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.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
Black Diamond lists a red LED night-vision mode with dimming and strobe, and says it activates without cycling through the white mode. The maker also lists proximity and distance modes, dimming and a lock mode. A digital lock, described as patented, safeguards against accidental use when the light is stored in a pack or pocket. The light is a convenience for platforms and public paths and gives no protection near the track.
Black Diamond gives three white settings with the output and the throw: 400 lumens on high with a 100 m maximum distance, 200 lumens on medium at 60 m, and 6 lumens on low at 12 m. Burn times depend on the fuel: on high 2.5 hours with AAA and 4 hours with the BD 1500, on medium 5 and 8 hours, and on low 200 and 225 hours. Three AAA batteries are included, and the BD 1500 is sold separately. Weight is 86 g with AAA and 72 g with the BD 1500. The housing is rated IPX8, which Black Diamond defines as tested to operate at least 1.1 meters underwater for 30 minutes; water may enter the battery compartment and the light should be dried out after wet use. A battery meter shows the power remaining, PowerTap gives instant access to full output, and Brightness Memory returns the light to the last chosen level. The warranty is three years.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Lumens | High 400 lm, Medium 200 lm, Low 6 lm |
| Weight | AAA 86 g, BD 1500 72 g |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Batteries | 3x AAA (included), BD 1500 Battery (sold separately) |
| Max distance | High 100 m, Medium 60 m, Low 12 m |
| Waterproofing | IPX8 |
| Country of origin | China |
| Max burn time (AAA / BD 1500) | High 2.5 / 4 hrs, Medium 5 / 8 hrs, Low 200 / 225 hrs |
A railfan who wants a bright, simple headlamp and who is happy to run it on ordinary AAA batteries with the option to add the rechargeable pack later.
Petzl Actik Core: the other headlamp in the catalog, for readers who want to compare the two before choosing.
Image: Adventure Medical Kits · source
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Compare all safety gear.
