Newlite's Everlite Solar Headlamp : Get Your Shine On

If you're one of those doubters who thinks eco products don't work as well as their "regular" counterparts, it's time to snap out of it and see the light.

Newlite's Everlite Solar Headlamp, with five LED bulbs, is plenty bright. It's as good as any of the alkaline battery-powered headlamps I've used in the past. Like my other headlamps, it also has a variety of light settings for all my outdoor needs: bright for total darkness at camp or when I read in bed at night; a photocell mode that only shines in the dark, dim for conditions where I need to be seen but don't need a full beam; and flashing, for emergencies and to be seen in murky weather.

Because the headlamp has an adjustable, removable hinge, as well as a headband, I can wear it on my head or attach it to my belt when I go on late night power walks (it wasn't designed for this and doesn't have a tight grip, but I use an old headlamp band between my belt loops to help hold it in place.) It throws a beam about 50-60 feet.

The cool thing about this headlamp that I don't have with standard headlamps -- I can test the battery charge whenever I want to, so I know when I need to recharge. Another bonus: because the lamp isn't carrying batteries, it's lightweight and I don't have to carry batteries (which add weight, not to mention expense) in my pack.

The solar panel is thin and also lightweight. At home, I charge my headlamp by day. On the trail, it's easy to affix to the outside of my pack. A six-hour charge lasts 12 hours. The headlamp holds a charge well over time, too. For the past month, I've been using it mostly to read by at night so I don't have to get out of bed to turn off the lights. When I'm ready to sleep, I just turn off my headlamp and store it in my nightstand. I don't remember the last time I charged it.

I can also charge the headlamp with a plug-in adapter, and I can use the solar panel to charge other small devices. (Newlite makes a variety of accessory adapters for their solar panels as well as car plug-ins.) During a power outage the other night, my neighbors and I explored the dark streets, and I was really impressed with the headlamp. Even though I hadn't charged it in quite a while, it still cast a wide and deep beam. I could see all the way to the end of the block.

I'm not the only one who loves this lamp. Backpacker Magazine gave it an "Editors' Choice" designation in 2008.

Eco Creds: solar powered!!!!

Bottom Line: It's so fun using a solar-powered gadget like this. I never have to buy batteries, and I can charge my other handheld gadgets with the solar panel. Indoors or out, I can get energy! Free!.--E.D. (Aug 09)

Buy Online : $49.95, on sale for $40 at Amazon.com

Manufacturer's Site: www.newlitecom

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