Product of the Month
Light the Way with the Petzl NAO
A premium headlamp for long autumn outings
In October, even a hike in the late afternoon can mean that the return journey takes place in darkness. That is exactly what the Petzl NAO RL is designed for. This powerful headlamp is aimed primarily at hikers, trail runners, and anyone who spends long periods outdoors even in challenging conditions.
With up to 1,500 lumens, it is one of the more powerful models in its class. At the same time, it weighs just 145 grams. The real highlight, however, is less the maximum brightness than the automatic adjustment of the light.
Light that thinks for itself
When hiking, your gaze is constantly shifting. Sometimes you need to illuminate the path directly in front of your feet; at other times, you want to spot a trail marker or a section of the path farther ahead. This is exactly where Petzl's REACTIVE LIGHTING comes in.
A sensor detects the ambient brightness and automatically adjusts the light output and beam. So when you move from a dark forest trail to a brighter area, you do not have to keep adjusting the lamp yourself.
In practice, this is primarily a matter of convenience. You can concentrate on the trail while the lamp adjusts the illumination. Classic manual brightness settings are also available.
The light pattern is particularly well designed: a wide beam provides a good overview of the immediate area, while a combined beam also illuminates the trail farther ahead. At maximum power, the manufacturer states a range of up to 200 meters.
Powerful, but not always at maximum
The 1,500 lumens sound spectacular — and they are. For a normal hike, however, you rarely need that much power. Anyone who operates the lamp continuously at maximum brightness will drain the battery considerably faster.
The mid-range settings are therefore more interesting. In standard mode, Petzl specifies a runtime of up to five hours; in
REACTIVE LIGHTING mode, the lamp is supposed to last considerably longer, depending on the setting.
This makes the NAO RL a lamp that is not designed solely around impressive peak figures. Its real strength lies in combining performance and endurance.
Comfortable to wear
With a heavy headlamp, you quickly notice on a longer outing that weight is more than just a number on a specification sheet. The NAO RL therefore positions its power source at the back of the head. This gives the system a more balanced feel than you might expect given its performance.
The headband is easy to adjust and keeps the lamp securely in place even while moving. For long autumn outings, that is a significant advantage.
Practical on the go
The battery has a capacity of 3,200 mAh and is charged via USB-C. A five-level indicator shows the charge status. Particularly practical: in an emergency, the battery can also be used to charge other devices.
For longer outings, a separate spare battery is also available. This is particularly interesting for trekking and multi-day trips.
The red light on the rear is also useful. It makes the wearer visible from behind and can be switched on independently of the front light.
What we like less
All this technology comes at a price. Anyone who only occasionally goes for a short evening walk is unlikely to make full use of the NAO RL's capabilities.
The maximum brightness is also more of a performance reserve than a setting intended for continuous use. For long outings, it makes more sense to use the automatic or medium setting.
You should also take a close look at the weather protection: the lamp is rated IPX4 for weather resistance. That is sufficient for rain and typical outdoor conditions, but it is not the same as a fully waterproof construction.
Conclusion
The Petzl NAO RL is a headlamp for people who do not want to turn back at the first sign of darkness. Its combination of high output, automatic light adjustment, balanced weight distribution, and replaceable battery makes it particularly interesting for longer outings.
In October, it really comes into its own: daylight disappears early, weather and visibility can change quickly — and that is precisely when it is nice not to have to constantly think about which brightness setting is right.
The NAO RL is not an essential purchase for the occasional walk. For regular hiking, trail running, or longer outings in the dark, however, it offers a remarkably well-thought-out overall package.
In short: plenty of light, intelligent control, and a design geared toward long outings. A genuine premium headlamp — not merely an especially bright flashlight for your head.
What is happening on the financial markets
Long-Term Bond Yields Are Galloping Away! Stock Prices Relatively Stable. For How Much Longer?
Returns at the long end of the bond markets are rising noticeably — a warning signal for the valuation of risk assets.
Equity markets have remained comparatively stable so far, even though higher long-term interest rates are increasing valuation pressure.
The key question: Will the calm in the stock markets continue if the rise in interest rates persists?
| If you want to borrow in the US | 12 months ago | today |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card / overdraft | 20% – 24% | unchanged |
| Mortgage, 30-year fixed | 5.8 – 6.3% | 6.4 – 6.9% |
| If you want to save in the US | 12 months ago | today |
|---|---|---|
| High-yield savings | ~ 3.5% | 3.9 – 4.4% |
| Certificate of deposit, 12 months | ~ 3.8% | 4.0 – 4.5% |
| If you are an investor | 12 months ago | today |
|---|---|---|
| Dow Jones | 44,100 | 52,800 |
| S&P 500 | 6,000 | 7,383 |
| Gold, 1 ounce | $3,180 | $4,080 |
Cuisine
Creamy Porcini Mushroom Soup
For 4 people, you will need 400 g fresh porcini mushrooms (or 40–50 g dried), 1 small onion or 2 shallots, 1 small potato, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, 750 ml vegetable or light chicken stock, 100 ml dry white wine, 100 ml cream, 1 sprig of thyme, salt, black pepper, a little nutmeg, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Parsley or chives can be added to taste.
Clean the porcini mushrooms and cut them into slices, setting aside a few particularly attractive pieces for garnish. Soak dried porcini in warm water for 20–30 minutes, then pour the soaking water through a coffee filter.
Heat the butter and olive oil and gently sauté the finely chopped onion and diced potato until translucent. Add about two-thirds of the mushrooms and fry for 3–4 minutes. Deglaze with the white wine and allow it to reduce briefly. Add the stock, some of the mushroom soaking water if using dried mushrooms, and the thyme, then simmer gently for 15–20 minutes.
Remove the thyme, add the cream, and blend the soup until very smooth. Season with salt, pepper, a little nutmeg, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Fry the remaining porcini mushrooms in a little butter over high heat until golden brown and season lightly with salt.
Pour the soup into bowls, arrange the fried porcini on top, and sprinkle with a little parsley or chives. It is particularly good when the soup is creamy but not too thick, and the fried mushrooms are added right at the end.
Humour
About Squirrels
Camouflage training with the German armed forces. Private Meier is standing perfectly still on a patch of grass, disguised as a tree.
After a while, the instructor comes by for an inspection and says, "Private Meier, you moved!"
He replies: "How could that be? That's impossible. When the dog peed on my leg, I didn't move."
"When the young couple carved a heart into my backside, I didn't move."
"It wasn't until the two squirrels climbed up my trouser legs and one said to the other, 'We'll eat the two hazelnuts now and take the pine cone with us,' that I moved!"
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The nun at the convent school asks: "What is it? It jumps from branch to branch and has a bushy tail?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "Normally I'd say it's a squirrel. But knowing this place, it's probably that sweet little Jesus again!"
