Right out of the box, I knew I’d be a fan of the BD Tikka 450. It’s light, rechargeable, and has a simple, solid design that hopefully means I won’t break some critical component the first time I inevitably drop it. I also like that it’s basic enough that I don’t need to read a manual to figure out a gazillion functions. It maxes out at 450 lumens, with two other lower-lumen levels and a red lighting function for night vision preservation. The beam itself pivots easily enough within a housing attached to the headband, which makes it quick to adjust your beam direction from down the trail to tasks right in front of you with a few clicks. MSRP: $59.95. Petzl.com (Wil Wheaton)
