Petzl Bindi Headlamp Evaluation | CleverHiker

Backside line

The Petzl Bindi is a high-quality, minimalist, ultralight headlamp that’s perfect for light-duty coaching, primarily in front-country environments the place lengthy battery life isn’t a serious concern. Weighing in at simply 1.2 ounces, the Bindi is extremely light-weight. It options an easy-to-use single-button design that we discovered very intuitive. We all the time favor rechargeable headlamps, so we’re happy with the Bindi’s rechargeable platform. The shock twine design of the pinnacle strap, whereas not probably the most comfy for prolonged use, works nicely, given the Bindi’s restricted battery life. The 360-degree swivel design provides versatility. We just like the Petzl Bindi, however it has a number of notable downsides price contemplating.

The underside line is that the Petzl Bindi is a superb selection for many who prioritize ultralight gear and wish a dependable headlamp for shorter actions. Its compact design and ease of use make it a stable possibility for fast runs, quick hikes, and even as a backup gentle in your pack. Not sure if the Bindi is best for you? Head to CleverHiker’s headlamp gear information for extra examined and reviewed choices.

Fast Specs

Illumination & Gentle High quality

At simply 200 lumens on max energy, the Bindi has the bottom lumen output of any headlamp in our check pool, other than the Petzl Tikkid. This low energy limits the Bindi’s vary of makes use of. The Bindi is finest fitted to athletic pursuits in city environments the place ambient gentle may also assist illuminate the best way. We wouldn’t suggest the Bindi for transferring shortly over technical or tough terrain the place excessive illumination is required. It’s enough to be used at camp, however for extra demanding actions like path operating, mountaineering, or snowboarding, you’ll positively want a extra highly effective gentle.

Burn Time

The Bindi has a shorter burn time than different headlamps we examined. You possibly can anticipate about two hours of burn time on max energy, which is kind of low. In commonplace energy, you’ll get round three hours of sunshine. Within the ultra-low 6-lumen mode, you may burn about 50 hours of illumination. Nevertheless, the low-power mode is simply too dim for many actions, making it much less sensible for something past fundamental duties like studying in your tent or sorting gear.

An extended burn time would make the Bindi extra versatile, significantly for these seeking to apply it to prolonged journeys or throughout actions requiring constant gentle output over time. This shorter battery life could possibly be a limiting issue for customers who plan on extra intense or prolonged outside adventures. That mentioned, for fast outings or city runs, the Bindi’s burn time is mostly adequate.

Weight

The Petzl Bindi is ultralight in each sense of the phrase. It’s the lightest headlamp we examined, coming in at 1.2 ounces—0.4 ounces lighter than its closest competitor. Gone are the times of cumbersome headlamps that weigh you down and consistently slide down your brow. The Bindi’s ultralight design is a serious cause it’s a fan favourite. It’s so light-weight that it’s usually used as a backup gentle on severe backcountry expeditions the place having a dependable headlamp is non-negotiable. In conditions the place carrying an additional gentle could possibly be a trouble, the Bindi offers an easy-to-pack, minimalist resolution, making it a great selection for these prioritizing weight financial savings with out compromising reliability.

Consolation

Most fashionable headlamp straps loop behind the headlamp’s physique, creating some cushion between the plastic and your pores and skin. The Bindi is designed otherwise. On this mannequin, the one factor touching your brow is the plastic physique of the headlamp. Initially, we thought this may trigger some discomfort, however we have been pleasantly stunned that wasn’t the case. We discovered the Bindi to be fairly comfy. The headlamp is so light-weight that you simply don’t have to overtighten the strap to maintain it in place. Nevertheless, in case you overtighten the strap, the skinny, shock-cord type strap may cause discomfort. It’s essential to take your time and discover a steadiness between long-term consolation and stability. We wore the Bindi lengthy sufficient to empty the complete battery throughout our night time runs, and as soon as we dialed within the strap’s tightness to our liking, we didn’t expertise any notable discomfort or fatigue.

Ease of Use

With only a single button, the Petzl Bindi is straightforward to make use of, and its cycles are intuitive to determine. Ranging from the off place, one contact of the button turns the sunshine on. As you proceed to press the button, the sunshine cycles by way of its three brightness modes: low, medium, and excessive. Holding down the button whereas the headlamp is on any brightness stage switches it to purple gentle mode. A brief press in purple gentle mode modifications it to a purple strobe. Holding the button down once more switches it again to white gentle. It’s so simple as that. The button itself is small however protrudes simply sufficient from the headlamp to make it simple to search out and press. It even works nicely with gloves on, so long as they aren’t too thick.

Options

The Petzl Bindi isn’t filled with options however affords some good parts in a small, light-weight bundle. We respect the shift in direction of rechargeable headlamps, and the Bindi is a superb instance of this pattern with its absolutely rechargeable design. Nevertheless, we’d like Petzl to undertake a quicker and extra common USB-C charging platform from its present micro USB. One distinctive characteristic is its 360-degree rotating head. Not like most headlamps that click on into fastened angles, the Bindi’s head adjusts freely and stays in place with out clicking. Initially, we have been involved that this may require frequent changes throughout high-output actions like operating, however we have been pleasantly stunned to search out it remained safe even with vigorous use. The 360-degree rotating head additionally permits the Bindi to be worn round your neck. It additionally features a lock characteristic, a purple gentle possibility, a battery life indicator, and IPX4 water resistance. General, the Bindi affords a commendable lineup of options in a compact and light-weight design.

Ought to You Purchase the Petzl Bindi?

The Bindi is a superb selection for city environments the place a lifeless battery isn’t a matter of security. It’s additionally appropriate for brief, low-consequence outings in nature. Nevertheless, its battery life is a limiting issue; you wouldn’t need to depend on it for backpacking until you intend to make use of it minimally. It’s additionally good for night hikes or runs beneath two hours. Moreover, it serves nicely as a backup headlamp for high-consequence or technical pursuits. We wouldn’t suggest it for prolonged backpacking or long-distance operating until you apply it to decrease settings to increase battery life. The Bindi isn’t waterproof, and its charging port is uncovered to the weather, so it’s finest fitted to honest climate situations.

What Different Headlamps Ought to You Take into account?

In case you just like the Bindi however need different choices as nicely, take a look at these fashions or the remainder of our lineup on the listing of our favourite headlamps:

Nitecore NU25 UL Evaluation: In case you like the thought of the Bindi however need to discover different ultralight headlamp choices, the NU25 UL is price contemplating. Whereas not fairly as light-weight, the Nitecore is extra inexpensive, affords extra options, and stays comfy to put on.

BioLite Headlamp 325: In case you’re focused on an ultralight headlamp however aren’t a fan of the shock twine type straps, you may need to take a look at the BioLite Headlamp 325. It has a extra conventional and comfy strap whereas nonetheless weighing beneath two ounces.