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
