I have the duobelt LED 5. My other headlamp is a NiteRider, which is my primary lamp for trail running. The duobelt is back up, and for backpacking. Weight is an issue, with four C batteries. But it's light on the head--very good for fat heads. I haven't used a headlamp with less than 5 LED bulbs, but I certainly wouldn't want anything less than five. I like lots of light when I'm jogging down the trails.... On the negative, the haligen (you know what I mean) bulb throws lots of black spots in the light footprint. Fortunately, beam is adjustable (tight, narrow spot to a broad, wide spot)--You can find your comfort level. I'm told the back spots are a problem with that silver backing (I can't remember what it's called), and not a bulb issue. No black spots with the LED. The surprising benefit I found, though, was that after about 45 minutes, my eyes got tired with the haligen, so I switched to the LED. After a time, I got tired of the LED, so switched back. Each time I switched, my eyes perked up & I got a another shot of energy--very nice.

Customer Service

I have never had a need to contact Petzel. With REI, I've always, always gotten good service.

Similar Products Used:

NiteRider Extreme (discontinued)

Great headlamp. Excellent burn time and double bulbs comes in handy when you want a brighter light while climbing in the dark, and the smaller bulb while belaying or just hanging around camp. Like other people said, a waterresistant bag is needed. I originaly was going to get the BD Spaceshot, but I needed a headlamp right away so I decided to get the next best thing. Overall, great lamp but expensive.

Oh, I gave it a 3 for value because I had to pay close to 80 for the fast shipping to get it by the coming weekend, if I could have gotten it for close to 65 I would have given it a 4.

Similar Products Used:

Petzl Zoom (not suitable for cold weather or winter mountaineering or climbing, it will freeze up not having a waist belt)

I recently used the Petzl DuoBelt in a nighttime Hi-Tec Adventure race. The battery life on the light was excellent and the light projected was more than adequate. Running with the light was easy because there wasn't a lot of weight on your head bouncing around. I was even able to wear the light underneath my bike helmet during the mountain biking portion of the race. The battery pack is easy to hang from a belt (using its velcro straps) or clipped onto a pack (with its loop).

My only beef is with the fact that the battery pack is not even close to water resistant. It is basically just a plastic battery holder in a nylon bag. I ended up taping the battery holder in a plastic bag then stuffing it into the nylon bag. (This same arguement can also be made for the Arctic)

Note to any Petzl folks reading this... Make the battery carrier just a bit more water resistant (can handle rain, splashes, and the occasional dunking) and you will have the perfect headlight.

Similar Products Used:

Petzl Arctic
Petzl Micro

This is a great light. having two bulbs is great, the regular one works as well as any headlamp and the halogen bullb works as well the headlights on my car. The unit feels light on my head and the cord is long enough for the battery pack to be placed in my pack. Petyl pays attention to details with a switch lock to prevent accidental illumination of the light. Battery life is great even with the halogen bulb. Now for the bad, this unit is simply too heavy for shorter backpacking trips. I find myself replacing it with the micro ar a mag before every trip. This light will be with me for canoe trips car camping and month long trips but for weeklongs or less i'd rather spend my weight elsewhere,like on food:).

Similar Products Used:

petzyl micro (great)
mini mag
mini mag aaa (actually works well on shorter trips)

This is a great light. having two bulbs is great, the regular one works as well as any headlamp and the halogen bullb works as well the headlights on my car. The unit feels light on my head and the cord is long enough for the battery pack to be placed in my pack. Petyl pays attention to details with a switch lock to prevent accidental illumination of the light. Battery life is great even with the halogen bulb. Now for the bad, this unit is simply too heavy for shorter backpacking trips. I find myself replacing it with the micro ar a mag before every trip. This light will be with me for canoe trips car camping and month long trips but for weeklongs or less i'd rather spend my weight elsewhere,like on food:).

Similar Products Used:

petzyl micro (great)
mini mag
mini mag aaa (actually works well on shorter trips)