Petzl Swift RL new flagship compact headtorch compared with previous Reactik+
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- Опубликовано: 2 янв 2020
- When I saw Petzl had replaced flagship Petzl Reactik+ all singing reactive lighting and bluetooth headtorch this the new Swift RL I got it for Christmas to compare.
Both torches have the excellent reactive lighting feature, the Reactik+ with bluetooth and multiple buttons was overly complex, so the back to basics Swift RL is brighter and simpler.
I do feel Swift RL is overpriced in comparison with the Reactik+ which understandably required bluetooth and smartphone Apps development, so to strip off most of the features but charge same or more price seems steep to me!
Hope this is useful info as always. 
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World needs more this kind of serious review video.
Really appreciate the reviews you make... very helpful in making a purchase decision. Thank you for the generosity of your time and honest assessments.🙏🏼
I was waiting for Reactik+ successor, but I am not gonna buy Swift RL (Pro) as it is not that.
- No possibility to turn it off without going through modes - what? :(
- No red light for customer (non pro) model - that was really shitty manager decision
- No Bluetooth capability - sad - maybe gimmicky for some, but super useful for others (+ why to remove big competitor advantage? )
- not covered usb port - good luck with cleaning it after fall to sand from the head...
- micro-usb nowdays? It should have been usb-c for the price
- also shame they abandon possibility to run on AAA batteries
I hope Petzl quickly fix their reputation by introducing some proper successor to Reactik+... before many will end up with different brands. :(
Great review, decisions decisions 🧐
Nice review hard to find one in english.Looks like Petzel has caught the same disease as Apple.Reminds me of the story of the emperors fine suit of clothes.
Great review,thanks
Really appreciate the reviews you make.
Hi, I'm afraid I'm stupid. But I can't open this light, and access to the battery. The manual is quiet deceptive. Could you help ?
Thanks for the quick but detailed review. Really dislike 30 minute video with tons of personal talking points. I agree with your pricing suggestion. I went in to my local adventure store to buy this lamp only to be disappointed in finding that for the price it lacked all the features (including a red light) that my 4hr old Tikka RXP has. I walked out without it. Do you have BioLite brand down there? I’ve been wondering about their 750 lumen headlamp as well.
Glad its useful, I've not looked at BioLite but just googled and don't like rear battery - but can see it might balance better for running. I've spent too much money already on headtorches, so am trying to control the habit ;)
Great vid, thanks! So the reactive mode works only for one, small/wide beam? Two beams together work only in standard mode /three settings?
Both modes use both narrow and wide LEDs.
@@jamesb72 yep, have just discovered it - long beam is turned on automatically when facing at distant location, in reactive mode, had a thought my unit is defective 😆
If only this thing could have been turned off without cycling through...
From what it seems, Swift RL do not work with regular batteries. Why did they abandon CORE batteries so quick? CORE compatible devices accepted both regular batteries and CORE usb chargable batteries.
Yes, I wholly agree. Reason I haven’t bought a Swift is just that it is daftly overpriced and I hate that feeling of being conned.
Actually the sensor detects light seeping through your finger, if you cover the sensor with something that didn't let through light, it will go to full power. The Actic doesn't have this Problem because the sensor is further away from the leses. But in operation this won't make any differences.
But i really think the Swift doesn't have this shut off function is, because it is intended for skiing, trailrunning ect. so it would be suboptimal if you're in low mode and can't see enough, try to switch to medium or high setting but instead shut completely off. I once had a head light popped on my motorbike in the night and this was less than unpleasant even if i stopped as fast as i could.
How long does the battery lasts on max brightness mode?
Do you know how to remove the battery from the Swift RL? Can you do a video on that? Tks
It is fiddly first time, you need to tilt the head UP and keep pressing, and it will click and then twist facing inwards, then you just spread the plastic tabs with thumbnail and the battery will slip out. Video showing this here ruclips.net/video/OpP_HTOk5ms/видео.html
Thanks so much
How good is this in cold weather, I do a lot of mountain hike/climbing in the winter and I don't want the battery failing quickly
I haven't tried it, generally Lion batteries do perform worse in cold temps, probably worth buying a second battery to keep in an inside pocket so it 'goes on warm' - when in use batteries will maintain internal temperature better.
@@jamesb72 Thanks, I may give it a go, I have my a backup anyway until I'm confident with it.
I am a bit surprised the charging port is not covered. I am worry about dust, dirt and moist.
It should be waterproof but dirt/dust could be a problem if hole got blocked - you can get silicone socket protectors on ebay if you use Swift RL in a dirty environment to put your mind at rest - I found them on ebay search "micro usb silicone dust plug" and they are not expensive.
Hey, you said it doesn't fit in the Noctulight housing? It's listed as an option on their webpage thou.
I know, that's why I ordered the Noctilight, buit it really doesn't fit at all well, I will try to knock up a video later to show what I mean.
@@jamesb72 that would be highly appreciated. Have a Petzl Reactik+ that barely fits, but that one was destroyed when I ran over it with my car. :D
Hi Jim, video showing the tight fit of Swift RL in Noctilight here ruclips.net/video/u2Lmla2gB28/видео.html
@@jimzon Swift RL is about as bad a fit as the Reactik+ - sorry to hear you ran over it with car, sounds like an anecdote !
@@jamesb72 Yeah, it fell out of the car when I unpacked it. It didn't cope with a Volvo V70. :D
I paid £10 for my Petzl Swift RL 900 from Trekitt in UK as I had £70 worth of loyalty points from previous purchases. So I thought well I have almost everything else, why not update my head lamp for the sake of £10 lol
I’m inches from buying but not so sure with this review not happy that it won’t shut down with the one click nor the fact it will not give maximum lumen
I notice that the max output of 900lm can only be achieved in reactive mode. Can this 900lm output be forced somehow so I can choose to use 900lm?
Not that I can find, even if you put tape over the sensor light leaks through, so the constant 550lm is max you can force - still very bright though, and not sure how they measure reactive output of 900lm without cheating anyway ;)
@@jamesb72 Shame. Thanks for replying. That's useful to know.
Thank you for your review. It does seem overpriced, why would we chose this Petzl over a 15000 lumens , 20 euros competitor in your opinion ? and it is not even waterproof....
I do think Swift RL is overpriced, but its a very nice headtorch and the light sensor feature is really good. Its IPX4 splashproof rated (same as most other headtorches), so should be fine to wear in the rain - and I wouldn't expect to use a headtorch underwater for my use so this seems reasonable to me. Having said that I got the Crivit/Lidl headtorch for £10 which also has sensor feature and is also IP44 splashproof and light sensor works really well (slightly slower/not as wide range as Petzl, but not far off), so I certainly don't think the Swift RL is 7x better (to justify 7x cost), I reviewed Crivit torch here: ruclips.net/video/BjFyw96twUI/видео.html Everyone has to make their own judgement on cost/performance but on raw cost/features the Crivit headtorch definitely wins, but I'm happy with my Reactik+ and Swift RL ;)
@@jamesb72 Thank you
Hi mate I have a Reactik + but when I hold down the side button it goes straight to red light, do you know how to make it so it goes straight to constant lighting? Cheers
When reactik+ is on (top button) holding side button will swap whitered - back and forth, so are you sure you haven't locked it - is red flashing in which case you've locked it so hold both buttons a few seconds to unlock. Manual is here www.manua.ls/petzl/reactik/manual
Sorry if you just briefly press side button it goes to constant mode - holding it switches to red
2020 year here! Why not use a USB C port???
i was just about to order it, until i read this. WTF is a Micro usb doing on a new product in 2020
Bummer you cannot turn it off from low lumen mode
I know, when to me this is the difference between the cheap chinese headtorches and the Petzl ones up till this one ;)
Glad I watched this before I spent 100$ on a headlamp that you have to cycle through all the options just to turn off. Won’t be buying.
They are £68 on Amazon.
Fenix hm65r or this???
Fenix or Nightcore or zebralight or olight petzl is junk in comparison to all these!
2021 and not usb-c
The new type has a much worse way of turning off. If you use the weakest light, you must click three times before turning it off. The older model had a better solution.
It definitely feels like Petzl cheaped out not having the one button off after 8 seconds like all the other cheaper Petzl headtorches !
Go on deny it but we dont believe you. We think you wear these when you go to bed. Ha ha
Well, the light seem to be like new so you may be right :) my petzl reaktik isn't white anymore
If a company tries to sell me a Bluetooth enabled headlamp, then I know they don't take me seriously as a customer :p
This is why I haven't brought a petzl in years! They were junk back in the day and it looks like they have got worse! I will stick with my Nightcore and zebralights way better quality and just much better lights ( I have a reactik + and hate it) nothing puts me off more than priority battery that costs a fortune (I am looking at you nao £60 for a £5 battery with £1 circuit)
Nitecore HC65 is so much better and convenient with 18650 battery ad has 1000 lm. IPX8~2 meters. Nite mode - 1lm-800hours, 80lm-16 hours. All aluminum. What could you ask more:) ...and price is lower than this petzl
I haven't tried HC65 but looks much bulkier and overhead strap would annoy me for grab and go use, also doesn't have the auto-dimming which is the main feature of the Swift RL/Reactik+ I liked - still glad you are happy with Nitecore.
@@jamesb72 I used to have older model of petzl. Always falling off my head. And if I tighten it it become painful after 1 hour. Overhead strap is perfect, I understand it is little bulky, but depends on a scenario. For me all that matters is to be sturdy and long battery life. and to be able to change the battery right away. For casual biking in the city for few hours petzl is ok. For camping for several days...eh....:)
@@jamesb72 nitecore is so much better than anything petzl makes! Have a reactik + and tried a nao and they are rubbish compared to nitecore, zebralight,olight,fenix, armytek pick one🤣 the only thing petzl has is the reactive lighting but their tint ,beam pattern outputs and regulation is from the 80s plus they charge a fourtune for acc and for example Thier nao battery pack is £60+ for a £5.99 Panasonic 18650 (only 3200mah as well) with £1circuit to stop you using anything but their battery! The thing is in the UK you go into any outdoor shop you have three choices petzl, fenix (sometimes) and Silva fenix makes some great headlights but theres so so many better brands you never see to me petzl is plastic disposable junk . A good comparison is my 6 year old nitecore hc50 has more output than the new nao is better made has lasted longer than any petzl I have ever owned ( and has been use more than any petzl) runs on a easy replaceable 18650 cell has red light and runs longer than the petzl with better beam tint and regulation!