I'm of the opposite mindset on the battery argument. I understand the preference for recharging, but I like being able to carry an extra set of batteries and quickly swap them out in the field if needed. AAA batteries don't weigh that much and I don't need to worry about charging the night before, etc. just use it until it dies and swap them as soon as it does.
My problem is that if I am climbing a tree to hunt in the dark, I don't want to have to change batteries in the tree. Since I carry a lot of camera equipment with me to hunt, I have lots of batteries to charge after each hunt. The headlamp just gets charged with everything else and always has plenty of battery to get me through.
I'm looking at the 450 and buying the rechargable battery. That way you are going away for a while without the ability to charge it you can take spare AAAs. Gives you options
@hisnameisiam808 I have another video on my channel where I include a Fenix light. I really enjoy it with the exception that I prefer green over red. My Fenix only has red.
I used a black diamond for years. I recently bought a Petzal Swift RL and love it. The reactive lighting just lengthens the battery life so much. It also has a battery light indicator which is helpful. I have used this thing on a lot of overnight trail runs and couldn’t be happier
Option C: purchase relatively inexpensive rechargeable batteries so you have the option of recharging when you get back from a trip but you retain the ability to throw in readily available OTC aaa batteries if necessary.
Ive been using Black Diamond headlamps now for over 20yrs. I have 35 yrs packing under my belt in the Sierra Nevada, Cascades and Rockies. Not sure which 'Storm' model I have as I got it around 10 yrs ago when I had to 'emergency' pack out on a trail I didnt know and my headlamp could not provide the light needed for a safe travel. The Storm I have takes regular AAA batteries and it does everything I need which includes some night packing on easy trails on a friday night to make the most of a weekend. Not sure of the other benefits of the new model, but I'd skip a proprietary rechargeable battery. Most rechargeable batteries lose the max power eventually, so then what? Buy another $30 replacement? No thanks
It’s baffling to me that in 2024 leading brands are STILL bringing out products that charge with either proprietary standards or USB mini and USB micro… they’re ALWAYS inferior to USB C, but more importantly in segments like camping/hiking, over-landing, construction, etc, they increase the number of cables you need to have on-hand when space is at a premium and multifunctionality is prized.
Great review though, and I can see your point. I actually really like having a water tight removable rechargeable battery pack that can be swapped for disposables in an emergency, as seen on the 450 and some other products. But you’re right; the usb port on the battery pack should be right there when you open the door. Hopefully the next iteration will get that right along with USB C
it's not just headlamps. A lot of not so tech devices still use these older ports and companies do it to save money. It's very annoying to us users and pretty much everyone will be happy to pay 50 cents more and have type C, but releasing such a product will probably have very nagative impact on their older models.
@@jimmyward7038 I agree with you, I would too, but the "average Joe" might just get whatever is cheaper and more also if these companies release a new product which makes their older models unsellable they will lose money. No company or enterprise cares about you as a customer, they only care about their profits.
my opinion is black diamond make every time bad headlamp i have black storm buy in 2014 and i have 4 battery aaa 900 mh (3600) enelop and now make whith to 3 aaa (2700) and where is perfomance ? now my headlamp is almost dead 10 years is to much i try to find another but is hard because perfomance is low
I'm of the opposite mindset on the battery argument. I understand the preference for recharging, but I like being able to carry an extra set of batteries and quickly swap them out in the field if needed. AAA batteries don't weigh that much and I don't need to worry about charging the night before, etc. just use it until it dies and swap them as soon as it does.
My problem is that if I am climbing a tree to hunt in the dark, I don't want to have to change batteries in the tree. Since I carry a lot of camera equipment with me to hunt, I have lots of batteries to charge after each hunt. The headlamp just gets charged with everything else and always has plenty of battery to get me through.
I'm looking at the 450 and buying the rechargable battery. That way you are going away for a while without the ability to charge it you can take spare AAAs. Gives you options
@TheBudgetSportsman then you might like Fenix.
@TheBudgetSportsman you can also buy rechargeable AAAs lol.
@hisnameisiam808 I have another video on my channel where I include a Fenix light. I really enjoy it with the exception that I prefer green over red. My Fenix only has red.
I used a black diamond for years. I recently bought a Petzal Swift RL and love it. The reactive lighting just lengthens the battery life so much. It also has a battery light indicator which is helpful. I have used this thing on a lot of overnight trail runs and couldn’t be happier
Interesting, I don't believe that the petzl lights that I tested last year had that feature.
Option C: purchase relatively inexpensive rechargeable batteries so you have the option of recharging when you get back from a trip but you retain the ability to throw in readily available OTC aaa batteries if necessary.
Good point!
Ive been using Black Diamond headlamps now for over 20yrs. I have 35 yrs packing under my belt in the Sierra Nevada, Cascades and Rockies. Not sure which 'Storm' model I have as I got it around 10 yrs ago when I had to 'emergency' pack out on a trail I didnt know and my headlamp could not provide the light needed for a safe travel. The Storm I have takes regular AAA batteries and it does everything I need which includes some night packing on easy trails on a friday night to make the most of a weekend. Not sure of the other benefits of the new model, but I'd skip a proprietary rechargeable battery. Most rechargeable batteries lose the max power eventually, so then what? Buy another $30 replacement? No thanks
It’s baffling to me that in 2024 leading brands are STILL bringing out products that charge with either proprietary standards or USB mini and USB micro… they’re ALWAYS inferior to USB C, but more importantly in segments like camping/hiking, over-landing, construction, etc, they increase the number of cables you need to have on-hand when space is at a premium and multifunctionality is prized.
Great review though, and I can see your point. I actually really like having a water tight removable rechargeable battery pack that can be swapped for disposables in an emergency, as seen on the 450 and some other products. But you’re right; the usb port on the battery pack should be right there when you open the door.
Hopefully the next iteration will get that right along with USB C
I agree with all your points. USB-C charging would be nice.
it's not just headlamps. A lot of not so tech devices still use these older ports and companies do it to save money. It's very annoying to us users and pretty much everyone will be happy to pay 50 cents more and have type C, but releasing such a product will probably have very nagative impact on their older models.
@@ТониАндреевI’d probably be willing to spend another $10-15 just for USB-C, I mean cmon it’s 2024.
@@jimmyward7038 I agree with you, I would too, but the "average Joe" might just get whatever is cheaper and more also if these companies release a new product which makes their older models unsellable they will lose money. No company or enterprise cares about you as a customer, they only care about their profits.
So when the battery dies in the 500r it becomes Trash can Fodder ? since you can't replace the battery think I will stick with the 450
I have a question, what do you think about it black diamond distance LT1100 ?
I have never used that model.
What about the spot 400r?
It looks like a nice little unit. I may be mistaken but I think it only has red for colors and I prefer to have a green option.
@@TheBudgetSportsman I wish they would just make it so the 450 could charge without having to take out the battery. Grrr
my opinion is black diamond make every time bad headlamp i have black storm buy in 2014 and i have 4 battery aaa 900 mh (3600) enelop and now make whith to 3 aaa (2700) and where is perfomance ? now my headlamp is almost dead 10 years is to much i try to find another but is hard because perfomance is low
I think 10 years is great for a headlamp!
@@TheBudgetSportsman my choice is storm 400 spot is only i'm sure i have light long time