Backside line
The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a implausible headlamp for most individuals and actions at an amazing worth. Common evening hikers and campers will love this headlamp and must 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 simple to make use of and comfy, making it a super alternative 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 could be a bit harsh, particularly when set to its brightest setting. Nonetheless, these minor points may 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 climbing, working, biking, basic 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 General
Worth:
$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 shiny sufficient for technical pursuits
- Mild high quality may 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 climbing. We observed 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 injuring 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 huge, 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 climbing, tenting, or simply going for a stroll, the depth offered by the total 400-lumen energy is seldom mandatory.
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 carrying it. This headlamp’s design ensures it gained’t weigh you down, even throughout prolonged actions. Whether or not climbing all evening or just utilizing it for a fast night stroll, the Spot 400-R is so light-weight that you just would possibly neglect it’s there. Its minimal weight and general slim profile make it an ideal alternative for anybody in search of 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 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 mushy strap, which minimizes any discomfort. The light-weight design additionally performs a major position 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 stable alternative for many who need dependable efficiency with out sacrificing consolation.
Ease of Use
General, the Spot 400-R is extra sophisticated than among the different headlamps we examined this 12 months. 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 characteristic got here in helpful once we unexpectedly encountered a black bear rummaging via a campground trash can in the midst of the evening. One draw back of the PowerTouch characteristic is that it’s a little delicate. We by chance activated it extra typically than we’d like, shedding extra gentle on the state of affairs than we meant.
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 incorporates a mode selector button that switches the sunshine from its regular spot to crimson 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 simple to activate by urgent the primary energy button as soon as whereas the sunshine is in spot mode.
Probably the most distinctive characteristic 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 while you want further gentle rapidly. Lastly, we admire that this headlamp is rechargeable. Nowadays, 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 gives spectacular worth in comparison with its rivals. It supplies every part most on a regular basis hikers and campers want at an amazing worth level. This headlamp delivers ample brightness in a handy rechargeable bundle.
It’s light-weight, absolutely waterproof, simple to make use of, and comfy to put on, making it a flexible alternative for varied outside actions. Whether or not climbing at evening, organising camp after darkish, or needing dependable illumination on the path, the Spot 400-R has you coated. You’ll be hard-pressed to search out such a well-rounded product that balances efficiency, sturdiness, and affordability so nicely. For those who’re in search of a reliable headlamp that doesn’t break the financial institution, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a superb alternative.
What Different Headlamps Ought to You Contemplate?
For those who just like the Spot 400-R however need different choices as nicely, take a look at these fashions or the remainder of our lineup on the checklist of our favourite headlamps:
Black Diamond Spot 400 Assessment: If funds is a priority, you possibly can go for the Spot 400 – R’s non-rechargeable cousin, the Black Diamond Spot 400. For about 25% much less, you possibly can 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 collection. For those who don’t thoughts the upper worth level, the Actik CORE gives a better lumen ranking in a chargeable bundle.
