Australian Hiker | Petzl Swift RL 1100 Headlamp

Weight 100 grams
Colours Orange, White, Black
Maximum Power 1100 Lumens

Cost $279.99

Petzl Swift RL 1100 Headlamp

Lighting

Rating

Rating:	8.1 / 10
Value for Money	1.7 / 2
Weight	1.6 / 2
Ease of Use	1.7 / 2
Comfort	1.6 / 2
Versatility	1.5 / 2

Petzl Swift RL 1100 Headlamp Review

This is the second version of the Petzl Swift RL light I have used and like the rest of range, Petzl continues to adapt and update its headlamps. First up this headlamp sits in the upper end of the Petzl range and as such this is reflected in the pricing which at the time of this review sits at AUD $279.99 RRP. Over the past few months I have been testing a number of headlamps within the Petzl range and between Gill and I, Petzl dominates our gear cupboard. In my case my two main lights are the Petzl E+Lite and the Petzl Actik Core 600 Headlamp – which one I will choose is based on my needs. So where does the Petzl Swift RL 1100 with this range and who should be using this light?

The most obvious thing about this light is that at its most powerful setting it puts out 1100 lumens and has a range of 155 metres. However, this headlamp has three modes with flexibility within the white lighting modes to vary the power.

The standard lighting mode is a white light that you can increase or decrease to suit your needs. The reactive lighting mode can be best compared to a modern phone or laptop whereby a sensor assesses the surrounding lighting and automatically adjusts the lighting as you use it. Last but not least is the red lighting mode which has two options. The red strobe setting for emergency use which will last for multiple days/weeks on a full battery and the red light which is used so you don’t ruin your night vision or that of your partners.

Battery duration (depending on light mode):

Standard lighting: 2-100 hours
Reactive lighting: 2-70 hours
Red Lighting: 2-60 hours
Red Stone: 300 hours

Lighting power (Lumens):

Standard lighting: 10-700 Lumens
Reactive lighting: 18-1100 Lumens
Red Lighting: 3 Lumens

Beam visibility distance (depending on light mode):

Standard lighting: 12-115 metres
Reactive lighting: 35-155 metres
Red Lighting: 5 metres
Red Strobe: 750 metres

This headlamp is a standard configuration with the battery and lighting unit encased in a single unit on the front of the head. While other headlamps have the ability to use disposal batteries or the rechargeable battery, this headlamp has a dedicated rechargeable battery that forms part of the case. You can buy a second battery if you’re doing big nights with high power usage and that will set you back AUD $145.00 RRP. It is worth noting that a spare battery may require a special order because while they are available from the supplier, the retail stores don’t list them as a stock item.

Given the capacity of the battery and the power of the beam on this headlamp, the overall unit weight is 100 grams which doesn’t sound a lot and is only be 12 grams heavier that my preferred Petzl Actik Core 600 Headlamp. The only other real negative is going to be the price which at the time of this review sits at AUD $279.99 RRP. Now don’t get me wrong, given the features and versatility of this light its great value but if all you ever do is walk around camp and read at nighttime then this light isn’t for you – there are other suitable and much cheaper options available.

Like most newer headlamps on the market these days this light operates with a single button which is reasonably intuitive to use and allows you to dim or strengthen the standard light setting as you need. From a cosmetic perspective this light comes in three colours white, orange and black with a comfortable matching headband.

The other consideration with this light is do you really need the sheer power that it has to offer? If you are never going to use the maximum power then opt for a less powerful and cheaper option. The best way to think about this is how often do you use high beam in a car? Having a headlamp that is visible at 155 metres at its maximum isn’t going to help you in dense bushland. If however you are hiking in unfamiliar open areas that have treacherous footing then this is the headlamp to have. In my case I do often hike into the night and unless it’s in really dense bushland, I look for my most powerful option. The ability to leave this headlamp in ‘reactive mode’ and let it manage itself is easy or I can pick and choose my own lighting preferences from across the full range of options available.

This light isn’t going to be for everyone given it’s price and its immense power but for those of you into nighttime running/trail running and/or hiking in poorly lit areas when you need serious way finding ability for shorter periods, then this one is definitely worth considering.

We Like

Ultra-bright at up to 1,100 lumens light
Light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness and beam pattern, optimising battery usage or choose a lighting strength that suits you
Lithium-ion 2350 mAh battery, rechargeable via the USB-C port, with battery charge indicator
Reflective headband for night visibility
Two beam patterns (flood or mixed) giving very high-performance lighting for outdoor activities: proximity vision, movement and distance vision giving extreme versatility for your lighting
Single button for lighting selection

We Don't Like

Not cheap for a hiking headlamp with a RRP of $279.99 but this price does include an interchangeable rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
Five hour recharge cycle
Only operates with the rechargeable battery so if you plan on using the high power setting for extended periods you will need a second dedicated battery which is not cheap
Starting to get a bit heavy on the head

Best Uses

An extremely versatile powerful headlamp for hikers, trail runners and runners who want serious nighttime lighting

Buy One

You can purchase the Petzl Swift RL 1100 Headlamp from Snowys, Wild Earth or from Wildfire Sports

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