Product Review: Mila PLS 100 Headlamp
The Mila Headlamp is a high luminosity rechargeable headlamp designed for outdoor endurance athletes.
Summary: I have been testing the Mila PLS 100 for a full year now, using the lamp for a variety of activities in all types of conditions. Overall, the Mila is an excellent rechargeable headlamp and is highly recommended.
Pros: Extremely bright, dual lighting settings, headpiece is light and comfortable.
Cons: No charge indicator, price.
The Mila headlamp is designed for serious endurance athletes, but is suitable for anyone who wants to run, bike or ski safely after dark.
. In the past I have used a variety lamps — halogen, LED, rechargeable halogen. This is the first time I felt I could really open it up on downhills. It is easy to pick out obstacles in the trail and road — the light throws a beam well down the trail, providing plenty of reaction time. </p>
<p>Mila claims a 250 meter beam length, with a 30 degree beam width. I’m not sure how the length is measured, but that seems like an extremely long distance. What really matters for skiers, trail runners, and bikers is the area within 20 meters or so, and the Mila is exceptional in this area. The width of the beam is important as well, as it allows you to pick up potential obstacles on the edges of the trail. </p>
<p>On the snow, the lamp is just as good. Full speed downhills, attacking corners, there is no hesitation — I have skied on lit trails that are significantly darker than using this headlamp. Depending on the conditions and the trail, it is possible to use one lamp for two skiers — it really is that good.</p>
<p>As an added bonus, the Mila works great for all sorts of other uses — working in the garden, finishing the roofing project, fixing the sump pump — plenty of light for detailed work.</p>
<p>The lamp has two bulbs and a switch with two settings — the user can activate either a 10-watt bulb or a 20-watt bulb, allowing for longer battery life if maximum lighting is not needed. I often use the 10W bulb, and switch to the 20W on descents. It is rated at about 300 lumens. The 3.5 inch reflector provides an extremely wide beam, though it does mean that it is a little more difficult to stick the lamp in your pocket. It is worth noting that the switch is fairly small – given its location, it can be challenging to activate it when wearing heavy gloves.</p>
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