A close look at two headlamps buyers cross-shop. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| Ledlenser MH11 | Petzl Nao RL | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 67✓ | 67 |
| Max lumens | 1000 lm | 1500 lm✓ |
| Weight | 6.3 oz | 5.1 oz✓ |
| Beam distance | 320 m✓ | 200 m |
| Max runtime | 100 h | 40 h |
| Price | $220 | $200✓ |
| Battery | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Water rating | IP54 | IPX4 |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: MH11 in blue, Nao RL in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Runtime is shown for context and is not scored, since makers publish it at different brightness levels. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full headlamp comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the Ledlenser MH11 next to the Petzl Nao RL and the trade-offs are clear. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The MH11 is a longer beam (320 vs 200 m). The Nao RL is brighter (1500 vs 1000 lm), 33 g lighter, and $20 cheaper. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (67 vs 67), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the MH11 if you care most about longer throw, which makes it the better call for your priorities. Pick the Nao RL if brightness and low weight matter more to you, or you are focused on your priorities.
The Petzl Nao RL. It is brighter (1500 vs 1000 lm) than the MH11.
The Petzl Nao RL. It is 33 g lighter than the MH11.
They are nearly tied at 67 and 67 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the MH11 for longer throw, or the Nao RL for brightness. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.