 I'm planning to get a backup light that would be suitable for occasional use as a main torch when packing light. (No pun intended). My local French outdoors shop sells a few options; of which I am most interested in the Black Diamond Ion (new one with a single 1/2 Watt LED ) or the much discussed Petzl e-lite. The e-Lite is significantly more expensive (something like 13 Euros compared to 22). All the reviews on the site talk about the original two-LED Ion. I continue to use & be impressed by my original BD zenix so based on this and price I am probably going for the Ion. But I've no idea how easy it is to obtain the batteries; and the eLite seems to take up less space and offer longer maximum lighting times. So I'm hoping someone has tried both (or even another option that I haven't considered)... John
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 My backup, and only summer light, is the Photon Freedom Micro John. I was given an e-Lite as a present when they first came out. I've never used it since i got the Photon. The Photon is much brighter. The link to the official Photon site i've highlited is only $6 shipping from the US. Cheaper than buying here. Worth shopping around, as i got mine from the US, plus 10 spare batteries and shipping, for less than the UK price. Unfortunately, i can't remember the site i bought it from.
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 I've got an ion as a back up, used on a night walk by a mate when his main tourch packed up, did the job as expected. personnally i think it looks a more sturdy peice of kit.
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Interesting, Mike. I've seen something like the Photon from Princeton Tec. And my local place sells a (slightly dated-looking) Princeton Tec model that doesn't have its own head strap but does have a widget to clip it onto an existing head torch strap. So it's a true backup light in that it assumes you'll have your primary head torch at your disposal. Do you have the clippy thing to keep it attached to a hat? Is that any good? I want to be able to use it hands free (why I was looking at the Ion & eLite) but if your photon thingy can do that then maybe it's worth a closer look... John
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The clip comes with it John. I use the clip to hang from the roof of a tent. And it's hard to beat the weight. Light, battery and clip weigh 12g total. It is a lot brighter than similar micro lights.  Photon make a whole range of lights. Some places sell the older models, which aren't as bright. The Freedom Micro uses a newer LED, and has an easier to access battery compartment.
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I have 2 e lites, pretty happy with them, ones chucked in the 1st aid kit, other gets abit of use, cheapest ive seen is £15.99 on theoutdoorshop website. i also have a few photon freedoms, they come with several attachments, the keyring and necklace/lanyard bit but also the croc clip which is also magnetic, swivels etc so its pretty versatile. cool features such as different brightness of the led, flashing speeds and the SOS sequence. i picked mine up from ebay.com about £6-8 each but that was before the £ slumped.
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 According to rumours from PTC the new E+Lite out very soon I think is pretty much the same but with an improved case, and the strap buckle that you tighten the strap with has a whistle on it! Bonus, don't need to carry a whistle!
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 I'm happy with my e+LITE, both as a back-up light and as "the one and only summer headlamp"  But just for backup you may consider Sigma Sport Micro It's cheap, use the same battery cells as e+, which is very good idea, I think. BD use a cell, you can find rather in specialised shops. Sima Micro R is also Decathlon available
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Well, I opted for the Ion as a quick fix to the question... didn't have time to scout alternatives yet. And so far I'm very impressed. The battery replacement is an issue given that the spare I bought cost about a third the price of the whole torch (battery included!). But as I don't plan on using it much that shouldn't be too serious. Meanwhile it throws out an impressive amount of light; almost as much as the higher power beam on my old BD Zenix with a noticeably whiter light as is true for most newer LED torches. It's tidy, comfy and effective. My wife used it on a recent camping trip and kept it wrapped around her wrist as a bracelet when not in use... It doesn't even need a pocket! I'm not saying it's better or worse than the alternative that I didn't get to try... but I will say I'm pleased with it and that's a good start!
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 John, I don't know if they use the same battery, but the 6V cell for my old BD ion is quite easy to get hold of. You just need to investigate what type of batteries are available. There are alkaline cells (search for 4LR44) which can be picked up for less than a pound, then there are silver oxide (4SR44) or lithium (PX28L) versions which are more expensive but last much longer.
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I have both original Ion and e-Light. I've read books using both, in addition to my normal use of them as inspection lights.
Neither is good as a hiking light. They do not project enough of a beam, nor wide enough, to keep you on a path or help you avoid branches/pits.
The Ion is more convenient to use. It doesn't matter if you put it on right-side up, and the on/off button is always immediately found. On the e-Light, you must put it on right-side up, flip it open, find the (great) on/off switch around the edge, and get the switch into ON position.
The e-Light batteries are found in almost any store that carries batteries - it is a very common CR2032 coin cell. The Ion batteries are found mostly in camping stores that carry the Ion - it is a very uncommon 6V half-AA size. I've spent more than $100/year on batteries for the Ion.
The old Ion was poorly made in comparison the the superbly built e-Light. The old Ion battery springs wear out and require adjustment, the rubber switch cover wears off, and the switch becomes unreliable. The new Ion looks better built. The e-Light switch seems unlikely ever to wear out, the light is not just waterproof it is rated gas-tight.
The e-Light works not just in your hand and on its headstrap, but clips to a hat brim, and can self-stand on its battery base. The Ion doesn't have those options.
Right now I prefer the Ion, because I don't have to fumble at all when I get it out of my pocket.
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Welcome to the forum, Isaiah; and thanks for a great summary of pros & cons as you experience them. I bought the new Ion and have so far been very impressed. It's my backup light so the battery availability it less of an issue (my main lamp uses AAA). And it was a lot less expensive than the eLite where I shop (13 Euros compared to 22). I'm told that you can get the BD replacement batteries for a lot less than they are sold for in outdoor shops. See Dan W's post for example. John
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