This headlamp was tested in a vast array of conditions and scenarios, from riding down a slope in the pitch black to finding the topographical map in the darkness of my tent. I skinned, boarded, climbed, ran and even fell asleep with the headlamp on. So here are my thoughts on the Petzl MYO XP:
Initial Impressions
From the get go, I liked the sleek design of the MYO with the battery placement behind the lamp instead of in a separate battery pack. The controls seemed simple, too, with two separate buttons for light levels and a wide angle lens for optimal light efficiency. Best of all it was compact and lightweight .
In The Field
I immediately noticed how comfortable the MYO XP is and how strongly the light illuminated the path in front of me as I skinned up my local resort in the dark. It was New Year’s Eve and I wanted to watch the annual fireworks show from atop the mountain, but I was concerned about the ride back down. After a spectacular firework show, it was time to ride back down so I set the brightness to the highest level and went on my way. I found that the headlamp was stable and bright as I rode down the freshly groomed slopes and illuminated the path more than 30 feet ahead of me, while my companions’ headlamps didn’t cut the bill.
MYO XP Is NOT your Standard Headlamp!
After months of use, I still stand behind this headlamp and I found a lot of things to like. I dropped it, stomped on it and inadvertently smashed it many times, and it never had a single issue. A great feature about this headlamp is the option to have either a wide angle view, or a spotlight, just by flipping the toggle located above the bulb. The controls are simple– 3 separate levels of brightness (maximum, optimum, economic) all within the click of a button. Its power source is 3 AA batteries, which can burn for up to 180 hrs (in economy mode) and has a warning light that indicates the need for a new energy source. There are so many factors that make this a great headlamp, so whether it’s a predawn tour or a week long expedition, you can depend on the MYO XP to help you lead the way.
