The HyperBright LED and focused lens are like nothing I have seen on an LED headlamp before. It really does cast a powerful cone-shaped light beam far into the darkness much as traditional bulbed headlamps do. The beam is LED bluish white instead of the yellowish cast that bulbed lights project, but the path that is lit is no less visible. With two quick clicks of a button, the Zenix can go from the low-light SuperBrights to the turbo HyperBright, making frequent flipping back and forth a simple and painless exercise. To date, this is how I have I used the Zenix. I rely on the SuperBrights for the vast majority of usage, and switch to the HyperBright for quick looks at the "big picture" or to spotlight unusual shapes or sounds in the night. Not only does this intermittent and short-term use meet my lighting needs, but it saves energy as the HyperBright LED is quite power hungry with a claimed longevity of about 15 hours. While I use the HyperBright frequently, it is on for such a short time that I estimate it's only been in use for a total of an hour or two. In that short time, it has shown no signs of losing any brightness. 

FIT and FEATURES 
After some initial adjusting and tweaking, the Black Diamond Zenix Headlamp fits my head perfectly. There is enough play in the elastic to fit my bare head comfortably and still stretch around a thin beanie or ball cap without feeling too snug. The elastic is - if anything - too beefy, and I imagine a fraction of an ounce could be saved by using a lighter duty headband. Because the weight of the batteries are behind the head, the LED and switch housing just don't have enough mass to need such a tough strap. Also because of this weight distribution, I find the over-the-head strap completely unnecessary and have removed it from the Zenix - a simple process that does not involve cutting the straps or irreversibly altering the Zenix in any way. It also saves about a 1/3 ounce (10 grams). 

The Zenix exudes toughness. The plastic feels very solid, and I imagine a waist-high drop of the Zenix would have little impact on the function. There is no play in the plastic joints, and entire housing of the switch and LED compartments inspires confidence. I have had it in the rain (moderate drizzle) and so far Black Diamond's waterproof claim has proven true. 

The switch that turns the Zenix on and cycles through the brightness setting is very solid and gives an audible and tactile "click". There is no doubt when it has been pressed, and it is extremely unlikely to come on by accident while bouncing down the trail inside a pack pocket. The simple on and off cycle is a definite "plus" in my opinion. Three or more brightness settings plus various strobe setting are not particularly appealing to me, as I only end up using the softest and brightest settings anyway. In the case of the Zenix, simpler is better. 

One of my few complaints regarding the Zenix is its bulk. Bulk, of course, is relative, and compared to the big 4 AA bulbed headlamps I have used for mountaineering in the past, the Zenix is downright tiny. But, with the separate LED and battery compartments, the wire connecting the two, and the beefy head strap, the Zenix doesn't exactly wad up into a tiny ball you can stuff in a shirt pocket. This is a minor gripe, however, as it doesn't feel heavy or bulky at all when worn, which is what really matters to me in the end.

Overall, the Black Diamond Zenix LED Headlamp is proving to be a very well made LED headlamp that can seemingly match the power of traditional bulbed headlamps and retain the durability and longevity benefits of all-LED torches.


3. Black Diamond Zenix LED Headlamp Testing Plan and Location

The big remaining test for the Zenix is on mountaineering trips. In addition to a number of backpacking trips in the coming months, the Zenix will be heading up onto the Cascade volcanoes for early morning duty. This, in the end, is where the Zenix will be judged in my Long Term Report.

I'll be testing the Zenix with a focus on the following questions:

1) First and foremost, will the Zenix function well as a mountaineering headlamp capable of long life and bright focused light when life and limb can be at stake?

2) Will it remain durable? With increasingly harsher use does it continue to function reliably?

3) Are the features simple and easy to utilize with gloves? Mittens?

4) Does the focused lens truly create a beam of light bright enough and big enough to safely climb with? 

5) In the end, is this a headlamp that is happily worn at 2 a.m. on the side of a volcano, or is it a debate whether or not to go with the LED or the bulb due to reliability, power, comfort, or function concerns.


4. Contact and Background Information

Background Information:

Curt Peterson: e-curt@a...
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Height: 6'3" (1.91 m)
Weight: 270 (122 kg)

I live in Seattle and do the vast majority of my outdoor activities in Washington State. During the summer I try to head to the backcountry at least every other week, averaging 3 to 5 multi-day trips in July, August and September. In the fall and early winter, I usually do a couple day hikes a month and probably one overnight per month. In the winter, I ski 1 to 2 days per week, and backpack in the Central Washington steppe 1 to 2 times over the season. Spring and early summer I usually climb, most often on the Cascade volcanoes. I usually go to the coast in Olympic National Park at least once a year, and try to summit at least one big volcano a year, so the range of locations that I test gear is pretty broad. I also do a 3-mile (4.8km) walk each day with my dog, no matter what the conditions are, and I often evaluate gear during that time.

I played football in college, and have been pretty active my entire life. I have been camping and backpacking as long as I can remember. First in Utah as a child, in Minnesota until I finished college, and here in Washington ever since. I served on the Product Test Committee for Seattle's biggest outdoor gear retailer for a two- year term in the mid-90s, then guided backpacking tours with my wife in Olympic National Park for a few summers. I've been interested in the most recent shift to lightweight thinking for the past few years and really enjoy checking out new ideas and approaches to backpacking.

I'd like to thank BackpackGearTest.org and Black Diamond for the opportunity to test the Zenix.

Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Black Diamond Zenix > Curt Peterson > Field Report