I have over 30 years backpacking experience, starting with Scouting as a youth. I am currently the High Adventure Leader for a Scout Troop. I try to get out once or twice a month, plus at least one week-long trek each year. My trips are of two types. First, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and generally use a lightweight approach on these typically solo trips. Other trips with family involve more traditional backpacking equipment. Terrain varies from sea level to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), desert to mountain, and trail to cross country, occasionally including snow travel.

This is the last of three reports of the Black Diamond Spot based on use in the field. My first report described the headlamp in more detail. The Field Report was based on field testing over a two-month period. This final report updates my thoughts on the Spot after four months of use.

Product Description:

Black Diamond Spot LED Headlamp
Received new October 31, 2005
http://www.BlackDiamondEquipment.com
Listed weight 1.8 ounces (50 grams), 3.0 ounces (85 grams) with batteries
Weight as tested 1.8 ounces (52 grams), 3.1 ounces (87 grams) with batteries
Manufacturer says "Ultra compact 1-watt beam plus proximity LEDs"
Two modes with 3 brightness settings and strobe:

Distance w/Fresh Batteries Functional Burn Time*
LED Type Brightest Middle Economy Strobe Brightest Middle Economy Strobe
1 Watt HyperBright LED 40 m (131 ft) 28 m ( 92 ft) 20 m ( 66 ft) Strobe 20 hours 60 hours 120 hours 50 hours
3 SuperBright LEDs 15 m ( 49 ft) 12 m ( 39 ft) 10 m ( 33 ft) Strobe 65 hours 120 hours 150 hours 300 hours
* "Black Diamond defines usable light as enough light to tie a knot and set up a rappel or to see your feet when climbing."
Stormproof IPX 4 Waterproof Rating - "It will continue to function when subjected to water spray at any angle."
Three-year limited warranty
MSRP $42.95 US

Long Term Test:

Overall, I am very impressed with this headlamp and plan on using it for a long time. The Spot has been on every trip I have taken since I received it, plus seen countless use around the house. Field use has included several trips in the chaparral and foothills of Southern California, elevations from 400 to 1,300 feet (100 to 400 m) and temperatures down to 35 degrees F (2 C) and fair weather. It has also traveled with me to the Eastern Sierra Nevada, with overnight temperatures down to 20 degrees (-7 C) at 5,000 feet (1,500 m).

Brightness: The Spot has a very useful range of light. At its highest setting, it gives me plenty of light for walking on or off trail. The dimmest setting provides a pleasant soft light that is perfect for reading in my sleeping bag.

Battery life: Battery life claims appear reasonable. Left on at full power (indoors at a comfortable temperature) I could not detect any loss of brightness after ten hours. At twenty hours the light is still functional, using Black Diamond's definition of usable light as "enough light to tie a knot and set up a rappel or to see your feet when climbing."

Attempts to run the light continuously failed when I fell asleep. On awakening, the light had shut down on its own, as if the battery was depleted. What I found interesting is that i was able to press the switch and the light came back on, at a low but "functional" power. From a practical standpoint, I can't imagine needing to change a battery on a weekend trip, and probably even on a week long trip. Using lithium batteries make it last even longer.

As noted, the light output does drop slightly over time, so I have time to change the battery under my terms. For a four-day weekend trip with typical use, I have not had to change batteries if I start with a fresh set. Changing the batteries is best done with at least some light.

Fit: The headband is very comfortable to wear and holds the lamp steady. It stretches enough to fit over a mid-weight balaclava without adjustment. I can lie on my back and read using the light without feeling a hard object, like a battery case, pressing against the back of my head.

Ease of Use: The headlamp is simple to use, with one push button on top of the lamp to turn it on and cycle through the brightness levels. I was able to operate the switch easily wearing mid-weight fleece gloves. Wearing heavier mountaineering gloves I was unable to depress the switch enough to turn it on or off, only managing to sometimes change the power level. As I wear liners inside my heavier gloves, and can't do much else wearing these gloves, this is neither surprising nor significant.

The single headband is very comfortable. The ratchet holds the lamp at the angle I select with no bouncing as I walk. I still find significant glare when the lamp is angled downward and I am wearing eyeglasses. Recessing the lens or adding a lip to the bottom of the lamp would minimize this complaint, but no doubt spoil the cool look of the Spot.

Durability: In spite of being bounced from pocket to truck to pack to tent, the Spot shows almost no sign of wear. The headband shows no wear, snags, or fraying. The only harm I see is some fine scratches and pits on the lens. These do not, at least so far, affect the function of the light. Here again, I suspect that recessing the lens would eliminate some of the harm.

The battery compartment, that opens by what appears to be overextending the headlamp tilt angle, still opens and closes easily and has never opened accidentally on the trail.

Water Resistance: During field testing, I have only experienced light drizzle while using the Spot. During these times, I noticed no loss of illumination. The manufacturer states this lamp meets the "IPX-4 waterproof standard" that means it will continue to function when subjected to water spray at any angle." Curious to further test this claim, I placed the Spot under the bathroom shower for 5 minutes. While this use is at the IPX-5 level (water jets rather than water spray), I noticed no chance in illumination, only two drops of water in the battery compartment, and a slight misting inside the lens that disappeared within an hour.

Summary: Spot is a hot little headlamp. I thank Black Diamond and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test it.

Read more reviews of Black Diamond gear
Read more gear reviews by Bill Jeffrey

Long Term Report

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