Everlite EL8 Solar Headlamp

i did a search and didn't find anything. i'm not sure how new this headlamp is. i was reading a backpack gear magazine and saw a little blurb about it so i looked it up.

it's $50 online
here are the features.
http://www.newlite.com/catpage/headlamp.html

• Charge your Headlamp with the small solar panel (size is only 2.5 x 4.5 inches)
• 7 hours of sunlight provides a full charge so the LED light runs all night long
• Small and lightweight parts, lamp weighs 3 oz and solar panel also weighs 3 oz
• Comfortable headband strap with snap-in mount and hinged angle adjustment
• Bright white LED light provides good visibility up to 40 feet distance
• Sequencing pushbutton switch for various LED operating modes:
  • full brightness up to 12 hours
  • photocell mode turns on LEDs only in darkness
  • half brightness up to 24 hours
  • emergency blinking mode up to 24 hours
• Charge cell phones, iPods, cameras, etc. by plugging in optional Accessories

i like that it can charge other items but i'm not sure how it's going to get 12vdc..
the photocell feature seems interesting. you can set it and forget it as a camp light and just leave it on.
there is no mention on the capacity of the nimh's inside or even if they are replaceable.
i kind of like the idea of a solar panel but in real life i wouldn't need it. i would have to be trekking for weeks on end and traveling light. otherwise carrying a normal headlamp with spares would be sufficient. in real life i would only need enough power for a weekend of camping and i would never change the batteries during that time.

it's still interesting and i like the different modes(photocell) that make it unique. this headlamp would fit in that "war games" thread i think. unlimited light?

If it worked it would be fine.

There are huge discussions about Solar stuff in the other area.

But this is good to ---- thanks for the advice.
I fear this is a simple scam.

you need a//// football field of solar to power a 1 watt for an hour------- I'm ducking.

Clicked on the link and read the confusing advert.
It seems to say that the EL8 runs on NimH batteries and in the lower
paragraph says the EL8 runs on a Li-ion .
So which is it or maybe it has both! Wow! Gee whiz!

Also a 2.5" X 4.5" solar panel may give 25mA into 3.7volt battery pack...

Not sure but those led's in the headlamp look like a very dim variety...old
stuff.

I contacted the company a while back and they said that they were going to be upgrading the EL8 to include a Li-Ion cell phone battery and increasing the solar output to 130 mAh. I bought one of the earlier versions from Amazon along with the cell charger cable and this thing works great!

It puts out plenty of light on the trail and I can charge my cell phone from it (not that I make a lot of calls from the trail, but I have before). It's kinda like having my ole Solio and petzl with me all in one unit. I just strop the little solar panel to my pack and away I go. Plus, I don't have to worry about throwing away spent batteries either. Yeah, I'm turnin "Green". :green:

They also have cables that will charge iPods, GPS's, etc. I'll be getting the upgraded version when it comes out supposedly in May. It's supposed to be a lighter, brighter, long lifer.

I recommend it. :twothumbs

thanks for the info Lee. High power LED's can let you see a long distance but
5mm leds are more than ok to see the immediate area in front of a hiker.
Think misjudgement happens from not letting the eyes first adapt to the dark
and too many lumens will prevent dark adaptation.
This solar headlamp looks like a good lightweight solution for hiking.