Petzl Myo Headlamp Safety Warning
September 23, 2008 by Bryon Powell · 4 Comments
Hey folks, iRunFar wants to let you know that Petzl has issued a safety warning for all its Myo-series headlamps manufactured before June 2008. Petzl warns users not to use AA/LR6 rechargeable batteries in Myo headlamps unless the battery case is engraved “rechargeable battery compatible.” Apparently, the potentially higher current in these batteries can lead the cable to “spark, melt, or catch fire” and, in turn, set peoples on fire. The medical experts here at iRF recommend that you avoid becoming inflamed and/or engulfed in flame. You can check out Petzl’s full Myo-family safety warning for yourself.
On the bright side, I finally have a positive side to dropping out of the Iroquois Trails 100 before dark – it was to be the first time I used my Myo XP with rechargeable batteries. Hmm…perhaps, the huge conflagration Tony Portera and I saw driving back from the bar on Saturday night was a Myo-clad IT100 participant. Perhaps not. All kidding aside, kudos to Petzl for reaching out through unusual channels to inform its core users of this safety warning.
If you want to know what types of batteries you can use with your Petzl headlamp(s), Petzl provides this headlamp-battery compatibility resource. If you are looking for a new headlamp, take a look at iRunFar’ comparison of the Petzl Tikka Plus, E+Lite, and Zipka heaplamps. The comments to iRunFar’s Petzl headlamp comparison also contain a useful discussion of using rechargeable batteries in headlamps.
Related articles:
- Petzl Tikka Plus, E+Lite, and Zipka Plus Reviewed and Compared While Petzl has been one of my sponsors since January 2007, I’ve been using the same trusty Petzl Tikka Plus for what must be four or five years now. I...
- Black Diamond Sprinter Review An in-depth review of the Black Diamond Sprinter, a "streets-to-trail" headlamp....
- Trail Running Gear Highlights from ORWM '10 An overview of the on the headlamps, hydration products, trekking poles, GPS watches, and snowshoes that caught iRunFar's attention at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market....
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Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
thanks for the heads up! Maybe this is why I DNF’d at McNaughton 100 too. I may have been set a blaze as I was getting ready to wear that MYO XP with rechargeables.
Travis, the universe must be looking out for both of us! Anyway, you’re welcome. I’m glad Petzl brought this issue to light.
trailgoat,
Step up to the pro’s and check out the 3 watt Brunton L3. Nothing compares! -Grae
Grae,
Are you saying the Brunton 3W doens’t compare? ;-) Thanks for the heads up, I’ll see if I can scare up one of these Bruntons and review it. I do love my Petzl’s, but there’s no harm in looking around.