Black Diamond Spotlite Headlamp 160 Lumen (New 2019)

I own two of these, one lives in my flight bag for night flying and the other goes in my EDC bag. I own and use the larger Spot 300 for SAR but when I’m not looking for a missing this is my go to headlamp. I like how it only takes two AAA’s and overall offers a lot of light output for the weight. While I EDC the brighter 1000 lumen Olights in my pocket you rarely need that much light. Having red light, white light, and a pulse/ strobe mode with a modest output makes this a really good choice for a headlamp.

I own 5 headlamps, from no-name generics to name brands. Each has its place. The heavy no-names are great to throw in a car/truck glove box or trunk for changing tires, bringing in groceries late at night, or setting up camp. They're cheap and bulletproof but heavy - not ideal for backpacking or trail running.That's where this one comes in. It's more expensive than the generic options but is the lightest option I've found so far. With batteries, my next-favorite Energizer Vision HD+ weighs 2.7oz. The Spot Lite 160 is only 1.9oz, and you can get that down to 1.7oz if you use lithium batteries (which I do). It's so light you can barely tell you're wearing it. Perfect for backpacking!The only thing I don't like is the buttons. It's a little clumsy to turn on, especially with gloves.

I have used the Storm model for a few years and I am very happy with it but this spot model is great! I have beat the crap out of them and If your cost and weight minded like me but still want a quality headlamp then try the spot. I am buying another one after this review to keep in my minimalist bug out bag. The other will stay in my car or very close as I do use them almost daily. I will also use the second one to bring on trail runs or when I run early in the morning. I am very pleased and if anyone is even reading this then you are overthinking it. It is a great weight/cost headlamp. You will not be disappointed.

Could not open the battery compartment at first. Diagram in the instructions bears no relation to reality - found a couple of videos online, but they just glossed over it. Eventually found a picture of it open, and was adle to figure it out from that. Everything else is excellent.

Bottom line: lightweight, simple, bright, but the waterproof rating is completely dishonest, and it stopped working after about 3 months.I bought this primarily for pre-dawn running. I have another BD headlamp - it's fantastic but heavier than I wanted for running. So was looking for something lightweight of similar quality. This looked like a great option and for the first 2 months I was thinking I'd be writing a 4- or 5-star review titled "best headlamp for runners." Unfortunately I soon discovered that, though I hadn't run in heavy rain, it was getting water in the battery compartment from drizzle and even from sweat and/or condensation on my head and hat on cold/dry days. I dried it off and cleaned off the battery corrosion, but it just doesn't work anymore. It won't stay on while running...constantly turning off and sometimes won't even turn back on. Seems others have a had a similar problem (turns off with any jarring) so it may have been the moisture, or it may be a bad switch or something else. Not the Black Diamond quality I'm used to. I'd recommend looking for something else.

This basic version offered by Black Diamond cost about $9 more than my budget Energizer headlamp but I can see why. Although both are basic headlamps, the Black Diamond 160 is lighter, more compact, and better built, particularly the battery housing (the Energizer battery housing is cheaply made and I feel like it's going to break every time I change the batteries).

Great headlamp to keep Un the car to use as a backup if my main one is lost or battery is dead.

I originally purchased a Spot Lite 160 headlamp for my son since it is small, lightweight and uses just two AAA batteries. He liked it so much (and I did too after playing with it a bit) that I bought one for myself and my other child.It isn't the brightest headlamp on the market, by far, but the white LED and red LED are perfect for camping and emergency use around the house.

I've used a lot of headlamps over the years, including many that have separate switches for red and white light. Even so, I've all too often pushed the wrong button and ruined my dark adaption.Additionally, all the lights have been way too bright. So the ability to dim the lights is an important feature. However, whilst there are many good torches that dim right down, there seem to be few such headlamps, that I prefer when observing alone.The best I've found are some of the 2019 Black Diamonds. Confusingly, although the model name (but not the number) remains the same, many have been totally redesigned for 2019 with two buttons instead of just one.One of the great things about them is that only the larger button turns the headlamp on; the smaller button just changes from red to white, but nothing happens when you press it if the headlamp is off.Additionally, they remember the last setting you used before turning off. For instance, if you finished with the red light at its dimmest setting, that's what you get when you turn it back on.Set up like this it means that it's impossible to turn anything on at the start but the dimmest red light - whatever button you push.Not all the 2019 Black Diamond two button range are suitable for us though. Some of them have battery check LEDs that light up when you first switch on. The problem is they're bright blue! Also note that the poorly-named Astro model doesn't have a red light.I've bought two models, the Cosmo 225 and the Spot Lite 160, that use 3AAA and 2AAA batteries respectively. The numbers represent the max. brightness in lumens.Surprisingly, the red light on the Cosmo 225 goes dimmer than that on the Spot Lite 160, although this may just be a sample variation. The former is also on special offer at the moment because a new model, the Cosmo 250 has just been launched, that seems to be identical but has a higher output. I haven't tested this.So for the first time I'm satisfied with a headlamp for astronomy and can thoroughly recommend the Black Diamond Spot Lite 160 and, possibly better still, theCosmo 225.Either of these should also be suitable for my fishing and camping as they have a waterproof rating of IPX8. This means that they can work for at least 30 minutes submerged to a depth of 1.1 metres (3 1/2 feet). However do note the battery compartment itself isn't waterproof and will need drying out.To sum up, I've looked for years for a suitable headlamp for astronomy - at last I found it!

I have the 325 version of this headlamp in the same colouring. It is fantastic - very bright and easy to slot in new batteries when you are out and about (3 aaa) instead of having to wait to recharge. My daughter wanted something similar to mine for when we are out walking at night but lighter as she is little. This lite version is great value. Same style and quality as my headlamp, just lighter, smaller (2 aa), it is less bright (but still perfect for walking at night) and quarter the price of the other version. They both are good and both have their uses. If you are a heavy user of headlamps and need the extra brightness, I would recommend the 325 instead, but for children or occasional use for night walking, this is the same quality and still great.

Of all the head torches I have used, this has to be the best.Simple to use/operate. Comfortable to wear for a long time.you can adjust the brightness, there is a red diode as well as white.Can clip it onto a belt or waistband if you need to, for like when running at night.On max brightness, it can light up a path for about 150, nearly 200 meters.Comes with 2 AAA batteries as well.

Managed to pick this up for £13 which was a bargain. Needed a headlamp with red light for 'tactical activities' but didn't want to just buy some £5 junk model. Being able to set the colour and brightness and have it remember that setting when you turn it on again is just what I need. Reputable brand, great functionality, small size and mine was a great price.

Great head torch for reasonable price. Exactly what I needed and can see no difference to more costly options from high street camping stores. Really happy! I recommend