PETZL Swift RL Headlamp - SS21

Product Information

It also means you don’t need to switch between modes on the move, instead the head torch does it for you. The switch between brightness levels isn’t drastic or distracting, but it is sensitive enough to adapt to small changes in surrounding light.

SWIFT® RL - Headlamps | Petzl United Kingdom

Removable and replaceable battery (also sold separately) makes it possible to switch out the battery during use The plate is compatible with accessories that allow you to install the headlamp on a helmet (HELMET ADAPT adhesive plate for a variety helmet types, or SLOT ADAPT for helmets that have a compatible slot) The easiest way to tell is by putting your finger over the sensor (right next to the light beam) and if the brightness increases, it’s in reactive mode. But, in action, this slows you down and isn’t something you’d want to do whilst on the move. When in reactive mode, for each press of the single button on the top of the torch you get a brighter beam. There are three brightness levels: 100, 300 and 900 lumens. I am told (by the brand representative) that I am very firmly in a minority of people who don’t rave about the Swift and the reactive beam, but there you go. I am simply stating my opinion and how I have found the head torch. I have tested many head torches over the past decade so I feel qualified to say what works and doesn’t work so well.Were there to be a downside to this it is that it makes testing the actual burn time pretty much impossible, because it completely depends on where you're looking. If you're looking down more your burn time will be higher (up to 50hrs on RL Max Power), but if you're staring a lot into the distance then it'll be way shorter (2hrs on RL Max Power). I've found the significance of this variation a little alarming, especially when trying to plan for something that requires a degree of certainty. For instance, I've long been plotting a Bob Graham Round, and for that I need a torch that is going to last through the night. If I was using the Reactive Lighting Standard (i.e. middle) setting then I would in theory get somewhere between 5-40hrs burn time. If it's the former, then it won't last the night; if it's the latter it'll last me nearly two days. As such, which of the two figures can I really rely on? The answer is difficult to give, other than to say that if I did end up using the SWIFT RL, which I suspect I will, then I would tilt the torch down so that it preserves the battery. In reality this is likely the case whilst running, and it's definitely the case whilst climbing, where you're likely to spend most of your time looking at the ground immediately front of you. The Swift’s battery has about 33% more capacity than the Reactik’s (1800 mAh vs 2350 mAh) and the LED bulb on the Swift is more efficient; it has greater “luminous efficacy,” which is the term used by geeks in the industry that indicates a lamp’s ability to convert energy from the battery into visible light. At similar lighting levels, the Swift outperforms the Reactik in all conditions, but it gets a bit confusing because the specified burn times don’t appear dramatically different. For example, the 2-hour minimum battery life listed for the highest setting on the Swift has the highest burn setting that is 2-3x brighter than the highest setting on the REACTIK+, which has the same 2-hour battery life on high. In practical terms, the Swift will always either be brighter for the same burn time or maintain a similar brightness level for longer than the Reactik. At only 100g, it’s a dynamic headtorch aimed at mountaineers, trail runners, skiers, cyclists etc. who need strong battery life for overnight outdoor pursuits. Its compact and ultra-lightweight SHELL LT storage bag can also transform the headlamp into a lantern.

SWIFT® RL - Headlamps | Petzl Other SWIFT® RL - Headlamps | Petzl Other

Lumens: This is a measure of the output of a light in terms of brightness. The higher the number, the brighter the output.

Further advice from Petzl is that to extend burn time a bit further you can point the lamp at your feet slightly more than usual. The reactive technology dims the beam but then gives you the brightness if you look up a little. This does work well. In line with current health and safety guidelines, we reserve the right to refuse any items that are (for whatever reason) not returned to us in a clean and hygienic condition.

Petzl SWIFT RL - One Headtorch to Rule Them All? REVIEW: Petzl SWIFT RL - One Headtorch to Rule Them All?

According to the charts issued by Petzl, you can save considerably on battery use and if you are a long-distance runner or someone doing a multi-day race, battery life is important.

Accessories

Any customer information held on our computers complies with the rules and laws contained within the Data Protection Act 2018. Conclusion: I love the size, weight and 900 max lumens output of the Petzl Swift RL head torch. The split rear strap keeps the head torch stable and on my head. The REACTIVE LIGHTING® technology, uses a sensor to analyses the ambient light and automatically adjusts the brightness to your needs.

The best head torches for runners 2023 The best head torches for runners 2023

When Petzl’s reactive lighting technology debuted several years ago, we considered it one of the coolest innovations ever, and the company’s Reactik and Reactik+ headlamps became our first choice for running through the night during 100-milers. So we had a bit of apprehension in learning the Reactik line is being replaced by the new Swift RL. I found that around camp and slow-paced movement, the 100 or 300 mode was enough. The 900-lumen mode is impressively powerful for cycling and running if there are obstacles or changes in the surface. The Swfit is said to be “weather resistant”. This is not waterproof although I have taken the torch out in Scottish rain and it seems to remain operative. Yes, the NAO+ is more expensive, bulkier, heavier, and has less output; however, what it has in abundance is battery life - something that is not to be underestimated! This is a crucial factor, especially when you compare the various burn times to how long the night can actually be. In midwinter, depending on where you are in the UK (and how grey a day it is), you can realistically get a good 18hrs of darkness. Whilst the ACTIK and the SWIFT can indeed cope with this through reducing their output, that - some may say - would defeat the object of carrying such a bright headtorch. With the NAO+ there is no need to compromise, with a highly respectable 350 lumens being possible over a time frame of 15-25hrs. That's a get out of jail card on the winter mountains!I'm a massive fan of both the NAO+ and the SWIFT RL, but were I to own a single one, I'd choose the NAO+. I love how it's weighted, love how it fits, love how bombproof it feels, and love that extra battery life. This isn't to say I dislike the SWIFT, because it's similarly amazing, but I think I've historically favoured battery light over brightness (and the difference between the two in terms of their brightness is - in spite of what the figures suggest - relatively subtle).