The Princeton Tec Byte / 100 Lumens
WEIGHT WITHOUT BATTERIES: 42 GRAMS (1.5 OUNCES)
TWO AAA BATTERIES: 22 GRAMS (0.8 OUNCES)
TWO WHITE BEAMS: 100 AND 15 LUMENS
BURN TIME: 5 HOURS AND 8 HOURS RESPECTIVELY
TWO RED BEAMS: 3 AND 1 LUMENS
WATER RESISTANT: IPX4 (RESISTANT TO WATER SPLASHES ANY DIRECTION)
BEAM: SPOT
MAXIMUM VIEWABLE DISTANCE (5 LUX): 17.2 FEET
**We purchased all items and were not solicited to review any item in this blog post.

The Princeton Tec Byte 100 lumen headlamp provides just enough light to hike at night under ideal trail conditions. The headlamp is lighter and more compact when compared to other hiking headlamps. The white spot light beam allows for more illumination at a distance.

We measured the lux values at different distances from the Princeton Tec Byte (100 Lumens) as shown. At ten feet the lux value is 15 which makes this headlamp useful for night hiking. It is important to have a lux value of at least 5 for safe hiking.
Recommended Lux Values

Different tasks require different levels of illumination or lux. In general you will require more illumination or lux for more detailed tasks. Detailed drawing work can require 1,000 lux. Navigating a stairway at night only requires about 15 lux.
The Princeton Tec Byte light distribution

We measured the light distribution of the Princeton Tec Byte (100 Lumens) as shown. We measured the illumination in lux one foot away from the light source. The beam was focused which makes good illumination at a distance possible. Because of the small area of illumination the lux value was high. The measured maximum lux at one foot was 1,500 which would make close up detailed work possible.
Summary
Pros
- Lighter than most headlamps
- Provides the minimum illumination for hiking at night
- Has a red LED light option
Cons
- Low illumination compared to other headlamps
- Light switch not easy to use
- The brighter 200 lumen light model weighs the same
The Princeton Tec Byte (100 Lumens) is a lightweight headlamp that meets the minimum requirements for hiking at night under normal trail conditions. The Princeton Tec Byte (100 Lumens) might not be suitable for trails that are not well maintained. If you plan on using this headlamp for regular night hiking you will likely want a light with better illumination. I recommend upgrading to the Princeton Tec Byte (200 Lumens) for better illumination without adding weight or considering a slightly heavier higher 300 lumen headlamp.