Black Diamond Men Spot 325 Headlamp

Product Information

At full power (it’s also dimmable), it reminds us more of a car headlight than a typical headlamp. Its longest beam is 130 meters (426.5 feet), the longest of any headlamp we tested. 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. 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. What makes this headlamp so great is how easily it crosses over from specialty climbing gear to fixture of everyday domestic life. It’s lightweight, easy to operate, and waterproof, and you can aim it (by tilting it up and down) at whatever you need to examine. The NiteCore NU 25 has an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance. The Nitecore NU 25 has a IPX6 water resistance rating, which means it is protected against high power jets of water. This means that it is generally good enough to use while hiking in the rain. However, it cannot be submerged.

Black Diamond | Spot 325 | Headlamp | Sand Black Diamond | Spot 325 | Headlamp | Sand

The Spot was initially released in 2017 as a 200-lumen model, it then got an update to 300 lumens in 2018 before seeing a complete overhaul for 2019, becoming what we see here – the Spot 325. This overhaul hasn’t just involved an increase in power, they’ve also slimmed down the entire unit, added a new mode selector button, and updated LEDs, all with the intention of making this a more reliable unit than previous generations. The Nitecore UT27 520 is a hybrid headlamp that runs on both AAA batteries as well as a rechargeable lithium battery, similar to the Petzl Actik Core.Avoid touching the lens with your fingers, as oils and residues from your skin can affect light output and clarity. Store your headlamp in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Remove batteries to prevent corrosion. Adjust the brightness level of your headlamp to match the situation. For tasks that require more precision, use a higher brightness setting. When navigating open trails or paths, use a lower setting to conserve battery and avoid blinding others. Respect no-light zones

Black Diamond Spot 325 Head Torch | UK | Black Diamond

Then there’s the versatility, and this is what really makes it stand out from other headtorches I’ve tried. It has a lot of settings; from just a simple low beam for reading in my tent on a solo camping trip, through to a strobe for running in country lanes. I’ve found the red night-vision handy for keeping you from blinding your mates and maintaining good night sight once you turn the light off. Spot light is the most common type of light for hiking. It casts a strong light in the distance, which is helpful when you are running or hiking. Flood Light The Petzl Actik Core has 2 hours of battery life at max power (450 lumens), 8 hours at standard power (100 lumens), and 130 hours at low power (6 lumens). A headlight’s beam pattern is critical, depending on how you intend to use the headlamp. Floodlights produce a wide, uniform light that is good for close-range light. We like to use the floodlight mode when in camp.Headlamps make you visible to others when you're out after dark. This can be beneficial if your group is separated or for safety when encountering others. This is useful whether you're hiking, running, cycling, or camping. This visibility enhances your safety, reducing the risk of accidents and ensures others can see you in low-light conditions. Precise illumination Taking good care of your headlamp not only extends its lifespan but also ensures that it functions reliably when you need it the most. Here are some essential tips for proper headlamp maintenance: Keep it clean

Black Diamond Spot325 Headlamp, Mens, BD81054, Dark Olive, OS Black Diamond Spot325 Headlamp, Mens, BD81054, Dark Olive, OS

The maximum lighting time is up to 200,0 hours for both. The lowest power is always used for calculation. The Spot(shown left in the image above) does face some stiff competition from the much lower cost Petzl Tikkina(right). You can readily see the Spot shines further, but the Tikkina is not too shabby with a 62-meter beam distance. If price is more important to you than performance then you may find the 33% lower cost of the Tikkina compelling. Close Proximity I do want to say that it can be annoying having to recharge your headlamp in the middle of nowhere. You might have to bring a power bank to get your headlamp to work, instead of just popping in those AAA batteries. Weight The red light mode helps preserve your night vision. This is why red light is used in photography dark rooms and on Navy submarines. It is also very considerate to use red light mode around your fellow campers, so you don’t blind them with a bright white headlamp light. All of our winners, except our budget winner the Petzl Tikinna has a red LED light.

The biggest advantage of a rechargeable headlamp is not purchasing a new, disposable battery every few months. Disposable batteries, when thrown into the garbage, take centuries to biodegrade. They also require you to carry extra weight or plan ahead to have batteries on hand before a day hike. If reading your map by headlamp, use the white mode. This is because some topo lines and colors do not show up well in red-light mode. Usually, the brighter robust headlamps are more expensive. While the more lightweight with fewer lumens are more inexpensive, it all depends on your activity and how much you are willing to spend on that activity. I have also noticed that having a rechargeable headlamp is more expensive to buy initially, but you might save in the long run because you don’t have to keep on buying AAA batteries. Final Thoughts On Best Hiking Headlamp For stubborn dirt or residue, use a damp cloth or a mild cleaning solution that is safe for plastics and electronics. Ensure the headlamp is completely dry before use. We researched and tested dozens of headlamp models to find our winners. Here are some headlamps we considered:

Black Diamond Spot 325 Headlamp | Review - Outdoors

Above you can compare the ReVolt(left) versus the Storm(right). This is a quite relevant comparison since the Storm works great with NiMH rechargeable batteries. The difference is somewhat subtle, but the Storm on the right shines brighter and wider than the ReVolt, with much better battery life. Close Proximity Given the ultralight weight of the Nitecore NU 25, we were impressed that its lighting mode options are fairly comparable to heavier lights we tested like the BioLite 330 and Spot 400. Don't become overly reliant on your headlamp. Keep an awareness of your surroundings, as it's easy to become disoriented or miss important landmarks when relying solely on a narrow beam of light. Secure the headlamp properly Most of the headlamps we recommend offer focused and directional lighting, which is handy for illuminating specific areas or objects like your cook pot or where you think that mouse hiding under your tent may be. You can adjust the angle and intensity of the light to suit your needs, whether you're examining gear, reading, or navigating uneven terrain. Improved night vision In our last review of headlamps, the Spot 350 won our overall winner for the best headlamp (and before that, the Spot 325 and Spot 300 was our overall winner!).Outdoors, more brightness is often handy. When running in the city, this can sometimes be disadvantageous, The rechargeable CORE battery that comes with the Actik Core is a USB-rechargeable lithium battery that fits in the battery compartment. The CORE battery can be removed and replaced. This means if you carry an extra battery, you don’t have to worry about pass-through charging. You can charge one battery at night while using this Petzl headlamp with the other battery inside. It’s the convenience of AAA batteries without the weight or waste. Given that the plastic casing that holds the lighting and battery unit are so lightweight, the Nitecore NU 25 never gave us a headache. There's so little weight to bounce, that it doesn't bounce during runs, either. 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.