Petzl’s Bluetooth Headlamps: The Next Big (and Brilliant) Thing

At Salt Lake City’s Outdoor Retailer, the outdoor industry’s biggest tradeshow, one trend is clear: technology has never been more a part of our adventures. The line between gear and gadget is often blurred and broken—if in existence at all.

But this is nothing new. Days ago at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, Under Armour announced the release of stat-tracking smart shoes. This past August, we got a chance to test Abom’s goggles at Chile’s Valle Nevado Ski Resort, which incorporate anti-fog heating elements between the lenses.  Companies are constantly drumming up crazy new technologies, hoping to make our outdoor adventures safer and smarter.

Petzl is no different. This is a brand with roots, deep roots, in the climbing world. Consider the Petzl Grigri a belay device celebrating it’s 25^th anniversary that’s still arguably the most trusted in the game. Though many a mountaineer look back fondly at Petzl’s early innovations, the core company is far from finished pushing the limits.

Enter the new line of Bluetooth headlamps. Yes, you read that correctly. But hold back your skepticism—this product has the potential to change the way we light the night for years to come.

Petzl’s NAO+ (750 Lumens, $184.95) and the Reactik+ (240 Lumens, $109.95) pair up with Petzl’s mobile app (MyPetzl Light), allowing users to customize their output to the mission at hand.

Say you’re a mountain biker, going on a loop that usually takes you 2 hours. Set your battery life on the app to 2.5 hours (taking into account the inevitable mechanical issue) and you’ll enjoy maximized light output. But wait! Things go wrong. You take a wrong turn, end up at the bottom of a godforsaken canyon, hopelessly lost, and realize you’re in for a long haul home in the dark. Easily maximize battery life by adjusting settings in the app.

Maybe you’re not in need of the powerful beam required by moonlight-loving mountain bikers. In addition to light output and battery life, you can also toggle between several beam patterns.

What’s more, you can actually type messages into the app, which will translate into Morse code flashes. Maybe you already know the code for SOS, but you aren’t familiar with the phrase “Bring another puffy. It’s cold. And some pepperoni pizza. –John.”

On another practical note, both of these headlamps come stocked with Petzl’s Reactive Lighting tech. The integrated sensor “analyzes the ambient light and adjusts brightness instantly to user requirements.” Essentially, depending on what you aim it at (a map, the trail ahead, your tentmate’s sleeping face), the headlamp automatically adjusts. How considerate of you.

These Bluetooth headlamps aren’t the only innovations present in the Petzl line. New for 2016, the ultralight Ride ice axe, according to Petzl, is the lightest axe in it’s class. Also new for this year, the Altitude harness is a ski-mountaineer’s dream—crafted from supremely strong and almost see-through webbing, it packs down to the size of, well, a Bluetooth headlamp. Plus, a couple new crampons (the Leopard and the Irvis Hybrid) use taut cord to link the two halves of the crampons instead of the traditional metal plate.

Faster, lighter. Brighter, smarter. Stay tuned to Active Junky for full reviews as products become available later in 2016.

Product features, from the manufacturer:

Petzl NAO+, $184.95 (Available October 2016)

Weight: 185 grams. www.petzl.com
Features: 

• MyPetzl Light bluetooth-enabled app allows users to access battery life and adjust beam pattern, brightness and burn time
• Activate and create lighting profiles to suit the activity

• Four additional profiles available with the MyPetzl Light app: trail running, mountaineering, trekking, bivouac

• Light sensor automatically adjusts brightness and beam pattern, optimizing battery use
• Depending on the chosen burn time (6h30 or 12 h), brightness automatically self-regulates in two modes: MAX POWER or MAX AUTONOMY

• Lamp can be used with CONSTANT LIGHTING technology, which ensures constant lighting over time

• Multi-beam lighting: combines a wide beam for proximity lighting with a focused beam for long-range vision

• Red indicator light on the battery, in the rear, to signal location

• Lock function to avoid accidentally turning it on during transit or storage

• Rechargeable 2600 mAh Lithium-Ion battery:

• Universal charging with micro USB port

• Charge indicator and blue signal for Bluetooth® activation
• Additional top strap for technical activities

• Belt kit accessory for NAO + allows the rechargeable battery to be moved to the belt to reduce the weight worn on the head, or to keep it warm in winter 

Petzl REACTIK+, $109.95 (Available July 2016)

Weight: 115 grams. www.petzl.com
Features:

• MyPetzl Light bluetooth-enabled app allows users to access battery life and adjust beam pattern, brightness and burn time
• Activate and create lighting profiles to suit the activity
• Headlamp comes with multi-activity lighting profile
• Four additional profiles available with the MyPetzl Light app: trail running, mountaineering, trekking, bivouac
• Light sensor automatically adjusts brightness and beam pattern, optimizing battery use
• Depending on the chosen burn time (2h30, 5 h, 10 h), brightness automatically self-regulates in three modes : MAX POWER, STANDARD, MAX AUTONOMY
• Lamp can be used with CONSTANT LIGHTING technology, which ensures constant lighting over time
• Multi-beam lighting: combines a wide beam for proximity lighting with a focused beam for long-range vision
• Red lighting mode preserves night vision
• Lock function to avoid accidentally turning it on during transit or storage
• Rechargeable 1800 mAh Lithium-Ion battery:
• Universal charging with micro USB port
• Charge indicator, and blue indicator for Bluetooth® activation
• Washable and adjustable headband has two-part construction for optimal positioning during dynamic activities
• Weather resistant