Backside line
The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a improbable headlamp for most individuals and actions at an amazing worth. Basic evening hikers and campers will love this headlamp and have to look no additional. Whereas we wouldn’t take into account the Spot 400-R a specialty headlamp—for evening climbing, marathon operating, or mountaineering—it’s a well-rounded, adequately vibrant choice that’s straightforward to make use of and cozy, making it a really perfect selection for many customers. It’s additionally rechargeable, which is a big plus.
We did discover some stretching of the strap over time, and the general gentle high quality is usually a bit harsh, particularly when set to its brightest setting. Nevertheless, these minor points will be simply compensated for or ignored.
We examined the Black Diamond Spot 400-R over six weeks, throughout seven completely different states, and thru a variety of actions, together with mountaineering, operating, biking, basic camp use, and even an impromptu moonlight paddleboarding session, to make sure we completely understood its intricacies. Whilst you received’t remorse having this headlamp in your toolkit, discover our different contenders in our information to the perfect headlamps.
Fast Specs
Black Diamond Spot 400-R
Finest Headlamp General
Value:
$65
Measured Weight:
2.6 oz.
Max Lumens/Beam Distance:
400 lm./328 ft. (100 m.)
Burn Time Low/Excessive:
225 hrs./4 hrs.
Professionals
- Vivid sufficient for many non-technical adventures
- Light-weight
- Rechargeable
- Straightforward to make use of
- Comfy for long-term put on
- Versatile gentle modes
- Lengthy battery life
Cons
- The strap stretches with use
- Not vibrant sufficient for technical pursuits
- Gentle high quality will be harsh at full energy
Illumination & Gentle High quality
At 400 lumens, the Spot 400-R is on the decrease finish of the headlamps we examined, making it much less appropriate for specialty actions like mountaineering, evening snowboarding, or mountaineering. Nevertheless, it’s vibrant sufficient for much less high-stakes actions like evening mountaineering. We seen repeatedly that if you cycle the Spot 400-R to its brightest setting, the sunshine high quality tends to be a bit harsh, generally to the purpose of wounding our eyes in sure conditions. Moreover, the beam of the Spot 400-R is extra of a highlight, true to its identify. Whereas the beam isn’t notably broad, the general throw of the sunshine is sort of spectacular.
Burn Time
With a burn time of two.5/4 hours on excessive, 5/8 hours on medium, and 200/225 hours on low, we discovered the general burn time and battery life to be greater than ample. The battery life ranks among the many better of all of the headlamps we examined, particularly contemplating that this model of the Spot 400 is rechargeable. All through our testing, we not often discovered the necessity to use the headlamp at full energy. For informal evening mountaineering, tenting, or simply going for a stroll, the depth offered by the total 400-lumen energy is seldom needed.
Weight
Weighing in at simply 2.6 ounces, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is gentle sufficient for on a regular basis use. Whereas measured weight alone doesn’t all the time inform the entire story, the Spot 400-R feels extremely gentle when sporting it. This headlamp’s design ensures it received’t weigh you down, even throughout prolonged actions. Whether or not mountaineering all evening or just utilizing it for a fast night stroll, the Spot 400-R is so light-weight that you simply may overlook it’s there. Its minimal weight and general slim profile make it an ideal selection for anybody in search of a headlamp that received’t add pointless bulk to their gear.
Consolation
We discovered the Spot 400-R fairly snug, due to its gentle strap that strikes a pleasant steadiness—not too thick and never too skinny. In contrast to the ultralight cord-style straps widespread on many specialty headlamps, the Spot 400-R’s strap feels extra substantial and supportive. It’s additionally extra slim than we see on most conventional headlamps. It’s well-suited for long-term, all-night use. Though two small plastic items inevitably contact your brow, most pores and skin contact is with the gentle strap, which minimizes any discomfort. The light-weight design additionally performs a major function in consolation, because the Spot 400-R is gentle sufficient to stop fatigue throughout prolonged use. General, we discovered this headlamp exceptionally snug, making it a strong selection for many who need dependable efficiency with out sacrificing consolation.
Ease of Use
General, the Spot 400-R is extra difficult than a few of the different headlamps we examined this yr. It options two buttons and Black Diamond’s “PowerTouch” space on the facet, immediately switching the headlamp to its brightest setting, whatever the mode you’re in. This function got here in useful after we unexpectedly encountered a black bear rummaging by means of a campground trash can in the midst of the evening. One draw back of the PowerTouch function is that it’s a little delicate. We by accident activated it extra typically than we’d like, shedding extra gentle on the state of affairs than we supposed.
Options
The Spot 400-R has all of the options we would like in a headlamp, together with a one-touch dimmable gentle. It additionally contains a mode selector button that switches the sunshine from its regular spot to pink gentle and a peripheral gentle operate, which we love for hanging round camp. Moreover, the Spot 400-R has an emergency strobe operate that’s arguably too straightforward to activate by urgent the primary energy button as soon as whereas the sunshine is in spot mode.
Probably the most distinctive function of this headlamp is Black Diamond’s “PowerTap” performance, which is an space on the facet of the headlamp that immediately switches it to its brightest setting, good for if you want further gentle shortly. Lastly, we recognize that this headlamp is rechargeable. These days, we consider all headlamps ought to transition to a chargeable energy supply.
Ought to You Purchase the Black Diamond Spot 400-R?
The Black Diamond Spot 400-R within reason priced and gives spectacular worth in comparison with its rivals. It offers all the pieces most on a regular basis hikers and campers want at an amazing worth level. This headlamp delivers ample brightness in a handy rechargeable package deal.
It’s light-weight, totally waterproof, straightforward to make use of, and cozy to put on, making it a flexible selection for numerous out of doors actions. Whether or not mountaineering at evening, organising camp after darkish, or needing dependable illumination on the path, the Spot 400-R has you lined. You’ll be hard-pressed to seek out such a well-rounded product that balances efficiency, sturdiness, and affordability so effectively. Should you’re in search of a reliable headlamp that doesn’t break the financial institution, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a superb selection.
What Different Headlamps Ought to You Take into account?
Should you just like the Spot 400-R however need different choices as effectively, try these fashions or the remainder of our lineup on the record of our favourite headlamps:
Black Diamond Spot 400 Assessment: If price range is a priority, you’ll be able to go for the Spot 400 – R’s non-rechargeable cousin, the Black Diamond Spot 400. For about 25% much less, you’ll be able to have a headlamp that provides the identical high quality and performance however with out the power to recharge. You possibly can all the time buy the rechargeable battery individually to improve later.
Petzl Actik CORE Assessment: Gear consultants typically suggest the Actik CORE, together with the Black Diamond Spot sequence. Should you don’t thoughts the upper worth level, the Actik CORE gives the next lumen score in a chargeable package deal.
