Petzl's Funky New Torch - World Scoop

Here's a sneak peek at the brand new and very neat Petzl e+LITE from Petzl; we're not going to say it's definitely a world exclusive, but let's just say we haven't seen it anywhere else yet.

We first set eyes on the new torch at the recent UK outdoors trade show in Harrogate; we touched it, got the tech lowdown, but weren't allowed to photograph it. Right now though it's on display at the Friedrichshafen trade show in Germany and here it is...

But what is it? You're looking at Petzl's take on the superlightweight, emergency light market. It's a headtorch weighing just 27 grammes including batteries using 3 LEDs. It has an integral clip so you can mount it cunningly on say, your pack strap or a helmet and it's been very carefully thought out.

For starters it's effectively waterproof - down to one metre - and the batteries will last for ten years even if you stick the light in your pack and leave it there. They're cheap too, being watch items; you can buy the two you need for a couple of quid.

It's quite sophisticated too. That red lever allows you to choose between low / high and flashing white light settings plus a red flash / red solid and off. Because of the sequence, you can go straight from off to red without going via white and trashing your night vision.

Petzl says that the torch has a 19-metre range and a 45-hour burn time with fresh batteries, which is remarkable for something so small and light and it's designed to function at temperatures from -30 to +60 C even if you're not...

It's not intended as an all-round general torch, more something for lightweight freaks and for stashing in your pack just in case, but the nice thing is that you get a lot of sophistication for your money and it comes complete with the neat little case pictured.

Oh, money? Price will be around £25 when the e+lite turns up early next year. Pics by OLiver Nissen, our man in Würstland.

Current Petzl information at www.petzl.com