Petzl e+LITE Review

What the reviewers like:

• Tiny and lightweight (0.9 ounce)
• Red LED mode for night vision
• Can clip to hat or dog collar
• Waterproof

What the reviewers don't like:

• Throws light only about 60 feet
• Battery life not the best
• Unregulated light gradually dims as batteries fade
• Switch and swivel may be a bit fragile for rugged use

Petzl e+LITE review highlights

Backpacking Light provides the best comparison review of the Petzl e+LITE, ranking it in comparison with nine other LED headlamps based on tests and ratings for 11 factors. Outside magazine's 2007 gear guide evaluates the Petzl e+LITE based on formal field tests, and we found dozens of useful owner-written reviews of this headlamp at REI.com, MooseJaw.com and Backcountry.com. A post at Backpacker Forums raises a possible concern about quality, and a blog entry at Alpinist.com tells a detailed story of using it for mountaineering.

The waterproof 0.9-ounce Petzl e+LITE headlamp is the ideal emergency headlamp, according to reviewers. It's tiny enough to store anywhere, yet very capable, with lithium-ion batteries that hold their charge as long as 10 years. Its wide beam has two light levels, plus a strobe mode for alerting rescuers and one red LED for night vision. Many owners favor this headlamp for walking or running at night, and if your dog goes with you, an e+LITE can clip onto the dog collar to alert drivers. However, the Petzl e+LITE doesn't have the longest battery life (45 hours max) and can throw light only about 60 feet. The pricier Petzl Tactikka Plus (*est. $45) throws light farther and has a longer battery life, but weighs 2.7 ounces.

Also see full report: Headlamps

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. BackpackingLight.com
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State of the Market Report: LED Headlamps (2007)
Rick Dreher
Mar. 2007

Based on thorough tests, this review compares the Petzl e+LITE with nine other LED headlamps, rating each headlamp on 11 factors, including battery life, beam quality, comfort and value. The Petzl e+LITE is top-rated for its light weight but loses points for short battery life and lacking a voltage regulator.

2. Outside Magazine
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2007 Buyer's Guide: Petzl E+Lite Review
Sam Moulton
May 2007

Based on testing in field conditions, the 2007 issue of the Outside magazine Buyer's Guide recommends the Petzl e+LITE along with five other headlamps, praising the e+LITE for its light weight and mode and attachment options.

3. REI.com
Petzl e+LITE Reviews
REI.com editors and contributors

More than a dozen owners review the Petzl e+LITE here, giving it near-perfect ratings and saying they would recommend it to friends. A few wish it were brighter, but we found no complaints about battery life.

4. Moosejaw.com
Petzl e+LITE Headlamp Reviews
Contributors to MooseJaw.com

More than two dozen owners give the Petzl e+LITE headlamp mostly rave reviews here. One owner says the batteries, though expensive, lasted six months with regular use.

5. Backcountry.com
Petzl e+LITE Emergency Headlamp Reviews
Contributors to Backcountry.com

About two dozen owners review the Petzl e+LITE here, some using it for its intended purpose, backup emergencies, others using it as the main headlamp.

6. Backpacker.com
PETZL E + Lite a Big Disappointment, Design Flaw in Switch
Contributors to Backpacker Forums

One owner reports that the switch was fragile and easily damaged (with a little sand, for example) on both his first Petzl e+LITE and a replacement. Another contributor says it's better to reserve the e+LITE for emergencies and use a bigger LED headlamp as the main light.

7. Alpinist Mountain Standards
Petzl e+lite: For Emergencies and Every Day
Larry Goldie
Oct. 2007

This detailed review tells an interesting story of lost luggage, giving the Petzl e+LITE a star role as emergency backup headlamp - but finding a shorter runtime than Petzl specifies.

Also see full report: Headlamps

Petzl e+LITE Review