Reviews: Black Diamond Spot350 headlamp

Reviews: Black Diamond Spot350 headlamp

Front lamp
Black Diamond Spot350
€34,00, 86 grams. (with three AAA batteries, included)

BD Spot350 Headlamp: Updated Performance for Outdoor Adventures

Black Diamond’s latest update to its Spot headlamp line, while incremental, continues to offer high functionality for backpackers, climbers, trail runners, backcountry skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The Spot350 proved its reliability during a six-day rafting and kayaking expedition down the Green River through Desolation and Gray Canyons, where it illuminated moonless nights with ease. This follows its strong performance on prior adventures, including early-morning starts on a 120 km Grand Canyon backpacking trip and pre-dawn and evening runs during a 151 km traverse of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in Glacier National Park.

Key Updates and Features

Increased Brightness
The primary update in the Spot350 is an increase in maximum brightness to 350 lumens, which projects a beam nearly 300 feet (BD claims 86 meters, or 282 feet). This makes it suitable for:

• Climbers navigating dark descent routes
• Trail runners and backcountry skiers heading out at dawn
• Hikers walking on unlit trails or remote paths

Battery Life and Efficiency
The Spot350 can run for almost four hours at maximum power using three AAA batteries, providing a reliable balance between brightness and endurance for multi-hour outdoor activities.

Versatility
The headlamp’s compact, lightweight design ensures it can be used comfortably across a wide range of conditions, from pre-dawn trail runs to nighttime backcountry navigation. Its combination of beam distance, runtime, and durability makes it a dependable companion for long trips and extreme environments.

Why It Stands Out
Even with an incremental update, the Spot350 maintains the qualities that make the Spot line popular: reliability, ease of use, and versatility. Whether you’re heading out for a short evening hike or a multi-day expedition, this headlamp provides the illumination and performance needed to stay safe and confident in low-light conditions.

Spot350 Headlamp: Design, Controls, and Advanced Features

The Spot350 maintains Black Diamond’s signature low-profile design, making it lightweight and comfortable for extended use. Its intuitive control system features two buttons that simplify operation in the field:

• Large Button: Turns the headlamp on and off. In addition, it adjusts brightness levels in all lighting modes. Double-clicking this button activates the strobe function, which works across all modes.
• Small Button: Toggles between the three main lighting modes: white beam, peripheral white mode, and red light for nighttime vision.

PowerTap Technology

One of the standout features of the Spot350 is Black Diamond’s PowerTap technology, which allows users to tap the right side of the headlamp housing to switch instantly between maximum brightness and the previously set dimming level.

Additionally, the brightness memory function ensures that the headlamp turns on at the same mode and brightness level it was last used, saving time and energy during nighttime activities.

Lighting Modes

• Peripheral White Mode: Produces a wide, even beam at medium intensity, ideal for organizing gear or illuminating a campsite or tent without glare or dark spots in the center.
• Low Power Mode: Outputs 6 lumens, with a beam distance of 8 meters. Black Diamond estimates 200 hours of battery life on three AAA batteries at this setting. In practice, the Spot350 has reliably powered multi-day trips, including extended night hikes and standard camping use, without battery failure.

Safety and Durability Features

• Lock Mode: Prevents accidental activation by pressing both buttons for a few seconds, making it ideal for storage or transport.
• Water Resistance: The Spot350 is IPX8-rated, meaning it is submersible up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, protecting it from rain, splashes, and wet conditions.

The Spot350’s combination of intuitive controls, versatile lighting modes, PowerTap technology, and rugged construction makes it a reliable and user-friendly headlamp for trail runners, backpackers, climbers, and backcountry skiers alike. It’s designed to perform in challenging environments while remaining simple to use, even in the dark.

Comfort and Practicality

The thin headband of the Spot350 is wide and adjustable, providing comfort for hours of use without causing pressure or slipping. The battery compartment is designed for convenience: it opens easily with a small lever and a simple rotation, requiring no tools, making battery replacement quick and hassle-free even on the trail.

Comparison with Spot325

The Spot350 offers slightly higher maximum brightness compared to the Spot325, but the difference is minimal and generally imperceptible in most outdoor conditions. This small improvement, combined with other features, makes the Spot350 a more versatile choice for demanding adventures.

Verdict

Although the Spot350 is not rechargeable, it delivers excellent performance for its weight, price, and functionality. Its brightness, versatility, intuitive controls, and lightweight design make it a top choice for ultralight backpackers, hikers, climbers, trail runners, backcountry skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. It balances reliability and convenience in a compact, durable package.

Protect Your Eyes on Outdoor Adventures

When heading outdoors, eye protection is just as important as proper lighting. DEMON has developed a line of technical glasses designed specifically for outdoor adventures. These glasses provide:

• UV protection to shield eyes from harmful sun rays
• Impact resistance for rough terrains and accidental contact
• Anti-fog and ventilation features for clear vision in humid or high-intensity activities
• Comfortable fit for long days of hiking, climbing, running, or skiing

Pairing a reliable headlamp like the Spot350 with high-quality technical glasses ensures that you can see clearly and protect your eyes, allowing you to focus fully on your outdoor experience.