Backside line
The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a unbelievable headlamp for most individuals and actions at a fantastic value. Normal evening hikers and campers will love this headlamp and have to look no additional. Whereas we wouldn’t think about the Spot 400-R a specialty headlamp—for evening climbing, marathon working, or mountaineering—it’s a well-rounded, adequately shiny possibility that’s straightforward to make use of and comfy, making it an excellent selection for many customers. It’s additionally rechargeable, which is a large plus.
We did discover some stretching of the strap over time, and the general mild high quality is usually a bit harsh, particularly when set to its brightest setting. Nonetheless, these minor points will be simply compensated for or ignored.
We examined the Black Diamond Spot 400-R over six weeks, throughout seven totally different states, and thru a variety of actions, together with mountaineering, working, biking, common camp use, and even an impromptu moonlight paddleboarding session, to make sure we totally understood its intricacies. When you gained’t remorse having this headlamp in your toolkit, discover our different contenders in our information to the most effective headlamps.
Fast Specs
Black Diamond Spot 400-R
Finest Headlamp Total
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.
Execs
- Vibrant sufficient for many non-technical adventures
- Light-weight
- Rechargeable
- Simple to make use of
- Snug for long-term put on
- Versatile mild modes
- Lengthy battery life
Cons
- The strap stretches with use
- Not shiny sufficient for technical pursuits
- Mild high quality will be harsh at full energy
Illumination & Mild 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 mountain climbing, evening snowboarding, or mountaineering. Nonetheless, it’s shiny sufficient for much less high-stakes actions like evening mountaineering. We seen repeatedly that while you cycle the Spot 400-R to its brightest setting, the sunshine high quality tends to be a bit harsh, typically 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 title. Whereas the beam isn’t significantly large, the general throw of the sunshine is kind 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 enough. 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 hardly ever discovered the necessity to use the headlamp at full energy. For informal evening mountaineering, tenting, or simply going for a stroll, the depth supplied by the complete 400-lumen energy is seldom vital.
Weight
Weighing in at simply 2.6 ounces, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is mild 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 mild when carrying it. This headlamp’s design ensures it gained’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 would possibly neglect it’s there. Its minimal weight and total slim profile make it an ideal selection for anybody on the lookout for a headlamp that gained’t add pointless bulk to their gear.
Consolation
We discovered the Spot 400-R fairly snug, because of its mushy strap that strikes a pleasant stability—not too thick and never too skinny. Not like the ultralight cord-style straps frequent 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 mushy strap, which minimizes any discomfort. The light-weight design additionally performs a major position in consolation, because the Spot 400-R is mild sufficient to forestall fatigue throughout prolonged use. Total, we discovered this headlamp exceptionally snug, making it a stable selection for individuals who need dependable efficiency with out sacrificing consolation.
Ease of Use
Total, the Spot 400-R is extra difficult than a number of the different headlamps we examined this yr. It options two buttons and Black Diamond’s “PowerTouch” space on the aspect, 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 unintentionally activated it extra usually than we’d like, shedding extra mild on the scenario than we meant.
Options
The Spot 400-R has all of the options we wish in a headlamp, together with a one-touch dimmable mild. It additionally encompasses a mode selector button that switches the sunshine from its regular spot to pink mild and a peripheral mild perform, which we love for hanging round camp. Moreover, the Spot 400-R has an emergency strobe perform that’s arguably too straightforward to activate by urgent the principle energy button as soon as whereas the sunshine is in spot mode.
Essentially the most distinctive function of this headlamp is Black Diamond’s “PowerTap” performance, which is an space on the aspect of the headlamp that immediately switches it to its brightest setting, excellent for while you want further mild rapidly. Lastly, we respect that this headlamp is rechargeable. At the present time, 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 is fairly priced and provides spectacular worth in comparison with its opponents. It supplies every thing most on a regular basis hikers and campers want at a fantastic value level. This headlamp delivers ample brightness in a handy rechargeable bundle.
It’s light-weight, totally waterproof, straightforward to make use of, and comfy to put on, making it a flexible selection for varied outside 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 search out such a well-rounded product that balances efficiency, sturdiness, and affordability so effectively. Should you’re on the lookout for a reliable headlamp that doesn’t break the financial institution, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a wonderful selection.
What Different Headlamps Ought to You Contemplate?
Should you just like the Spot 400-R however need different choices as effectively, take a look at these fashions or the remainder of our lineup on the record of our favourite headlamps:
Black Diamond Spot 400 Evaluate: If funds is a priority, you may go for the Spot 400 – R’s non-rechargeable cousin, the Black Diamond Spot 400. For about 25% much less, you may have a headlamp that gives the identical high quality and performance however with out the flexibility to recharge. You possibly can all the time buy the rechargeable battery individually to improve later.
Petzl Actik CORE Evaluate: Gear specialists usually advocate the Actik CORE, together with the Black Diamond Spot collection. Should you don’t thoughts the upper value level, the Actik CORE provides a better lumen score in a chargeable bundle.
