Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp Review

The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a compact, ergonomic, and waterproof headlamp with multiple settings, including white light to 400 lumens, red night-vision, and strobe modes. Additions like the digital lock feature and power tap technology make this one of the top picks for any type of outing from multiple nights to thru-hike and should be in your pack as part of the Ten Essentials every time you venture forth. 

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp At a Glance

MSRP: $64.95
Weight: 86 grams/3 ounces
IPX Rating: IP67
Battery: BD 1500 Li-ion/micro USB
Charging Time: Under two hours

Circumstances of Review

I have used the Black Diamond Spot headlamp for nearly all of my backpacking career, even though I’ve found some of its features frustrating (like it getting accidentally turned on in my backpack, draining the battery completely and leaving me without light at some critical moment). Also, I was never able to remember which buttons to press to get the light I desired on that headlamp.

So it’s been a delight to test an updated version of this superior workhorse of a headlamp. 

Not only can the Spot 400-R be powered by either disposable or rechargeable batteries, but its dual-button system is ridiculously easy to use and the digital lock means I will never get benighted without a source of illumination. 

I took the Spot 400-R with me on the Pyrenean Haute Route this summer. I am not normally a night hiker, so used the headlamp only for evening pee runs and in the one refuge I stayed in during a thunderstorm. 

The light is easy to use, is bright enough to find your way around in a pitch-dark forest, and holds its charge well. It’s so light and compact that it fits easily in my backpack’s brain for easy access.

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp Features

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Features

• Rechargeable 
• 400 lumens 
• “Repreve” fiber headband
• Waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes
• Full strength in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red night-vision, and digital lock mode settings, plus “PowerTap” technology
• Battery meter
• Brightness memory
• Multifaceted optical efficiency lens technology
• Digital lock

Brightness

This Spot has been updated with a more efficient lens that not only provides brighter light with more peak intensity but also saves battery life. It has one powerful beam, with 400 lumens, and when set to high, reaches 100 meters — a big improvement from the older models. 

The light is focused and intense enough to reveal every rock and root on the trail, but you won’t make many friends in the shelter if you leave that white beam on. But get this: the easily switched-on red night vision has both dimming and strobe modes and activates without cycling through the white mode. Your sheltermates will appreciate it!

Settings

Settings include full strength in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red night-vision, and digital lock mode. The two-button setup is a vast improvement from past Spot headlamps, where I felt as if I needed to memorize an array of button pushing and holding to change from white to red light. The lock feature, too, is a godsend after burning through my older Spots, which always seemed to be accidentally turned on by some errant item in my pack. 

Brightness Memory

Another neat addition is “brightness memory,” which allows you to turn off the headlamp and return to the same mode you left. Black Diamond has also added a nifty feature called “Power Tap,” which allows you to quickly transition from any setting to full, immediately and with only a light tap. That rustle in the brush you heard and want to check out is just a light tap away. 

IPX Rating

IP stands for “Ingress Protection” and indicates how well a product protects against dust and water, which can obviously impede its functionality. IP67 indicates the headlamp is “waterproof” but only for short periods in water under pressure, specifically one meter (three feet) for 30 minutes. The upshot is the light can get wet and dirty before it stops working.

Battery Life

The Spot Headlamp is powered by a 1500 mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery that lasts for around four hours set on high with double that at lower settings. I found it charged fast — under two hours — through a micro-USB port (cord included), and the charge lasted even longer than I’d anticipated. The six-setting, three-LED battery meter shows the percentage of power left. Since I rarely use my light to hike and only for brief periods at night, I didn’t recharge it for a solid month! 

Comfort

The adjustable headband is made from soft Repreve, a recycled and sustainable performance fiber that makes you feel good about saving the planet by inches and is wicking, water-resistant, and odor-resistant to boot.

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Pros

Ultralight

At three ounces, this headlamp is average in weight. You could go lighter but might give up some comfort. The headband is thin and folds around the lamp to fit into your palm. 

Fast Charging Time

Under two hours is pretty sweet. I have always been nervous about adding more devices to be charged on top of my PLB and phone, but this light held its charge, and I would trust it for a night hike. I also feel like I’m doing something for the environment when you figure the lifetime of a rechargeable is equivalent to something like 900 batteries!

Multifunctional

The Spot offers proximity and distance lenses, dimming, and most importantly, red night-vision modes. I’ve never had to use the strobe, but it’s there should I need it. 

Waterproof

Unto every thru-hike, a little rain – or more likely a lot of rain – must fall. You will never, ever keep your headlamp dry or free of dust, so best that the compartments are tightly sealed. 

Price

The Spot is about 25 percent less expensive than other headlamps in its class.  

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Cons

Weight: Three ounces is reasonable for most hikers, but you can find something significantly lighter that will still meet your needs if you’re an ultralight enthusiast.

Micro-USB: As more and more electronics move toward USB-C ports, hikers dream of the day when they can just carry one type of charging cord to power up all their electronics. Alas, the 400-R still uses a micro-USB port.

Hard to open battery case (non-rechargeable Spot only): More on this below, but opening the battery case on the non-rechargeable Spot is really difficult due to the hard plastic, and I typically had to pry it open with my spoon.

Black Diamond Spot vs. Black Diamond Spot 400-R

Black Diamond Spot At a Glance

MSRP: $49.95
Weight: 88 grams/3.1 ounces (with batteries)
IPX Rating: IP8
Battery: Dual Fuel technology: BD rechargeable battery pack (sold separately) or three AAA batteries (included)

Black Diamond also sent me the non-rechargeable version of the Spot headlamp so I could directly compare them.

The differences in specs between the two headlamps are negligible. The 400-R weighs only slightly less and is USB-rechargeable rather than using disposable batteries. It really comes down to preference. 

I do want to point out here that the older Spot was nearly impossible to open to insert batteries. I used my titanium spoon to pry it apart. The updated design is far simpler, but alas, my spoon continues to get a workout since my nails are nothing against the hard plastic! 

Most notably, the non-rechargeable Spot is less expensive than the 400-R.

Conclusion

There’s a reason that the Black Diamond Spot headlamps are so well-regarded. They’re easy to use, multifunctional, lightweight, waterproof, and a workhorse. In the long run, the rechargeable Spot 400-R will probably save you money since you will not need to buy or dispose of batteries. Whichever power source you choose, the bright light will keep you safe on your next outdoor adventure.

Shop the Black Diamond Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp

Shop the Black Diamond Spot 400 (Non-Rechargeable)

Comparable Headlamps

Petzl Actik CORE

• MSRP: $85
• Weight: 88 g

Nitecore NU25

• MSRP: $37
• Weight: 56 g

Biolite 800 Pro

• MSRP: $100
• Weight: 150 g

The Black Diamond Spot and Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp were donated for purpose of review