How To Use the Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp

Basic use of the Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp. More info and review at: camphikelivecalifornia.com/wh...
My amazon affiliate link to the headlamp: amzn.to/3lgv2XF

[@OZAndyP]

"The directions that came with it kinda suck". LOL. That's what brought me here. Thanks for the simple instructions.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool, glad you got some use out of the video.

[@chassikora6433]

Thank you I just got the 500 R. I couldn’t figure out how to do the SOS from the written directions. Your five minute video taught me way more than looking at those damn directions

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool. Yeah they're a bit tricky so I found it best to just play around with it until I had things figured out.

[@Wiscmapper]

I can’t believe I’m searching KZbin to figure out how to use a headlamp! I don’t think I’m a dimwit, but man those instructions are bad. I pushed some combo of buttons and now the smaller button no longer cycles between modes. What the heck.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

idk try locking it and then unlocking it by holding both buttons down for a few seconds each in an attempt at a reset. I haven't been able to replicate what you're experiencing. But if you figure it out, let us know...

[@billzabriskie4082]

Thanks! Excellent tutorial. The headlamp is either feature rich or too complicated by half. For example, I'm rarely successful at turning the darn thing off on the first try. Oops, wrong button. Oops, held it too long, so it changed brightness but didn't turn off. Oops, tapped it twice and now it's flashing. Like any device that is "feature rich", the utility of the features has to be balanced by the intuitiveness of the UI and the frequency of use. If you only dig this out every few months, you'll be frustrated every time. If you're walking the dog every night, you'll figure it out and muscle memory will take over (eventually).

[@john.k.flores]

Thank you so much for explaining it very clearly and efficiently!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool - thanks!

[@barbrarosebarbrarose]

THANK YOU KINDLY. I’ve never seen such awful instructions that come with a product!! You did a great job.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool, thanks Barbra!

[@tuckeroconnor1799]

Haven’t bought a new headlamp in 15 years This light has blown my mind. Love not having batteries Didn’t bother with instructions, came right here Thank you!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Sweet, thanks Tucker! Glad you're enjoying your new headlamp!

[@xXLegendXx70]

Yes, it is an amazing lamp. I just bought the Spot 400, only because I like to be able to quickly change out the battery if I run the lamp dry of power.

[@dealin21s]

I have a Black Diamond Cosmo and was thinking about upgrading because it wasn’t bright enough for me. Well, I didn’t know you could adjust the brightness until your video. Now that I do know, I’m gonna try it out on Monday at work to see if that does the trick. If it does, you just saved me $75 on the Storm-R. Thanks!

[@Ed30675]

Thanks for posting a very easy to follow set of instructions for the black diamond...

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool - thank you!

[@damnfk063]

You'd expect black diamond, as the industry leader to be able to explain to their customers how their product works but since we're all here watching this video. That says something

[@MrEcted]

Super helpful and straight to the point, thanks man! It's a great little headlamp but you're right, the instructions do kinda suck. I was confused as all heck until I watched this video!

[@maryannmiami]

Thank you! They should pay you for this valuable service!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

No problem, take care!

[@tonebobb]

REALLY helpful and clear. Thanks.

[@nialliainwright4151]

Cheers - really clear and saved me squinting at the inaccessible instructions... in the dark! Good light and will be even better now I know how to control it!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Thanks - hope it serves you for many years to come! Mine is still going, and I rarely have to charge it.

[@akaroutzos]

To the point with no fluff! Thank you!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool thanks!

[@Out144]

This is a great headlamp once you understand how to works. I was mad when mine kept strobing out of the box so I looked up this video. Thx

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Nice - thank you!

[@shopafelic]

Very helpful, thank you. Agree with your comment about their diagrammatic instructions…!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool - glad it helped!

[@robertschultz8909]

Thank you very much for making this KZbin video ! ! ! Very good job ! ! !

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

awesome - thank you!

[@natureb2267]

Thanks for putting this together!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool - no problem. Yeah the directions that come in the box are a little weird. I've used it camping a few times and I use it everyday to walk the dogs. Works pretty good for me...

[@danaalberico9270]

Thank you!!! The directions were challenging!! Tiny print as well!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

No problem - enjoy your new lamp!

[@7thsenseeq]

Thank you for providing what should -- and could -- have been made perfectly clear in the instructions! Agree they were terrible. However, the light is small yet powerful. Now that I know how to program it, it's awesome.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool, take care!

[@ibrahimalnuaimi346]

Thank you for sharing this instructions with us. 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏 we appreciate it.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool, glad they helped!

[@mandownunder3600]

Tnx man. I will get one. All feature i need is in there.

[@CrimsonRaven51]

Thank you for your help.

[@kristiansletten247]

Great video! Super helpful

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@Kingsquish]

Can’t wait for mine to come in

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Nice! Enjoy. I just bought my dad one the other day.

[@pedroghirotti]

Thank you so much for taking the time. As everyone has already said, the instructions are horrendous. Cheers!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool no problem!

[@MJ1331EL]

that was awesome, thank you for this tutorial.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

cool - thank you!

[@hankchien5770]

Thanks for the tutorial~ Well, I don't even know how to switch the batteries on the first place. (I found it out eventually somehow) Maybe adding that part could be considered. Thanks anyway~

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

cool - thanks Hank!

[@mikemeredith9967]

Thank you!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool - you're welcome!

[@villumstride7502]

thanks mate:)

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Cool - very welcome!

[@laurenbronson6640]

How do you recharge these? No light on mine.

[@Razertw]

The BD headlamps look nice on paper, but when I tried Spot 350 in a store I instantly disliked it. It was so hard to get my settings. I believe they have no presets? It was too fiddly and bulky and so in the end I went with Nitecore NU25 and been super happy with it. It's much more intuitive and easy to use, which is what you need in the field. But it's nice that BD finally has a rechargable Spot, using external AAA was another thing that put me off.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

I hear ya. Glad you found one you like. My 400-R doesn't really have presets. You can dial each LED to its own brightness and it will remember those, and it will go into bright mode if you rub or tap the side but other than that, not many options. The rechargeable feature is good. I use mine to walk the dogs every night and only have to charge it every few months for that. I have a cheap AAA battery Everbright lamp and that one is super heavy compared to the Spot, so the BD still is an upgrade compared to old school stuff. But I'll have to check out the Nitecore next time I'm at REI or another outfitter store..

[@JanMrazek-wk1vr]

Can you replace a battery pack for a fresh one in Spot 400-r? Looks good for ultra run, but I need light for more than 8 hours. Battery pack 1500 mAh is sold separetely but I do not know, if Spot 400-r allows opening and replacement of battery pack. Thanks.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hi Jan, this particular R model only has the lithium battery. There is previous model that can use both a lithium rechargeable battery or AAA batteries. It's called the Spot 400 (no R in the name). From REI: "Dual-Fuel: Power with three AAA Alkaline cells (included) or the rechargeable BD 1500 Li-ion battery and charger (purchased separately) for maximum flexibility". See ya...

[@jasoncabreros]

Hi, I'm interested in this headlamp but but do the lights have memory in terms of brightness and/or last mode used? Cycling through spot, flood, then red to get to red is fine but if spot and flood both turn on at max brightness, that kind of defeats the purpose of going to red.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hi Jason. Yes, you can set the dimness on each of the 3 LEDs and the headlamp will remember your settings. If you want the flood light to be super bright and the spot light super dim, it will remember that. It will also remember the last LED you had it set on, and will turn back on to that. So if you cycle it to the red light, then turn it off, the next time you turn it on, it will be on the red LED.

[@wrennnicodemo6853]

I was hoping to see how to put the batteries in!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hey - this is the 'R' version so it doesn't have a way to put in or replace the battery. It's just a lithium battery that you charge with a USB cord. Good luck!

[@harryleclerc4222]

What do you do if you're out bush and you have no where to charge it? Would a non rechargeable battery variant be better in that case?

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Based on my use with it, it will last several nights before needing to be charged, especially if you don't keep it on the spot light LED. But you would need to bring a portable battery bank with you, like an Anker PowerCore or NiteCore Power Bank. If weight is not a concern, you could bring a secondary headlamp like my $10 Everbright headlamp that takes 3 AAA batteries. That way you'd have a backup. Or if you're camping with a vehicle then you can bring a solar powered battery bank.

[@Major-Tom8]

Hi, thank you for this review. I have a question, if I dim an LED and turn the light off, will it be dimmed when I turn it back on?

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hello! Yes you can dim each LED to your personal preference and the headlamp will remember your settings. It will also remember which LED you used last and come on with that particular one when you turn it back on. I think that's helpful if you want it to be on the red LED to preserve your night vision.

[@Major-Tom8]

@@camphikelivecalifornia3864 Great, this lamp seems versatile. I have the impression that the power tap function can be disturbing and triggers unintentionally... Thanks for your answer.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

@@Major-Tom8 There was another use in the comment section of this video that said they had a malfunctioning Powertap. But I've never had a problem with mine. If you get one that has too much of a hair trigger I would just exchange it for another one.

[@iliveinthewoods]

Will it turn on the red light first? It's hard to preserve your night vision if the white light comes on first.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Yes it can do this. Just turn the light on, cycle through to the red LED, then turn the light off. The light keeps a memory of where you last left off, and will turn back on with the red LED.

[@JayceBarillaro203]

If you are using the flood beam, will PowerTap activate the spot light? I like to use a flood as my "default" light, and would love to be able to quickly tap for a spotlight when I hear or notice something in the distance, but I haven't found any review yet that could confirm what exactly happens when you activate PowerTap on flood... does the spot come on or does it just boost the flood to max brightness?

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hi Jayce, the PowerTap does turn the spot light on full blast, if you normally just have the flood light on. I think the flood light stays on when you tap it, but the spot light adds to it, so that you have two lights going at the same time. Then when you tap it again, it just goes back to the flood light. Basically it does exactly what you want it to do, based on your description. I used it they way you're talking about, to just briefly have more light, when walking the dogs. The coyotes area always prowling around looking for dogs to grab during their walks.

[@JayceBarillaro203]

@@camphikelivecalifornia3864 Sweet, sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!

[@makb5354]

Thanks for instructions. I just got BD Storm R 500 and Petzl 700. I am trying to decide which one to keep. 700 is better for dark winter trails and distant open fields in Petzl but it is complete pain to open in new redesign to charge battery which is why went back to get BD. 500 is less than 600 lumens but battery lasts longer and can be externally charged. I couldn't figure out hot to get SOS to work for the life of God, so thank you for your easy instructions.

[@jayrann19]

Hpu If you hold down the cycle button on the red it'll go to red, green ans blue colors as well. Just don't know if you knew that since you didn't mention it on your video. Other then that good review.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

No I wasn't aware of that feature. I'm out of town. I'll trying it when I get home. Thanks!

[@randyg4]

Just saw these comments to figure out how to cycle through on my new headlamp, thx!!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

@@randyg4 cool, hope it helped!

[@eleveneleven831]

Hey Juan! I tried to switch between R B and G but nothing happened Is it really an option? Thanks, p

[@KTMsoldier1988]

How powerful is the red-light. For hunting i prefer walking in the woods with a red-light as it doesn't spook the animals. Are we thinking like 20 yards max beam or does it cast further?

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hello - the red light is not very powerful. It's only good for doing camping tasks that are right in front of you. Unless it's super dark, I don't think it would be the best for illuminating a path in front of you. I made another video on this channel about testing the Spot 400-R at camp and you can kinda see in that one how well the red light performs. I'm pretty sure my AAA battery Everbright $10 headlamp has a brighter red LED than the BD does though!

[@mikayladoe7871]

I know this is an old comment but if you're deer hunting, you should try out a green light. While red light spooks less than white, deer can't see green light at all!

[@HomesteadingNB]

does it remember your last setting low on red or does it always default

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hello - It remembers your last setting, and if I recall, it even remembers the brightness you set it to. Take care!

[@HomesteadingNB]

@@camphikelivecalifornia3864 Thanks! I am thinking this is going to be my next headlamp

[@mariuszsz.9543]

I have a question to Author: When I increase my Spot 400-r to max power on firs LED (wid angle) then it goes to highest power but..... with every single minutes it goes down and down to some lower lever (I have measure that in about 50cm from lamp and at the beginning it shows about 220 lx but after about 10min it is about 110lx). Is this a normal behavior, some "energy saving mode" ???? Test performed with full charged battery !!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Hello. That doesn't sound normal. Next time I charge my battery I'll try to replicate this phenomenon and report back. What temperature are you operating your headlamp at?

[@mariuszsz.9543]

@@camphikelivecalifornia3864 I made my test in temperature about 12°C so for sure IT was not overheated. Plesae make your test and let me (us) know. It is new lamp and I am wondering if maybe it is broken somehow.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

@@mariuszsz.9543 hello - I tested it indoors at 24°C. I placed my headlamp on my desk, then shined the wide angle light onto a white piece of printer paper next to it, at full brightness. I then shot a time lapse video of the light's footprint on the paper for 5 minutes, using my iPhone. When I reviewed the footage I could tell no difference in brightness over that time period. I also noticed no difference in brightness using my naked eye. Your headlamp does sound like it is either defective, or it was less efficient from the lower temperature. In general batteries tend to not perform as well at lower temperatures. If the same phenomenon happens to your lamp indoors then I would consider replacing it.

[@mariusa5754]

Is there a way to make it turn on straight to the red light from off?

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Yeah, you just have to turn the light on, press the LED selection button until the red light is on, then turn the light back off. Now when you turn it back on it will start with the red light. As long as you leave it on the red setting, it will always turn on in that setting. It just remembers whatever light you used last and turns on with that light when you hit the power button.

[@poruatokin]

AFAIK, if the batteries are changed, all memory settings will be lost.

[@mandownunder3600]

is it the same with spot 400? Coz ur using spot R 400. Id like the sos feature.available here is the Spot 400.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

I think the R is just marketing that it has a red LED in it.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

@@gov3rningeight sweet thanks man!

[@muntasirthalib8159]

R mean rechargable, without ( r ) you must using 3 aaa baterry

[@tylersmith2799]

The touch button drives me crazy on this light. I thought it was broken at first, because if you have it around your neck (so you're not blinding everyone around you when you look at them), then your neck/chest will activate that button and it will randomly flash bright-dim-bright-dim-etc. I think I'm going to return it just for that reason. Everything else about the light is great, but idk what they were thinking with a touch sensitive area like that. Stupid.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

That sucks - it shouldn't be THAT sensitive. I've used mine for hours at a time when I'm cooking, eating, and getting ready for bed at camp and whether it's around my neck or on my head it doesn't activate that PowerTap function. So maybe try to exchange it for a different one; yours sounds defective, unfortunately.

[@natureb2267]

I picked one up used from REI and the main light is busted but otherwise the unit is usable. The lock out function I think will be helpful in my case.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

@@natureb2267 You know I was up in Los Padres and I did manage to accidentally turn it on somehow, so I guess the lock function does have a purpose!

[@coloradosheets]

Me too! BAM! you're in MAX brightness mode. I felt like literally any amount of touch on that side of the lamp and BAM! it goes into max brightness mode. I love everything else about this headlamp but might return it for this very reason. And if you're thinking, "well, just don't touch that side and you'll be fine", then you're not realizing how often you touch your head lamp. For example, your buddy asks you a question, you turn your head to look at them and to avoid blinding them, you instinctively slide your headlamp to the side, BAM! you're in max brightness mode. Or for example, you are standing up to go water the bushes, you realize your beam is pointed downward, you reach to adjust the lamp upward and BAM! you're in max brightness mode. Or for example, it's getting chilly and you're wondering if you should go ahead and put on your thermals and, BAM! you're in MAX brightness mode. Or you're about to fall asleep, you're contemplating your route tomorrow, BAM! full brightness. WTF black diamond, surely you teste....BAM! full brightness. WTF, make it stop plea...BAM! full brightness. It's that sensitive. You make up your own mind, hope this was helpful. And if you're reading this, I know what you're thinking. You're expecting me to say BAM! again. I won't do it. I'm not a gear whor...BAM!! full brightness.

[@pysvtfa4]

😂😂😂

[@joanrusche6918]

Thank you. Just bought mine today and like you said, the directions aren’t clear.

[@JLeemvp]

Battery latch on mine broke first time I tried to change battery….it’s a good headlamp I’m just surprised how cheaply made the latch is …tiny piece of plastic

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Damn, that sucks....sorry about that. The headlamp in the video is the 'R' version which just has a lithium battery that you charge via USB. So you never have to take it out. I don't know if it's even possible to take it out on this model. Maybe replace yours with this model so you don't have to deal with that default...

[@MunroMcLaren]

Yeah, but how can I put the batteries in. Like mine is defaulty. I can’t open the compartment.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

This particular model only has an internal lithium battery. You cannot take it out. The regular BD Spot 400 allows you to replace its battery. You can either put 3 AAA batteries in it or buy a lithium rechargeable battery for it. Good luck!

[@cellslave]

When I turn the light on it works fine for about 5 seconds. Then without me doing anything the light dims. In the dark this feature makes this lamp useless. I only get 5 seconds of good light, no matter what. I'm about to throw this in the garbage. How do I get the bright light to stay on, and not dim?

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

If it's dimming itself like that then it's defective and you should exchange it for a another one. Sorry!

[@maciek600r]

Can ordinary AAA batteries be used in this flashlight if there is no electricity in the area?

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Unfortunately not on this model. I use an Anker PowerCore to recharge it. But I used it the other night at camp and just one night's use didn't draw much off the battery. The manufacture states that on 'medium' mode (the flood LED with medium brightness, is what I'm assuming) it will last 8 hours, or if you dim the flood LED all the way down it will last 225 hours. So as long as you just use it here and there, you can probably go a few nights on the same charge.

[@SupTim1]

The lightsaber flashlight commercial is a scam

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Haven't seen that one. Take care!

[@poruatokin]

Can't believe they are still marketing this with micro USB in 2022.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

What are the other companies using instead? This headlamp is rated to work for 30 minutes underwater for up to 1 meter in depth, meaning its charge port is pretty water tight. It might lose its IP67 rating if it uses a different type of port.

[@poruatokin]

@@camphikelivecalifornia3864 Nope, incorrect. USB-C is in common use on other brands such as Nitecore. Most modern phones with USB-C are rated higher at IP68. Just a case of Black Diamond being lazy.

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

@@poruatokin cool - thanks for the info!

[@coloradosheets]

Agreed, and i bought mine in 2023, still micro USB. What the heck... can I please get rid of my old chargers already??

[@MenschVonEden]

thanks a lot! i just bought it. but as you said - the directions kinda suck :)

[@UAPReportingCenter]

The battery compartment is impossible to open!

[@lextalionis3754]

"Kinda suck?" You are being kind. They really suck BADLY!!! Like, they virtually do not exist.

[@smacnamee595]

The instructions are crap. Good video

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

thank you!

[@fish2ski]

thank you - the instructions that come with it are worthless

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Yeah, they're a bit tricky. I assume these manufactures just think someone on youtube will figure it out!

[@forrestnorman9359]

The black diamond is garbage. It has so many settings you can’t keep them straight in the field. It won’t hold the highest level brightness with a simple click (or two or three) - and is the most frustrating piece of equipment i own for the field. I would not recommend it for anyone.

[@collariautomotive9876]

Love mine. Simple and easy to use. Buttons are big enough so you can press them with gloves on. Also with a wee bit of reconfiguring the strap, it can be worn on your chest or backpack. Very bright!

[@camphikelivecalifornia3864]

Sorry to hear that Forrest. They make simpler models with less bells and whistles which have the benefit of being cheaper too!

[@audis6m]

Crap headlamp , long range spot diod burned out very quickly .