The Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp

[@deirdrethegood9840]

I have one and love it. My only issue is that opening the battery compartment isn’t intuitive. When I got it I had to bring it to a store that sold them (even though I had ordered mine) TJ ask how to open it and they couldn’t figure it out either. I finally found this video which only sort of shows you and I have to come back and watch it every time I need to charge my batteries because I forget how, which isn’t always possible while hiking. I only saw one other person complaining about this. Are some of these more difficult to open than others?

[@barbarascheck6519]

I just spent an hour trying to find instructions online for this headlamp. I also didn't know how to open the battery case, even though it looked obvious. It did not easily open, and since I tend to break things when I'm too rough, I didn't want to chance breaking this headlamp. Glad I found this video! All I had to do was pull harder on the side tab. Funny thing happened when I pulled the headstrap piece away from the battery case.... it made a sound, and a frog outside answered, LOL!

[@chocolate_squiggle]

Dimmer for the win! I have many headlamps but my old LedLenser Seo5 is my go-to light for night trail running because of the manual focus AND the dimming feature. Sadly they've removed dimming from their newer torches, which is inexplicable. One of my two Seo's has failed after many years so I'm on the lookout for replacements. Few lights these days seem to have the dimming feature, I've seen forum comments of people complaining it's a gimmick which I just don't understand; if they don't want to use it they don't have to use it, but it's absolutely invaluable for me. I can dial it up for rocky/technical or fast downhill terrain, and dial it back when I'm tired trudging slowly up a long hill - large amounts of unnatural cold light glaring back up off the ground gets to you after a while in that situation at 4am. You just want a minimum usable amount but there's no one-size-fits-all - it depends entirely on the trail you're on. Somewhere in the middle is perfect for narrow single track paths where I don't need to see far ahead but still need more than campsite lighting to jog safely. I adjust the brightness levels constantly on my runs according to the type of trail I'm moving on. So great job Black Diamond, I'll be checking out this dimmable light and the rest of your range soon.

[@vincentkrause7097]

Hope that the lockoff feature really works, my old Spot lamp from 2015 had the tendency to get turned on in a full bag 'EVEN in lockout mode.

[@13Maverik]

Just ordered some to replace our old Spots from 2013 or so. Can't wait.

[@markfletcher8084]

I like it except it is slightly difficult to open battery compartment.

[@michaelsrowland]

i think they all are.

[@colinthompson5881]

Dimming and power tap look great. A usb version would be good though, replaceable usb battery so you can still use batteries would be perfect.

[@dp0350]

They already make it, the Revolt 350.

[@chocolate_squiggle]

I had replaceable USB battery in shape of 3xAAA with a LedLenser headlamp, the usb charging port on the battery broke though after only a few uses. And I was careful too as I'd already had the same happen to headphones, my mums phone, an ebook reader, etc. I opened it up and the tiny power pins behind the micro-usb connector had lifted up from the circuit board. Too tiny for my skills to try and fix. So I vastly prefer regular Ni-MH batteries, it's no difference to me having to open it up and plug in a cable, or just throw the AAA's on my desk charger when I get home. And the Ni-MH are cheaper, still using my 10yo Eneloops although a couple finally starting to fail this year. But 10 years use and still going for shorter night runs is a win for me. I guess the USB can be charged more easily in a car's phone charger or power bank if you're away from home.

[@easypeezie4494]

That would make it near perfect

[@chocolate_squiggle]

The lockout feature is great too. I once thought this was gimmicky, but I HAVE had my old headlamp get accidentally turned on in my bag somehow (pushing up against other gear), so recommend that people always use it now if their lamps have it. Nice piece of mind that you won't arrive with flat batteries.

[@MearsFL]

I just bought the display model from REI for a deep discount, no box or manual so I didn’t know about almost these features!

[@frupartblankcheff4276]

Look at me when you're talking to me! But nice and informative nonetheless.

[@MunroMcLaren]

I can’t open the battery compartment. Like wtf??

[@wdtaut5650]

0:12 and 2:24 "Intuitive" means someone has to show you how to use it.

[@alessandrofirmani700]

If you stare at his eyes you can see his soul leaving

[@_ckr]

A video of a lighting product (flashlight or headlamp) without a few beamshots included is inadequate to me - how am I to judge it's illuminating properties without a beamshot? Also, I am aware that some Spots of the past had poor illumination, with blue beam and a very yellow center. An actual beamshot from this product would help allay this concern. I hope beam color/consistency has been improved with the 350.

[@mia_marie01]

I got this a week ago at REIs sale (for like $25!!) and just used it for camping yesterday. I can say this is 100% a solid light and comparable to my car’s brights. If you want I can send a pic of the illumination tonight. I was just messing with the other features since I didn’t have a ton of time to tinker with it before using because my old one broke and am still seeing spots from accidentally indirectly looking at it on the highest setting like 10 minutes ago

[@AriellaKK]

Are white Eneloops okay to use in these headlamps?

[@_ckr]

I've used Eneloops for years in 200 and 300 generation Spot headlamps, they work fine.

[@litreeo3271]

Is it normal for these to emit a loud, high-pitched screech while they're on? The max brightness is really obnoxious and the dimmer light still whines, but much quieter.

[@Jacksonavenue00]

Mine does the same

[@arnassepetys6606]

To be honest I am not pleased with mine Spot. I have it for two years now. First, to cycle through the light intensity takes ages. And it's inoperable with thicker gloves as on/off button is somewhere deep inside. Also it eats batteries like crazy, using 3 900mah batteries and it gives me an hour max of high beam (in colder weather). What could be an issue?

[@rasmuspedersen3563]

900 mah is very low mate remember cold also have an effect on battery life. I think it sounds reasonable. U have 2700 mah batteries in mine myself

[@michaelsrowland]

is it easy to unlock the casing so you can change the batteries?

[@beckiejani7782]

It wasn't for me at first, which is how I ended up watching this video🤣😂😂. But my daughter got it open for the old lady. Just bought it a couple days ago.

[@soniazanetti4351]

not at all, it’s actually really hard

[@eddiexavier2400]

just got it , my first black diamond headlamp, great , waterproof and light weight , can't say more for $25 bucks, would be great if have USB rechargeable batteries

[@coolray247]

Where did you purchase it?

[@eddiexavier2400]

@@coolray247 my local outdoor shop in Hong Kong

[@dp0350]

They already have a version of this with a rechargeable battery. The Revolt 350.

[@huby44lafy]

Does it tilt ?

[@agentgab00]

@@huby44lafy yes

[@avengerandmarvel8788]

Good nice

[@OscarHernandez-ri9xb]

Does it tilt?

[@agentgab00]

yes

[@Prairiedogadventures]

How much does it tilt?

[@mia_marie01]

@@Prairiedogadventures ok I’m not great at describing things but fully tilted it makes an isosceles triangle with the base (head part), lamp, and empty spot (the distance it moved). Does that help at all?

[@Prairiedogadventures]

@@mia_marie01 Thanks, almost pulled the trigger on one but ended up with a couple of petzls. Though I think the BD spot is a better deal with more features, I have a petzl bike mount that I used for my old headlamp and wasn't sure if the new spots would fit. My wife's old spot does. If I didn't have that particular accessory I would have likely changed brands.

[@joey_outdoors]

@@Prairiedogadventures It tilts enough to put the spot above your field of vision and below if you're reading. You can also tilt your head to direct the beam where you want it to go.

[@marshallq]

Batteries? Really?

[@jessegpresley]

Rechargeable batteries

[@chrisladouceur4093]

I’d prefer batteries

[@avengerandmarvel8788]

Ok

[@cleonett]

Why are you still making non-rechargeable headlamps?

[@jessegpresley]

Rechargeable headlamps have shorter lifespans

[@F3udF1st]

Rechargeable batteries perish over time.

[@JasonFerrari]

I prefer the battery option. rechargeables have limited life span and when they no longer hold a charge, usually you cannot replace them and have to replace the entire headlamp. this headlamp allows options - use my own rechargable batteries, easily replace with backups on the trail or with standard aaa from a convenience store. best of both worlds IMO

[@daveyboy6985]

How long is battery life on full power , using energizer batteries?

[@chocolate_squiggle]

I've had both, the expensive usb rechargeable battery broke after a few uses. My Eneloop rechargeable batteries which work in ANY headlamp are still in use after 10 years. rechargeable lamps are okay as an option, but I personally won't ever buy one unless it can ALSO use regular batteries. THAT is why they still make them - because not everyone wants what you want. Got it?

[@bigvee401]

3x aaa won't last long at 350 lm

[@GetUpTheMountains]

That's why you can dim it, or use one of the lower output modes. 💡

[@billywalker2012]

Wow! Constant yearly updates can’t be Sustainable 🤷🏻‍♂️ ......identical to last years 325 Lumen Version Head torches are Becoming like IPhones 🙆🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@jessegpresley]

So they should just keep making the same one? What's the difference?

[@tomgorycki7176]

Welcome to the outdoor recreation industry!

[@billheavey7261]

I hate this lamp and the crappy instructions. I was an English major, ok? I am not technically savvy. And I can’t even figure out how to open this thing without breaking it to put the batteries in. In.

[@gokuhaswon]

Dislike. If you want better reviews, you should include discussion how to actually set it up to turn it on

[@mia_marie01]

I just put batteries in mine and pressed the big button... came here for info on the bonus features

[@chav2002]

How dumb can you be put the batteries in and and press the big button on top even a monkey could operate this light

[@user-ev8jc7uo1v]

@@chav2002 lmfao

[@tomgorycki7176]

He pretty much walked us through all the features and how to operate. I have one and the owners manual is goofy, but if you watch this video and play around with it, it's pretty easy to figure out. Plus, I walk my dogs at night with it, so I'm very used to the functionality.