User Review: Petzl MYO XP

Petzl MYO XP
Above: The current MYO XP, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed January 20, 2006 by matt_bachmann

Rating:
Price Paid: $70

I bought the XP when it first came out, because it was supposed to be the new best thing in headlamp technology. I still use it as my primary headlamp, but I think it suffers from some design flaws.

For starters, there's no denying that it IS bright. Very bright, if you're used to the old 3 led Tikka or equivalent. Despite having only one led, that sucker shines like a white sun. The boost mode ups the output even farther, and I was surpised to find myself actually using it while hunting for trail signs in a downpour at night. It's a nice touch.

The other real selling point is that like all led lights, it lasts forever, compared to regular bulbs. It's probably the brightest led light in its weight class, so if you're worried about switching to leds because they're dimmer, don't sweat it. For the size and weight, this thing blows away every other light I've used.

But I really dislike the switch for turning it on or off. This is a little yellow rocker type switch on the top outside, right next to the little yellow button for the boost mode. Rock once to turn it on, rock it again to up the power, and so on. This works fine in the store, but is pretty difficult when you're wearing gloves, or your hands are numb with cold, or you're covered in mud. I want a big old button somewhere, one that I can easily find in the dark while fending off a bear with my other hand.

My second complaint is about the flip up diffuser lens. This little piece of plastic does a great job of turning the laserlike spot into a pleasant floodlight, but you need warm hands and good fingernails to flip it up. It's impossible to do with gloves, and if your hands are dirty you're bound to smudge it so bad that you lose most of your light. It rests in the down position, so when you want to use it you have to reach up to your head, find it, and flip it up at the right angle. It's not really that difficult, but neither is it very easy.

The light does pivot up and down, which is nice for adjusting placement, but since the buttons are all on the part that pivots I always have to feel my headlamp to figure out where it's pointing so I know where to find the buttons. Arg. Some of the time I end up having to take it off to turn it on.

The three AA batteries (why 3? dunno.) sit in a separate compartment on the back of the headband. The light comes with an extra piece of headband that can go over the top of your head, but I've never needed it. The cord that connects the batteries to the lamp is a little short if you have a big head like me, so mine sits a little crooked in the back, which isn't a big deal. It has a little colored led battery indicator, but they last so long I've never actually replaced mine.

One thing it does have going for it, this thing appears to be super waterproof. It's not advertised as such, but mine has survived some real downpours and even fallen in the drink a few times, and it's still going strong. I wouldn't hesitate to use it as a primary for caving in wet environments.

I kind of enjoy hiking with the XP at night with a bunch of other hikers with headlamps, because side by side it's easy to see that it's WAY brighter. Apparently I like feeling like I have superior gear more than I dislike some of the ease of use issues mentioned above.