Petzl Swift RL headlamp’s technical details
Main features Petzl Swift RL
- Ultra-powerful and intelligent headlamp:
- 900 lumens that allow you to see up to 155 m.
- Two lighting modes to choose from, accessible by holding down the button: REACTIVE LIGHTING or STANDARD LIGHTING.
- More autonomy, visual comfort and reduced manipulations with REACTIVE LIGHTING mode: the lighting power and the shape of the light beam are automatically adapted thanks to a brightness sensor that allows you to optimize battery use.
- Guaranteed minimum autonomy of 7 hours in REACTIVE LIGHTING mode (STANDARD level) for practicing long activities.
- Mixed light beam that meets the needs of high-performance lighting for outdoor activities: proximity or distance vision.
- Fixed red lighting to preserve night vision and provide more reading comfort, without dazzling the environment.
- Flashing red lighting to be visible or signal presence, especially in case of emergency.
- Reflective tape on the back so you can be seen well at night.
- Light and compact:
- Only 100g.
- Optimum support, thanks to the ergonomic and adjustable strap, is made in two parts (Petzl patent). This tape is removable and washable.
- Ultralight SHELL LT protective case that allows you to transform the flashlight into a lamp or store it.
- Ease of use:
- A single button that allows access to all functions: ON/OFF, lighting modes and levels and lock.
- LOCK function to prevent accidental ignition during transport/storage.
- 2350 mAh lithium-ion battery, rechargeable via USB-C connector, with charging indicator light.
- Possibility of having a spare battery for long expeditions or simply to change the battery when its useful life is over (SWIFT RL battery available as an accessory).
- Five-level indicator to accurately check the battery level.
- A headlamp that can be tilted up to see in front of you when worn around the neck or down when worn on a helmet.
Testing and performance
The Petzl Swift RL headlamp is one of the best options for lovers of trail running, hiking or night cycling. With its 1100 lumens of power, it offers excellent lighting that adapts to the environment thanks to REACTIVE LIGHTING technology, which uses a sensor to recognize the level of lighting in the environment and adjust the intensity of the LED. In addition, it is very light and comfortable to wear, weighing only 100 grams and with an elastic, padded headband that fits perfectly to the head.
Functioning
| Lighting performances according to ANSI/PLATO FL 1 protocol | ||||||
| Light technology | Illumination color | Light modes | Light power | Beam distance (meters) | Run time | Reserve |
| REACTIVE LIGHTING | White | MAX BURN TIME | 18 to 100 lm | 35 | 10 to 70 h | 10 lm for 2 h |
| STANDARD | 25 to 275 lm | 75 | 7 to 45 h | |||
| MAX POWER | 30 to 900 lm | 155 | 2 to 35 h | |||
| STANDARD LIGHTING | MAX BURN TIME | 10 lm | 12 | 100 h | ||
| STANDARD | 160 lm | 50 | 7 h | |||
| MAX POWER | 700 lm | 115 | 2 h | |||
| Red | fixed | 3 lm | 5 | 60 h | – | |
| intermittent | visible at 150 m for 300 h | |||||
I have tested this flashlight on several night outings through different terrain and weather conditions, and I have been very satisfied with its performance. The rechargeable battery has good autonomy, which can reach-up to 50 hours depending on the level of lighting used. The charge indicator is very useful to know how much battery is left and when to recharge it. The on/off button is easy to operate, even with gloves.
The headlamp has two light sources, one wider and one more focused, which combine to offer optimal vision of both what is near and what is far away. Both are always working, so the light beam is mixed unlike many other headlamps in which a wide or focused beam is in different modes, here only the intensity of the lighting will change. The Reactive Lighting sensor regulates the light intensity according to the ambient brightness, saving battery life and avoiding glare. You can also use manual mode, which has three power levels, to adjust the light to your liking.
With the Reactive mode I tried shining the car lights towards the mountain and starting to move away little by little, and indeed the intensity increased as I moved away. I don’t know what the maximum intensity will go in Reactive mode, but since it’s advertised as a long-duration mode, I’m assuming it won’t go above medium intensity.
The flashlight is water and dust resistant, with IPX4 protection, which means it can withstand splashes and light rain, but not submersion. It has ventilation slots that prevent it from overheating when used at maximum power. The housing is robust and durable, and can be tilted up or down to direct the light beam, and although it does not reach full verticality up or down, it is enough to illuminate very well nearby without leaving you with blind spots.
In short, the Petzl Swift RL headlamp is a high-quality product, offering powerful, adaptable and efficient lighting for outdoor activities in the dark. It is a worthwhile investment if you are looking for a reliable, light and comfortable flashlight. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy nature at night safely and comfortably, especially useful for sports as it has a very comfortable fit and with medium intensity it is more than enough for most cases.
How to use – Petzl Swift RL tutorial
The Petzl Swift front has a single on and off button, and to change between intensities.
When you turn on the device it will always be in Reactive Lighting mode, and with each click of the power button it will go to one of the following three levels, which are Max Burn Time (lowest light, longest duration), Standard (average light and duration) and Max Power (high intensity and shorter load duration).
In Reactive mode, if you are in a sufficiently lit place, the headlamp will flash slowly for 2 minutes and then turn off. It is advised NOT TO USE Reactive mode in high acceleration activities – such as cycling or skiing – as rapid changes in ambient lighting could cause the flashlight to turn off. For safety in those cases it is better to use fixed modes.
For red light mode you must press and hold for 4 seconds with the flashlight off. With the red light activated you must click to switch to emergency flashing red.
The lock mode is activated by sliding the button towards the edge, to unlock it returns to the initial position. You can activate it with the lights off to avoid accidental switching on or during any mode of use to set that lighting mode.
Parts and frame
The headlamp has a rectangular shape, with dimensions of 6 cm wide by 4 cm high by 3.5 cm deep. On the front there are two round light bulbs, surrounded by a silver frame. On one side of the two spotlights there is a small circular sensor that detects ambient light. Above the sensor is a row of five LED lights that indicate the battery charge level, which will be visible only when the device is turned on.
At the top of the lantern, there is an elongated button that is used to turn the equipment on and off, as well as to change the lighting mode. The button has a rough surface that makes it easy to press even with gloves and feels pleasant to the touch. It has the necessary hardness to not be activated accidentally with sudden movements during uses such as sprinting or jumping.
On the back of the headlamp, there is a removable cover that covers the battery. The lid has a tight seal that prevents water or dust from entering. The battery is lithium-ion and has a capacity of 2350 mAh. It can be easily removed by pulling a red tab. The battery has a micro USB port to recharge it with a cable included in the package.
The lantern is attached to the head using an elastic band that is divided into two parts at the back. The front part is wider and padded with a fabric that is soft to the skin. It has the Petzl logo embroidered in white. The back is narrower and has two broken reflective lines to improve visibility along the entire length of the tape. The tape can be adjusted by pulling on some side pins that have stops to prevent them from coming off.
The headlamp can be separated from the strap using side hooks that are clip-shaped. This way you can wash the tape or change it for another if desired. The lantern can also be attached to other supports such as helmets or bicycles using optional accessories.
Advantages of the Petzl Swift RL hedlamp
The Petzl Swift RL stands out for its perfect combination of performance, durability and comfort. Designed for adventures in both the wilderness and urban environments, this LED headlamp offers powerful illumination and a host of exceptional features. Below we will look at some of the reasons why this LED headlamp is so popular:
- Powerful LED lighting for greater visibility: Equipped with a powerful LED light, the Swift RL provides bright, clear illumination in any situation. With a maximum output of 900 lumens, this flashlight ensures optimal visibility in the dark, allowing you to explore trails, camp or work with complete confidence.
- Comfort and perfect fit: The Swift RL is designed with user comfort in mind. Its elastic, adjustable headband easily adapts to any head size, providing a secure and comfortable fit. In addition, its ergonomic design distributes the weight of only 100 grams in a balanced way, avoiding fatigue during long hours of use.
- Versatile Lighting Modes: This LED headlamp offers a variety of lighting modes to suit your specific needs. You can choose between various brightness levels, as well as different light patterns, such as focused light, proximity light or flashing light, depending on the activity you are doing.
- Variety of uses: Due to fit, size, weight, performance and ease of use, the Petzl Swift RL is a headlamp suitable for a variety of sports such as hiking, trekking and trail running, climbing and mountaineering, camping and excursions, and other outdoor activities free. It is also very useful for work in closed spaces.
Weak points of the Petzl Swift RL headlamp
- It can only be powered by a specific battery for the Swift RL model, it is not possible to exchange with regular batteries or other types of batteries.
- It is tested for drops of up to 1 meter. Perhaps greater resistance to bumps or falls would add many points in its favor.
Comparative of Petzl Swift RL with other headlamps
Petzl Swift RL vs Actik Core vs Iko Core
Selection of discounted products at the best price
| Model |
| Customer rating |
| Light power |
| Red light |
| Power supply |
| Waterproof |
| Battery run time |
| Swift RL |
| 4.6⭐ of 1310 votes |
| 900 lumens |
| Yes |
| Rechargeable battery |
| IPX4 |
| Up to 100 hours |
| Actik Core 600 |
| 4.4⭐ of 242 votes |
| 600 lumens |
| Yes |
| Rechargeable battery or AAA batteries |
| IPX4 |
| Up to 100 hours |
| Iko Core |
| 4.6⭐ of 798 votes |
| 500 lumens |
| No |
| Rechargeable battery or AAA batteries |
| IPX4 |
| Up to 100 hours |
Comparativa Petzl Swift RL vs Fenix HM65R-T vs Black Diamond Storm 500R
Catalog of headlamps for sale with offers
| Model |
| Customer rating |
| Light power |
| Red light |
| Power suply |
| Waterproof |
| Battery run time |
| Swift RL |
| 4.6⭐ of 1310 votes |
| 900 lumens |
| Yes |
| Rechargeable battery |
| IPX4 |
| Up to 100 hours |
| Fenix HM65R-T |
| 4.7⭐ of 460 votes |
| 1500 lumens |
| No |
| Rechargeable battery |
| IP68 |
| Up to 100 hours |
| Black Diamond Storm 500R |
| 4.4⭐ of 297 votes |
| 500 lumens |
| Yes |
| Rechargeable battery |
| IP67 |
| Up to 200 hours |
Final opinion about Petzl Swift RL headlamp
The Petzl Swift RL Headlamp has received praise and excellent reviews from satisfied users around the world. Its quality and performance have been highlighted for its reliability in extreme conditions and its ease of use. Users especially value the battery life, which can reach up to 50 hours on its lowest power setting (100 lumens), allowing you to extend your adventures without worrying about running out of light.
In short, the Petzl Swift RL Headlamp is an outstanding option for those looking for a reliable and versatile LED headlamp. Its powerful lighting, comfort of use and durability make this flashlight a perfect companion for your outdoor activities. Don’t wait any longer and purchase your own Petzl Swift RL to illuminate your adventures exceptionally.
If you are looking for a quality LED headlamp, the Petzl Swift RL Headlamp is the ideal choice to illuminate your paths and enjoy your activities to the fullest.
