petzl e+lite question

e+ battery stays charged for long periods for me… highly recommend it.

I have a 1st gen elite …. I dont notice any parasitic drain

the current tikkina and tikka (not plus or xp) also have mechanical switches i believe, i have the previous model

with those lights theres not much to go wrong, no fancy electronics

;)

The thing the goes wrong with the e+lite is when it gets a tiny piece of dirt in the switch and it jams in the on/off position. It’s a real bummer.

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/17064/

Matt

i was talking about the mechanical switch tikkina and tikka … Its just a switch, a LED and a few resistors

regardless i havent had that issue with my 1st elite

;)

Eric – I was responding to the OP not your tikka. Im glad you haven’t had any problems with your e+lite but it appears that I’m not the only person who has had this problem. It’s a real heartbreaker because it’s such a great light otherwise.

I have several, usually one in the ditty bag for each pack. Nope, there is no drain on the batteries in the off position. It is a real switch, turning off all power, as was said. I still have my first one from way back. It works fine. Not super bright, but lasts all night if you need to hike with it. One of the few that has three modes (hi, med, low) and red, while weighing only an ounce and a quarter. The switch *can* occasionally stick. I usually just force it a couple times. It works fine after that…likely a piece of sand or dirt got in it. I really like the waterproof(weatherproof) and reliability (batteries do not discharge from sitting very fast.)

Thanks for the replies all.  I have read about some switch failures on the e+, but it seems like based on the general population’s use the quantity of these failures has not been significant.  I also want a light with a red LED.

Matthew, thanks for the link to the thread about the switch problem, I had not found that one in my searching.    Not sure if things have changed in the light since 2008 when that thread was generated, but there were several people who commented on this review in 2014, http://sectionhiker.com/petzl-elite-headlamp/, and no switch problems.

Add another vote for the e+lite not draining the batteries. I’ve got about three floating around in my gear that stay charged when not in use. The units are 5-8 years old. Great lights! Couldn’t recommend them more!

Thanks for the recommendation Dana.  I ended up purchasing one from REI with my 20% coupon.  Have not gotten it in the back country yet, but it did come in handy this past weekend working on plumbing through a hole I a wall.  I was able to place it inside the wall and adjust the direction properly for my task.  Nice design!

Glad you’re liking your purchase so far, Matt! Let us know how you feel the headlamp fares in the wild.

deifinitely.  Planning a quick overnight to Forbush in Los Padres National Forest this weekend, will get to try it out in a more demanding situation there.

I dare you to drop it in some sand.

I’ve been thinking about picking up one of these lights.  I have read that the “old model” (with whistle) is better.  Does anyone have experience with both?  Is it worth searching for an old model?

I have no experience with the older model, nor do I know when it Petzl changed from the band and whistle to the current model.  I do know the only significant reports of switch problems with the light that I have seen are the ones linked to above from 2008.  If you don’t want a higher chance of the switch problem, I would buy a new one.  Only had mine a few days, but I find it comfortable to where for extended periods and very flexible to use.  Attach it to your wrist, a pole, lie it down and point the light right where you want it, etc.   Glad I got it.

MIne had the switch problem and I bought it in 2013.

I think I might buy another one from REI and then throw it in the dirt to see what happens.

Got to field test the e-lite this weekend.  Did not do a side by side comparison with my old light, but the e-lite did the job well.  Pulled into camp after dark so we needed to setup camp with headlamps, no problems.  One of the reasons I wanted to buy it was for the red light option, which was not overwhelming.  I could not read my LCD watch with it, but since the watch has a built in light I don’t really need to.  I was able to do close work around camp with the red light.

I ended up falling asleep with the light on and did not realize it until the middle of the night.  I just left it there incase of a midnight stroll, but it just stayed in place while I slept all night.  Pretty convenient.

I had the switch issue a while back on my older version e+lite (head strap with whistle).  I have not heard if they ever changed anything in the design.

Pros (for me):  I love the switch on it though.  It is easy to operate with gloves, and it stays off in your pack.  I love the red led.  I love the size and weight.  I really like how it uses CR2032 batteries since they are so light.  A spare set of batteries weighs next to nothing, though you do have to take precautions on how you pack them so they don’t accidentally discharge.  I thought the integrated whistle in the head strap adjustment was pretty smart and wish they still had that.

Cons for me:  I found that the e+lite was a little dim for night time navigation (for my taste) but was perfectly good for around camp.  I wish they put a voltage regulator in the device so the light output didn’t dwindle over time.  And unfortunately, the switch proven to be less than reliable for many users (myself included).

@madgoat could you speak to your experience accidentally discharging your spare batteries? I keep my spare batteries in my junk stuff sack and they’re sure to be contacting metal objects.

“I wish they put a voltage regulator in the device so the light output didn’t dwindle over time.” THIS! This so much. It’s definitely frustrating to see the e+lite dwindle over time. For me it’s tough to tell when the light is actually dimming unless my girlfriend has her e+lite on as well and we compare the beams. I feel like half of the time i’m using the headlamp and it’s barely on, but i’m half aware of the fact that it’s dying.

Overall, still my favorite headlamp. I’d agree that it’s weak for night time hiking, and for everything else around camp, random chores in the dark around the house, or even cleaning out the dog’s ears, it’s a solid little lamp. No experience with the sticking switches. My trio of these headlamps are from 2008-2014, picked up at various times.

@naman919

Those spare coin cell batteries can discharge easily if you just throw them in a ziploc with a bunch of other sundry items.  Since the top of the coil cell is the + terminal and the bottom of the coin cell is the – terminal, it is pretty easy for them to discharge by just making contact with another metal object in your bag or with just the other battery.  I typically pack them in a tiny ziplock with a piece of cardboard down the middle to separate the two batteries from each other and from any other metal item in my ditty bag.  I have heard of people wrapping them in tape separately as well.  Whatever works for you.

The switch issue can be anywhere from mildly annoying to completely inoperable.  At first, it would blink on and off occasionally when the switch was in the on position (as the switch was making intermittent contact).  As time progressed, I would have to rock the switch back and forth around the on position to get light.  It got to the point where I would have to smack it quite a bit to get it to come back on, or stay on.  Now it sits in my drawer taunting me.  It cheerfully comes on whenever I turn it on now, but I know that it is just lying in wait until day 1 of my next week long hiking trip when its evil inconsistency will rear its head again.  I am well past Petzl’s 3 year warranty, so no joy there.

Well, today’s light advertises a 10 year warranty
https://www.petzl.com/US/EN/Professional/Ultra-compact-headlamps/ePLUSLITE#.VxT0bf5lBCo

Just take a backup for when the inevitable happens…

Perhaps a a keychain led that takes the same cell?

I have had mine for about 2 years now. I have not yet changed the batteries and most of the time it sits waiting for me to go hiking…..so no battery leakage issues