Reactive Lighting Technology by Petzl
One of the most fun things we get to do as photographers is to see and use new products well in advance of their release. This was certainly the case when Petzl France contacted us to shoot photos for their new NAO Headlamp. Our job was to shoot trail and mountain running photos using this new lighting technology. Job done, the headlamps were our’s to keep using and put to the test for DolomiteSport.
It is very obvious that more and more people are using lighting systems to get them out after daylight hours. And why not? The lights have advanced to such a state that most anything is possible. Nowhere is this more true than with this new offering from Petzl.
Reactive Lighting is the technology. Above the NAO’s two lamps is a sensor which immediately interprets the distance and intensity at which the light must function. Aim the headlamp at your feet and you have enough light & contrast to see, raise your head and direct the light to infinity and the light instantly becomes a monstrously powerful high beam; easily enough light for descending on skis quickly, scope the next pitches or see where your running trail is taking you. The beam distance is about 100 meters at full intensity. But, aim it to your feet or just meters in front of you and the beam is back to normal headlamp output, saving both battery power and your eyes. Simply put, the headlamp instantly provides exactly the right amount of light you require based on where you look.
Petzl NAO Headlamp front view. The sensor is above the lamps. The large switch is on the left side in the photo, the black square knob.
I have been using the headlamp ski mountaineering training and have found it perfect. For descending, there is the added option of being able to change the light from reactive to a fixed high power beam with the quick flip of a large switch for gloved hands – easy. With the high beam activated, descents, even at the highest speeds and technical terrain are zero issue. This light can replace those massive Silva lights popular for so long.
While descending recently with a friend after a night ski mountaineering training session, I skied behind and cast my light in front of my friend. He said he felt like a snow cat was following him.
Here in Europe, the LED Lenser headlamps have become quite popular, denting the market for both BD and Petzl. The LED Lenser was an instant hit thanks to its massively powerful high beam in a small package. I too jumped on board and got one so I was able to compare the Petzl NAO and LED Lenser side by side. The Petzl NAO is much more powerful, only slightly larger, with better battery life and much more comfortable to wear on either the head or helmet. Perhaps the only slight disadvantage of the NAO is its size. If you’re familiar with the Petzl MYO RXP lamp, the NAO is just slightly larger but certainly not much heavier. However, for the small amount of added bulk, you have a lighthouse beacon on your head.
Petzl NAO Headlamp rear view with battery. The head strap is a combo elastic band and adjustable cinch cord which has proven very comfortable and secure with no irritating wiggle.
My battery tests are still a work in progress. But, with the NAO’s rechargeable battery, I seem to be getting about 6-8 hours on reactive lighting, and Petzl tells me this will drop to just a few hours if kept on a fixed high beam. With reactive lighting and the occasional switch to fixed high beam, I expect around 4-5 hours of battery life. I believe this is conservative, more than enough light for most uses. If you do need more battery life, carry a spare, they can be switched out while on the fly.
The battery itself is USB and capable of being charged from an iPhone charger with USB cable, ditto with the car charger – this has been handy.
System Summary
1. On/Off switch is easily adjusted with gloves on. Finally!!! Bravo Petzl!
2. Extremely comfortable on the head.
3. It’s obvious real users designed the NAO.
4. You always have just the right amount of light, never left wanting more.
5. Petzl high quality.
Petzl tells me they have some additional features for this light coming soon… The NAO Headlamp will be available July 2012.
For the mountain sport athlete looking to perform at night, this is the light to use.
See and learn more about the NAO at Petzl.com
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Dolomites Tour Operator
Thanks for this review.
You state “If you do need more battery life, carry a spare, they can be switched out while on the fly.”
What kind of battery is this? Is it the complete compartment containting the electronics which has to be exchanged (and purchased double)?
Or is it some kind of cell like standard 18650 LiOn?
Hi Andreas, I actually had no idea about this feature until I read Petzl’s web’s release – but it turns out you can put AAA batteries in the same compartment as the rechargeable battery. So, you have the option of buying the spare Petzl rechargeable battery as a spare, or just getting to know your burn times and carrying AAA spares – this makes the light even more attractive in my opinion as you are free to use readily available batteries.
Hope that helps.
Dan