Written by Neil Bryant for the URC

Written by Neil Bryant for the URC

The torch attached via the rubber mount, to the heand band.

Written by Andrew Easom Bentley - http://outdoorkinetics.co.uk

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a review of the AP Pro Series 100 Lumen Head torch which packs a lot of punch for it’s £25 price tag but unfortunately it didn’t really work too well for trail running. Today I’m going to be looking at a model from the other end of the price spectrum, the £145 Petzl NAO 2 which updates the original version of the torch for 2014 with a max output of 575 Lumens.

Specification

• Reactive lighting with variable power from 7 to 575 Lumens
• Two pre-set reactive lighting power settings. One for max power and another for max autonomy (optimised battery life)
• Two further pre-set constant power settings
• Ability to customise lighting settings by downloading Petzl’s ‘OS’ application and connecting the torch to your computer
• Battery life of up to 12.5 hrs, depending on settings (see table below for more info)
• 20 Lumen ‘Reserve mode’ providing 1 hour of burn time in the event that battery level becomes critical
• Power provided by a lithium Ion rechargeable battery with the option to use two standard AAA batteries in an emergency (with reduced performance)
• Rechargeable via USB port (including phone chargers, car cigarette lighter adaptors, computers etc)
• Optional belt clip and extension cable for battery
• Replacement batteries available at around £40
• Adjustable fit with draw cord head harness
• Battery level indicator lights
• Charge time of 5 hours
• Tilt-adjustable light unit
• Water resistant to IPX4
• Weight of 187 grams

  Reactive Lighting Explained (hopefully….)

  It seems as though there has been a big increase in the number of head torches on the market that are targeted at trail runners and this has lead to an inevitable increase in power, as everybody wants to have the biggest and the baddest model. A potential down side to this is a reduction in battery life OR an increase in battery size and weight to compensate. Pezl have sought to overcome this with their ‘reactive lighting technology’.

  The NAO features a clever sensor which detects the amount of light that is reflected off of objects in the torches path and automatically regulates it between 7 to 575 lumens so that (in principle) you have loads of power when you need it and just a little bit when you don’t. This is intended to improve the battery life, reduce the amount of faffing about that you need to do with the settings and prevent you from being temporarily blinded by reflected light if you look down at a map etc. This concept is most easily understood if you take a look at

  .

  The table below is lifted straight from the Petzl website with a couple of minor edits to hopefully illustrate how the lamp performs at the different factory pre-sets. These can all be customised via the Petzl OS application

  Lighting Technology	Lighting Modes	Brightness	Distance	Burn Time	Reserve Mode
  REACTIVE LIGHTING	Max Autonomy	7 to 290 lm	2 to 80 m	Around 12 h 30	1 h at 20 lm
  	Max Power	7 to 575 lm	2 to 135 m	Around 6 h 30
  CONSTANT LIGHTING	Low Power	120 lm	60 m	8 h
  	High Power	430 lm	130 m	1 h 30

  First Impressions & Thoughts on Design

  Petzl have been producing high quality, performance headlamps for a long time and they know their onions. It therefore comes as no surprise that the NAO is a well constructed piece of kit with impressive build quality.

  The headband is adjustable via an ingeniously simple draw cord system that works really nicely so it is easy to customise the fit and ensure that the unit sits securely on your head. Unfortunately, the NAO lacks any padding between the lighting unit and your forehead (apart from a thin strap). This is a common bugbear of mine and I’d prefer to see a thin section of foam to provide a little bit of cushioning as even the best fitting torch can begin to dig into your head after a while and become uncomfortable.

  Petzl have been able to cram a lot of power into a small battery and the unit feels surprisingly light as a result. The battery comes with a set of three lights to indicate the power level which is a great feature but you have to take the lamp off to check it. I don’t see this as a flaw because some units don’t have battery indicators at all but I think an audible alarm indicating say 75%, 50%, 25% power would be another useful addition for future models, especially for ultra running (although I’d also want the option to turn it off!).

  The method of battery release is one thing that does bug me about the NAO as it requires you to press a fiddly and fragile looking clip with your finger tips which can be frustrating if you are rushing and difficult with cold, numb hands. This isn’t a major issue but I found it surprising, given the technology and attention to detail that has gone into the rest of the design.The lamp is turned on and off via a rotating knob on the side of the unit that allows you to scroll between the settings. This is a really great piece of design and is much easier to operate than annoying little buttons when you are on the move or wearing gloves. It also has a ‘lock’ setting to stop the light from turning-on by accident during storage. Most torches quote a simple estimated battery life at a fixed output level. Things are a bit more complex as this with the NAO as the actual battery life you get will be dependant on a high number of variables. For example, if you tilt the light so that it is pointing out in the distance, the unit will switch to high power and consume the battery quickly whereas if you are running next to a partner and they have their torch pointing at the ground in front of you next to yours, the NAO will drop the power and the battery consumption is reduced. This concept is actually pretty easy to understand when you use the torch – the brighter the beam, the quicker it’s using the battery. To be honest, I haven’t timed the battery life at the different light levels to verify if the Petzl figures are correct but I’ve seen nothing to indicate that they are too far off of the mark based upon a few weeks of regular use. 

  Performance

  The NAO provides a comfortable fit that remains secure, even if you are landing with heavy foot falls when running quickly down steep descents. It comes with an optional additional strap to go over the top of your head but I haven’t found that I’ve needed to use it. The lamp unit does bob around a tiny bit if you are really pushing it on rough ground but this is hardly noticeable and the overall stability is much better than many units that are out there.

  Brightness levels are really very impressive indeed, especially at the upper end of the torches power range. I have used other units that claim higher outputs of up to 1000 lumens but I personally think that this starts to get overkill for running and the 575 Lumen NAO offers more than enough for every situation you are likely to encounter, even whilst moving quickly on the steepest most technical terrain. The torch has two lamp units, one which provides a diffuse beam to illuminate object that are relatively close by and another more focussed beam for looking further into the distance (i.e. route finding). The reactive lighting technology switches between the two depending on feedback from the sensor and I think Petzl are right on the money with the light distribution levels provided by the two beams.

  90% of the time, the reactive lighting works in a completely unobtrusive manner as it seamlessly adjusts the power levels to provide the optimum level of illumination. Quite often, you don’t even notice that it’s happening (in a good way) and you can pretty much leave it to do it’s own thing. As well as preventing you from being blinded by reflective light if you look at an object close up, it also provides a bit of a safety feature if you accidentally shine the beam in someones face or look at an oncoming car that has it’s headlights on as it will reduce the brightness (although this is obviously still unpleasant for the victims).

  There are occasional circumstances where the reactive lighting doesn’t perform quite how you would like and the brightness is reduced unexpectedly. The sensor can become confused by things like fog, breath-mist or reflective material on other runner’s clothing. I’ve come across a couple of instances where other reviewers have been quite critical of the original NAO for this but to me this makes no sense whatsoever because in these circumstances, you can simply switch from reactive lighting to constant lighting in an instant and the NAO will work just like a regular high-performance head torch.

  I’ve also noticed that some people have come down quite hard on the NAO’s battery life. Yes, on the face of it, 1.5hrs at a constant 430 Lumens doesn’t sound that great but in reality, you are never going to need to use it that way and when you consider the weight of the unit and the fact that there is almost endless scope to customise the settings to provide the battery life you need, I just don’t see this as a major concern. Spare batteries are quite expensive however at £40 and I think it would be great if Petzl produced an optional larger model that works with the belt clip for extra long excursions.

  Conclusion

  The Petzl NAO 2 offers fantastic performance and innovative technology that has been well executed. You can tell that it has been developed and tested by people who really understand how their customers are going to be using the lamp and have come up with a near-perfect design. Whilst £145 is a lot of dosh for a headlamp, you can see where this money has been spent and I think it’s pretty good value at the price (better still if you can find one for less!)

  I’ve been using the NAO regularly for the last few weeks and will continue to do so throughout the winter. I’m interested to see how the reactive lighting performs in a wider range of conditions and will update this post over the coming months to report back but I’m really impressed so far!

  This product was provided as a test sample by the manufacturer, please refer to my gear review and advertising policy for more information.

  Where to Find One

  The Petzl NAO 2 575 Lumen can be purchased at Wiggle and Amazon.

  I make every effort to ensure these reviews are as objective and honest as possible to help you decide if a product is right for you. This takes me a lot of time and effort and if you are interested in a product I have reviewed, you can help me keep the site going by placing purchases through the links and adverts at no extra cost to yourself. Thanks for your support.

Written by the URC team

Running is, and should remain a simple sport with little obligatory gear to just get out there. If you want to pop out for a short run, then shoes and comfortable clothes are the minimum. As soon as the running becomes ultrarunning though, the list grows a little. You will need to think of food and drink, and ways to carry them, plus some clothing for if the weather turns. If you are going to be running at night or close to night, then you will be needing a torch. Depending on your budget, you’ll be after something as bright as possible to light the trail ahead, and help prevent falls. The list also needs a second torch. Isn’t this a little overkill I hear you cry. Well, definitely not. The first obvious reason to carry one is in case your main light fails. No need to explain that any further. The second reason is equally important, though will happen more frequently. Changing batteries. Have you ever tried changing batteries in complete darkness when you are completely exhausted and could really do with crawling into bed? I have, and believe me it’s a potential nightmare. From finding the fresh batteries (and not dropping them!) to fitting them and not getting the dead mixed up with the fresh. You could loose lots of hard earned time if in a race situation, and could really cool down if the weather is bad which could get dangerous.

So, what is the solution here. We need something ridiculously light, super small but with enough light to actually be of some use. Ideally the backup light will be useable even after being stuffed in the bottom of you pack for ever and not need constant battery changes and also be simple to operate in the dark.

Enter the Petzl e+LITE

This insanely small and light torch weighs just 27g and is so, so small. I used to have one of these years ago that had a thin piece of elastic to hold it on your head, but now it has a ZIP retractable cord which certainly makes for a big improvement as it keeps it together as a nice neat package when buried deep in some pocket. Many will be familiar with the ZIP system as Petzl employ it on other torches in their range. I find it holds the e+LITE firmly on your head, but if you need to wear it for prolonged periods then it can dig in a bit. This is easily resolved with a buff or hat.

It’s waterproof rating is IP 67, meaning it can be 1 metre underwater for 30 minutes which is plenty adequate for the very worst weather. Normal batteries would double the size, so Petzl opted for 2 x CR2032 batteries (similar in shape and size to a 10p piece).

One of the great features with this piece of emergency equipment, is that you can store it with new batteries for up to 10 years and it will still be useable!

Ok, so it certainly ticks a lot of the boxes that an emergency light should, but what is the actual light like? Well, it is a surprisingly useful 26 lumens on full beam. I’m not going to pretend that this is a powerful torch, but it is certainly powerful enough to get you off the mountain should you need it. Though considering the size, this is an incredible amount of light. If you haven’t held one of these, and used it in the dark, you too will be amazed at the brightness for the size.

There are five light settings that are activated by a simple lever that is super easy to operate, These are proximity, for map reading and close stuff where you don’t need much light, Movement, for, well, movement. Walking, running, climbing etc. Then there are the three settings that are to help people find you. Two strobe settings. One in white light and the other in red. These can be set and left in emergency situations to help search parties locate you. The white is visible up to 200m away and runs for 75 hours. The red is visible up to 300m and lasts for 30 hours. Finally there is a proximity red beam which also last 30 hours and can be seen up to 300 m away. This feature alone is a potential lifesaver when things go wrong. Last year during the Frostskade race in the Scandinavian Arctic, one of the cp crew had set up an e+lite on red strobe and left it on a stick stuck into the ground. I have no idea from what distance away I first noticed it, but believe me it was a huge distance. Completely invaluable if you are injured and can’t move.

So, all I can do is sing praises for this little luminary wonder. There are of course limitations due to size and weight. All though the batteries last for an incredible period (proximity = 70h,maximum = 55h), they are not programmable, meaning that they progressively dim from the minute you start using it. An example of this is that on full beam, the distance the beam will travel is 29 metres, but after 30 minutes it will be reduced to 13 metres, and after 10 hours down to 6 metres. After 30 hours it will be down to 4 metres! This is a limitation, but certainly not a complaint as it is primarily designed to be a pack and forget item that can provide emergency lighting, which it achieves brilliantly.

So, there is a review which has been a pleasure to write as I can confidently say that everyone should own one of these, even non ultrarunners. It is just so practical for it’s size and the fact that the batteries stay good for so long when left. When ever I travel anywhere, I always throw it in and it’s surprising how often it gets used. One tip though – make sure you are disciplined with storing it as they are impossible to find if you forget where you put it!

Purchase here

Written by Simon James - http://mountaingoattrails.blogspot.fr

Never heard of Suprabeam? Always used a Petzl? That’s basically where my reality was so I thought I ‘d try out the latest bit of kit from Suprabeam, a technical head lamp made in Denmark.

 

A head torch is an essential bit of kit for all outdoor activities. As a mountaineer and ultrarunner my kit definitely gets put to the test. My head torch’s performance is of paramount importance whether it be running rough mountain trails at night or climbing through an icefall, in can be the difference between making it and not. Weight, durability, brightness, ease of use, cost, comfort and stability are all key factors when deciding which head torch to buy. Fortunately, head torches have come a long way since I bought my first one back in the 1990s for my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award! No more spare bulbs alongside the copious amounts of batteries. I hope my review puts some light (cheesy pun intended) on this product.

 

First impressions, great packaging, bit like the same you get when you are opening up an Apple product which is definitely both pleasing and a great way to add to the feel of a quality product. The next thing to notice is that nothing is made of plastic, the aluminium definitely enhances the quality feel and makes you think you’re handling a bit of kit more at home on a scientific expedition or in special ops. It’s super light at just 140g and has a few adjustable elements such as the overhead loop that make it fit comfortably. Another handy bit is the additional element to charge batteries in situ.

 

The Test:

Having recently embarked on my Mountain Leader Award I decided to take it along to one of the training week’s in Snowdonia in May. Micro night navigation is a key element and I thought I’d take the risk and see what this torch could do. It was 10.30pm, pitch black, raining and in low cloud, visibility was about as bad as it gets. The terrain was boggy and everyone was pretty tired and not wanting to get lost.

 

The technical data:

Brightness: 250 lumens

Battery: Up to 30hrs usage time

Weight: 140g

Batteries: 3xAAA (rechargeable if you prefer)

Materials: Hi-Tech Compound, High Strength Aluminium

Switch: Metal button below head

Light control: Boost, Dimmer with Memory and SOS

Beam: Hyperfocus™ by head sliding

 

 

Effectiveness in the dark: (5/5)

Wow! Out of a group of 14 people mine definitely out shone the rest, by a long shot. So much so that I was generally followed by the whole team in the end as the other torches were no match. The conditions were awful, but the cone of light that this tiny bit of kit produced was truly stunning. It was so bright I used the dimmer memory function every time to read my map so I didn’t get blinded. The dimmer provides a scale of 15-150 lumens by depressing the button until you get the right level. The memory was very useful for quick changes between the settings. The flashing light is preset to international emergency, which is also useful but fortunately not required on my outing! The 85 degree adjustable beam direction was also very easy to use and held itself in position well. The spot vs flood light is easy to use by pulling at the lens end of the torch, the spot is intense! By the end of the few hours of night nav, everyone wanted to buy one for themselves! 

 

Comfort: (5/5)

Very comfortable, light-weight bit of kit. You can add the additional overhead strap for extra stability and comfort. The battery pack at the back balances out the torch at the front nicely. There are some torches lighter but not for this brightness.

 

 

Style: (4/5)

 

It’s a work of art really, the aluminium feel and neatness of the torch is great. Even the little carry pouch is very cool.

 

Durability: (3.5/5)

No problems so far and it appears very robustly built. The battery pack is nicely sealed and was put through it’s paces when I tested it. Only downside is that the on/off button can be easily switched on if you are not careful when you store it in your bag or pocket, hence not a higher score although you can detach the cable from the LED unit when storing.

 

Running suitability: (4/5)

An excellent bit of kit, light-weight, comfortable, stable and super bright with good battery life. 

 

Conclusion: Definitely one of the brightest head torches out there and great value for money at just under £40 - it has to be the best in its class. It also comes with a 5 year warranty compared to Petzl's 3 years. The only downside was was the on/off button being easily activated inadvertently, but it’s outstanding in every other area. You will be the envy of your friends, they will want one, just like mine did!