Auto-Adjusting Headlamps Now (More) Affordable

A while back Petzl introduced the concept of responsive lighting with their new Nao headlamp, which uses an integrated light sensor to measure and analyze reflected light to automatically adjust the headlamp’s output strength and beam pattern. The headlamp adjusts to your needs on its own, going from casting a wide pool of light when running to cranking up the lumens when you’re looking off into the distance. It’s pretty awesome stuff, and pretty pricey at $175. Thankfully, the technology will come down to earth on November 15 when Petzl releases the Tikka R+ ($75). It features a single, multi-purpose beam that shoots out a max of 135 lumens with three pre-set light levels, and has a red LED mode for mellower night viewing, all powered by a rechargeable battery (or via standard AAAs with an adapter). —Nathan Borchelt