Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp Outdoor Head Torch

Product Information

The Spot is one of our favorite lights, but it is not without some shortcomings, which we'll cover below. Lower cost competing lights have also improved significantly over the past few years, and the Spot now faces strong competition from lower cost lights like the Petzl Tikkina, which offers strong performance at a 33% lower cost, and is one of the other lights we recommend considering before buying the Spot (the other being the BD Storm). Below we'll take you through the Spot's performance, with ample comparison and contrast to other top contenders worth consideration. Trail Finding Tell me what you think. I spent a lot of time writing this review, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it. Not all headlamps have a flood light option, but it’s a great function to have for proximity lighting. Best for around camp or in a tent, flood lights cast a wide beam and maximize the view right in front of you. Some headlamps will have two LEDs, one for spot lighting and one for flood lighting, while others (like the Coast FL75R) allow you to shape one single LED into a distance beam or an up-close flood. The Petzl Nao RL strays from the norm with a series of small LEDs that are smartly programmed to deliver proximity, distance, and movement lighting. In their specs, many manufacturers will call out a lamp’s beam distance—for example, the BioLite HeadLamp 325 has an 10-meter flood and a 70-meter spot. The Petzl Actik Core features both a flood and spot beam

The average headlamp features a range of lighting modes, including spot, flood, colored, and strobe lights. The default setting for most lamps is their powerful LED spot beam, which focuses the light at a distance rather than casting it wide around you (the max distance these can reach is listed in the "max beam" section of our comparison table). While not necessary in all circumstances, a long-distance beam can be helpful for looking far down a trail, trying to spot an anchor while rappelling, or even for extreme uses like caving. A proximity beam illuminates the area right in front of you Rechargeable headlamps may be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly in the long run, but they may have shorter battery life compared to disposable battery options. The choice depends on your preferences and access to charging and recycling facilities. For many people, rechargeable headlamps are better due to convenience because it's easier to find a outlet than to get to the store to buy batteries. What's the red light feature on headlamps for? Like the BioLite 330, the 800 has a four-point tilt. We found this tilt useful for angling the headlamp, but some media reviewers found it a fault.When turned on, the brightness of the rechargeable battery and AAA batteries is the same. However, with the rechargeable battery, the brightness is generally constant during the burn time. This is a perk compared to standard batteries, where the brightness gradually decreases as the batteries are drained.

With long-lasting batteries or the option to use rechargeable ones, a headlamp means that you don't have to just be out for a few hours or a day—you'll have a reliable source of light for extended outdoor adventures, including multi-day hikes, or camping trips. Emergency preparedness The red light is used for night vision among other things to see better. Also to not be seen by wildlife or when fishing and not to scare off is the red light advantageous.This one seems obvious, but when talking to others or passing by fellow outdoor enthusiasts, avoid shining your headlamp directly into their eyes. It can be temporarily blinding and disrupt their night vision. Use dimming or red light mode when appropriate As an ultralight headlamp, we didn't expect the battery life to be on the same level as headlamps with batteries that are three times the weight. For many headlamps there are also special rechargeable batteries from the manufacturer to use the lamps longer. However, normal rechargeable batteries can also be used. Always refer to the user manual that comes with your headlamp for specific care and maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer. Properly store and dispose of batteries