Black Diamond Moonlight Headlamp 

Name: Scott Downard
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Height: 6’ (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Email address: firerook@msn.com
City, State, Country: Apple Valley, California, U.S.
Date: July 8, 2004

Backpacking Background: As a teenager, I did a lot of backpacking and hiking with the Boy Scouts. After I turned 18 and left the Scouts, I abandoned backpacking. Ten years later, when I was 28, I started getting interested in backpacking again. I started buying gear to replace the old stuff from my teenage years. I hike in the local mountains and desert areas. I hike mostly in the spring and fall in moderate weather. Some rain is encountered. I do day hiking and short term (i.e. weekend) backpacking. I typically tent camp, but have been looking into tarp camping.

Black Diamond Moonlight LED Headlight

URL: http://www.bdel.com

Listed weight without batteries: 2.9 oz (83 g)
Listed weight with batteries: 4.1 oz (118 g)

Weight as delivered without batteries: 3.1 oz (88 g)
Weight as delivered with batteries: 4.2 oz (119 g)

Burn time: Up to 180 hrs on 3 AAA alkaline batteries

From the Black Diamond website: Tested to IPX waterproof standards:

This lamp has been tested to the IPX-4 waterproof standard. It will continue to function when subjected to water spray at any angle. This does not include salt spray or high-alkalinity fluids. It is normal for water to enter the lamp and battery housings. Battery life will be diminished, however, the lamp will function. If properly dried, this wetness will not affect the lamp. DO NOT STORE YOUR LAMP WET: remove battery cover, batteries, focus ring and reflector; and allow the housings to air dry thoroughly.I have had no ill affects from water exposure, but my experience has been limited to light snowfall while wearing the light.

Illumination Distance: Low – 26 ft (8 m), Medium – 39 ft (12 m), High – 59 ft (18 m), Strobe - for attention

It comes with 3 AAA Energizer alkaline batteries for immediate use.

The headlamp body has the feel of high grade plastic.

The battery case on the back is held together with a rubber seal. The outer plastic housing has a lip on it that sits within a groove on the rubber back side. The batteries are very easy to change. Simply pull the two sides apart and the battery compartment is exposed. The head band is made up of two straps. One that goes around your head just above the ears and one that goes over the top of the head from the battery compartment to the light housing on the front. Both are elastic in nature and have slide adjustments to allow for a wide range of head sizes. It fit nicely over my wide brimmed hat and my watch cap. The power cord runs along the horizontal headband from the battery compartment to the light housing. It is retained by two clips that can be slid along the headband to keep the cord from sticking out. There is a push button on the bottom of the front light unit that turns the unit on or off, and cycles through the various light modes. The first experience I had using this light was on a cold and snowy night around 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 C). I was wearing light gloves and could easily push the button to activate the light. The light housing pivots from straight down to straight up. It easily moves with one hand to allow you to point the light down toward the trail at your feet, or the trail up ahead. I found this feature very nice as I could adjust from looking down at the rough trail, or find fire wood for the evening campfire. It also keeps the light out of your buddy’s eyes as you are sitting around camp.

When the light housing is tilted straight down, the on/off button is protected from accidental activation. I have been able to put this headlamp in my pack and not have to worry about it turning on accidentally. This worked great on my PCT hike from Green Valley to Hesperia. I did not open my pack once and find my headlamp on, wasting my batteries.

The light output is a flood style pattern. The light reaches out and lights up the area ahead of you without any black spots in the light. It provided plenty of light to navigate uneven terrain and gave off little glare from the snow. The three light settings allowed me to adjust the light to my specific needs. I could set it on low to easily read by inside my tent or dig through my pack, or go to “high” and light my path.

After putting on the Moonlight, I almost forgot I was wearing it. The light is well balanced with the battery housing being on the back of my head and the light housing being on the front. The wide, yet bright arc of the light output allowed me to have a wide angle of view while wearing it.
 
Things I liked· Extended burn times mean carrying fewer batteries and less weight on my back.· Ease of access to multiple functions· Light weight of unit and comfort while wearing it.