Alkaline vs. Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries

By LUKE ARSENAULT

Alkaline vs. Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries - Which is Better for a Headlamp?

When choosing a headlamp, there are two main options for batteries you must consider before purchasing. The choice between a headlamp that runs on alkaline batteries or one that runs on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Both power sources have their advantages and disadvantages, which we’ll break down in a quick comparison below.

Alkaline

Pros

Known to last longer
Quick and easy to replace; available for purchase almost anywhere
Can be swapped out for fresh ones anywhere
Work even after a long period of non-use, making them very reliable
Holds its useful capacity in cold weather for longer durations

Cons

Energy output gradually decreases over time
Have to be replaced often, before they are depleted, in order to frequently operate a headlamp at max power
Not reusable after a complete discharge and are thrown away, creating waste
Loss of power output in extremely cold weather
Normally used in sets of 2-4 to provide more power, resulting in more weight and bulk

Lithium Ion

Pros

Tend to have shorter burn times
Easily recharged before each use, to frequently operate a headlamp at max use
Reusable and limit waste
Better at holding their charge in cold weather
Can be powerful and compact at the same time, providing a better compromise between power and weight
Maintains power output for longer in cold weather

Cons

More consistent energy output until depletion, providing a stable amount of light until it abruptly goes out
Aren’t always replaceable, but when they are, they can be hard to find or are only available on the manufacturer’s website
Need a power source and a few hours to recharge
Slowly lose their charge while not in use and may become fully discharged over time
Loses useful capacity in cold weather

What's the Verdict?

Usually the deciding factor between choosing one power source over the other is based purely on your needs for performance and use. For frequent and intensive uses, go with a rechargeable battery. For occasional uses, use disposable batteries. But what if you want to be able to do both? Whether you are ski touring, rock climbing, hiking, running, biking, or sailing; at Savvy Touring, we believe you shouldn’t be constrained by these barriers to true exploration. An avid outdoor enthusiast wants his gear to work in all disciplines and all types of conditions. And so it should.

That’s why, here at Savvy Touring, we’ve broken this paradigm and saved you the duress of choosing between the two power types by creating a headlamp specifically designed to combat the issue. The ENDURO features a detachable battery pack that holds 3 AA batteries, but more importantly, comes equipped with the innovative ability to run off of our rechargeable 10,000mAh, lithium-ion, solar charger Power Bank that we include for FREE with every headlamp! No longer do you need to trade the benefits of one type of battery for the other. One type of fun for the other. We’ve got you covered with the ENDURO so you can stay out longer, later and still have plenty of juice left to return home safely after you’ve been getting after it.

Why the separate power bank?

Have you ever wondered why your phone battery dies in the cold? Then you get back to a warm chalet, turn on your phone, and still have 50% or more!?

Phone batteries, like powerbanks, use lithium ion cells. It’s a lightweight store of electricity with a constant voltage output. Yet, in cold temperatures, the lithium ion cells lose their useful capacity. The power is there, but it is not able to move out of the cell to power your device.

So, we created an extension to keep the powerbank warm in your pocket. By keeping the powerbank warm, you will access 100% of the useful capacity. Your device won’t shut down half way through its battery life!

As an added bonus, by using a USB A connection, you can power the ENDURO LED Headlamp with any USB power supply.

Stay tuned for more details as a launch date will be set very soon…