Series Comparison Review 1: Stand out at night. Considering the best lighting for night riding [Headlamp Edition]

Monday, September 3, 2018

LEDLENSER , headlamp , Petzl , milestone , comparison , trail running

Written by Kohei Tsushima

Running in the mountains at night? Something I'd never even considered before became second nature once I started trail running. At long-duration running events like Hasetsune and UTMF, I often ride all day and night once dusk arrives, equipped with lights on my head, waist, and hands. One day, the editor-in-chief of this site asked me, "I have a bunch of lights. Would you like to try them out?" and handed me a bunch of them.

While I can try them out in the shop, it's a rare opportunity to compare them all at once in the mountains. So, I decided to run a series of articles where I'd choose the lights I was interested in by using my head, hands, and waist, and then actually try them out by running in the mountains at night. The first installment is headlamps (lights).

table of contents

What to look for in a headlamp
Test drive impressions of the featured headlamps
conclusion
(Reference) Evaluation results summary and specification comparison table
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What to look for in a headlamp

In the mountains at night, when visibility is poor, you must repeatedly assess the road conditions and make instant decisions about how to avoid obstacles. Like a headlamp, headlights shine from a high position, reducing shadows cast by rocks and tree roots and allowing light to reach farther, making them a key item for night runs. While maximum lumens are often a factor when selecting a light, I rarely keep it on at maximum output. In reality, I typically use a light at around 200-300 lumens, and what I value more than maximum lumens is the light distribution. Even with the same brightness, the size, color, and lens shape of the LEDs can dramatically change the view you see. Other factors that are important to consider are weight and comfort, as the headlamp will be worn for long periods of time. Ease of use, such as ease of button operation while wearing the headlamp, are also important considerations. This time, I tested three powerful, high-performance headlamps that excel in these areas and are considered ideal for trail running

Test drive impressions of the featured headlamps

PETZL NAO+

NAO+

PETZL

22,248 yen

185g

Weight ★★☆ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★★

The Petzl NAO is known for its reactive lighting (automatic dimming function), and the latest model is equipped with a smartphone linking function. While it's still possible to create customized profiles with brightness and usage time, these profiles can now be transferred using a dedicated smartphone app without using a computer. The maximum light output of 750 lumens is unmatched by other products, but what I particularly recommend is the light distribution of the NAO+, achieved through the exquisite lens cut. The light distribution, which illuminates everything from your feet to the edges of your field of vision naturally without creating shadows, is a cut above the rest

Light distribution image

Even the well-made NAO+ has its weaknesses. The aforementioned reactive lighting (automatic dimming function) is vulnerable to reflective materials. For example, when approaching a runner ahead of you in a race, reflective material on their backpack or shoes can cause the sensor to malfunction, preventing optimal light output. This is unavoidable since the sensor analyzes reflected light. However, if there is a runner ahead of you, you can counter this by pointing the light slightly downward. The battery, even at its usual low setting (120lm), feels brighter than the stated value and can be used for 8 hours, so I have no complaints

Here is ◎

Beautiful light distribution without shadows
The smartphone connectivity has made the app even more versatile, and if you master it, it's the best

This is a pity

Reactive functions can be unstable depending on the situation

milestone MS-F1 Trail Master

MS-F1 Trail Master

milestone

18,900 yen

180g

Weight ★★☆ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★☆

This high-performance headlamp for trail running, newly released for the 2018 season, gained fame thanks to its use by runner Doi at UTMF 2018. It features different colored LEDs on the top and bottom (white on top, warm white on bottom), and the light color can be changed with the push of a button. Using a headlamp in fog can make everything in front of you turn white, making it impossible to see anything, but being able to change the light color with the push of a button is revolutionary. It's a long-awaited feature for runners who can't slow down under any circumstances. Another unique feature is the ability to adjust the tightness by turning the dials on both sides

Light distribution image (white)

Light distribution image (warm white)

The light distribution is similar to the NAO+ mentioned above, evenly illuminating the entire field of view. The warm white light has a reddish hue that's gentle on the eyes, ensuring clear visibility even in fog. Turning the dials on both sides winds the wire and adjusts the tightness. The extremely thin wire feels soft against the head. The knobs on both sides allow you to adjust the tightness to suit the shape of your head. The design minimizes the area of contact with the head, including the light and battery, for a stress-free experience. This light exudes careful attention to detail. Its simple operation makes it easy to master, and the battery lasts a sufficient seven hours at MID (160lm). It also features a power-saving mode to prevent accidental power-off, allowing for safe use over long periods of time. One thing I found annoying was the feel of the side switch. It's used to adjust the brightness between three levels and switch between warm white and warm white, but I found it difficult to tell whether it was pressed or not

Here is ◎

Simple operation
Change the color of the light with the push of a button
Flexible size adjustment function with dial

This is a pity

The feel when pressing the side switch is a little weak

LEDLENSER MH10

MH10

LEDLENSER

12,960 yen

158g

Weight ★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★☆☆

The MH10 is Ledlenser's latest model, which has recently expanded its product lineup and is gaining popularity. While it only features a single LED, its large size makes it surprisingly bright and more than sufficient for night riding. You can also switch between wide and spot light by turning the ring at the tip of the light. Simple operation allows you to turn it on/off and change the brightness with a single button, and it's easy to use with a solid, tactile feel. The light distribution is close to spot, and even when set to wide, there are shadows at the edges. This may be a concern for those who prefer a bright light distribution that illuminates every corner, like the NAO+ or MS-F1, but on the other hand, it can also be considered an advantage in foggy conditions

Light distribution image

The red and green color filters are included as standard, so you can easily change the light color. This, along with the aforementioned spot light, will be a great help in foggy conditions. I wish the yellow color filters were included as standard. The battery can be used for 15 hours at medium power (250lm), so it's a great advantage that you can keep riding all day and night without relying on a spare battery

Here is ◎

Switchable between wide light and spot light
Color filters allow you to change the color of the light

This is a pity

Not suitable for lighting every corner

conclusion

After comparing three headlamps, I decided the NAO+ was the best. The reason is its scalability. Depending on the race, you might need to use it all night, while others only need a few hours. Since the brightest light possible is definitely beneficial, being able to customize the brightness to suit the duration of use is a plus. The natural light distribution that illuminates the entire field of view is also great. That said, the NAO+ really shines when you use these features, so if you're simply looking for a light without tinkering with the nitty-gritty features, the MS-F1 is the best choice in terms of light quality and ease of use. However, the diffused light of the NAO+ and MS-F1 may be unusable in thick fog, so the spot light and color filters of the MH10 are also hard to give up. Since there's no such thing as a universal headlamp, it might be best to supplement the weaknesses of your chosen headlamp with a handheld or waist light

Next time, I'll compare flashlights

(Reference) Evaluation results summary and specification comparison table

Item Name	PETZL NAO+	milestone MS-F1 Trail Master	LEDLENSER MH10
image
Reference price (tax included)	22,248 yen	18,900 yen	12,960 yen
weight	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Comfort	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Functionality	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Specifications
item	PETZL NAO+	milestone MS-F1 Trail Master	LEDLENSER MH10
Weight (including battery)	185	180	158
Maximum light output in catalogue	750lm	850lm (boost) 300lm (strong)	600lm
Maximum irradiation distance as listed in the catalog	140m	Approximately 80m	150m
Catalog maximum irradiation time (HIGH)	6.5h	3.5h	10h
Catalog maximum irradiation time (LOW)	15h	17h	120h
Waterproof level	IPX4	IPX5	IPX4
Dimming	Stepless automatic dimming	3 levels with switch	3 levels with switch
charging	Dedicated USB battery	Dedicated USB battery	Dedicated USB battery
Battery level indicator	○	○	○
Other options	MyPetzl Light smartphone app Create a profile for your activity Red signal light at the rear	Equipped with two LED lights (white, warm white)	Red rear visibility light that helps you be seen from behind Color filter set included

Kohei Tsushima

A runner who loves travel and nature. As a student, he climbed mountains all over the place and even traveled to Tibet to see Mount Everest. After entering the workforce, he started running to get some exercise, but became addicted. Not satisfied with full marathons, he started running ultramarathons (100km) and ultratrails (100 miles). Having achieved the grand slam of amateur runners (sub-3 marathon, sub-10 ultramarathon, and completing the summit of Mt. Fuji climbing race), he is now challenging himself in races both in Japan and abroad, aiming for even greater heights! He posts about the races he has run and gear reviews.
Blog: Because it is there

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