THE GEAR JUNKIE

Wilderness survival gear is often reduced to a Mylar blanket, matches, a compass and maybe a signal mirror. But what about a light source during times of distress and disorientation?

The $30 E+LITE, a tiny backup headlamp from Petzl ( www.petzl.com), is a new product made to fill the emergency-illumination niche.

Petzl designed the E+LITE to be stashed in a backpack and forgotten about until needed. Its lithium battery is said to be good for 10 idle years before use. It is waterproof to 1 subaquatic meter and weighs almost nothing.

In use, the tiny light illuminates a surprisingly large field of view. Its three white L.E.D.s shoot a beam more than 30 feet through the night air. Two power settings control light intensity; an emergency mode activates a blinking strobe.

One red L.E.D. on the E+LITE’s face provides a setting that will help preserve night vision.

A small lever switch on the front of the headlamp lets you toggle quickly through the light’s multiple modes. The swing motion of the switch — as opposed to the push-button activation found on many headlamp models — prevents accidental operation that could drain the batteries.

For winter use, Petzl says the headlamp is good in temperatures down to minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The headlamp’s elasticized strap cinches tight on the head. A ball-and-socket-type connection to the base of the light provides pivot.

Petzl ships the E+LITE in a hard-shell red plastic capsule that measures 3.5 inches long. I keep my E+LITE in its case and stashed in a small compartment of my backpack when out in the woods. Its weight, which goes at a feathery 46 grams, including case, batteries and light, makes this essential little load all but unnoticeable.