petzl e+lite review
 

So, I wanted to do a review on headlamps.
More, specifically backup lamps.....the petzl e+lite.

This e+lite is designed for emergencies, but works great in the surf.

here are the details:

When I first started surfcasting in the Northeast about six years ago,
I could get away with headlamp designs that did not need to be
water proof. I sometimes camp and backback and I would just use
my petzle tikka headlamps. Nice lamps....but as I started
fishing rougher conditions, I started killing them. They would survive a
few outings of taking waves over my head...then they just would die
after a few months. At $40 a pop...not exactly a great value.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps474fd407.jpg

When I did a search for waterproof lamps, the only designs I could
find were big and heavy...often requiring multiple straps to attach to
one's head. They were also expensive. Some of my motivation in
doing a more aggressive search was that I started to wetsuit.
This was a couple years ago.

I noticed that finally petzl came out with a lamp that was waterproof,
affordable, and tiny. Whoa...cool!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps92133dd2.jpg

So I bought one of these and started using it. It was really nice. It
was surprisingly bright and had a single red led for night vision. The
thing takes two watch batteries.The lamp operates on a sliding
switch that changes from bright, normal, strobe, red strobe and red lamp.

I used it for one full seasons as my main lamp.

The pros:
1. super tiny and light.
2. It can be worn on the head or around the neck.
3. The Head of the lamp pivots around a ball so you can aim it anywhere.
4. its under $30
5. The battery -long lasting -of my first one still works after a season
6. waterproof

Cons
1. the controls are tiny and with cold hands or gloves they can be hard operate.
2. The aim is so easy to direct, it is also easy to bump/redirect.
3. It is so light that sometimes I didn't know I was wearing it.

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http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps22e425d6.jpg

For a backup light, I carried one of these princeton tech Amp 1Ls.
Following similar setups that other wetsuiters use. Nice light.
I added some red cellophane to tint the beam. I think the light was $15.

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http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps9154f668.jpg

Its great...other than I hate having the thing dangle from my neck,
and I prefer a headlamp over a neck lamp. So...it never gets used
and eventually the e+lite took the backup light position and the next
light took over the primary spot.

After that season, I continued to use the e+lite as my primary until
my trip to Block Island. We were talking about the headlamps on the
market, and a friend gave me an Underwater Kinematics Vizion
headlamp.....What a nice gift! Thank You Chuck! It is much bigger
than the e+lite, but because it is... it is easier to find when I get
numb. So I started using it as my primary. It is around $45 dollars...

I have seen a lot of guys use this light, and for good reason.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps2fd8e554.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psa3fc05f8.jpg

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It has a very simple interface... although I sometimes fumble with it.
One side of the barrel is the on switch and will rotate through clear,
diffuse and a red tinted lens. The other side pivots the beam up and
down. It has a very big band that is comfortable and really stays put.

I actively use them both, and both have spent their fair time underwater.
In terms of bang for the buck...Whoa! I cannot be happier. I do not rinse them
or clean them, They just work. Cheap and low maintenance.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pseb7bc6c0.jpg

I use the e+lite as a backup...as you can see its tiny and I stuff it
into a small bag I carry on my belt that holds leaders and terminal tackle.
Because it is on my belt, it is nearly always underwater. The thing rocks
and has saved me on more than one occasion.

Have you ever fished at dusk and gotten into a bite and realized you didn't
think to bring a lamp. Well, this thing is so small that sometimes I forget
I have it...It is always in with my leaders. Its been super dependable. On
more than one occasion it has saved me from a long walk back to the truck.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pseebb785e.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps741cee9d.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psbb8581fc.jpg

Last year Petzl decided to re-design the e-lite. The old one had an
elastic strap and an emergency whistle. The new has a retractable head string.
The motivation was to make it even smaller and more compact. Good Idea, so
I started using it in the surf and after a couple of months the retracter bit
the dust. My guess... rust. The cord would pull out but not go back in. I went
back to carrying my older one with the elastic strap.



Today I decided I would surf proof my lamp with the busted retractor. I replaced
it with a small piece of shock cord. The cord I had left over from my kayaking days. You can
buy it at any sports center that sells cord by the foot. Its the stuff with elastic inside.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps28e4ef8a.jpg


At first glance I thought I could just pop off the back and fix the
mechanism. I tried but feared that the back panel was glued...so I
decided to try to drill out the cord and retractor mechanism.

Put the thing in a vice.

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http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psce86dbe6.jpg

I thought I could drill all the way through but I busted the bits on the
steel spring of the retractor. I kind of made a mess. As it turns out, I
then could just pop the back off. If you ever get one of these, only
drill out enough to get an nail into the hole to pop the red cover off.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps51dcf7c7.jpg


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psa2f40996.jpg


I got a small length of shock cord and snapped the back...back on.
Didn't need glue! Now that lamp is back in business...ready for spring!

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http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psf8c6fd32.jpg


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I know some guys have elaborate setups for their lighting. I have
seen some that have beams so powerful that they light up an area
like its daytime. In comparison, my setup is simple and on a budget,
but I have found it to be perfect for my needs.

great info!! Thanks!

I used the one you gave me on Block all summer and fall. Been using it this winter to take the puppy out at 3am wakeups ;( Didn't realize it was completely waterproof! Great low profile light.

DZ

Great!
I am glad you found it useful!

the petzl site lists it - Waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes (IP 67)

http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/head...-compact/elite

I would imagine the battery compartment has an 0-ring. When I get
around to changing the battery out, I will update the thread to note
if breaking the seal has any impact on the waterproofing.

I use the one you gave me as well as a back up and great little light

Rockin Chuck!

ChuckD is the guy who gave me the Underwater Kinematics Vizion.

As crazy as it sounds, It was one of those moments that really
change my perspective on a piece of equipment. Its as if, it were
made for the surfcaster. Not all of these lamps are created equal,
but that Vizion lamp is a real workhorse and does what I need it
too. It sort of is the Fisher price model of head lamps, waterproof
and simple with big buttons....the perfect interface for cold hands.

It is really rare that I come across tools that last more than a
season in the surf, but I am really pleased with this pair. Each
perfect for my applications.

Thanks again Chuck!

also use the petzl e-lite as a backup (original style)- thumbs up. main lite is a gerber recon m cpl.

If you swim, you need to break down and clean the UKs frequently, which is very simple. Mine got a very small amount of sand in it and scratched the #^&#^&#^&#^& out of the red part of the barrel.

Any idea how I ca re-coat it? I was thinking a red sharpie?

If you have a Dermal you can re surface it with a buffing wheel.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

sharpies work well, I've done a few flashlights with them

I do but what about the translucent red? That's what got ef'd up. I'll try a sharpie and post results. Time to get the #^&#^&#^&#^& out and go through it all!

I think Dutch57 was saying he was gonna try using some red breaklight tape from autozone. Seemed like a good idea too.

Princeton Tec tactical quad
 

I have beat the dog snot out of this headlamp for 5 years now.
Many rainy big surf nights.
I also use it almost daily slithering through the miserable unlit crawl spaces I tend to work in.
This light has never missed a beat, it's listed as submersible. Pivots 90°,
the red lens slides internally up or down,also it progresses through low, med then high.
Cool feature that helps the old eyes night vision.

Tried all kinds over 40 years and this is the best for about $30.
My UK didn't last a season, too tough on it I guess.

Yup that is my typical office.... should of married the rich.

Princeton Tech Tactical Quad: Don't know how you do it. I can't get through a season with one intact. Eventually it will get a drop of water in there and not shut off. Sometimes I can dry it out on a dehumidifier and get the switch to work properly again, but that might only last a few more dunkings.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Maybe the rubber seal is compromised.
The one I use has been constantly abused with water. I do make sure whenever I change batteries that the gasket is seated in its groove. Plus I don't just rely on finger pressure to tighten it up. Use a coin or a screw driver to lock it down.
Nothing electronic deals with water well.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

4 have flaked out on me in this manner. I've seen some water in the battery compartment on two of them, so you might be right about not cranking the door down tight enough as I'm pretty sure both of those have come after battery changes. The other 2 had dry battery compartments, so the theory is the rubber seal over the on/off switch let some water in.

I keep buying replacements because I haven't found anything better; I like the fact that with the red lens down, you don't have to cycle through a white light to get to night-vision-saving red.

These days, once one flakes out and I can get it operating again, I retire it from the surf. I have a couple around the house I use for rod building and epoxying lures.

Odd that is..... I've been using the only one I ever bought.
Lucky I suppose.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device