Black Diamond Spot LED Headlamp

I'm a gadget guy. I admit it. Finding the lightest, strongest, brightest is not that hard. But that is not what interests me. I'm always looking for items that give you the best bang for the buck. Why spend three times as much for a product that might only be 5% lighter then the less expensive solution? I like most all of my gear. I have a down bag, a relatively light Gregory backpack, A cooking kit I love that weighs a couple ounces more then a titanium set but coast a fifth as much. Well you get the idea.

I thought I would review the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp. It is what I currently use and I haven't found anything that is more compelling for my uses. It is light, very bright when you need it to be but has options for power-saving reading modes.

See when I'm out for a few days the important criteria for me are:

1. Could I walk out in the dark if I needed to?
2. Does is work well around camp for setting up and cooking?
3. Does it have a low power mode that will allow me to read without worrying about using up the battery?
   
4. Can I easily resupply the power?
5. Is it going to coast me an arm and a leg for batteries?
6. Is the size and weight reasonable?

I think the Black Diamond Spot is almost a perfect solution. It weighs a mere 3 ounces with batteries. The Spot uses 3 AAA batteries so it is easy to carry a spare set and cost is reasonable. The batteries are inserted just behind the lamps so everything is contained in one module.

The Spot has a 1-watt led that works with a specially designed reflector to project 70 meters. At least according to the company. I have my doubts about how much you are going to see at that distance but no doubt there is plenty of light. You would have no trouble at all walking out in the dark with this headlamp. For activities like setting up camp or cooking your meal you can use the three 5mm leds which use up less battery power and also give you a wider beam of light.

In both modes there are options to dim the light which allows you to use just as much light as you need. This, of course, help extend the life of your batteries. The head band is comfortable and adjustable. For those of you that like getting out in cold weather the large button for changing modes and turning the lamp on and off is doable with gloves. Something that the headlamps I've owned before wouldn't allow.

Cost for this bad-boy is $39.95 but if you use your REI 20% off coupon you can save $8.