Last minute headlamp decision: Black Diamond ReVolt.

[10-K]

My headlamp of choice is the Black Diamond Spot. With 4 lithium AAA's I can get 8 days of pre-dawn and after-dusk hiking.

However and but... I'll be carrying a solar charger through the desert section of the PCT and was thinking about the ReVolt since I could keep it charged via the solar charger and not have to worry about batteries. (I think in a pinch it'll take AAA batteries as well).

Anybody use a ReVolt for more than a minute and have an opinion?

My main questions are:

1. How long does it take to charge the thing.
2. Is battery life decent?

[scudder]

I've had mine a little over a year. It takes about 3 hrs for mine to recharge plugged into a wall outlet. My use is sporadic - a couple weekend trips, and maybe a couple 5-6 day sessions, and it lays around in between. I like that it tells you where the battery life is at, the many light settings available, and that it locks. I haven't had a problem, but the battery compartment "hinge" looks pretty vulnerable. And yes it also takes AAA's.