Petzl Myo XP

This headlamp rocks! It is bright, efficient, easy to use, doesn't flop around on your head (as many lamps do...check this out when buying by putting the lamp you are considering for purchase and jump up and down a bit as in fast hiking or running...if it bounces, bounce it right back on the shelf and then get the MYO-XP or other Petzl lamps), has three settings that are easy to use by simply pushing the button...once for brightest, twice for a bit less light and three times for lowest light setting...and four times for flashing (which I haven't needed to use). Flip the diffuser down and you get diffused light. The diffuser also acts as a protector, so I keep it down when packing the lamp. Easy adjustments and I have the additional head strap (included) attached for additional security and stability of the lamp on my head. Also fits well on helmets and again, doesn't flop around (check this out on the helmet too as the bouncing effect is intensified on helmets. I always turn one battery around when I am not using (during the day) so as not to have the lamp accidentally turned on, which drains the battery. This hasn't happened often because you can block the "on" button by easily turning the lamp upward, but once was enough and this lamp is easy as pie to open up to access the 3 AA batteries, which seem to last an eternity (even with that being the case, I always have spare freshies in my pack).

One last but important feature of the MYO-XP is that it has a "blast" button that gives you huge light for several seconds (while the button is pressed) and this is badass for route finding or animal spotting!

Buy this headlamp and you will be stoked!

I bought this as a backup for the same that I had bought two years ago, worried that something as good will not be made in the future. All its current competition seems to use AAA rather than the larger capacity AA's. I run year round on unlit Northern Minnesota roads, early am, and for night time X-country skiing. I have used lithium batteries because of the cold, and have yet to have an LED burnout. In the diffused mode, just great for my 60 year old pace. At faster paces, might be trickier to see far enough ahead. In the non-diffused mode, jiggles off the path ahead too easily. A put a little red flashing light on the back strap over the battery pack for additional safety.

This is my 3rd Petzl and the best of them all! (also had 2 BD and a Princeton)
It just sit so well on your head, the light is great, low level for reading inside the tent, boost it up to find the trail in the snow! don't know why the specs say it's a front battery location, it's not - it's on the back...the new RXP is now out but I don't see any point in getting it, the XP work so well and I can live very happy with 3 lighting levels and not 9 that I need to program and then hope nothing will go wrong with the chip when I'm out in the country...why fixing something if it eint broken?

The Myo is one of my favorite pieces of gear. I have used it in many types of conditions>

-Damp, Sandy caves of west virginia
-Freezing Cold in the mountains with tons of snow
-Rain forests of Australia in the pouring rain.
-Around the house when the power goes out.

Works flawlessly every time

The battery life is good, it is comfortable to wear and super bright. It is much brighter then any other headlamp i've seen. A little on the heavy side but worth it. One of my favorite things to do with the myo is go for night hikes because its almost like hiking in daylight.

This has served me well in many caves. The ease of having only one LED with a flip up light diffuser has been a blessing Easy to work with gloves on also. It beams bright and far when you need to and also provides a wide area of light when the lens is down. However, mine has recently broken after 2 years of moderate use. Where the wire exits the batt pack the wire became weak and broke in half. Perhaps this issue has been fixed in the 08? I WOULD still buy another as the power to wight/size ratio is great with this lamp.