Here's the dramatic head torch scoop they simply didn't want you
to know about... And now, thanks to an enterprising OM mole, we have
a picture as well.
Petzl has announced the Myo, a replacement for the classic Zoom,
which has increasingly been left trailing by the new generation of
LED and LED/halogen combos. We got to take a look at the new kid on
the block at the Soltex Show a couple of weeks back and it looks like
a very competent, well thought out piece of kit.
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This is the Myo 5 - note the LED
pod below the main, zoomable,
halogen unit and neat futuristic styling. Note too that you
won't
be able to buy it till May
|
It looks much more contemporary than the traditional Zoom models -
see pic above - but retains the Zoom's, erm, zoom function and, in
the higher end models, adds LED bulbs in the same housing allowing
you to choose between LEDs for long battery life and good close-up
light and a new Xenon Halogen bulb that gives a focussable, long
distance beam.
Five Models.
There are five models in the range with prices from
£27-£50. The base level Myo is a simple Zoom update with
just a Xenon Halogen bulb, a zoom function and no LEDs. Next step up
at around £40 is the Myo 3, which also has a cluster of three
LED bulbs and a the top of the range is the Myo 5, with, you guessed
it, five LED bulbs. The Myo 5 allows three different settings on the
LED option to optimise battery life.
The two top-end models also come in 'Belt' versions with a remote
battery pack which you can slip inside your bra or other clothing to
keep batteries warm in extreme conditions.
A quick fiddle at the show suggests that the controls are easy to
use with zoom, switch and angle adjustment of the water-resistant
head unit all easy to control. All the Myo range uses 4 x AA
batteries instead of the hard to find and heavy 4.5-volt square cell
used for the Zoom and, in a thoughtful touch, Petzl have mounted the
cells horizontally to prevent bouncing and wear to the contacts.
Another neat feature is a spare bulb handily housed on the head
strap. Very nice.
Last but not least, Petzl tells us that the lamp unti may be
smaller than the Zoom's, but new design means that there's no 'black
spot' in the halogen beam even when zoomed.
Like we said, not in the shops till May and until recently
we didn't have a piccy, though ironically there's one in the new
Ellis Brigham catalogue...
