Hiya, there is a useful formula for calculating apparent brightness differences in headlamps. Light to our eyes follows a square rule. So to compare these two in brightness on paper, you do 500 lumen / 400 lumen = 1.25. Square root this to arrive at 1.12. So the Silva will appear 1.12 times as bright, or 12% brighter, so not much difference in output...we have to be careful about falling prey to marketing speak regarding lumen increases on the packaging. It’s worth noting that because of the ‘square law’, to double the brightness of a lamp you need to increase the lumen output 4 times. So an 800L light will shine twice as far as a 200L light. Thanks for a great review, cheers Steve
@@paulbarton957 you might also know that a few years back the industry decided to rate lights to a true standard, this is called to ANSI Standard. I tend to use Fenix or Nitecore as they carry this rating so you know what you're getting. Cheers Steve
I have been pondering a headtorch and would normally have just gone for Petzl but your review has convinced me that the Silva is a better option. I appreciate greatly your eco and ethics segment. I see that you are doing this in other kit reviews too. Thank you.
Thanks MG, I'm really glad lots of folk are commenting on how much they like the eco/ethics addition to the gear reviews, really positive stuff! Hope the Silva goes well for you! Claire
@@wildgingerruns Have to admit that I still ended up buying the Petzl. Perhaps because I will probably not use a headtorch for more than a couple of hours at a time and my particular needs are for near field clarity given that I am registered blind. I also decided that on a cost vs weight issue that I'd rather swap batteries if I was on a mega long nighttime adventure than have to find pack space for the heavier and bulkier larger Silva battery pack. Also, the light pouch with the Petzl will improve my campsite experience. I would be happier if the Petzl had a light level between the medium and high and if it tilted further down but all things are a compromise, unfortunately.
I see some people here using one one head and one in the hand. Another good option is to use your best torch on the head and rigging your older unit to your waist.
thanks for the review (esp. the real life beam patterns - would be even better if done in a forest/bushes to assess how much power is wasted overhead) - and reminding me of my eco-self: Do not buy a new/better headlamp if you do not desperately need it within the next 3-6 months: Tech and fit and everything are still evolving so much that "the next best thing" is around the corner - or a discount for the current state-of-art.
Hi Claire - regarding the Silva Trail Runner Free, my understanding is that the Silva Trail Runner Free and Free H are the same torch. If you buy the Free, Silva send you 3 AAA batteries, but if you buy the Free H, they send you a rechargeable one. You can always buy the rechargeable battery at any time to convert your Free to Free H. But the important point I don't think you mention is that if you put in 3 AAA batteries in the Free or Free H, you get 400 lumens for between 10 hours and 25 hours, depending on the temperature. A massive difference from the rechargeable battery provided, so plenty enough for an overnight ultra run. The rest of the time, you can just recharge the battery they send you, for your normal short runs, and save money on buying batteries. For me, this is amazing.
So is it the same with the Trail Running Free Ultra? Same torch, with the added 4.0 A battery + Hybrid? Do you know if you can use batteries also with the Ultra?
@@agukasem yes, with the Ultra bundles you can use the 4.0 Ah battery or use 3xAAA batteries with the hybrid pack. I primarily use the 4.0 Ah battery but on longer sessions will also carry the hybrid pack with 3 rechargeable AAA's. If you run with the battery packs in your running pack/vest, then it's just a case of unclipping the cable from one battery pack and connecting it to the other/spare. Also great for some trail races where carrying spare batteries is mandatory.
@@agukasem It's a bit confusing at first because the impression you get is that there are 3 separate torches, but I think it is the same torch packaged in 3 different ways, depending on your battery requirements. Which is good, because you can effectively upgrade any time you want, by buying the battery you want separately...I think that's right...
I used the Iko Core on a 100 mile trail event last September. The start and finish was in the night. I found the 100 lumens setting for the Iko more than enough for me personally. The night wasn't super dark, but a lot of running was in forests with little to no light from the moon. I carried 1 extra battery which was plenty for that race, obviously paired with a power bank since I also needed a charge for my watch anyway. I think one of the significant questions many reviews don't really answer is how much light you actually need. I think that's a really important question when choosing a headlight. If you prefer a little less light like me than something like the Iko is phenomenal as it's really low weight and comfortable. If you really like lots of light you're better off with something that carries a bigger battery.
That's interesting, your eyesight must be very good, a lot of people who aren't as well-sighted or experienced as you like a brighter light. Fab that you can use 100 lumens, a lot easier for you with battery light! I don't think a review can really answer how much light you really need as this will be different for everyone in different conditions - it's a bit like nutrition reviews I suppose - one man's meat etc! Thanks for taking the time to write in, really useful info here. Claire
Yeah, that matters, but it's very subjective. One of the most common criticisms i found looking around at reviews for the Silva for example was "it's not bright enough.." @ 400 lumens.
If one views environmental issues as dire there is no reason to ever buy gear, especially not products which use something as dirty to produce and discard as batteries. In fairness, Sir David utilizes jet travel so much he clearly doesn't view problems as imminent.
Is there a noticable difference between 150lm and 200lm? And also what are your thoughts on the Silva free H - could integrating wires into a headband might not be a good choice when it comes to product longevity and ease of servicing? Thanks
Hey ML, there will be a bit of a difference between 150 and 200 lumens, but the difference goes down the higher the lumens - so difference between 1000 and 1050 is a lot less. I really like the integrated wire, I didn't need to service my last one with outside wire, so I wouldn't expect to have to service the integrated wire. If it did need a service it would go to Silva and they could deal with it there rather than me hoiking wires out. Hope that helps! Claire
Thanks for the great review, I was looking for thoughts on the Trail Runner Free and you conviced me to pull the trigger. It will be my first head lamp for night running. I'm excited to try this new experience!
Thank you for showing full rotational view of how both sit on the head! Such a simple thing, yet most useful among so many other "reviews"... love your work! :D
Very nice review of both headtorches, Claire. Thanks to you, I am still enjoying my old "Silva Trail Runner 4" (with the exterior coiled wire) which you showed briefly at 7:25. The wire isn't much of a bother, and it makes me feel like a top runner even though I am not. What I like about the Silva is the ease and flexibility of beam angle, which is so nice when the trail conditions deteriorate and I need to look down, or they improve and I prefer to look ahead.
Thanks for the review it was helpfull, while I ws wathcing, it was hard not to notice, she's really pretty when she smiles like that:) one of those smiles that kind of grabs you:) Thanks again hot stuff:)
The products you compare are produced for different purposes. Petzl is a product made for climbing, not runners. If you are going to make a product comparison, they must be produced for the same purposes.
Petzl do make headtorches for runners, they often sponsor running films too... like this one here! th-cam.com/video/GEtEhoBzGSs/w-d-xo.html But yes the Iko Core is not one that is specifically designed for runners, it's more of a cool concept headtorch. They just came out at the same time and both brands sent them to me to test, and both brands know I run a running channel...
Lovely review, 5*, thank you! As a road runner, 100 lumens is perfectly adequate for me. I've owned the old Petzl XP torch since 2010 and have become frustrated with the way the strap tightens and loosens (I've had to tie an elastic band round the excess to stop it loosening) as well as the hefty weight of the torch with its 3x AA batteries. The drawstring/weight of the Iko feel so much better to me now. I purchased the Petzl, but I did consider the Silva, with the rear light being a very smart feature. Aside from the Silva's higher price though, I hated the design of the old Petzl strap so much that I wasn't prepared to take the risk with a similar looking strap again, especially with that factor being one of the 2 reasons I had for wanting a new torch.
Thank you for making the video, it's very helpful. i have a question, do you know if the Silva trail runner free H has a lock option? or should i just unplug the battery pack? the reason for the question is that i'm considering the Silva, for the purpose to pack it into my Run "special needs bag" for an upcoming Ironman event in case i end up running into the night, and want to make sure that it will work when needed. thanks.
Hi there I don't think it has a lock sorry no, battery out is best option for that, good luck with the Ironman that's awesome! Let me know how you got on!
@@wildgingerruns will do. Wish me luck!.. I purchased the Silva, waiting for it to ship. But I also just found out that the special needs bag is not returned after the race, so I won't be packing the premium headlight in there. Instead, I'll just carry a small bontrager bike light on me for the run leg. Again, thank you for putting together this video !
Living in Oslo and liking to go outside during the dark part of the year for skiing, I notice how the development towards brighter and brighter headlamps kinda forces the other people to upgrade their own headlamps, or else you will be blinded every time you meet someone else. Its a sort of humorous tragedy of the commons. My headlamp is 17 years old and it would have no problems showing me the things I needed to see ... but my nightvision is getting screwed at those crowded parts when you havent gotten far into the woods yet. I bet you would be a really good tennis player in the dark with those tho.
Sorry you feel that way about the eco and ethics - I think it's really important that everyone is aware of this and factors it into their decision making on trail kit. Glad you liked the review tho! Claire
@@wildgingerruns My issue is not the point about eco-ethics, but the source - the BBC in effect. An adult can make their own mind up on values without being lectured by the brainwashing BBC pushing their narrative of choice.
Great review. Well structured with lots of clear and useful information. Good to see how it sits with long hair! I might go with the Petzl simply because I'm road running where it rarely gets pitch black . If I was doing longer more challenging trails in the dark the SILVA might be a better choice. But for daily training sessions on the road the Petzl has the lightness and comfort I would value more.
Great review. I have had older versions of both of these (and they still get used when camping) my current head torch of choice is a rechargeable LED Lenser.
I also got a LED lenser, specifically the MH7 and the unpressions are amazing👍. I used a cheap 100 lumens light and that one was soo bad with its non adjustable angle. Now I have something better. 100lm is plenty enough for running smooth trails but for biking, xc skiing or trail running I needed more plus xc skiing needs a more forward angle of light which this one has!.
Great and very thorough review. I would however add that for those that want to run in technical terrain (especially downhill) might want to invest in a more powerful lamp. Personally, I am a big fan of the Silva Trail Speed XT series. Being able to run fast & minimising the chance of injury can make these more expensive lamps a good investment.
Bought the Iko Core and loving it so far for shorter stuff. Love it for lightness and comfort. I wear it a little loose and can barely feel its on me. On the downside I agree it is a little awkward to store in my pack without the plastic jabbing in somewhere and if I was using it on longer stuff you could potentially have 5 battery changes which is far from perfect.
So the Silva hybrid battery fits in the case for the AAAs that comes with the Trail runner 4 / 4 ultra? It should work as a backup or allout replacement for the clunky battery that came with the trailrunner 4 ultra then? If it works, I think it would be great... :) Thanks for enlightening me!
Hi Claire, do you find either torch pulls your hair, especially the wispy bit (if you have them) around your hair line. (I have really curly hair and am yet to find a band which doesn’t do this). Ps I love the addition of Eco/Ethics to the review.
Another useful feature of the Silva is that when you turn it off the main unit will emit either a (low) green or red glow from a smaller integrated LED, giving an indication of the current state of charge. Green=ok, Red=charge it/replace batteries. I've had the Trail Runner 4 for nearly two years and it's performed faultlessly. I'm not sure about the head strap design of the Petzl; seems to be over engineered and will take up valuable space in your pack, especially in some races where there'll be a lot of mandatory kit to also carry and likely wont' fit in the stash pockets on a lot of packs. Also, will the head strap of the Petzl warp and deform when squashed in a pack for extended periods? Sometimes lumens aren't the best way to gauge the effectiveness and performance of a light; beam pattern/spread can be just as important. Some headlights such as LED Lenser advertise some very high outputs but IME the lights won't operate at those outputs for very long as they quickly heat up and built in 'safety systems' will start cutting the output to bring things back into safer operating temps.
The Silva has an IPX-5 rating which means it "Can resist a sustained, low-pressure water jet spray." If you want to have some serious water resistance you need to look for lights with an IP-X7 or IP-X8 rating.
A brilliant review Claire , both torches have some good quality components in them , and sometimes on the dark nights on the moors just like iKobra Key I will use two , one in my hand and one on my head .
Very nice review, thank you very much! I also recently hesitated between these 2 models, and went with the Silva. I prefer a light beam that can illuminate the trail right before my feet, and I was afraid the Petzl would not be adjustable enough. Also : the Petzl Core battery fits in the battery compartment of the Silva, but the Silva battery has corners that does not allow it to be used with a Petzl Core compatible headlight.
Hmmm, I just bought the Trailrunner Free. The light seems better than on my old Silva Trailrunner 4, where I found it to be to white and with to little contrast. And only two setting for brightness. Silva claims they have Intelligent Lightening, but then WHY cant they make the lamp remember the last brightness setting, when its turned on again. I have other headtorches that actually can !!! But the rear red ligt is genious.
@@wildgingerruns I absolutely agree. It should start on lowest setting. I only teased Silva, that if they claim "Intelligent Lightening", then it should also be so "Intelligent" it could remember last user-mode. My less expensive Black Diamond actually does that. (BD Ion - 100 Lumen only, but 180 hours, waterproof, lightweight and red-light. Great backup)
Hi Claire, Thanks for this review, I have been waiting for you to do this for a while since I saw you mention you would be doing a future headtorch review in another of your videos. This has certainly helped me make a decision and when I do purchase I'll be sure to use your click-through link. I think its time to upgrade my 20+ year old headtorch. Not sure anyone knew what a lumen was when I bought it :-D Thanks again.
@@wildgingerruns I'm also loking at the harrier gear from your interviews and reviews. Planning for my first ultra next year (100km) and my gear certainly needs an upgrade :-) Loving your work.
@@wildgingerruns Hi Claire, After buying the Silva I had to let you know of my first night run out with it. The light is simply amazing, I was on tarmac paths in my local park and found the lowest light setting was plenty bright enough. In that environment the two higher settings were just too bright. Looking forward to testing on the trails. I did find that on the two higher settings there was a little peripheral light bleeding down into the eyes field of vision a little distracting. Need to adjust angle of lamp and position on head i guess.
Hi! Can the Silva use the Petzl core battery and petzl use Silva's? They look basically the same. I am using petzl for a long time and wondering if i buy silva can i use petzl core batteries with them.
ezjeens I can use the Petzl battery with the Silva headlamp, but the Silva battery doesn't fit in a Petzl Actik because its corners are kind of too square, not as rounded as the Petzl Core battery.
Hiya, there is a useful formula for calculating apparent brightness differences in headlamps. Light to our eyes follows a square rule. So to compare these two in brightness on paper, you do 500 lumen / 400 lumen = 1.25. Square root this to arrive at 1.12. So the Silva will appear 1.12 times as bright, or 12% brighter, so not much difference in output...we have to be careful about falling prey to marketing speak regarding lumen increases on the packaging. It’s worth noting that because of the ‘square law’, to double the brightness of a lamp you need to increase the lumen output 4 times. So an 800L light will shine twice as far as a 200L light. Thanks for a great review, cheers Steve
Nice info thanks so much for sharing Steve!
Also worth noting. Only Silva and Petzl report lumens honestly and using the same parameters. Other companies lumens are various levels of BS.
@@paulbarton957 you might also know that a few years back the industry decided to rate lights to a true standard, this is called to ANSI Standard. I tend to use Fenix or Nitecore as they carry this rating so you know what you're getting. Cheers Steve
I have been pondering a headtorch and would normally have just gone for Petzl but your review has convinced me that the Silva is a better option.
I appreciate greatly your eco and ethics segment. I see that you are doing this in other kit reviews too. Thank you.
Thanks MG, I'm really glad lots of folk are commenting on how much they like the eco/ethics addition to the gear reviews, really positive stuff! Hope the Silva goes well for you! Claire
@@wildgingerruns Have to admit that I still ended up buying the Petzl.
Perhaps because I will probably not use a headtorch for more than a couple of hours at a time and my particular needs are for near field clarity given that I am registered blind. I also decided that on a cost vs weight issue that I'd rather swap batteries if I was on a mega long nighttime adventure than have to find pack space for the heavier and bulkier larger Silva battery pack. Also, the light pouch with the Petzl will improve my campsite experience.
I would be happier if the Petzl had a light level between the medium and high and if it tilted further down but all things are a compromise, unfortunately.
What a great review,I now know the one to buy,the days of running and hiking with a tea light in a jam jar have long gone me thinks 😂😂👍
I see some people here using one one head and one in the hand. Another good option is to use your best torch on the head and rigging your older unit to your waist.
Great idea!
thanks for the review (esp. the real life beam patterns - would be even better if done in a forest/bushes to assess how much power is wasted overhead) - and reminding me of my eco-self: Do not buy a new/better headlamp if you do not desperately need it within the next 3-6 months: Tech and fit and everything are still evolving so much that "the next best thing" is around the corner - or a discount for the current state-of-art.
Hi Claire - regarding the Silva Trail Runner Free, my understanding is that the Silva Trail Runner Free and Free H are the same torch. If you buy the Free, Silva send you 3 AAA batteries, but if you buy the Free H, they send you a rechargeable one. You can always buy the rechargeable battery at any time to convert your Free to Free H.
But the important point I don't think you mention is that if you put in 3 AAA batteries in the Free or Free H, you get 400 lumens for between 10 hours and 25 hours, depending on the temperature. A massive difference from the rechargeable battery provided, so plenty enough for an overnight ultra run. The rest of the time, you can just recharge the battery they send you, for your normal short runs, and save money on buying batteries. For me, this is amazing.
So is it the same with the Trail Running Free Ultra? Same torch, with the added 4.0 A battery + Hybrid? Do you know if you can use batteries also with the Ultra?
@@agukasem yes, with the Ultra bundles you can use the 4.0 Ah battery or use 3xAAA batteries with the hybrid pack. I primarily use the 4.0 Ah battery but on longer sessions will also carry the hybrid pack with 3 rechargeable AAA's. If you run with the battery packs in your running pack/vest, then it's just a case of unclipping the cable from one battery pack and connecting it to the other/spare. Also great for some trail races where carrying spare batteries is mandatory.
@@jordanmacsween1500 Excellent. Thanks for your answer!
@@agukasem It's a bit confusing at first because the impression you get is that there are 3 separate torches, but I think it is the same torch packaged in 3 different ways, depending on your battery requirements. Which is good, because you can effectively upgrade any time you want, by buying the battery you want separately...I think that's right...
FWFWFWF indeed. But with a little help I got there! The same thing happened to me until... I read the whole description on Silva’s website.
I used the Iko Core on a 100 mile trail event last September. The start and finish was in the night. I found the 100 lumens setting for the Iko more than enough for me personally. The night wasn't super dark, but a lot of running was in forests with little to no light from the moon. I carried 1 extra battery which was plenty for that race, obviously paired with a power bank since I also needed a charge for my watch anyway.
I think one of the significant questions many reviews don't really answer is how much light you actually need. I think that's a really important question when choosing a headlight. If you prefer a little less light like me than something like the Iko is phenomenal as it's really low weight and comfortable. If you really like lots of light you're better off with something that carries a bigger battery.
That's interesting, your eyesight must be very good, a lot of people who aren't as well-sighted or experienced as you like a brighter light. Fab that you can use 100 lumens, a lot easier for you with battery light! I don't think a review can really answer how much light you really need as this will be different for everyone in different conditions - it's a bit like nutrition reviews I suppose - one man's meat etc! Thanks for taking the time to write in, really useful info here. Claire
Yeah, that matters, but it's very subjective. One of the most common criticisms i found looking around at reviews for the Silva for example was "it's not bright enough.." @ 400 lumens.
If one views environmental issues as dire there is no reason to ever buy gear, especially not products which use something as dirty to produce and discard as batteries. In fairness, Sir David utilizes jet travel so much he clearly doesn't view problems as imminent.
Exactly, don't buy new gear unless you really need it, good comment Bryan!
Is there a noticable difference between 150lm and 200lm?
And also what are your thoughts on the Silva free H - could integrating wires into a headband might not be a good choice when it comes to product longevity and ease of servicing? Thanks
Hey ML, there will be a bit of a difference between 150 and 200 lumens, but the difference goes down the higher the lumens - so difference between 1000 and 1050 is a lot less.
I really like the integrated wire, I didn't need to service my last one with outside wire, so I wouldn't expect to have to service the integrated wire. If it did need a service it would go to Silva and they could deal with it there rather than me hoiking wires out. Hope that helps! Claire
Please review the Biolite headlamp range
There is a Biolite 750 lumen headlamp in the next headtorch test on this channel, stay tuned for Jan/Feb
Thanks for the great review, I was looking for thoughts on the Trail Runner Free and you conviced me to pull the trigger. It will be my first head lamp for night running. I'm excited to try this new experience!
Glad I could help! Keep us posted!
Thank you for showing full rotational view of how both sit on the head! Such a simple thing, yet most useful among so many other "reviews"... love your work! :D
Glad it was helpful!
Very nice review of both headtorches, Claire. Thanks to you, I am still enjoying my old "Silva Trail Runner 4" (with the exterior coiled wire) which you showed briefly at 7:25. The wire isn't much of a bother, and it makes me feel like a top runner even though I am not. What I like about the Silva is the ease and flexibility of beam angle, which is so nice when the trail conditions deteriorate and I need to look down, or they improve and I prefer to look ahead.
Great review, really nice to see eco and ethical criteria included.
I admire the fact you admire Sir David. He is a hero of mine.
Whoa shes hot
Why thank you, I'm sure you're very beautiful too
Thanks for the review it was helpfull, while I ws wathcing, it was hard not to notice, she's really pretty when she smiles like that:) one of those smiles that kind of grabs you:) Thanks again hot stuff:)
Why thank you Danny, I am sure you are most attractive also. Best wishes, Claire
The products you compare are produced for different purposes. Petzl is a product made for climbing, not runners. If you are going to make a product comparison, they must be produced for the same purposes.
Petzl do make headtorches for runners, they often sponsor running films too... like this one here! th-cam.com/video/GEtEhoBzGSs/w-d-xo.html But yes the Iko Core is not one that is specifically designed for runners, it's more of a cool concept headtorch. They just came out at the same time and both brands sent them to me to test, and both brands know I run a running channel...
Thank you for the heads up. Very useful and informative 😁😁
Thanks Mike glad it helped you, you might be interested in my latest headtorch review too :) th-cam.com/video/2NzqSeu5qZE/w-d-xo.html
Lovely review, 5*, thank you!
As a road runner, 100 lumens is perfectly adequate for me. I've owned the old Petzl XP torch since 2010 and have become frustrated with the way the strap tightens and loosens (I've had to tie an elastic band round the excess to stop it loosening) as well as the hefty weight of the torch with its 3x AA batteries. The drawstring/weight of the Iko feel so much better to me now.
I purchased the Petzl, but I did consider the Silva, with the rear light being a very smart feature. Aside from the Silva's higher price though, I hated the design of the old Petzl strap so much that I wasn't prepared to take the risk with a similar looking strap again, especially with that factor being one of the 2 reasons I had for wanting a new torch.
Glad this helped you Zoso!
Thank you for making the video, it's very helpful. i have a question, do you know if the Silva trail runner free H has a lock option? or should i just unplug the battery pack? the reason for the question is that i'm considering the Silva, for the purpose to pack it into my Run "special needs bag" for an upcoming Ironman event in case i end up running into the night, and want to make sure that it will work when needed. thanks.
Hi there I don't think it has a lock sorry no, battery out is best option for that, good luck with the Ironman that's awesome! Let me know how you got on!
@@wildgingerruns will do. Wish me luck!.. I purchased the Silva, waiting for it to ship. But I also just found out that the special needs bag is not returned after the race, so I won't be packing the premium headlight in there. Instead, I'll just carry a small bontrager bike light on me for the run leg.
Again, thank you for putting together this video !
Living in Oslo and liking to go outside during the dark part of the year for skiing, I notice how the development towards brighter and brighter headlamps kinda forces the other people to upgrade their own headlamps, or else you will be blinded every time you meet someone else. Its a sort of humorous tragedy of the commons. My headlamp is 17 years old and it would have no problems showing me the things I needed to see ... but my nightvision is getting screwed at those crowded parts when you havent gotten far into the woods yet.
I bet you would be a really good tennis player in the dark with those tho.
That is so interesting!
Very good review, but the fear-mongering Attenborough-lecturing section on "ethics" etc is a big turn-off.
Sorry you feel that way about the eco and ethics - I think it's really important that everyone is aware of this and factors it into their decision making on trail kit. Glad you liked the review tho! Claire
@@wildgingerruns My issue is not the point about eco-ethics, but the source - the BBC in effect. An adult can make their own mind up on values without being lectured by the brainwashing BBC pushing their narrative of choice.
I couldn’t disagree more. Good on you Claire for including this eco/ethics aspect to your review. Brilliant!
Thanks for a very informative video which helped me make a decision.
Glad it was helpful!
Great review. Well structured with lots of clear and useful information. Good to see how it sits with long hair! I might go with the Petzl simply because I'm road running where it rarely gets pitch black . If I was doing longer more challenging trails in the dark the SILVA might be a better choice. But for daily training sessions on the road the Petzl has the lightness and comfort I would value more.
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
both have insufficient battery life if you are as slow as me ...
Ha ha ha! I'm sure you're not that slow Mike :)
Great review. I have had older versions of both of these (and they still get used when camping) my current head torch of choice is a rechargeable LED Lenser.
I also got a LED lenser, specifically the MH7 and the unpressions are amazing👍. I used a cheap 100 lumens light and that one was soo bad with its non adjustable angle. Now I have something better. 100lm is plenty enough for running smooth trails but for biking, xc skiing or trail running I needed more plus xc skiing needs a more forward angle of light which this one has!.
I use a silva 6x, love it, great bit of kit
It sure is!
Thanks Claire very informative. I need to invest in a better quality head torch and this has given me some useful things to consider, thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Great review! I'm happy I stumbled upon your channel.
Welcome aboard!
If you slag off the torches you won't get any more to test!
Lol! It doesn't really work that way thankfully. I need to be honest about them and the better brands actually welcome the feedback.
Great and very thorough review. I would however add that for those that want to run in technical terrain (especially downhill) might want to invest in a more powerful lamp. Personally, I am a big fan of the Silva Trail Speed XT series. Being able to run fast & minimising the chance of injury can make these more expensive lamps a good investment.
:)
Bought the Iko Core and loving it so far for shorter stuff. Love it for lightness and comfort. I wear it a little loose and can barely feel its on me. On the downside I agree it is a little awkward to store in my pack without the plastic jabbing in somewhere and if I was using it on longer stuff you could potentially have 5 battery changes which is far from perfect.
Nice to know it works well for you DC! :)
Any Lock Mode in the Silva ??
I can't see any option for lock mode with the Silva, hope that helps
So the Silva hybrid battery fits in the case for the AAAs that comes with the Trail runner 4 / 4 ultra? It should work as a backup or allout replacement for the clunky battery that came with the trailrunner 4 ultra then? If it works, I think it would be great... :) Thanks for enlightening me!
Hi Claire, do you find either torch pulls your hair, especially the wispy bit (if you have them) around your hair line. (I have really curly hair and am yet to find a band which doesn’t do this).
Ps I love the addition of Eco/Ethics to the review.
Another useful feature of the Silva is that when you turn it off the main unit will emit either a (low) green or red glow from a smaller integrated LED, giving an indication of the current state of charge. Green=ok, Red=charge it/replace batteries. I've had the Trail Runner 4 for nearly two years and it's performed faultlessly. I'm not sure about the head strap design of the Petzl; seems to be over engineered and will take up valuable space in your pack, especially in some races where there'll be a lot of mandatory kit to also carry and likely wont' fit in the stash pockets on a lot of packs. Also, will the head strap of the Petzl warp and deform when squashed in a pack for extended periods?
Sometimes lumens aren't the best way to gauge the effectiveness and performance of a light; beam pattern/spread can be just as important. Some headlights such as LED Lenser advertise some very high outputs but IME the lights won't operate at those outputs for very long as they quickly heat up and built in 'safety systems' will start cutting the output to bring things back into safer operating temps.
can you use aftershocks with the petzl?
Interesting question... It would be a bit tricky I think!
Really good review.! And subbed.
Thanks for the sub! Lots more gear reviews here, enjoy! th-cam.com/play/PLyZ16LRfpz0A1DZpDqxAD2luskVWu_x-o.html
Thanks for the review, really helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Great review. Are they both waterproof?
The Silva has an IPX-5 rating which means it "Can resist a sustained, low-pressure water jet spray."
If you want to have some serious water resistance you need to look for lights with an IP-X7 or IP-X8 rating.
I’m still using the one that I got given as part of the Pure Protein Night Race in 2017 in Canada.
A brilliant review Claire , both torches have some good quality components in them , and sometimes on the dark nights on the moors just like iKobra Key I will use two , one in my hand and one on my head .
Excellent 👍
Thank you! Hope it helped you out!
cool review but why 360p in 2020?
Less is more..energy saved!
@@lionelclaeys3784 🤣
The phoenix 1400 brilliant torch sell them in my fishing shop more powerful than any other little head torch
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very nice review, thank you very much! I also recently hesitated between these 2 models, and went with the Silva. I prefer a light beam that can illuminate the trail right before my feet, and I was afraid the Petzl would not be adjustable enough.
Also : the Petzl Core battery fits in the battery compartment of the Silva, but the Silva battery has corners that does not allow it to be used with a Petzl Core compatible headlight.
I'm curious to see if this is still the case because looking closely, the new USBc silva battery seems a different shape to the original USB battery..
Hmmm, I just bought the Trailrunner Free.
The light seems better than on my old Silva Trailrunner 4, where I found it to be to white and with to little contrast.
And only two setting for brightness.
Silva claims they have Intelligent Lightening, but then WHY cant they make the lamp remember the last brightness setting, when its turned on again.
I have other headtorches that actually can !!!
But the rear red ligt is genious.
Wish this test would have been four days ago 😄
@@wildgingerruns I absolutely agree. It should start on lowest setting.
I only teased Silva, that if they claim "Intelligent Lightening", then it should also be so "Intelligent" it could remember last user-mode.
My less expensive Black Diamond actually does that.
(BD Ion - 100 Lumen only, but 180 hours, waterproof, lightweight and red-light. Great backup)
Hi Claire, Thanks for this review, I have been waiting for you to do this for a while since I saw you mention you would be doing a future headtorch review in another of your videos. This has certainly helped me make a decision and when I do purchase I'll be sure to use your click-through link. I think its time to upgrade my 20+ year old headtorch. Not sure anyone knew what a lumen was when I bought it :-D Thanks again.
@@wildgingerruns I'm also loking at the harrier gear from your interviews and reviews. Planning for my first ultra next year (100km) and my gear certainly needs an upgrade :-) Loving your work.
@@wildgingerruns Hi Claire, After buying the Silva I had to let you know of my first night run out with it. The light is simply amazing, I was on tarmac paths in my local park and found the lowest light setting was plenty bright enough. In that environment the two higher settings were just too bright. Looking forward to testing on the trails. I did find that on the two higher settings there was a little peripheral light bleeding down into the eyes field of vision a little distracting. Need to adjust angle of lamp and position on head i guess.
aitch! grrrrrrrr. :-)
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@@wildgingerruns sorry chuck! 😬 people saying ‘haitch’ is a pet peeve. Like nails on a blackboard. Soz
Thanks! I think I’ll stick with my eco friendly current Petzl. Those marks on your forehead sealed it. 🙃
Lol yes! Glad it helped you out
Just bought the Fenix HM65R-T. Very impressed.
Cool I'll add Fenix to my next headtorches test :)
Hi! Can the Silva use the Petzl core battery and petzl use Silva's? They look basically the same. I am using petzl for a long time and wondering if i buy silva can i use petzl core batteries with them.
ezjeens I can use the Petzl battery with the Silva headlamp, but the Silva battery doesn't fit in a Petzl Actik because its corners are kind of too square, not as rounded as the Petzl Core battery.