Petzl Swift RL

Specifications:

  • Light output: 900 lumens (ANSI-FL1 STANDARD)
  • Weight: 100 g
  • Technology: REACTIVE LIGHTING® or STANDARD LIGHTING
  • Beam pattern: mixed
  • Energy: 2350 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (included)
  • Charging time: 6 h
  • Watertightness: IPX4 (weather-resistant)
  • Certification(s): CE

Review:

Over the years I have been through a couple handfuls of headlamps, both cheap and top end brands and I can say that this is with out a doubt my favorite.  With 900 lumens of output and weighing in at only 100 grams it already holds its own with the higher output (but generally bulkier) lights while fitting and feeling like a lighter lower output model.

When it comes to cruising the streets on a predawn run or hiking a trail you can get by with a 100-300 lumen model but when it comes to bombing downhills at full speed in the dark the higher output is GREATLY appreciated.  Until I came into possession of the swift this came with double the weight along with a rechargeable battery pack at the rear.  This is not a huge deal on the trail but as soon as you need to carry something on your shoulders (or even throw a hood on if it starts raining) the battery pack is just plain in the way.

Just based on size output, and my ability to do a predawn sandbag workout this was already my favorite lamp before adding REACTIVE LIGHTING® to the equation.  Utilizing a light sensor REACTIVE LIGHTING® automatically adjusts brightness and beam pattern, optimizing battery usage.  This is a huge feature for me when I hit the rocks.  One of the big benefits of living out on the mountain (and dealing with a longer commute) is I can throw my rock climbing shoes in my chalk bag, bomb two miles of gravel, hit a boulder circuit, run home and be on my way to work by sun up.

Until recently I would wear my 1100 lumen clunky light for the run down, before donning a small 50 lumen light to hit the rocks with.  1100 lumens are blinding when reflecting off a rock a few inches from your face.  With REACTIVE LIGHTING® however the Swift automatically dims the second I face the rock.  It also should allow for a full night of battery life although I haven’t and don’t plan on hitting the trails from sundown to sunup anytime soon.  The Swift also has a STANDARD lighting mode and three different beam settings that can be switched through with one button and locked into place so that you don’t accidentally switch during use.

It has a  2350 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery that fully recharges in 6 hours and a comfortable and easily adjustable band that can be removed for washing. At $119.95 it retails for only slightly more than your standard 450 lumen models but far less than some top of the line models that I have ditched in favor of this one.

Rating:

Comfort 5/5

Output 5/5

Weight 5/5

Versatility 5/5

Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

By jordan mcdougal

Currently sponsored by the North Face as an ultramarathon runner. Jordan loves his family, running and makes time to stay fit. 2014 Bushido 2 Challenge, 1st place 2014 Spartan Super, Evergreen, 8th place Jordan has placed first in: North Face Endurance Challenge, New York 50 M Hells Hills 25 KM Rothrock Challenge 18 M North Face Endurance Challenge, Kansas City 50 KM North Face Endurance Challenge, Washington 50 M North Face Endurance Challenge, New York 50 M Nueces 50- 50 M Placed in top 3 in multiple endurance challenges. Attended Liberty University, majoring in Kinesiology and competed on the track and cross country teams. While at Liberty earned several conference titles and was part of the 2006 US Junior Cross Country team that competed at the World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. PR’s are 3:50 for the 1500m, 14:00.13 for the 5k and 29:34 for the 10k. Member of the North Face Team, McDougal rolled through the desert trails in 6:30 to earn the U.S. 50-Mile Trail Championships/Nueces 50 – Rocksprings, Texas. 2007 (R-Jr.):Five-time All-Big South performer (one cross country, two indoor track, two outdoor track) … finished as runner-up at the Big South Cross Country Championships … earned first all-region honor of his career at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships … finished 16th at the meet, in a personal-best 10K time of 30:27, narrowly missing a berth in the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships … became the first men’s runner to win three straight 5K titles at the Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships, and also anchored the Flames’ distance medley relay squad to victory … garnered a pair of second-place finishes at the Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships, in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 5K. 2006 (R-So.):Five-time All-Big South performer (one cross country, two indoor track, two outdoor track) … Big South third-place finisher in cross country … Liberty’s No. 2 runner (32nd overall) at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships … defended his Big South indoor 5K title and finished as 3K runner-up … 1,500-meter and 10K runner-up at outdoor conference meet. 2005 (R-Fr.):Five-time All-Big South performer (two indoor track, three outdoor track) … finished second behind his brother Josh at each of the first three cross country meets of the year … ran an 8K PR of 23:46 to finish as the Stanford Invitational runner-up … placed fifth at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Cross Country Championships, earning a trip to Japan for the World Championships … 5K champion and 3K runner-up at the Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships … 5K and 10K champion and 1,500-meter runner-up at the Big South outdoor meet … finished second in the Penn Relays 5K. 2004 (Fr.): Redshirted the season … placed fourth at the USATF Junior National Championships in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14:29. Prep: Home schooled … placed 23rd at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Cross Country Championships as a senior. Cross Country Bests: 8K – 23:46, 10K – 30:27 Track Bests: Steeplechase – 8:58, 5K – 14:00 Jordan subscribes to the Spotter Up way of life. “I will either find a way or I will make one”.

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