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Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Black Diamond Zenix > Bill Jeffrey > Initial ReportBlack Diamond Zenix LED Headlamp - Initial Report
Tester Personal Biographical Information Bill Jeffrey
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 involving 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 first of three reports of the Black Diamond LED Headlamp describing the headlamp and my initial impressions. Future reports will describe my experiences with the Zenix over two and then six months. Product Description:
Product Description: The Zenix was shipped in a bubble wrap envelope which contained the retail clam shell package. Cutting open the package, I removed the Zenix headlamp, three AAA Energizer alkaline batteries, and a small folded instruction sheet. The headlamp has three LEDs mounted in a plastic housing which is blue/violet/lavender in color. This housing is approximately 2-1/8 inches wide, 1½ inches deep, and 1 inch high (5.4cm x 3.8cm x 2.5cm). It is attached to a black pivot mount by means of two metal screws. The mount allows the lamp to swivel from a horizontal position for seeing the trail up ahead down about 75 degrees for rougher terrain or to keep the light out of your friend's eyes. The total distance from the forehead to the end of the lamp is about 1½ inches (3.8cm). The three LEDs are arranged with the larger "Hyperbright" LED in the center, set in a reflector behind a fixed focus lens. A smaller "Superbright" LED is located located in a niche on either side of the Hyperbright LED, sort of like parking lights. There is no cover over the two smaller LEDs, nor is one needed, as they are slightly recessed in the housing. A push button on the bottom of the lamp turns it on and off. The "on" setting alternates between the Hyperbright and Superbright LEDs. If you want to switch from Superbright to Hyperbright, or back again, you simply turn the lamp off and then right back on again. You cannot turn all three LEDs on at the same time, and I cannot imagine why you would want to do so. By folding the housing down, the switch is protected from being accidentally turned on in your pack. The headband is made of a soft elastic, ¾ inch (1.9cm) wide, with just a bit of cushioning. A second band goes over the head from front to back. Both bands are easily adjustable and, although I wear an extra large hat, I had over four inches (10 cm) of adjustment left, so there should be plenty of room to fit this over a hat. The back of the LED housing is also padded with a bit of foam. Three AAA batteries, which are included in the box, fit into a battery housing at the back of the headlamp. The battery cover is made of the same bluish plastic the front housing is made of. It opens by loosening a single screw, one edge of which protrudes slightly so it can be turned with a thumb as well as with a screwdriver. The back then swings open and detaches from the battery housing, but is attached to the top headband which prevents it from getting lost. The three AAA batteries are inserted side by side, with the polarity clearly labeled in the case. The battery cover is then replaced and the screw tightened to keep it closed. There is no gasket on the battery cover. An overlay of hard rubber on the back of the battery cover offers a bit of padding for the back of the head. A wire connects the battery case to the LED housing and is secured to one side of the headband by two clips. The Black Diamond brand is imprinted on top of the headlamp, along with a raised logo. There are also two labels about 0.05 inch (1.25 mm) thick attached to the back of the battery case and to one of the clips holding the wire to the headband. A single, double-sided sheet 7 by 4¾ inches (17.8 by 12.1 cm) in size contains instructions in six languages and tiny print which may be difficult for some users to read. The instructions are clear and comprehensive. However, I did not have to refer to them to install the batteries, adjust the headbands, and figure out how to turn the headlamp on and off in the two modes, as the use is quite intuitive.
Initial Impression: My first use of the headlamp came just one day after receiving it. It was every hiker's dream activity. Yes, I had to repair a leaky valve and replace a faucet in the bathroom. I found the headlamp very comfortable while wearing it for hours at a time. (Hey, I'm a hiker, not a plumber.) The lower setting (two Superbright LEDs) gave enough light to see the parts to be replaced, and the higher setting (Hyperbright) gave plenty of light looking into a small hole in the wall for the pipe I needed to access. Later, a quick try out in the yard revealed that the claimed range of 15 meters (about 15 yards) at Superbright and 35 meters (about 115 yards) at Hyperbright is accurate. The Superbright beam is rather diffused and narrow. The Hyperbright beam is also brightest in the center and had no dark spots common in regular light bulb lamps. I could even light up my roof and the top of the forty-foot (12 m) tree across the street, which I think is pretty impressive for an LED lamp. I also found the LEDs are well shielded to keep light from glaring in my eyes, even pivoted down as far as possible. Since nothing is perfect, I should find something bad to say about the Zenix. Hm, remove the stuck-on logos on the back and right side. The name imprinted on the front should be enough. Maybe it would knock a couple grams off the weight, too! One other small item for consideration: The instructions do not mention the waterproof rating, except for a perhaps confusing instruction to "Remove batteries after use and allow battery box to thoroughly dry." The packaging only says "Waterproof Standard - IPX" with a picture of a water drop. The website, however, provides much more information for the prospective purchaser, and additional instructions if used wet: 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. Instructions for removing the focus ring and reflector are not provided, however. There are two tiny screws on the bottom of the LED housing, but I would hesitate to disassemble the headlamp without knowing what I will find and being certain I could reassemble it without the typical "extra parts." Next: The initial testing will take place in the desert area. Elevation sea level to 5,000 feet (1,500 feet). Temperatures from 32 to 85 degrees F (0 to 30 C), wind very likely, rain possible. Later trips will include the mountains of the Pacific Crest Trail. Elevation 1,200 to 10,000 feet (300 to 3,000 meters). Temperatures 15 to 70 degrees F (-10 to +20 C) with a possibility of rain and maybe a bit of snow. Fourth of July weekend will see me making a one day hike up Mount Whitney. I will be starting around midnight with no moon, so I will give this little Ion headlamp a good work. Temperatures as low as freezing at altitudes from 8,300 to 14,000+ feet (2500 to 4300 meters), combined with almost six hours of hiking before sunrise, will give a good test of practical battery life. Field testing will include:
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