by Dave MacLeay
Yesterday I mentioned that Outdoor Retailer includes a lot of small companies or individual inventors trying to get a foothold in the outdoor industry. Everlite is one such company, and their Solar Headlamp has been getting some attention at the show, including a Backpacker magazine Editors' Choice award.
At first glance the Solar Headlamp is a familiar item: a 5-LED compact headlamp along the lines of the Petzl Tikka. But unlike other LED headlamps on the market, the Solar Headlamp will never need replacement batteries. That’s because it comes with a small solar panel that charges the headlamp’s built-in rechargeable NiMH battery.
The 2.3 x 4.5 inch, 3-ounce solar panel plugs into the headlamp for charging, and can be attached to the top of a backpack or other sunny spot via the included Velcro mounting kit. When fully charged, the headlamp can run for 10 to 12 hours on its brightest setting, or longer in one of its other modes.
Other unique features including the ability to charge your other electronics, such as cell phones, iPods, and PDAs. Just plug into the headlamp with Everlite’s optional adaptor and your gadgets can power up from the headlamp’s stored solar power.
The Everlite Solar Headlamp retails for $50.
