Unlike my buddy Greg Ellifritz, a self-proclaimed headlamp nerd, I’ll admit I don’t know diddly squat about headlamps. Okay, “diddly squat” might be a tad dramatic. A few years back, John Kochan gave me a crash course in illumination and flashlights, and I’ve paired that with real-world experience to guide my headlamp buys. One of those was the Princeton Tec Vizz Tactical, picked up last year. I haven’t talked it up much—mostly because folks give me funny looks when they hear I spent more than five bucks on a headlamp. But since I recently became a Princeton Tec affiliate, it’s time to share why I trust this thing. Plus, I’m hoping Greg gets a kick out of some rookie headlamp nerdery from yours truly.

I’m no expert. I don’t track the latest headlamp tech or market trends. So, this isn’t a gear review—it’s a story. A story with lessons, a few laughs (likely at my expense), and a peek at why the Vizz Tactical’s my go-to. Let’s see if I can pull it off.

My Headlamp Misadventure

About a decade ago, I got “into guns,” fueled by my preparedness mindset. Back then, I had zero experience and barely any knowledge, but I saw the practical value in guns and gear. Soon, I was obsessed with anything tactical, binge-watching influencer videos online. I chased the “best” gear without a clue about real-world use, my head full of far-fetched, end-of-days movie scenarios.

I can’t recall what sparked my headlamp obsession, but I dove deep, hunting for the ultimate tactical model. Petzl was the darling of the influencer crowd, so I snagged one. I don’t remember the model—just that it cost a fortune, and I was convinced it was the holy grail. To be fair, it was solid. I used it for car repairs or nighttime outdoor tasks, and hands-free lighting has always been a game-changer. I was happy with my pricey Petzl.

Then came my first hunting trip, and it was a wake-up call. I needed a red or green light to navigate from the vehicles to our spot without spooking game. The Petzl had red and green LEDs, so I thought I was golden. Problem was, I couldn’t switch to colored light without first blasting the bright white beam. Maybe there was a way to set it to start on red or tweak the cycle, and I just didn’t know how. My fault, the headlamp’s, or both, the result was the same: my hunting buddies were pissed when my white light flooded the predawn darkness more than once.

That trip taught me a hard lesson that I should have already known: expensive doesn’t mean best. Matching gear to your use case—and knowing how to use it—is what counts. I still have the Petzl; it’s a fine headlamp. I just don’t take it hunting anymore.

Finding the Vizz Tactical

Fast forward to last year. I was poking around YouTube gear videos, a bit more skeptical these days. While researching a bug-out bag, I half-heard some influencer (no idea who) rave about their Princeton Tec headlamp, calling it the best thing since sliced bread. I wasn’t paying much attention until they mentioned it powers on to red light by default. After my hunting fiasco, that one feature caught my ear. A headlamp starting in red could be a game-changer for my hunting pack.

I dug into the Vizz Tactical’s specs, comparing it to what I liked about the Petzl. Its swappable power source is a must for me in the field—I can pop in fresh AAA batteries, no fussing with USB charging. The lamp angle adjusts silently, crucial for noise control while hunting. Red light kicks on with a single button press, but you can program the LED cycle for tasks like car repairs or campsite work. I’m not as starry-eyed about “tactical” labels anymore, but I’ll confess the Multicam pattern is a nice touch (I’m a sucker for Multicam). The infrared LED, part of its “Tactical” design, caught my eye for my night vision tinkering. There’s also a Vizz Tactical MPLS model with a helmet-mounting system, but since I don’t mess with MPLS, I stuck with the standard version.

Why It’s My Go-To Now

It didn’t take long for the Vizz Tactical to become my favorite headlamp. I don’t use it daily, but it sees plenty of action and lives in my get-home bag, always with me. With a street price of about $60—half the Petzl’s price—it’s not a budget model but fair for what it delivers. Last deer season, it joined me on the hunt that broke my drought. It was flawless, never flashing white light while trekking to or from the blind, and shone for skinning and quartering my Whitetail deer harvest. From dark navigation to hands-free task lighting, it nailed every job.

I won’t claim the Vizz Tactical is the best headlamp out there. That’d be dumb, given my limited expertise and hard-learned lessons. But if its features—red light default, swappable batteries, silent adjustability—fit your needs and you’re okay with $60, it’s worth a look. If you’re like me, valuing practical tools over influencer hype, this headlamp might just win you over. Here’s hoping Greg doesn’t roast me too hard for my rookie nerdery.