The New Petzl Nao
Petzl is just about to launch what it reckons is its most significant new product for many years in the shape of the Petzl Nao, a new headtorch that combines über-bright output with a programmable, rechargeable battery and – here's the innovative bit – technology that automatically adjusts light levels to suit your environment.
Reactive Lighting Technology
Yep, you read that right. New 'Reactive Lighting' technology monitors reflective light from your direction of vision and changes the head torch output to suit. So, as an example, look down at, say, a map and the torch will dim automatically, but scan the horizon for a distant field gate and the light output will increase to suit.
The benefits aren't just a reduction of effort and gloved-finger fumblings – yes, we've all been there – Petzl says that the optimised lighting means that battery life can be up to three times greater than you'd get by simply plonking the torch on max power and leaving it on. So basically, you can have your LED cake and eat it.
Petzl PR, Clive Allen, who's been trialling the light in the Lake District reckons the system is 'spookily good' with light output changing so rapidly that the transition is nigh on imperceptible, though the sensor can be phased by heavy rain or snow. If that does happen, you can still switch to Static mode, which will give you a fixed output with both LEDs illuminated.
Flipping Bright
It's flipping bright too. The Nao has two LEDs, a wide-angled flood and a narrower spot LED which comes into play when you need it. The combined, maximum output is an estimated 355 lumens - note that Petzl tend to be conservative in their claims - which should be enough for most outdoor use short of barrelling downhill on a mountain bike. The thing that looks like a third LED is the sensor for the reactive lighting by the way,
There's also a high and low output in each mode, which as with the Tikka Core battery, can be customised by plugging into a computer and using a new version of Petzl's OS 2.0 software.
USB Rechargeable
Talking of power, the Nao uses a 2300mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery with a USB connection, which can be mounted either on the headband or remotely on a belt or, presumably, an internal pocket for cold-condition running use. In an emergency, you can also use two AAA batteries as back-up.
Last but not least, it looks like nothing we've seen before, though there are echoes of Petzl's Ultra mega-torch in the styling and, particularly, the big, easy-to-find rotating switch.
For the first time, Petzl has used a new Zephyr cord-lock headband at the rear of the torch combined with a forehead-contoured front cradle or headset. There's also a detachable top strap for additional stability. Allen reckons the set-up works well with good stability even without the top-strap fitted.
Refreshingly Petzl tends to release stuff when it's ready rather than according to trade seasons and as we understand it, the Nao should be in UK shops around July time.
Price in the UK will be £135, but for that you're getting something that ticks most of the boxes on our headtorch wish-list then adds one or two we hadn't even considered.
More Petzl information from www.petzl.com
