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 HITCH n HIKE > GEAR TESTS > PETZL MYO XP |
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 The Myo XP first appeared in spring 2005 and was the first in a new lineup of headtorches from Petzl using high output focused Luseon LED's. These were the first LED's to get anywhere near conventional halogen bulbs with regard to light output and beam. This new version uses single 150 Lumen LED powered, as before, by three AA batteries via control circuitry to provide variable output. The 'high' setting produces a 72m beam (up from the originals 45m) and if you need to see more, the 'boost' button up's the output to 97m (up from the originals 65m) for up to 20 seconds. The lower settings are good for easier ground and extend battery life. Other features include a tilting head, flip-up diffuser for flood lighting and an LED battery level indicator. In short, petzl has made what was arguably the best all round headtorch for hill and mountain use, even better! It is one of the few LED only headtorches that is a viable alternative to conventional halogen or halogen / LED hybrids, with enough power to find your way off something big in the dark. We've tried it out underground as well, not that it's a caving lamp but it's a good place to test it. Used with care and respect there's no reason why I couldn't be used for occasional caving. Various caving expeditions to Vietnam and New Britain have used XP's in place of traditional carbide caving lamps and they worked very well. |
There have been very few problems with the XP, and these could be attributed to complete immersion in water. The lamp is water resistant so it will cope with rain, spray or snow but it isn't submersible. We've sold loads through the shop and only had two back. One had been in the bottom of a rucksack pocket which filled up with water in prolonged heavy rain and the other had been submerged in a cave.
To sum it up, over the years Petzl have provided us with prototype and test lamps so we've ended up with a pile of them. Up until the XP coming along I'd grab which ever was the best lamp for the job, depending on where I was going and what I was planning to do. Now, 98% of the time, I grab the XP. The only time I don't is when there's a good possibility of ending up in or under water. This multipurpose headtorch should meet the requirements of walkers, climbers and runners alike. If you think your lamp could end up being totally immersed in water, opt for the Petzl Duo.
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The Myo XP in use underground - 11yr old Hannah in Giant's Hole, Derbyshire.Photo: Shaun Puckering 06/04/2005 Enlarge More info: > The Petzl Myo XP is available from our online catalogue. > Petzl's web site www.petzl.com |
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