Black Diamond Spot 200 Lumens Head Torch: This is a great new head torch. Black Diamond have boosted the output on their new model from 130 to 200 lumens whilst still producing great battery life (claimed 50 hours at 200 lumens with a claimed distance of 80 metres). It also has many other brightness settings as well as a red LED. It weighs <90 grams with 3 AAA batteries. It is also waterproof. It is available from US$30.
Maybe due to increasing age/cataracts etc I had been having trouble focusing on various inside jobs I have to do during the current wet weather with my old head torch. This one has solved that problem. I admit it has somewhat of a ‘clunky’ appearance, but I am no beauty myself! It works brilliantly. Fiordland NZ snaps in background.
What they say about it: ‘Our most popular headlamp for everything from pre-work dawn patrols to late-night rappels after a long day, the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp now features 200 lumens of power in a waterproof package. Featuring PowerTap Technology, easy on-the-fly brightness adjustments are literally at the tip of your fingers. At first touch, the proximity light is illuminated, eliminating the headlamp shuffle when transitioning from camp tasks to low-light activities. With a handy lock mode, the Spot is safe from accidental battery drain while in your pack or pocket.
One Triple Power LED, one Single Power white LED and one Single Power red LED emits 200 lumens (max setting)
PowerTap Technology allows fast and simple transitioning between full and dimmed power in order to instantly increase illumination in distance or proximity modes
Red night-vision mode has proximity and strobe settings, and activates without cycling through the white mode
Sleek, low profile design uses three AAA batteries and three-level power meter shows remaining battery life for three seconds after switching on headlamp
Settings include: full strength in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red night vision and lock mode
IPX8: Waterproof—Tested to operate up to 1.1 meters underwater for 30 minutes. If submerged, water may enter the battery compartment and it will still operate, and it should be dried out completely afterwards.’
