Image: Black Diamond Equipment · source
Black Diamond · Budget
The Black Diamond Astro 300 is a one-button, 300-lumen headlamp that runs on three AAA batteries or on Black Diamond's rechargeable BD 1500 battery.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
Rail trips often start before dawn or end after dark, at a station, a car park or a public viewpoint, and a light is one more thing in the bag. Black Diamond lists the Astro 300 at 100 g and describes a compact, low-profile body. Its patented digital lock is meant to prevent accidental switching on while the lamp is stored in a pack or pocket, which is the situation of a lamp that lives in a camera bag. The lowest setting is listed at 6 lumens. A headlamp does not make any track environment safe: stay on platforms and in public areas, whatever light you carry.
Power comes from three AAA batteries, which Black Diamond includes, or from the BD 1500 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is sold separately. The page lists three levels: high at 300 lumens, medium at 150 and low at 6, with a listed maximum distance of 55 m, 35 m and 8 m. Burn times are listed as 4/6 hours on high, 8/12 hours on medium and 140/140 hours on low, under the AAA and BD 1500 columns. The page also lists dimming and strobe settings and a brightness memory that restores the chosen level when you switch the lamp back on. The housing is IPX4, which Black Diamond describes as withstanding rain and sleet from any angle.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Lock | Patented digital lock |
| Modes | Full strength, dimming, strobe, brightness memory |
| Power | 3 AAA (included) or BD 1500 rechargeable battery (sold separately) |
| Weight | 100 g |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Max output | 300 lumens (high) |
| Waterproofing | IPX4 |
| Max distance on high | 55 m |
| Max burn time on high | 4/6 hours (AAA / BD 1500 columns) |
Someone who wants a basic, light headlamp for pre-dawn starts or dark walks to a public viewing area, who is happy with AAA batteries and does not need a red light or high water protection.
The Black Diamond Spot 400 adds 400 lumens, IPX8, a red night-vision mode and a battery meter on the same dual-fuel design. The Petzl TIKKA CORE adds a red light and a rechargeable CORE battery, with 450 lumens listed by Petzl.
Image: Adventure Medical Kits · source
Adventure Medical Kits · Budget
A compact, injury-organised first aid kit for one or two people on a day or a weekend outing, with a wilderness first aid guide and a small set of over-the-counter medications.
Expert pick · OutdoorGearLab, May 2023
Image: Black Diamond Equipment · source
Black Diamond · Mid-range
The Black Diamond Spot 400 is a 400-lumen headlamp that runs on three AAA batteries, included, or on the optional BD 1500 rechargeable battery, with an IPX8 housing and a red night-vision mode.
Image: Honeywell (Howard Leight) · source
Howard Leight (Honeywell) · Mid-range
Electronic over-the-head earmuffs whose directional microphones amplify ambient sound to a set ceiling while providing the maker's rated 22 dB of noise reduction.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we pick our gear
Compare all safety gear.
