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Energizer Vision HD Review

Good enough performance, at a good price, but the Tikkina is a better long-term value
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energizer vision hd headlamp review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $19 List
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Manufacturer:   Energizer
By RJ Spurrier ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 28, 2018
52
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#19 of 27
  • Trail Finding - 35% 3.0
  • Close Proximity - 20% 5.0
  • Battery Life - 15% 6.0
  • Weight - 15% 6.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Energizer Vision HD is a low-cost light that provides good close proximity beam quality and reasonable overall performance. The Petzl Tikkina, offers a better value in the long-run with better performance on multiple counts, and overall better construction quality.
REASONS TO BUY
Attractive price
Good flood lighting
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Below average spot beam
Below average quality

Compare to Similar Products

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energizer vision hd headlamp review
This Product
Energizer Vision HD
Awards   Best Buy Award   
Price $19.00 List
$14.99 at Amazon		$29 List
$19.95 at Amazon		Check Price at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$19.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$25 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
52
63
60
56
49
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A good light, but not great, sold at an attractive price, but the Tikkina is a better valueA good value that offers basic functionality, slightly better than average performance, at a good priceThe $20 Tikkina is a great light around the campsite, for general use, in your thingy drawer, or car glove boxOur favorite budget light if your needs are limited to close proximity workA quality & compact light that is relatively lightweight, but the Tikkina and e+LITE are strong competition
Rating Categories Energizer Vision HD Yalumi LED 140-Lumen Petzl Tikkina Black Diamond Astro Black Diamond Ion
Trail Finding (35%)
3.0
6.0
5.0
3.0
3.0
Close Proximity (20%)
5.0
5.0
4.0
7.0
4.0
Battery Life (15%)
6.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Weight (15%)
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
8.0
Ease of Use (15%)
9.0
9.0
10.0
9.0
6.0
Specs Energizer Vision HD Yalumi LED 140-Lumen Petzl Tikkina Black Diamond Astro Black Diamond Ion
Measured Beam Distance 45 m 94 m 62 m 38 m 44 m
Claimed Distance 40 m 90 m 55 m 35 m 38 m
Measured High Mode Run-time (ANSI) 8.7 hrs 4.3 hrs 3.5 hrs 4.8 hrs 7.4 hrs
Claimed High Mode Run-time 8 hrs Not specified 60 hrs 20 hrs 6 hrs
Measured Low Mode Run-time 74 hrs 47 hrs 223 hrs 95 hrs 115 hrs
Claimed Low Mode Run-time 8 hrs 100 hrs 220 hrs 80 hrs 180 hrs
Measured Weight 3.1 oz, 89 g 2.7 oz, 77 g 2.9 oz, 83 g 3 oz, 86 g 1.9 oz, 53 g
Battery Type 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA 2 AAA
Water Resistance water resistant IPX4 splash proof IPX4 splash proof IPX4 splash proof IPX8 waterproof beyond one meter
Manuf Claimed Lumens 180 lumens 140 lumens 150 lumens 150 lumens 100 lumens
Beam Type flood/spot flood/spot flood flood, dimmable flood/spot
Red Light no yes no no yes
On Switch Lock no no no yes no

Our Analysis and Test Results

In a competitive field, this product, which almost seems like an afterthought from a huge battery manufacturer, actually has some attributes to offer potential customers.

Performance Comparison


energizer vision hd headlamp review
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Trail Finding


The trail finding score for this headlamp is well below average at 3 of 10.


Beam Distance Photos
Beam photo of Energizer Vision HD
Beam photo of Petzl Tikkina

Energizer Vision HD
Petzl Tikkina

Close Proximity


The Energizer's close proximity score falls right in the middle of the pack because it casts an even beam; it's just not very wide. If close proximity is very important to you, check out the Black Diamond Gizmo ($20), which scored very high in this metric and has a long battery life.


Battery Life


The battery life score is surprisingly good. It has an ANSI measured high mode run time of 8.7 hours and a pretty good 74 hours in low-mode. These are solid run-time numbers, but the low-mode run-time pales when compared to the similarly priced Petzl Tikkina which delivered an amazing 223 hours in low mode.


energizer vision hd headlamp review
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight


At 3.1 ounces or 89 grams, this is lamp is toward the lighter end of the spectrum.


Ease of Use


This headlamp earned one of the highest ease-of-use scores. For infrequent headlamp users, it's nice to have a light that is intuitive and doesn't require learning the various features. It is also manageable even with gloves.


It must be pointed out that this light is by far the most troublesome when it comes to inadvertently turning on. Almost more often than not, we'd find it turned on in our pack. The switch has no lock mode and the large button seems more vulnerable than most to bumping and jostling.

energizer vision hd headlamp review
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Conclusion


If you're on a budget, this is a very functional headlamp that is offered at an attractive $19 list price. We think the $20 list Petzl Tikkina offers a better value though, both in the near term due to stronger performance, and in the long-run due to better quality and durability.

— RJ Spurrier
 
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