hours. The only time I ever tend to use the red light is when I’m sitting at camp and need just enough light to head to the bathroom or if I’m in the tent and want to minimise the impact on others to find what I need.

Now if you are using disposable batteries these times will actually be around the same usage time but the beam power drops. If you are a heavy user I would strongly suggest you use the Core as your main battery which will last you the equivalent of 300 sets of batteries. I find that as a rechargeable battery light the Core battery that comes included it a high quality power source and in fact my oldest battery is now around six years old and shows no sign of dying.

Like most modern Petzl lights these days the change between the different beams is through the press of a single button which you can very quickly work out. I must admit to being a stereotypical male here and usually don’t read the headlamp instructions fully but it’s easy enough to work out the sequence if you are using it for any period of time. Each of these modes is easy to choose and after the initial requirement to hold the ‘on’ button for several seconds to unlock it, the unit only requires a simple single button press to cycle through the beam choices.

The highest setting on this light is really serious at 450 lumens and throws about 75 metres. Keep in mind that the maximum beam strength is only going to benefit you if you are in open terrain. If you are walking through dense vegetation opt for a lower beam intensity unless you are walking across very unstable unfamiliar terrain in which case I want as much light as possible.

This headlamp has a standard configuration with battery housing and light combined in a single front unit and weighs 84 grams which is relatively light for such a powerful headlamp and weighs just 4 grams less that its larger sibling the Petzl Actik Core 600 Headlamp.

Those of you who haven’t used a Petzl headlamp before, the strap is a soft elastic material with a reflective strip that sits very comfortable on your head -just remember to adjust it so its firm but not too tight.

This headlamp comes with a white, almost translucent storage bag and when you place your headlamp in the bag and turn it, it on acts as a diffuser and can be hung from the tent roof as a lantern. I must admit that I never use this function but you may find it very useful.

Price wise this light comes in at AUD $144.99 RRP but for the light that it throws and the versatility it has, it is pretty good value. You can usually find this headlamp selling for a cheaper price. This headlamp comes in four colours – red, grey, green and blue.

So is this a light worth considering? As someone who is into serious night hiking while the versatility and lighting capacity is good, I opt for the more powerful Petzl Actik Core 600 Headlamp but having said that  if serious night hiking isn’t your thing then this headlamp will suit you very well and is well worth considering.

We Like

• 450 lumens which will suite average hiker for all of their needs
• Lightweight at 84 grams
• IPX4 rating for water resistance
• Continuous beam
• Comfortable proximity lighting
• Five lighting options
  • Three white light levels:
    • Maximum output 450 lumens
    • Two hours on maximum light setting
    • Up to 110 hours on low light setting
  • Red lighting for preserving night vision
    • Up to 60 hours run time
  • Red strobe light for signalling
• LOCK function avoids accidental activation in transport
• Single-button operation
• Comes with a storage bag that also doubles as a lantern for use in the tent
• Symmetrical, washable, detachable headband
• Compact and lightweight
• HYBRID CONCEPT design for flexible battery options both the included CORE battery as well as disposable batteries
  • Compatible with three AAA batteries
  • CORE rechargeable battery included

We Don't Like

• Rechargeable light valued at AUD $144.99 RRP so if you are buying a second battery this will boost the price by AUD $74.95 RRP
• To charge the battery you need to open up the headlamp

Best Uses

A great headlamp for the average hiker, sitting in that sweet spot of battery life, power and weight

Buy One

You can purchase the Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp from Amazon Australia, Macpac, Snowys or from Wildfire Sports

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

Investment

AUD $144.99 RRP

Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp in Grey

Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp in Yellow

Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp in Blue

Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp in Green

Petzl Tikka Core 450 Rechargeable Headlamp – close up of lighting unit

Petzl Actik Core 450 rechargeable battery showing charging port and battery meter

Petzl Core 450 Headlamp storage light pouch. Apart from being storage you can use this as a lantern inside the tent by placing the lit headlamp inside the bag and hanging it from the roof of the tent

Video

Disclaimer

This review was done with product provided by the Australian distributor of Petzl for testing

Last updated

8 December 2024

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