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PETZL IKO CORE: MID-RANGE HEADLAMP FOR TRAILRUNNING, MOUNTAIN AND MORE. 500 LUMENS WITH 79 GRAMS, FOR 80€
PETZL IKO CORE: Headlamp for mid-range trail, mountaineering and more. 500 lumens with 79 grams per 80€ of recommended price. It comes standard with a CORE battery and also supports 3 AAA batteries. It is a new development, focused on hiking, trekking and camping, that the brand would like to promote also with its trail runners. Premium comfort and versatility of use with three new features that we will analzye in depth afterwards: Airfit tape, multiple LEDs for better light distribution and bag to use as lamp in store or post.
However, we believe it will be little difficult for this lamp to fit in the mountain racing world as within the French brand catalogue THE PETZL SWIFT RL. 100 grams provides up to 900 lumens. Outside the French brand, we also have the classic Black Diamond, Silva or Mammut, and even new rivals like OLIGHT whose most direct alternative to this proposal would perhaps be the OLIGHT H16R with the same 500 Lumens in 110 grams. BUT it all depends on the usage you would like it to have, remenber our last article about how to choose a headlight for more information.
HEADLAMP PETZL IKO CORE (500 LUMENS / 79 GRAMOS / PVPR 80€)
The new Petzl IKO CORE is a compact, lightweight and well-finished headlight. That for 80€ offers a power of 500 lumens with only 79 g. It arrives with four interesting features, which we advance here. At first glance, the biggest improvement i the new fit in: It arrives with the new AIRFIT band, which installs an ultra-thin block, keeping the battery shifted to the back. This way the light is sought to be balanced and more comfortable. A fix that we can then keep flat, in the style of sports glasses, to carry it without bulking too much. The second highlight would be the multiple LEDs, which seek a more homogeneous distribution of lighting. The third and last, is that we can transform it into a lamp, thanks to its carrying bag. The IKO CORE is delivered with the CORE battery and it is also compatible with three AAA/LR03 batteries (not included), thanks to the well-known and well-proven HYBRID CONCEPT construction. There is also a basic PETZL IKO version with 350 lumens.
Let’s go with your numbers before going into details:
- Luminosity: 500 lumens
- Weight: 79 grams
- Technology: REACTIVE LIGHTING or STANDARD LIGHTING
- Battery: Lithium-ion 2500mAh USB rechargeable
- Charging time: 6h
- Water Resistance: IPX4
Let’s go down with the key details in using this PETZ IKO CORE.
AIRFIT BAND
Design with semi-rigid tape and ultra-thin front block. The power source is shifted to the back to spread the weight of the light all over the head and provide a balanced size. It is a water-repellent tape that absorbs neither perspiration nor rain. The band has been designed as very thin, thus seeking to reduce contact areas and allows air circulation. The fit, is quick and easy on the back.
OPTIMIZED VISUAL COMFORT
We start from a construction of 500 lumens for 79 g, but for the first time the light is distributed with multiple LEDs looking for a more homogeneous distribution of lighting. In addition, we have two types of luminous beams (wide or mixed) and several levels of white lighting to respond to different needs: vision of proximity, displacement and sight from afar. It provides three levels of lighting easily accessible and quickly by a single button. Unlike the usual in the brand in recent years this model DOES NOT HAVE RED LIGHT. Below, the duration details for each type of light use.
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY (500 LUMENS) OR 3 AAA BATTERIES (350 LUMENES)
It comes with the rechargeable CORE 1250 Mah battery via a micro USB connector. Once again, it uses the HYBRID CONCEPT construction, which makes it compatible with three batteries. IT LOOKS MORE BATTERY-EFFICIENT. The light detects the power source and adjusts the lighting performances (IKO CORE with CORE battery x 500 lumens, IKO CORE with batteries 350 lumens) Technically, the unit provides a power of 500 lumens (ANSI-FL1 STANDARD). Weight: 79 g . Type of luminous beam: broad or mixed. Power: CORE 1250mAh battery (included). Charging time: 3 h. Battery Compatibility: alkaline, lithium or Ni-MH rechargeable. Sealing: IPX4 (water projection resistant). Certifications: C
FINISHES AND MULTI USE:
This Petzl model has been born adapted to various modes of using it and fit, both around the neck, either on a table or fixed to the stick of a store or in a tree. An elegant detail is the bag to store it, which also allows you to transform the headlight into a lamp. It also has reflectors on the back of the light to be visible at night, as well as a luminous alarm when turning on and off the light that informs us of the remaining energy. Good detail also the two LOCK functions to avoid undesired switch.
PETZL IKO CORE:
REVIEW BY MAYAYO
Without a doubt the Petzl Iko Core is a step forward of the brand, launching a headlamp unlike any other in the range. The box itself already boasts of it, stating that the Petzl IKO CORE is “like nothing else”. True. The strengths of this IKO CORE will be its versatility and comfort, plus the recognized reliability of the brand. True, almost all of its testers have agreed that the new AIRFIT band fits comfortably around the head, although the feeling becomes somewhat different from the usual.
In his favor too, is that is still quite light given its potency, weighing 79 g. The idea of being able to use it as a lamp inside a tent is very useful for hiking and even classic mountaineer. It also easily hangs from branches or outdoor hooks to provide ambient lighting. In practice, a veteran mountaineer will need just under 100 lumens to handle himself in camping tasks, which greatly extends the battery life, In the minimum mode of 6 lumens works up to 100 hours, although we could barely see beyond the feet with that light.
A SPECIAL VALUE OF PETZL FOR ME IS THAT ITS HEADLIGHT INCLUDE A “RESERVE TIME” TO AVOID A BLACKOUT.
The system is basic, when you take it in strong modes and see that the battery runs out, it flashes several times to warn you and goes on to reduce the output significantly. So, if you start draining the battery, the light will turn less light but will still be useful for 2-3 hours without leaving you in total darkness. In my mountain races, I have lost count of the times this feature has allowed me to arrive safely without scares.
OVERALL, I THINK IT’S A GOOD MID-RANGE OPTION FOR LIGHTENING WEIGHT WHEN HIKING OR CAMPING.
I don’t see it as the best option today for mountain racing, since the brand itself offers us much more power with brothers like the SWIFT RL. Although even if it is, there may be those who use it on trail due to its characterising fixation, we will see it. Finally, just point out that I don’t see it at all for night cycling, because on the descents in MTB, I would not be comfortable in a minimally technical trial without having at least 1,500 lumens, either on the head, be installed on the handlebars.
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Posted by Héctor Rubio @hekruca for Trailrunningspain
