Headlamps are an essential item for hikers and runners who work at night.
From a safety standpoint, this is also a must-have item for daytime activities in mountainous areas.
, has released Swift RL headlamp equipped with the latest technology I had the opportunity to use the Swift RL and tried it out in the Northern Alps and Okuchichibu, so I'd like to review it.
Swift RL is a headlamp recommended for all outdoor activities, including hikers and runners.
The brightness of the headlamp is just right. Generally speaking, "brightness" is often judged by the magnitude of the irradiation power such as lm (lumens) and lx (lux), but we will clearly explain not only the numbers, but also the high performance that can actually be felt in the field of the Swift RL
table of contents
- PETZL Swift RL Main Features
- Detailed review
- Powerful light volume up to 1100lm
- Reactive lighting technology that automatically adjusts the amount of light and beam patterns depending on the situation
- Mixed beam provides good irradiation balance between short and long distances
- Charging is possible with USB-Type C
- High fit adjustment band
- An indicator that shows the remaining battery level at a glance
- A pouch that can also be used as a lantern
- Summary: Headlamps equipped with the latest technology were nothing but formal! Highly recommended headlamps that are invincible for all activities where speed is important
PETZL Swift RL Main Features
The Swift RL headlamp is equipped with reactive lighting technology, which automatically adjusts the amount of light and beam patterns depending on the situation using a light sensor, and not only provides optimal irradiation at the moment, but also reduces battery consumption, providing long-term irradiation and a comfortable vision.
In reactive lighting mode, the brightness of up to 1100 lumens can be irradiated up to 155m. Even in standard lighting mode, it has an irradiation power of 700 lumens, ensuring that it illuminates even when active in dark places.
The mixed beam irradiates in a balanced manner at close and long distances, providing the high level of irradiation performance required during outdoor activities.
The 2350 mAh lithium-ion battery can be recharged using USB Type-C, and the remaining battery level can be checked using an indicator to eliminate concerns about remaining battery level. If you carry a mobile battery, you can charge it even while you're in the mountains.
The ergonomically designed adjustable headband is patented and forked, providing an improved fit, providing an optimal fit for both hikers and runners, and can be removed and cleaned.
The angle can be adjusted both up and down, so it can be used around the neck, or tilted in the direction you want to illuminate, providing proper irradiation, making it easy to use not only during activities or when climbing, but also when camping or belaying.
Favorite points
- Powerful light volume up to 1100lm
- Reactive lighting technology that automatically adjusts the amount of light and beam patterns depending on the situation
- Mixed beam provides good irradiation balance between short and long distances
- Charging is possible with USB-Type C
- High fit adjustment band
- An indicator that shows the remaining battery level at a glance
- A pouch that can also be used as a lantern
Interesting points
- It's expensive for a headlamp
- Multi-functional, but you need to get used to operating it with just a button
- Cannot be used in conjunction with batteries
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | PETZL Swift RL |
|---|---|
| Weight (g) | 100g |
| battery | 2350 mAh lithium-ion battery |
| Waterproof grade | IPX4 |
| Light type |
|
| accessories |
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Long distance irradiation | ★★★★★ |
| Close-range illumination | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★☆ |
| Feeling weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | ★★★★☆ |
| Waterproof | ★★★☆☆ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ |
Irradiation mode details
| Irradiation mode | Irradiation power | Irradiation distance | Irradiation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reactive lighting |
|
|
|
| Standard lighting |
|
|
|
| Red light | 3 lm | 50m | 60h |
| Red light (blinking) | Visible for 300 hours from a distance of 50 meters | ||
Brightness attenuation graph after 5 hours of full charge
*The brightness (unit: lux) measured every 10 seconds using an illuminator installed on a wall about 1m from the light source. The mode is strong output in standard lighting mode.
Detailed review
We will tell you about the actual tests we have done in the Northern Alps and Okuchichibu mountains.
Powerful light volume up to 1100lm
The Swift RL offers a brightness of up to 1100 lumens.
For me, who usually operates with headlamps of about 300 lumens, the irradiation power is so strong that it feels like it's daytime! (I don't think it's an exaggeration!)
It is possible to maintain high light levels for a short period of time, and the official irradiation time is about 2 hours, but in places where there is concern, such as rock ridges and chain areas, the maximum light levels increase and visibility can be achieved and you can act more safely.
Although there were no difficult spots when we actually tested Mt. Tsubame, we were able to reach the summit with peace of mind by setting the maximum amount of light when passing through a narrow area near the summit.
The brightness can be adjusted in three stages, so you can use weak mode at camping sites, while medium mode when you are in relatively safe places such as forest zones, and strong mode in harsh scenes such as rocky ridge zones.
Reactive lighting technology that automatically adjusts the amount of light and beam patterns depending on the situation
The part marked with the arrow is the light sensor
However, there are other headlamps with high light, and there are also higher output headlamps.
A great feature of Swift RL is the reactive lighting mode.
The light sensor determines the brightness and automatically adjusts the amount of light and beam pattern according to the situation, ensuring your field of vision, providing optimal irradiation, and saving battery consumption.
This allows for a irradiation time in reactive lighting mode, ranging from 2 to 35 hours in "strong mode", allowing for long-term irradiation and optimal field of vision, making it suitable for use in long-term outdoor activities.
In addition to the reactive lighting mode, which automatically adjusts the amount of light with a light sensor, there is also a standard lighting mode with a fixed brightness, so if you are looking for a certain brightness, you can always illuminate the same amount of light by setting the standard lighting mode.
Experiment: What happens when you cover the light sensor with your hands?
The light sensor is covered on the right, and the light level increases instantly.
We conducted an experiment to check the automatic adjustment of the light amount using the light sensor in reactive lighting mode. If you cover the sensor with your hands and dim while it is lit, the light will instantly increase.
When I actually used it in the Northern Alps, I took pictures in reactive lighting mode and walked along the trail before it was bright, but the light sensor was highly sensitive, and when I checked the time on my cell phone it responded to the backlight of my smartphone, and the amount of light quickly dropped, and when I started walking again, the amount of light increased, ensuring my visibility.
It adjusts the amount of light as it moves, so it's so smooth that you won't notice any changes unless you're conscious of it, and by shaking your head I was able to feel the change (it's better not to imitate it).
It takes a lot of time to operate with just one button
In addition to reactive lighting, standard lighting, and red light, Swift RL also has a lock function to prevent accidental lighting with a single button.
Therefore, changing the time you press the button will change the mode and lock it, but it will take some time to get used to it, so practice thoroughly before taking it out into the mountains.
Before I left, I locked it (holding the button for 6 seconds) to prevent accidental lighting, and when I tried to use it, I forgot to unlock it, so I struggled not to light it up. (To unlock the button for long press and hold the button for 4 seconds or 4 times)
I was anxious when it couldn't light up, but I was left feeling unsure because I could release it by pressing and holding the button, but this is an embarrassing story of failure.
Mixed beam provides good irradiation balance between short and long distances
The Swift RL is not a bright headlamp that can be illuminated with a powerful amount of light and can automatically adjust the amount of light (although this alone is quite impressive).
The mixed beam provides a balanced irradiation of long distances while also illuminating close ranges in a balanced way.
When running on a trail or speed hike, people tend to focus on illuminating the distance, but when you actually take the action, if you don't illuminate your feet properly, you will be worried when you take the next step. If you are worried about your feet, you will be able to move your head more frequently to understand the close and long distances while taking action, and will consume extra energy.
The Swift RL irradiates the long and close range in a balanced way, making it easy to grasp the long and close range situations even at night, making it easy to act with peace of mind. While mental anxiety is inevitably present when you are alone in the darkness, the Swift RL gave you a sense of security that exceeds the actual irradiation power.
The Swift RL is equipped with the latest technology, which is extremely reliable when working at night, but the problem is the price.
Although it has features that are worth the price, it is quite expensive as an initial investment.
Charging is possible with USB-Type C
You might be told, "It's normal to be able to charge with USB-Type C," but let me explain a little.
Smartphones are becoming more popular, and in today's world, mobile battery cell phones are a must-have for mountain hiking. If you have a mobile battery, you can charge it while you are active. However, if the charging terminal is a special type, you will need to carry a dedicated cable, which will increase the number of equipment you need to use. To organize your equipment as smartly as possible, it is better to unify the charging terminals so that you can reuse the cables.
Swift RL can be charged with USB-Type C, so you can share cables with devices such as the insta360 that can be charged with USB-Type C, allowing you to reduce the number of cables you need to bring (a very important point for people who bring cameras and photography equipment).
Although individual differences arise depending on the equipment used, in my case, the shape of the charging terminal is a condition for choosing a tool.
High fit adjustment band
The headband, which is forked at the back of the head, provides a much better fit than it looks.
I've been using a headlamps that used a simple single headband, but when I tried using the Swift RL, I was surprised at how well it fits. Don't underestimate it just for two. The two are split into two at the back of the head, so even if you act violently, you can fit securely without shifting.
A cushioned band is used on the area that hits the forehead, making it less stressful to wear it for long periods of time, and sweat-soaked headbands can be removed and washed, making it a good hygiene aspect.
An indicator that shows the remaining battery level at a glance
"Battery remaining battery problem" that anyone who has ever used a battery-powered headlamp has experienced.
Disposable batteries do not know how much remaining is, so once you use them, you don't know how much more irradiation will be. Therefore, I change to a new battery before entering the mountains, but the battery accumulates in my house.
The Swift RL has five indicators to give you a more accurate insight into the remaining battery level.
If you charge it after use, you can go out on your next mountain hike with a full battery, and you won't have to go out to buy the batteries.
Cannot be used in conjunction with batteries
One thing that caught my eye was that it cannot be used in conjunction with batteries. If the headlamp is a hybrid that can be used in conjunction with a battery, you can switch to a battery to troubleshoot the problem if there is a battery problem, but the Swift RL only has a dedicated battery. You can add a battery separately, but purchasing costs an initial investment.
I've tested it because it can be connected to a mobile battery and lights up while charging, but it cannot light up while charging, so you need to properly charge it before use and take a backup in case of any problems.
A pouch that can also be used as a lantern
The included pouch can be used as a stand-alone lantern by placing it inside the pouch when it is illuminated.
For long-term traversing trips, you can bring a lantern separately and use it in conjunction to reduce battery consumption, but for short periods such as one night, you can use the Swift RL as a lantern inside the tent, eliminating the need to bring the lantern and reduce the number of equipment points.
I thought it was a bonus feature, but it was more convenient than I thought, and it's enough for a one-night hiking trip to the mountain. If you have a mobile battery, it can be used for two or three nights.
Summary: Headlamps equipped with the latest technology were nothing but formal! Highly recommended headlamps that are invincible for all activities where speed is important
Headlamps are a lifeline for hikers and runners who operate at night. And it's not an exaggeration to say that it's gear that can potentially divide your fate in the unlikely event.
Headlamps that irradiate long and close ranges in a balanced way are especially useful when you are looking for speed.
Headlamps equipped with the latest technology, such as the Swift RL, are the ultimate headlamp that can be used in a wide range of outdoor activities for a wide range of purposes.
Let's go on an adventure into the mountains with not only bright but also security headlamps!
Please consider paying memberships that allow you to support our website while enjoying limited articles and limited events!
Yosuke
From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.
A freelance writer who enjoys outdoor activities all year round. I share my own experiences and tools that I've been using.