Princeton Tec Fuel

Priced: $14.97 - $29.99 Rated:   - 4 stars out of 5 by 60 reviews.
Princeton Tec Fuel
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Princeton Tec Fuel -

Enjoy lots of light from a small package with the Princeton TecĀ® Fuel LED Headlamp. The Fuel now features four Ultrabright LEDs to crank out up to 43 lumens of light from a headlamp that weighs just 78 grams (with batteries). The large push button switch makes it easy to toggle between the Fuel's three light levels and flash mode, even when wearing gloves. The asymetrical single arm bracket maintains a center of gravity on the headlamp's pivoting head for easy and reliable light direction adjustment. Water resistant. Easy to open battery door with to door tool built into the headband's slide buckle. Made to give you long burntimes, the Fuel runs for 50 hours on high setting, 90 hours on medium (25 lumens), and 146 hours on low (13 lumens). Beam reaches out to 35 meters on high setting. Uses 3 AAA batteries (included). One size fits all adjustable headband.

Insulation:

  • The mounting bracket adjusts up or down to let you direct the light where you need it - from the distance, to the book in your lap.
  • Unique single-arm ratcheting head pivots up and down, providing a wide range of motion so you can aim the beam wherever you need it most

Sizing:

  • The comfortable elastic head band holds the light firmly in place and easily adjusts to length.

Weather and Wind:

  • Waterproof - LEVEL 1

Features:

  • On the high setting the bright light reaches out over 65 feet.
  • Three AAA alkaline batteries (included) are quickly inserted in the clip lock, water resistant battery housing.
  • Lightweight and robust
  • Ratchet allows for easy rotation to adjust the direction of the beam.
  • Multiple Modes to adjust light's brightness
  • LEDs output a bright 70-lumen beam that reaches up to 39m on high; beam reaches 28m on medium and 20m on low
  • Distance(m) 0, 5, 10, 15, 20.
  • cmRecRequest(rzone, partId,'','','');
  • weight - 78gr
  • Fuel headlamp features 4 bright LEDs and continues to offer 3 brightness settings and a strobe function
  • BURN TIME 164 Hours
  • WEIGHT 78g
  • var rzone='PDPZ2';
  • With the batteries, the Fuel weighs a mere 2.75 ounces!
  • A simple push button switches the three Ultrabright LEDs to give you four light settings - high, high/flash, medium and low.
  • Asymmetrical single arm bracket makes directing the light effortless
  • 4 LED version has an output of 43 lumens and a run time of 146 hours
  • Built in tool for battery access
  • Wt. 2.75 oz. (78g) with batteries.
  • 4 mode switch
  • LAMP 3 Ultrabright LEDs
  • Princeton Tec Fuel LED headlamp has a large push-button switch that is easily operated while wearing gloves
  • Easy access battery door
  • Switch to the strobe function when battery life is low or you need to signal someone
  • High/Flash - 50/120
  • var partId='55601';
  • Low - '160
  • Large, easy to find push button switch
  • 3 AAA alkaline batteries, included, provide up to 50 hrs. of runtime on high, 90 hrs. on medium and 146 hrs. on low
  • Medium - '110
Al's Sports
When applied well, technology should be simple. Such is the case with the innovative Princeton Tec Fuel headlamp - designed to meet the widest range of applications while remaining small, lightweight and robust. With all of the touch points of the product being considered, the Fuel's smart design fulfills technology's promise of actually making our lives easier.
Northern River Supply
Simple, perfect, Fuel. So whisper light, you'll forget you're wearing it - til you need to light your way. The Princeton Tec Fuel Headlamp's LEDs throw out lots of light while giving you up to 160 hours of battery life.
Appalachain Outdoors
The Princeton Tec Fuel is a compact headlamp that weighs only 78g and still pushes out 70 lumens of brightness and 146 hours of burn time. The head piece is attached to the headband by a single arm bracket, and this makes directing the light effortless and reliable. The lamp also features a large, easy to find push button switch and a virtually bulletproof, easy access battery door for its 3 - AAA batteries.
REI

The compact Princeton Tec Fuel LED headlamp continues to get brighter and more powerful with every update. Its 4 LEDs now blast a bright white 70-lumen beam of light onto your backcountry adventures.

Made in USA.


Campsaver.com

The Fuel Headlamp from Princeton Tec is lightweight, robust and offers70 lumens of brightness and 146 hours of burn time.


Cabelas
Compact and lightweight, this headlamp is so comfortable you might forget you had it on were it not for the bright beam casting light where you want it. Outfitted with four super-bright LEDs, this unit puts out 43 lumens of white light. Three AAA batteries (included) provide power for up to 146 hours of continuous use. There are four power output levels including low, medium and high, along with an emergency fast-flash strobe feature. Water-resistant.
Lamp: 4 LEDs.
Lumens: 43.
Distance: 35 meters.
Run time: 146 hours.
Batteries: 3 AAA
Colors: Black.
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Average Price History: Price History
Review RatingNumber of Reviews
28
19
7
4
2
Activity:Camping
Average run time:High: 50 / low: 146 hours
Batteries:3 AAA alkaline (included).
Battery:3 AAA
Battery Type:3 AAA Batteries (Included)
Battery life in hours is:high - 74, flash - 134, medium - 120 and low - 164.
Beam distance:High: 39 / low: 20 meters
Beam type:Flood
Brightness Levels/Modes:3 Levels, 1 Flash Mode
Brightness levels:3
Bulb detail:4 LEDs
Bulb type:LED
Bulbs:4 Ultrabright LEDs
Burn Time:164 hours on low
Burntime on High:50 hours
Burntime on Low:146 hours
Dimensions:2.3 x 1.6 x 1.4 inches
Distance:35 Meters
Distance on High:127.9 ft / 39 m
Distance on Low:75.4 ft / 23 m
Features:Made in USA
Flash:134h
High:Total Burn Time 74h
Lamp:3 ultrabright LEDs.
Light output:High: 70 / low: unavailable lumens
Lighting Type:Sport/Outdoor
Low:164h
Lumen Range:50-99 Lumens
Lumens:70
Material:Unavailable
Max Lumen Output:70 Lumens
Max beam distance (m):39 meters
Max light output (lumens):70 lumens
Medium:120h
Output:43 Lumens
Power:43 lumens.
Rechargeable:No
Red light mode:No
Regulated output:No
Strobes:1
Type of Bulb:LED
Waterproof:Splashproof
Waterproof Rating:Levels 1
Weight:2.75 oz. (78g.) including batteries
Weight with batteries:2.75 ounces
Compare specifications to related products.

Subcategories of Lights & Headlamps:

Princeton Tec Fuel Reviews:

Positive Reviews:

New Dimmer Feature Even Better

Disclaimer: I have five sons that participate in scouting so I camp more out of duty than by disposition.

I purchased this headlamp to replace one that worked well for about three years, until the plastic clip to the headband broke—-creative use of duct tape could only go so far, so I thought I would try another Princeton lamp.

At 24 Lumens it is perfect for setting up a tent, cooking, or pretty much doing anything that requires light and hands outdoors. But in reality, I used the original lamp mostly for reading in-bed after everyone else was asleep. I was overjoyed to discover that the lamp can be dimmed even below 10 lumens.

This means that I can use it in-doors/in-bed at a lighting level that does not wake anyone else up. The previous version had two fixed levels, the adjustability is an outstanding improvement!
Parent the still tries to read at Campmor on 12/12/2011

Good buy despite design flaw

I've purchased 6 or more of these for personal use and gifts. My use is fall/winter morning runs in the dark. The low setting provides more than ample light and the original batteries lasted more than 2 winters. Reading reviews of the Tec Fuel you will find a common item mentioned which is the battery latch breaking. The first time i ever dropped mine (after 2 years of use) the latch broke. Duct tape is an easy fix, but the design or plastic material (softer?) need to change. Even with this, I really like the product and have continued to buy it for all of the pros listed. Tip: if you put duct tape or a rubber band around the light initially as a bumper, i do not think the latch would break if you happened to drop it.
Light Headed at Campmor on 10/10/2011

Great Form and Function

I have owned one of these previously that worked great, but unfortunately fell victim to my daughter's min-pin (small dog) who destroyed it.

Overall the simplicity of use is excellent. Construction is nicely executed and the headband is comfortable. The tilt adjustment works well and stays where you put it.

Battery life seems at least as good as my other head lamp, a Tikka XP.

Brightness is good enough for hiking at night in clear conditions, but I would not depend on it for heavy fog or where greater power is required.

The headband is strong and durable as well. The width is sufficient to feel comfortable on the head without any slipping.

Summary: great function, all the necessities you need in a headlamp.
soleful2001 at REI on 02/02/2013

Bright & Light

have used this headlamp on a 3-night backcountry trip on Cumberland Island, and on a couple single night trips... it is bright, it is durable, it is simple, and it is light. I don't set out without tossing this into my pack (whether it's a multi-day or a 1/2 day hike). for those who have not converted to headlamps for backcountry trips, give in and try one... both hands available - to cook... to set up a late night camp... to check shoes for critters on a midnight bathroom run... to read in your hammock... to wash dinner dishes... to adjust tarp lines in high wind... this is an essential piece of gear, and the Fuel performs well.
Noah at Moosejaw on 03/27/2013

made in usa .

well worth the extra penny's . i have had 2 of these princeton headlamps ,the other was a little more cash but well worth it .i had one not cycle perfect BUT really i think it was my bad, soaking around in salty areas,i talked to the company ,they gave me a purchase number ? I THINK, and they sent me a new one , the old one i had for 3 years or better duck hunting and fishing a whole bunch. the guy said almost all parts were made in the USA. and they were in the process of making every thing here ..that sold me !!
labtrainer4ducks at Cabelas on 03/05/2013

Great little headlamp

I was recently given this as a gift before my upcoming AT section. This is a good little headlamp. Easy to switch between settings. The slighly recessed button stays completely out of the way and is not easily depressed by mistake when packed.

I camp very regularly (1-3 times every month) and this little light-weight headlamp is just the right size and brightness.

Not sure why others have had problems with the battery compartment. This is the same design as my son's Remix (which I used before this was given to me) and both seem very functional and sturdy.
Buffalo Skipper at REI on 09/09/2012

Good Lamp

Had this lamp for about a year now and I am very happy with the purchase. I haven't come across the battery case problems other reviewers have had. I bring it along for all my longer dayhikes, night hikes, and camping (at least a couple times a month for a year now). I always remove the batteries between trips, so the clasp is opened/closed twice a trip and there are no signs of wear after a year. Not as bright as more expensive products, but it has been a quality lamp for the price.
Sethwards at REI on 02/02/2013

Great All Purpose Light

My previous headlamp was about 4 years old and I was amazed by the brightness of the Fuel! I have been trail running at night using the Fuel as my headlamp and also using two Fuels (one head one waist) - both combinations have worked well for me and I like that the light has a nice combination of bright center with good peripheral coverage, I also like that the up/down adjustment for this light has more options than some other lights I have tried.
charles[@] at SummitHut.com on 02/02/2012

Nice, Compact Headlamp

I have the Princeton Tec Fuel Headlamp and I really like it. I use is for walking at dusk and cross-country skiing at night. This lamp is adequate to light the way for a single user. Before I purchased mine I saw some reviews on Amazon saying that the battery cover is easily broken. After owning the Princeton Tec Fuel Headlamp for over two years I think that as long as your careful it will not be a problem.
sally at Moosejaw on 10/14/2012

Basic Headlamp, good price

This is our go-to headlamp. It's not too heavy; it's pretty bright and the price is good. We use it for camping, but also for walking the dog at night; inspecting the chickens after they go to bed and just around the house. We own dozens of them between my husband and 5 children.

I personally wish it had a red light, but as my husband pointed out, you have to pay more for that!
Chicken Mom at Campmor on 12/12/2012

Negative Reviews:

Disappointed

I was looking for a quality headlamp, and spent a couple hours looking over website reviews on various headlamp models. I settled on the Fuel based on its many positive reviews of its functionality.

Prior to taking the Fuel out on its first backpacking trip, I did the usual house testing, where it worked great in bed as a reading light. It did well in my night backyard test, offering good lighting on hi-beam. Frankly I didn't find much use for the Low and Medium settings on the light. I do think that the blinking option may have some uses, especially in a group hiking setting. I give the Fuel thumbs up for this, but unfortunately, the Fuel didn't survive the first backpacking trip I took it on.

In fact, the Fuel failed while still in the pack, as the battery door broke off at the pin. I was surprised at this, as the lamp was packed in such a way (or so I thought?!?) that protected it from banging around in the pack. I tried an infield repair to get the door to stay closed enough to allow the lamp to function, but no go.

I'm still puzzled as to how and why the door broke off, but I do see reviews where I am not the only user who has been affected by this. Unfortunately, I need to be able to trust my gear, and the Fuel does not make the cut for me. I've since moved on to another manufacturer for my needs.
Burned Toast at Campmor on 10/10/2011

Good, but flawed.

I liked this headlamp at first for it's light weight and general functionality. I found the flood beam to be useful for all camp chores, reading and night hiking. My only complaint would be the design of the battery door. About 3 months after purchasing the light, the battery door broke off while I was attempting to open it to replace the batteries. This seems to be the most consistent criticism of the this headlamp. I would gladly rate it at 4 stars if the battery door design was more user friendly.
Norsman at REI on 03/03/2013

Battery door latch breaks

I will never buy another one of these. I have two and the battery door latches have broken on both (made the mistake of buying the second one before the first needed batteries) I've have had Princeton Tec send a replacement door, but it broke too. I was being extra careful (knowing how fragile the doors are) and the battery door latch still broke. There are too many other lights available to take a chance on a Fuel
atf at Campmor on 08/08/2011

If it weren't for the weak clasp...

Purchased this light for backpacking. After using it all of 3 times (each was a 2 night trip), the plastic clasp that closes the batteries in place broke. I was pretty careful with it from the beginning...it is just a flawed design. If you buy this item, the clasp WILL break, so be forewarned.
Jachin at REI on 05/05/2012

Nice light but a defective battery cover

This review is pretty much a copy of the previous ones but I thought I'd post it anyway. The battery cover/door cracked. Great little light that was perfect for my night runs but it only lasted a couple months. Hopefully PTec will get the problem solved.
bong crosby at REI on 11/11/2012

Beware

.You can use this product for any light required application.
.It will do the job for the money.
.If you notice the hinge on the door for the batteries is very small and will break very easily.
Tac at Campmor on 05/05/2011

Neutral Reviews:

How dark is REALLY dark?

This is a great headlamp if you already have some ambient light to work with, but if you're planning to do something like night-o or hiking on an overcast night, I've found this is not the way to go. Even though at 70 lumens it is very bright, it doesn't really "throw" very far, and I found mine to be outshined by many other lights. It also doesn't have a red-LED feature, which IMHO is the best way to hike at night because it preserves your night vision. Having said that, though, it is not a bad light at all. On most nights it's great to work with - the design is very simple and easy to use - however in my experience it has been a little difficult to rely on when it's REALLY dark.
Thomas at Moosejaw on 03/21/2013

Good light for the price. Nothing fancy.

This is your average headlamp. I have taken caving as well as camping/backpacking. It isn't super bright, but thus the batteries last forever. It's compact and lightweight, with no evident design flaws. (However, a friend did break the battery cover off of his somehow. It appears this is may be a newer version, though). It probably shouldn't be abused in hard-use scenarios such as serious caving. The beam isn't very concentrated, so it primarily succeeds at lighting your close surroundings. It has no super fancy or revolutionary features, but it is incredibly handy and it gets the job done for a fair price. Great for camping/packing.
Caleb at Moosejaw on 02/26/2013

It works. No complaints, no ravings.

There's nothing that makes this headlamp stand out from the pack. That being said, it functions very well. I really like mine, and I rarely go anywhere without throwing in my pack. It has a nice slim form factor, and is fairly light. This isn't a heavy duty caving headlamp, but it is a great little multi-purpose headlamp for the money. If you do any type of outdoor activities, you need a basic headlamp, and this one will do the job just fine.
Caleb at Moosejaw on 10/08/2012

Design Flaw

We mainly use headlamps for walking the dogs at night. We also take headlamps on vacation for night use. This is a great little headlamp. It's bright, adjustable, lightweight, stays in place, & has different light settings. The BIG problem, which was also mentioned by another reviewer, is the susceptibility of the battery compartment cover to break. It definitely seems to be a design flaw with this particular headlamp. If they can fix that, it'll be a super product.
Greyhounds Rock at REI on 06/06/2012

Decent headlamp.

Overall,it's a decent headlamp for a reasonable price. Had no problems with mine, until the little piece that holds the batteries in broke off. The light is nice and bright but in the end you get what you pay for. The latch that holds the battery door closed is delicate so if you do get this light just pay attention to that. Other than that, no problems.
Blake at Moosejaw on 01/21/2013

Ehh

I haven't had any major issues with this headlamp. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a red setting. I will probably be getting a different one soon. but if you don't need the red setting its a good headlamp.
Aaron at Campsaver.com on 11/11/2011

Reasonably valued headlamp

This headlamp does the job. It isn't as bright as some of the other headlamps I have owned, but it does okay for the price.
Ricardo65 at Cabelas on 03/19/2013