Headlamp

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp | They upgraded, so should you

I refrain from giving any gear too much praise, but I have to applaud Black Diamond for coming up with one of the best headlamps available on the market. The Black Diamond Spot Headlamp comes equipped with more features than your standard headlamp, yet its price rivals those without them. Before we get started with its review, know that this is written for the 2017 model Black Diamond Spot Headlamp.

Specifications

Lumens:  300
Weight w/ batteries:  88 g (3.1 oz)
Max distances: [High] 80 m; [Low] 16 m
Max burn time: [High] 30 H (est.); [Low] 175 H (est.)
IPX rating:  IPX8
LED type:  1 QuadPower, 1 DoublePower, 1 SinglePower
Batteries:  3 AAA (included)

My thoughts and review

White light brightness & intensity

The decision to upgrade the new Spot Headlamps to 300 lumens was the right call by Black Diamond. While I don’t have any personal experience with the 2016 model, which was 200 lumens, I do have plenty of experience with a variety of dimmer headlamps. Low lumen headlamps don’t help much when the sky is black and you find yourself in the dense parts of the wilderness. Some of those lights are so dim that you are better off turning off your headlamp and relying on your natural night vision instead. The Spot Headlamp provides enough light to illuminate a comfortable distance ahead; you can see where you’re going and nothing will take you by surprise.

Red light

In case you didn’t know, red light is better than white light for preserving your night vision. Red light and white light interchangeability might not matter much for civilian use, but it sure does for military personnel. If you ever had another soldier who didn’t know how to work his headlamp ruin your night vision, you know exactly what I mean. While your Spot Headlamp is off, holding onto the on/off button will turn on the red light without ever transmitting white light during the process. The Spot Headlamp also saves the last used setting when you turn off the headlamp, so it will continuously use red light until you revert back to white.

Adjustable output

Most headlamps offer a combination of light outputs. At the very least, you will likely have a low setting, high setting, and possibly a strobe setting as well. What I found convenient about the Spot Headlamp was that you can hold the on/off button and it will steadily increase/decrease the brightness of your light output. When you turn off your Spot headlamp and turn it back on, the brightness memory feature will use whatever brightness level you left it on.

The headlamp also uses the PowerTap feature. By tapping the PowerTap symbol on the side of the headlamp, it will immediately switch to its max brightness. Tapping it again will revert it back to your dimmed setting. As great as this feature is, it turns out it can also be inconvenient. I found several users complaining about the unreliability of the PowerTap feature. At first, I did think that the PowerTap feature was a bit faulty. However, after some extended use, I discovered that the key is to not do a “quick” tap, but to do a deliberate tap; make contact between your finger and the PowerTap surface for almost a full second. I found that using a deliberate tap makes the PowerTap feature work 100% of the time. After some time to get familiarized with the headlamp, it was no longer an issue for me.

Battery life indicator

A useful feature of the Spot Headlamp is the battery life indicator, but I have yet to see any retailer highlight this feature. The battery life indicator is a simple feature, but is almost unique as most headlamps don’t have it. The battery life is indicated by three different lights: green (100%–50%), yellow (50%–25%), and red (25%-0%).

Learning curve

I don’t believe the Black Diamond Spot has any serious drawbacks. My new Spot Headlamp is my trusted go-to headlamp for any nighttime activity. However, as I illustrated in this review, the Spot Headlamp can be confusing and difficult to learn at first. After all, it has its many great features and functions, but only one button. In fact, the majority of negative reviews and criticism come from users who are frustrated with its intricacies. Fortunately, in an effort to aid the learning process, Black Diamond has released a short two-minute video on YouTube last month detailing its operation. In lieu of writing out meticulous instructions (manual available here), I invite you to watch the aforementioned video as the visuals far exceed what I can illustrate on pen and paper.

The verdict

The good
-High-value headlamp for a great price
-300 lumens (2016 model was 200 lumens)
-Memory brightness feature
-Battery life indicator
-IPX8 rating

The bad
-Controls might be confusing to use at first

At the time of writing this review, the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp has an MSRP of $39.95. For its price, the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp is one of the best headlamps you can get. Just be sure you know whether you’re purchasing the 2016 model or the new 2017 model. It is difficult to use at first, but as with all things, it gets easier once you familiarize yourself with it. If you prefer a simpler headlamp, you might consider something like the Princeton Tec Sync, which uses a turning knob. While my first impressions of this headlamp are great, I am eager to see how well it holds up after some long-term use. You can expect an updated review from me down the road.

Have any experience with the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp or other Black Diamond gear? Is there other gear you would like us to review? Let us know what you think!

Princeton Tec Quad Tactical Headlamp

I was shivering uncontrollably. My thin warm weather rip-stop Crye multicams did little to ward off the December chill in Northeastern Washington. It was 2030 hours, well past civil twilight this far north and it had been dark for four hours by this point. We’d been evading by moon and starlight and had settled into our third location for the night. Freezing rain occasionally rifted over us in sheets. We huddled into a defilade to make comms via our PRC-112 emergency radio. We received a text message data burst for our next set of coordinates. However the backlight on our radio was not working. “Jones, turn on your headlamp” I nodded while my teeth chattered nearly uncontrollably and when I hit the button on the top of my headlamp to turn it on, nothing happened. Hissed threats against the headlamp followed as I tried fixing it. However she’d given up the ghost after three days in the field – the plastic frame had cracked from the temperature deviation between the day and the night and water had gotten into it. The headlamp was dead and it was the only light we were allowed. Our operation became much more difficult because of that equipment failure.

Critical gear failing in the field is anyone’s nightmare. I never imagined that headlamps could fail in such short notice until I began to do Survival and Evasion exercises as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Specialist (SERE Specialist) for the United States Air Force. My gear needs to be able to survive in all conditions throughout the world. I demand quite a bit. When I finished training as a SERE Specialist I was issued one hell of a headlamp from Princeton Tec known as the EOS and I’ve seen it issued to a variety of other Special Operations forces throughout the military for the plain and simple reason that this thing doesn’t die. I’ve taken the Princeton Tec EOS headlamp everywhere and put it through everything. I have confidence in it to the utmost.

So when I was given the opportunity to review another headlamp from Princeton Tec made specifically for military professionals or outdoors enthusiasts I was ecstatic. I was sent the tan / multicam quad tactical MPLS (Modular Personal Lighting System). What we get compared to the workhorse Princeton Tec EOS is a lighter package, the quad tactical weighs in at just 78 grams compared to the EOS weighing in at 103 grams. With the reduction in weight the quad tactical is outperforming the EOS by emitting 78 lumens compared to the EOS, which emits a healthy 60. Be advised that the quad tactical puts out a wider focused beam that allows your peripherals to work with you compared to the EOS which is more focused beam. In either case I’ve found that I like the wide beam on the quad tactical more. They both take 3 AAA batteries.

The profile on the quad tactical is slimmer and closer to your head / helmet which means I’m not catching this thing on branches or lower overhangs as much. Further the power button up top is much improved in my opinion over the EOS. The power button on the EOS was slightly offset to the right of the top of the device compared to the quad tactical where is it dead center. It’s just more intuitive in my opinion. The headband remains the same between the two lights which doesn’t disappoint me at all. These lights are also all waterproof to one meter. The red filter is interchangeable to three different colors; red, green, blue. Compared to other headlamps that require you to flip a switch a certain way to activate the red light I much prefer pulling the filter over the light – it’s simple and you know you’re going to get red. Plus you won’t be that one guy in the group that accidentally flips to white light and destroys everyone’s night vision.

The quad tactical like the EOS have a variety of different mounting solutions. A NVG adapter is included so that this light can be mounted directly to your helmet. The standard straps can also be removed and attached to MOLLE webbing. Or you can loosen the band and wrap this thing around your helmet and secure with some 100 mph tape (my preferred method).

The headlamp is a simple but essential piece of gear. Make sure you have one that is rock solid. I can’t say enough about the simplicity, reliability and ruggedness of all Princeton Tec designs but also the EOS and quad tactical specifically. Given the lighter weight and the brighter overall output I’ll be sticking with the quad tactical for the foreseeable future.

Petzl ACTIK Headlamp: Capable of all of your adventuring needs

Petzl specializes in two categories: vertical environments and headlamps. This isn’t a surprise as the inspiration for the Petzl company began nearly a century ago when Fernand Petzl was exploring the Dent de Crolles in France, one of the deepest known cave systems in the world. Petzl dedicated himself to developing the technical gear required to navigate through a complex and hazardous environment. As decades passed, Petzl’s pioneering innovations reached fruition and now Petzl is the leading manufacturer of technical climbing gear. The Petzl ACTIK Headlamp is just one of many excellent products Petzl has manufactured over the years. The ACTIK doesn’t reinvent the wheel but its design makes it a more practical headlamp that also boasts an ample output of 300 lumens.

Specifications

Light output: 300 lumens
Weight: 3.25 oz (92 g)
Battery: Three AAA batteries (included) or CORE rechargeable battery (available as accessory)
Water resistance: IPX4

Lighting performance

Lighting color	Lighting modes	Brightness	Distance	Burn time
White	MAX AUTONOMY	5 lm	10 m	260 h
	STANDARD	100 lm	45 m	60 h
	MAX POWER	300 lm	90 m
Red	proximity	2 lm	5 m
Red	strobe	visible at 700 m for 400 h

Specifications courtesy of Petzl

The ACTIK features a red light function which is great for preserving your night vision. For that reason, I recommend a headlamp like this one that doesn’t require you to cycle through a white light to use the red light function. The red and white lights on the ACTIK can be interchanged by holding down the power button. This not only ensures that you won’t accidentally shine your white light but you will maintain your red light function until you deliberately switch back to white. Unfortunately, the ACTIK doesn’t have a blue light function (sorry medical personnel).

The buckle on the headband of the ACTIK doubles as an emergency whistle. The whistle is cleverly designed that at first glance you may not even notice it’s there. The integrated whistle doesn’t hinder the operation of the headlamp or cause discomfort so it’s a bonus back-up safety feature to accompany you.

The verdict

The good
-Equipped with an emergency whistle
-High output: 300 lumens
-Competent red light function

The bad
-Not waterproof (though it is water resistant)

There are a lot of headlamps available on the market, but some offer greater advantages than others. The Petzl ACTIK has an MSRP of $49.95 and is a step up from your average headlamp. It actually gives the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp some serious competition. The Black Diamond Spot is my go-to headlamp and I consider it as one of the best ones available for the average user. The Spot offers the same level of light output but is equipped with a battery life indicator, a memory brightness feature, and a completely waterproof design. However, the Spot has complicated controls and can be frustrating for users. The beauty of the ACTIK is efficiency and simplicity, it has everything most users would need and it’s easy to use. Though I may be fond of the Black Diamond Spot, my Petzl ACTIK is going to have its fair share of use and I have no problem recommending it to anyone looking for a quality headlamp.

All photos courtesy of the author, Matt Jin

Princeton Tec SNAP Multi-Use Light

When I first received the SNAP from Princeton Tec in the mail, I didn’t know what to think of it. I have many lights to choose from and more than a few headlamps. I opened the box, without anticipation. The packaging was standard Princeton Tec (PT) fare, well diagramed, well packaged and the item of interest presented in plain view. The accouterments were in place behind the main presentation and consisted of a plastic carabiner, what appeared to be another body, or sleeve, and two different sized rubber straps. It came with a trio of Duracell AAA batteries, and a semi-elastic headband adorned with Princeton Tec’s logo.

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I did not look at the included instruction manual since I pride myself as a lover of all nice gear, I figured I could figure out the light without help, right? Well, I was able to easily insert the batteries, but I needed to look at the instructions to figure out what the two rubber straps were for. More on that later.

The light is very, um… light. It weighs a mere 2.9 ounces with the three AAA batteries installed. It’s fairly small, measuring only 2.6” long, and 1.1” tall. It runs on three AAA sized batteries, compatible with Alkaline, Lithium or NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride), but don’t mix battery types.

The literature on the SNAP claims a 130 hour burn time (on low), with another claimed 130 hours of burn time when on strobe mode. On bright, the lumens claimed are 200 lumens with a burn time of 40 hours. I don’t have a scientific lumen measurement device, but I can tell you that on the bright setting, this little headlamp delivers.

The rubber push pad that turns the light on, took a little getting used to. It’s fairly difficult to find when wearing gloves, but easy to the bare finger. A single press turns the light on with it defaulting in the bright setting. If you hold the button down, it dims slowly, to the dimmest setting. If you single press it after turning it on, the unit will shut off. A quick double press turns the unit into strobe mode.

This light is advertised as a multi-use piece of gear that is designed as a headlamp, but can pull double duty as a bike light, a lantern, a magnetic area light, or a safety strobe. While using as a headlamp, the light can swivel up or down, allowing you to set the light where you need it. If you wear a hat like I do most times, the light fits under the bill or brim of the hat, allowing you to use it functionally. Princeton Tec claims that the Maxbright LED with spot technology will throw out to 118 feet. I did not run a tape measure out to test this claim but walking my dogs at night, I could easily see it light up a stop sign from one block to the next.

The light is water resistant, and I tested it in my pool. I just causally dunked it under water, to simulate falling into water and it did not flinch. I would not dive with it, since it is not designed as a submersible light. However, if you get caught in a rainstorm, it will be just fine.

Attaching the light to my Mountain Bike handlebars was pretty straightforward, once I read the instruction booklet. This light provides more than adequate light to navigate a sidewalk or single-track after the sun dips below the horizon. I would not partake in a 24-hour adventure race with this as my only light source, but it would be a perfect secondary light or back up light if needed.

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At a retail price just shy of $40 USD, I can’t find fault in this light. One thing to note, it does not have a red filter, or any filter to help with night vision protection, but again, it really is not designed for that.

If you are looking for a low cost, high quality, do everything type of headlamp that will also serve as a lantern or a bike light, this SNAP from Princeton Tec should be one you consider. I will definitely be using it around the house, and it will become a part of my daily use gear. Princeton Tec is an American Company, based out of New Jersey, who has been delivering top-shelf lighting solutions to the public since 1975. They even give the SNAP a five-year warranty which makes choosing this little do-everything light a no-brainer!

Author – (D. MacIntosh) US Army Special Operations with over 30 years of service. Former 1SG, current Warrant Officer with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggary. Over the years, he’s developed a unique style and appreciates the finer things in life. He evaluates gear based on his unique personal experience and no-fluff presentation.

Olight H16 Wave I The best headlamp on the market

Olight H16 Wave (WAS) The best headlamp on the market – Updated

Update: Approximately four weeks after publication of this article, the H16 Wave started to malfunction and became inoperable. I reached out to Olight to discuss the issues and they told me that they had not seen this type of issue before. Olight requested I return the light so they could look at the issue – which I did without question– . I asked Olight for a replacement to evaluate in order to ensure this was not a consistent issue with their product. Olight has failed to respond to multiple emails so we are required to inform you of this manufacturer defect we experienced. Random shut offs, failed motion sensor and flickering when adjusting light angle were all problems experienced. We always remain transparent with our readers and it’s our responsibility to inform you.

I’m consistently amazed by just how many people still don’t use headlamps when they find themselves in need of a flashlight. When I was serving in the military, there were two things that I always had on my person in the field –a multi-tool and a headlamp. Any time I’m out camping or hiking with friends, they consistently ask me about my headlamp and which model to purchase. Over the years I’ve had the chance to use dozens of models from various companies like Petzl, Black Diamond and others. Some I’ve really liked and others I’ve detested so much that I throw them in my gear graveyard. But when Olight reached out to me for a product review, I was curious to see what would make them a contender in the market.

Olight sent me their H16 Wave and wanted me to put it to the test on my latest trip up the coast of California on my camping adventure. It became VERY evident after 5 minutes of wearing the H16 that Olight hit a home run. First, the H16 has a waterproof and rechargeable lightweight battery pack that sits tightly on the rear of the headband with a sturdy cable running around the side to the main bulb. Some people may not be a fan of a rechargeable battery pack, but with a two hour plus run time at 500 lumens and 160 hours at 5 lumens, it proved to be plenty of juice for me over the course of a 7-day adventure. It also helps that I had the ability to recharge it in my truck with the USB adapter. The battery pack also features four visual battery level indicators with an audible beep at 10% battery to alert the user that it will go out soon.

The H16 boasts a 500 Lumen maximum output with two other settings at 100 lumens and 5 lumens. Anything more than 500 lumens would probably qualify you to join the X-Men, so I’m quite content with the light output. Even with the battery pack, the H16 comes in at a measly 4 ounces making it even lighter than my Petzl and the most comfortable headlamp I’ve worn to date. The crown jewel feature of the H16 is the wave feature. Once the light is on, push and hold the blue On/Off button until the light blinks once. Now you are able to simply wave your hand in front of the light 2-6 inches and the headlamp will turn off and on again with every pass. After a while, I actually felt like a Jedi trying to do some mind trick of persuasion. The range for this feature is only 6 inches, so you don’t need to worry about the light turning on or off accidentally. This proved to be incredibly useful when I was preparing dinner and I didn’t want to touch my headlamp with bloody hands. I can think of a million more times when this feature will come in handy and I’m shocked more companies aren’t doing it.

Olight has really outdone themselves and has created a headlamp far superior to anything I’ve used before. The wave feature alone is enough to get me to switch from the larger brands. But couple that with the long battery life, rechargeability and high lumens and you have a lifelong Olight fan on your hands. MSRP – $59.99

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Princeton Tec Sync headlamp revisited: Still good

One of the most popular headlamps on the market for some time has been the Princeton Tec Sync LED Headlamp. There are plenty of sources praising the Sync’s versatility and simplicity, which also comes wearing an inexpensive price tag. I have seen multiple people using the Sync in both field training as well as on the trails. The Sync’s array of features is appealing enough that even Backpacker Magazine couldn’t resist branding it with their Editors’ Choice designation back in 2015. For this review, we will be focusing on some of the subtleties of the Princeton Tec Sync rather than laying out all of the specifications you may already be acquainted with from our previous Sync reviews.

Before getting too far into the review, it is important to note that there are actually two different Princeton Tec Sync models. The model used in this review provides a max output of 150 lumens while the older model provides 90 lumens. Aside from max light output, these headlamps are nearly identical.

One of the most convenient features on the Sync is the power dial. The power dial was implemented over a traditional on/off button and offers easier manipulation, especially while wearing gloves. When the dial is placed in the “OFF” position, the user can turn the dial up (clockwise) for a red light or down (counter-clockwise) for four different white light variations. Each successive notch on the power dial will increase the overall light output. This is convenient because it minimizes the chances of accidentally turning on a white light and disrupting your natural night vision.

However, one gripe I do have about the Princeton Tec Sync is that it is not waterproof. The Sync’s water-resistance rating is at IPX4. This means the Sync’s water resistance is minimal, and while is able to withstand small splashes of water or light rain, it isn’t recommended for prolonged use on a rainy day (though some have better luck than others). Fear not though, Princeton Tec does offer great alternatives that do implement waterproof capabilities such as the Princeton Tec Eos and Princeton Tec Quad Tactical MPLS (though the drawback is the max light output). The key is figuring out what is most important to you in a headlamp.

If you prefer a short and sweet summary:

The Good

Great price for features
Offers both spot and flood light settings
Red light easy to utilize
Made in the USA

The Bad

Not waterproof
Bulkier than other headlamps

Everyone should own a headlamp. Regardless of whether or not you have a job or pastime that requires one, a headlamp benefits every individual. Even if you happen to be the type of person who never leaves his home, there may come an inconvenient or dire situation where a hands-free light becomes a vital tool. At the time of writing this review, the Princeton Tec Sync LED Headlamp is available on Amazon Prime for $24.15, a price that fits every budget. The Princeton Tec Sync isn’t the best headlamp on the market, but it offers one of the best combinations of features for its price tag, which is why it remains a popular option.

Do you have any experience with the Princeton Tec Sync? Use a different Princeton Tec or another headlamp? Let us know what you think!