new Core lithium ion pack is rechargeable from a USB socket and works with Tikka2 and Zipka2 headtorches.
Posted:
12 July 2010
by
Jon
Petzl is launching a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack for Tikka2 and Zipka2 torches after analysing the environmental impact of a Tikka Plus2 headtorch and discovering that the largest negative impact comes from the use of disposable batteries - check out this YouTube clip for some pics of the new pack in action.
The new battery will be called 'Core' and will work with the Tikka2 and Zipka2 models. Petzl estimates that in most countries, a Core battery will be approximately seven times the cost of an equivalent disposable alkaline AAA cells, so after seven recharging cycles, you will have paid off the intial investment of around 20.82 euros.
In all, a Core battery pack will do the job of some 900 standard alkaline batteries. The batteries are compact lithium ion making them lighter than alkaline equivalents and better in cold conditions too, they can be charged using USB outlets, solar panels, car or mains chargers and so on. They also feature an LED charge indicator.
You'll be able to buy the battery already installed in a Tikka2 or Zipka2 Core model or the pack will be available as a retrofit for existing torches. If needed, the pack can be removed and replaced with standard AAA cells.
In the pictures we've seen, the Core is a neat, self-contained, clip-on unit complete with its own battery indicator built in. Petzl's figures show a burn time of five hours with a Tikka2 and a Core battery and 23 hours in eco mode.
More Petzl details at www.petzl.com. Images and more details from this week's OutDoor trade show in Germany to follow soon.
