Petzl e+Lite review

Measuring just 40x30x20mm and weighing a mere 27g, Petzl’s latest headtorch, the e+Lite, is significantly lighter than ever.

Officially, it’s designed as an emergency light to store in a medical kit, and comes with its own protective waterproof storage case complete with belt clip and two CR2032 lithium batteries. But you could just as well stash it in a seatpack or jersey pocket to get you out of trouble, while lightweight fetishists will see its adventure racing potential.

The beam is incredibly powerful for the unit’s diminutive size – in fact, it’s brighter than the original Tikka. There are three white LED settings, including one flashing mode, and two red LED settings, again with one flashing. The highest has a 19m range, while the most economical lasts 45 hours.

There’s a simple but surprisingly comfortable headstrap and a wire clip that allows the angle to be adjusted and for it to be attached to objects.

The e+Lite isn’t going to be as economical to run as rechargeable AAAs, but as the headtorch equivalent to Backupz LEDs, it’s a superb piece of miniature engineering.