I ended up on a number of occasions “sharing” the beams of the dimmed Swift RL and the lower lumen output of a friend’s head torch. The SWIFT RL includes a five-level indicator to let you know how much battery power remains when you turn on or turn off your headlamp. We’ll start off the ‘Features’ section where we ended the previous one. The Swift RL’s ‘Reactive Lighting’ technology results in a longer burn time (or battery life), and requires less manual adjustment. The light sensor automatically adjusts brightness and beam pattern depending on the current level of light in the environment. This optimises battery usage and keeps the head torch going for longer. If you’d prefer something a bit more traditional, you can switch to a ‘Standard Lighting’ mode. The 2350 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery can easily be charged using a micro-USB cable. Charge time: 6 hours. Also, when charging the head torch you do not need to open up the case, as I have to do with the Actik Core.

The SWIFT RL PRO headlamp also includes a red lighting mode that combines visual comfort with discretion. Were there to be a downside to this it is that it makes testing the actual burn time pretty much impossible, because it completely depends on where you're looking. If you're looking down more your burn time will be higher (up to 50hrs on RL Max Power), but if you're staring a lot into the distance then it'll be way shorter (2hrs on RL Max Power). I've found the significance of this variation a little alarming, especially when trying to plan for something that requires a degree of certainty. For instance, I've long been plotting a Bob Graham Round, and for that I need a torch that is going to last through the night. If I was using the Reactive Lighting Standard (i.e. middle) setting then I would in theory get somewhere between 5-40hrs burn time. If it's the former, then it won't last the night; if it's the latter it'll last me nearly two days. As such, which of the two figures can I really rely on? The answer is difficult to give, other than to say that if I did end up using the SWIFT RL, which I suspect I will, then I would tilt the torch down so that it preserves the battery. In reality this is likely the case whilst running, and it's definitely the case whilst climbing, where you're likely to spend most of your time looking at the ground immediately front of you. Removable and replaceable battery (also sold separately) makes it possible to switch out the battery during use Compact, ultra-powerful, and rechargeable headlamp featuring REACTIVE LIGHTING® technology. 1100 lumens Prezl says: In truth, and from what I have discovered when discussing the reactive technology with others, I think the reactive beam is far better for solo running or when you are walking. The pace of walking means that if the beam dims it is not so much of an issue compared to running. When running I usually require a bright beam to show me the way ahead.

Conclusion

The headband is reflective for nighttime visibility and its split construction gives you excellent stability during dynamic and intense activities such as mountaineering, trail running, and skiing.

The maximum burn time setting is good for fishing or camping when you need a few nights’ worth of power close up, but the reactive lighting is much better for any kind of activity. And if not, it is the dual LED on medium setting that gets used the most for me as it provides consistent light up to 55 meters and lasts for around 5 hours (1 night) on a full charge. It feels very light on your head, which is definitely helped by the comfortable headband. It doesn’t travel down your forehead even when you are running, so you don’t constantly have to readjust it. Beam OptionsDigging down into it in a much more serious way, the product’s two-part construction ensures first-rate stability during dynamic and intense activities such as mountaineering, trail running and skiing. Move about as much as you want and this thing will continue to light the way for you. Petzl has solved this by creating a second set of ‘standard’ settings too, which cut out the sensor and 'just' give you low/med/high beam as you’ve selected, like a normal, dumb headtorch. The hitch with the standard settings is that this drops full beam to a mere 550 lumens, presumably as the full 900 lumens will melt through steel like a superman eye laser - and the battery - if left constantly on for the entire 2 hour burn time.

One minor criticism is that the SWIFT battery is a bit awkward to remove, but given that the USB is readily accessible, and I don't actually have a spare battery to replace it with, this hasn't presented a major problem; however, if you were trying to fiddle with it wearing gloves, whilst battling with the elements on a mountainside, it could be quite awkward. Modes and Operation I was looking forward to a beam that was bright enough to run with for most of the time but I did not find this in the reactive mode. The beam brightness was too variable to be enjoyable and reliable.

Accessories

In distance-vision mode (REACTIVE LIGHTING®), the SWIFT RL PRO provides 550 lumens of lighting power, bright enough to see 150 meters ahead and offer up to 50 hours of battery life. For some time, they have also sold head lamps with what is called “reactive lighting technology”. These are part of the performance collection as “Reactive” head lamps. The Nao and Nao+ were the first head torches I saw with this technology and a few friends have them. The Swift RL also includes a reactive light beam mode. Yes, the NAO+ is more expensive, bulkier, heavier, and has less output; however, what it has in abundance is battery life - something that is not to be underestimated! This is a crucial factor, especially when you compare the various burn times to how long the night can actually be. In midwinter, depending on where you are in the UK (and how grey a day it is), you can realistically get a good 18hrs of darkness. Whilst the ACTIK and the SWIFT can indeed cope with this through reducing their output, that - some may say - would defeat the object of carrying such a bright headtorch. With the NAO+ there is no need to compromise, with a highly respectable 350 lumens being possible over a time frame of 15-25hrs. That's a get out of jail card on the winter mountains! The jury is out for me on the reactive beams. I found them to be a bit frustrating. The reactive beam reacted too much to other people’s beams and to my breath/mist/rain. I felt that the beam become too dim on too many occasions to be really useful.