Headlamps - How many Lumens

http://eu.blackdiamondequipment.com/en/climbing%2Fheadlamps/storm-BD620611VBORALL1.html 160 lumens on max power, has three power settings on mine, looks like the new one has four, unless it counts the strobe as the fourth. low power is usually enough for walking at night, high power is only if you need a search light to see a distance i've also got one of these which is more overkill. 320 lumens on max power http://eu.blackdiamondequipment.com/en/climbing%2Fheadlamps/icon-headlamp-BD620617ALUMALL1.html#start=4 you've got a spot lamp for longer directional lighting , and smaller leds for wider lighting never had a problem with them, batteries last for ages, no worries about using them all night for several nights.. petzl make some good lamps as well. and lenser i'd heard princeton werent so reliable.

Thanks @waynowski ANother thing I was meaning to ask. A lot of them don't seem to have a third band going over the head. The hut-strength headlamp I have now have the third strap and I feel like not having this would cause it to slip down. Is it just personal preference?

oh right so now you're insinuating my strapon isnt strong enough... hmmph the icon has an extra strap over the top. i think it comes down to where the battery pack is, if its at the back they tend to be bigger than the ones in the front unit, then they tend to throw a strap over the top to stop it slipping down. i've never had a problem with any of my strapons however...

Tried walking in the dark with 70lm and could not see the next marker in some situations where the track was not easy to follow. I found a 120 much better. Both Black Diamonds but the x4 battery models can be front heavy. Battery life is pretty good as a rule but even the so-called 'lockable' models are flawed as I found it had still turned itself on in my pack! Just bought the UCO A-120 Comfort Fit Headlamp because it has an adjusting dial and an easy off position that can't be turned on by pressure. The battery pack is on the back so nicely balanced, no need for a top strap. Time will tell if it's worth the dosh. A 100+ lumens headlamp is more versatile but must be adjustable and preferably have a 'last setting' memory. BD doesn't seem to offer that. Some degree of waterproofing would be desirable.

Good points thanks. Considering I did the Caves route in the Whirinaki Forest from Central Hut to Upper Hut overnight in August with this headlamp (which Torpedo7 used to sell), anything else is going to be a lot better. $5 hut torch http://www.dhgate.com/store/product/19-led-bright-waterproof-headlamps-head-light/158004767.html http://image.dhgate.com/albu_333908429_00/1.0x0.jpg

I have a Black Diamond headlamp, not sure which model. (Found it somewhere a couple of years ago) It's best feature by far is a 'safety off' mode. Hold the on/off button down for more than about 5 seconds and a blue light flashes and it's off. It now can't be turned on unless you hold the on/off button down for at least 5 seconds, so it can't turn on by mistake in your pack. Well worth it. In my experience, with these LED headlamps, about the only way they are unreliable is if they turn themselves on in your pack and drain the batteries. Not sure if all Black Diamond models have this feature, it's worth checking for. Edit: Black Diamond models showing now are all different than the one I have, looks like they call the 'safety off' mode 'lock mode'. I wonder if other brands include this feature?

Hey Waynowski ! How come your Black Diamond Storm Headlight has about double the burn time on QuadPower (range 70m) versus when on SinglePower LED (7m) ?. Seems R's about face from what I'd expect ?.

possibly its refering to the multiple wide ange led's versus the single spot led. usually only need the multiple wide ones on low power for close up stuff.

@Ian_H my first BD 70 didn't have a lock mode and I eventually stored it in a plastic honey container to stop it turning on in the pack. I then splashed out and bought the BD Spot 130 with 'lock mode'. Despite ensuring the blue light flashed, it still ended up turning itself on! What are the chances of something in my pack applying 6 seconds of continuous pressure directly on the switch? Apparently this has happened to others with the same model. I've gone off BD a bit...