Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Black Diamond Cosmo > Jamie J. DeBenedetto > Initial Report

Black Diamond Cosmo

Initial Report - May 27th, 2006

Reviewer's Information

Background/Experience

I began backpacking eighteen years ago after tagging along with my dad to various wild places in Arizona and California as a child. At present I hike in some capacity about fifteen times a month, mostly in Arizona with either the Canine Hiking Club of AZ or with my family. I prefer to sleep in a hammock and I gravitate toward multifunctional gear that will enhance my comfort level for minimal weight. I consider myself a lightweight packer but not ultralight. My total pack weight year round is rarely above 25 lbs (11 kg) for outings of two to three days.

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Product Information

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Product Description

The Black Diamond Cosmo is a lightweight LED headlamp with a removable headband. It runs off of three AAA sized batteries and utilizes four "Superbright" LED bulbs. It has a simple push-button switch on the top of the lamp housing that requires a full depression to turn the light on or off. Depressing the switch halfway will give the user access to the Cosmo's four light-output settings; the maximum (brightest), the middle, the minimum or what the manufacturer calls "economy" (dimmest), and finally the strobe setting. The strobe blinks on and off about every second at what looks like the brightest setting. The headband is a single, 1 in (2.5 cm) wide, adjustable elastic strap that makes use of one plastic buckle for length adjustment. The lamp housing is connected to the headband via a piece called the lamp bracket. In addition to this function the bracket facilitates fine-tuning of the beam angle by acting as a hinge for the lamp housing so it can be pivoted up or down. Other than the batteries, the Cosmo doesn't have any user replaceable parts.

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Arrival Condition and Informational Material

The Cosmo arrived safe and sound in perfect condition with all parts accounted for and working as they should. It was encased in its marketing package, which contained a four page instructional sheet giving instructions for use in several languages - English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. The sheet also listed Black Diamond's contact information, the product's warranty and various specifications about the Cosmo, most of which I listed above in the Product Description section.

After reading the enclosed instructional material I was well acquainted with the Cosmo. The only "work" involved with the lamp is the installation of the batteries and attachment to the headstrap. Both were very simple to accomplish with the written directions and diagrams provided. There is also a video on the Black Diamond website showing how to insert the batteries and affix the headband in addition to displaying information about the titling head, LED light output, and lamp size.

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Expectations and First Impressions

The Cosmo is pretty much what I was expecting from the Black Diamond website. They have several pictures of the light on the site and a comparison chart with all the other BD headlamps so it was easy to read about the Cosmo's features up against the other lamps. On top of that, the picture on the main Cosmo page is nearly actual size so I had a very realistic image of its compactness, the light configuration and the type of headband it uses. My initial impression of the Cosmo is that it is simple but sturdy. It does not offer a ton of features or have excess components but that is a bonus in my opinion.

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Expected Field Test Locations and Conditions

It looks like the majority of the four month testing period will take place in our summer months. I do short fitness types hikes a couple of evenings or mornings each week and I have a few backpacking and car camping trips lined up for May, June and July, all of which will take place in Arizona. Elevation on these trips will range from around 2,000 ft (600 m) up to as high as 7,500 ft (2,300 m) on the Mogollon Rim in north central Arizona. I expect temperatures to range from 40 F (4 C) on the low end up to 100 F (32 C) or more for daytime highs. Weather conditions are impossible to predict but I would imagine I will get cool and dry, hot and dry, and hot and humid conditions for the most part. I anticipate being able to the use the Cosmo about thirty times during the field and long-term portions of the test series.

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Proposed Test Strategy for the Next Four Months

I plan to use the BD Cosmo as my main light source on all night hikes, camping trips, and on all backpacking trips I take during the test period. I will use it to navigate dark trails, read maps and find things in my pack. I will also use it for any around camp duties like cooking, collecting water, setting up after dark, etc… The areas I will be considering and some thoughts about how to test these aspects during the test period are as follows.

Fit

This involves the comfort of the band, the weight of the headlamp and its balance during activity. In the field I will assess fit by trying the Cosmo with a variety of hats and without. I will also use it on an assortment of terrain types to get a feel for how well it stays put when I'm jostled around. I will try to wear it for long periods as well to get a feel for long term comfort.

User Friendliness

This involves attaching and removing the band, changing batteries and bulbs, cleaning, ease of use and finding/purchasing replacement bulbs and batteries. In the field I will assess User Friendliness features by performing all maintenance duties with and without gloves on, with cold fingers and with and without sweaty hands. I will try to use it while doing as many tasks as possible and in varying conditions to see how it fairs.

Durability

As it relates to abrasions, drops, sweat, and LED life. In the field I will not torture the light but I will use it as I would any other flashlight. I will do a few drop tests at the end of the test period if I haven't already dropped it on accident during use. I will also evaluate how the headband holds up to repeated use, adjustments and sweat. Black Diamond states it's good for "go-anywhere use", I will also look for other creative ways to integrate the light into my non-backpacking life to get a feel for these "go-anywhere" abilities.

Headlamp

The Cosmo has three brightness settings, a strobe feature and boasts a 90 degree tilt capability. In the field I will use all bulb settings to examine how well each works and for what activities they are best suited. The Black Diamond website states the Cosmo "provides good proximity lighting" so I will use it in my tent to read, for close up work like cooking, eating, setting up my shelter, etc… I will also check the 90 degree tilt feature for usefulness and for how easily it can be tilted with and without gloves.

Manufacture Claims

This involves all weights and measures, listed brightness distance, battery/LED life, alternative attachment options and any others listed on the webpage or with the packaging material. All claims will be looked into for validity and accuracy.

Thank you Backpackgeartest.org and Black Diamond for the opportunity to be part of this test series.

Jamie J. DeBenedetto
June 1, 2006

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Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Black Diamond Cosmo > Jamie J. DeBenedetto > Initial Report