Pretzl Hybrid Concept rechargeable battery packs (for head lamps)

A few weeks ago I made a post inquiring about rechargeable batteries for my headlamp. I really liked the battery pack petzl recently came out with but was hesitant because it says they are only compatible with the "HYBRID generation (sold from 2017)", but I took a chance and it works in my older model actik (purchased in 2016).

Please post here if you have successfully used one in your non "HYBRID generation" Petzl headlamp. These battery packs are super convenient to charge compared to traditional rechargeable cells because the battery itself has a micro-usb port for charging and it shares compatibility with other devices you may already own (cell phone, gps, camera, etc). 

Not into these at all. The one battery pack I have is now dead. The cable plugs in perpendicular to the side of the battery with the most area, so it's awkward to charge in a pack on the go. You have to take the battery pack out to charge it, so you risk losing it - and the battery pack is NOT cheap. AAA's work just as fine and have worked just fine - and they make rechargeable AAA's anyways. Frustrating to put the pack back in right - I've wasted so much time faffing around with that thing. It's just dumb idea all around - I don't know what they were thinking. My current headlamp has a cable plug built in, and you can remove the battery if you want. It's just so much more convenient. I'm not sure about plug compatibility - like if that's a thing right now. I need to bring a micro USB, a USB-C, and a lightning cable wherever I go, so it's not too big of a plus that this battery pack uses one of those to be honest.

Long Ranger wrote:

Not into these at all. The one battery pack I have is now dead. The cable plugs in perpendicular to the side of the battery with the most area, so it's awkward to charge in a pack on the go. You have to take the battery pack out to charge it, so you risk losing it - and the battery pack is NOT cheap. AAA's work just as fine and have worked just fine - and they make rechargeable AAA's anyways. Frustrating to put the pack back in right - I've wasted so much time faffing around with that thing. It's just dumb idea all around - I don't know what they were thinking. My current headlamp has a cable plug built in, and you can remove the battery if you want. It's just so much more convenient. I'm not sure about plug compatibility - like if that's a thing right now. I need to bring a micro USB, a USB-C, and a lightning cable wherever I go, so it's not too big of a plus that this battery pack uses one of those to be honest.

For 30 bucks id rather buy a battery pack that can recharge 300 times instead of 900 batteries at 20 bucks/16. 

I bought the petzl core last week for my petzl Aktic and shit is great. Don't have to buy new batteries every week (it's dark up here).

Dirt King wrote:

For 30 bucks id rather buy a battery pack that can recharge 300 times instead of 900 batteries at 20 bucks/16. 

I bought the petzl core last week for my petzl Aktic and shit is great. Don't have to buy new batteries every week (it's dark up here).

Again, they do make rechargeable AAA's - 4 of them cost $10, 12 cost $30 - so that's ~3x the capacity for the same price. And better, brighter head lamps use rechargeable lithium batteries anyways. Both AAA's, and those rechargeable lithium (18650's) can be used in something other than Petzel's head torches - yet another plus for not using their system. 

The only reason that I can think of that Petzl makes a bad battery pack that only works with their lights is to sell you an expensive battery pack. They did the same thing with the Petzl NAO. They sell a proprietary battery pack for the NAO for $70 that's nothing but a $10 18650  battery surrounded by electronics that should be a part of the core light. 

You can even look at it as mAh/$ - the Hybrid Concept is 1250 mAh for $30. You can get a 13,000mAh battery pack for the same price: 

https://www.anker.com/products/variant/powercore-13000/A1215011

Petzl's battery packs are a complete rip off.  

Long Ranger wrote:

Not into these at all. The one battery pack I have is now dead. The cable plugs in perpendicular to the side of the battery with the most area, so it's awkward to charge in a pack on the go. You have to take the battery pack out to charge it, so you risk losing it - and the battery pack is NOT cheap. AAA's work just as fine and have worked just fine - and they make rechargeable AAA's anyways. Frustrating to put the pack back in right - I've wasted so much time faffing around with that thing. It's just dumb idea all around - I don't know what they were thinking. My current headlamp has a cable plug built in, and you can remove the battery if you want. It's just so much more convenient. I'm not sure about plug compatibility - like if that's a thing right now. I need to bring a micro USB, a USB-C, and a lightning cable wherever I go, so it's not too big of a plus that this battery pack uses one of those to be honest.

I wouldn’t consider charging this on a trip (I agree it’s a delicate connection) since I carry spare batteries and tbh I’m surprised you find the individual battery pack less convenient than individual cells. Having one single battery pack and not needing a special charger was the primary reason it appealed to me so much, despite the premium cost.  Additionally I use my lamp for work and projects and run through batteries like crazy. If you don’t use your head lamp often I suggest alkaline anyway. 

Sorry it didn’t work out for you. I’d be happy to buy yours so If you’re interested in parting with it. $10 +shipping?

I use 18650s to blow fat clouds brah

18650 lamp has been great to me as well.. (similar to this fenixlighting.com/product/f…).  high powered, affordable/compact to carry a backup batteries, long life, easy to swap.. im surprised the name brand manufacturers havent taken up this design