Rechargeable Ultralight Headlamps
Black Diamond Astro 300-R
$40, 2.6 oz./75g
backcountry.com
Black Diamond Astro 300
$20, 2.6 oz./75g
blackdiamondequipment.com
How easy and cheap a headlamp would you like for the backcountry? Or to border the query from a distinct angle: How complicated a headlamp do you want? Utilizing Black Diamond’s rechargeable Astro 300-R and the optionally rechargeable, battery-powered Astro 300 on a pair of backpacking journeys within the Canadian Rockies—the Skyline Path in Jasper Nationwide Park and the Nigel, Cataract, and Cline Passes Route within the White Goat Wilderness—in addition to a four-day hike within the Wind River Range and tenting at Idaho’s Metropolis of Rocks Nationwide Reserve, I turned very acquainted with the strengths and shortcomings of two of at this time’s most reasonably priced ultralight headlamps.
The 2 Astro fashions are an identical aside from the Astro 300-R being strictly rechargeable, powered by a 1500 mAh Li-ion battery with a micro-USB charging port—like all of BD’s “R” sequence headlamps. At 40 bucks, the Astro 300-R is actually some of the reasonably priced rechargeable ultralight headlamps on the market and arguably the most cost effective that gives dependable efficiency within the backcountry.
Hello, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Massive Outdoors. Click here to join my FREE e mail e-newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full entry to all of my weblog’s tales. Click here for my e-guides to basic backpacking journeys. Click here to find out how I may help you propose your subsequent journey.
As with BD’s different conventional battery-powered headlamps, the Astro 300 runs on both AAAs or the rechargeable BD 1500 battery pack ($15, bought individually). The primary profit that “dual-fuel” design affords is the choice of a backup energy supply if the BD 1500 drains its cost—and the Astro 300 and BD 1500 combo really saves you 5 bucks versus the Astro 300-R. Plus, the BD 1500 can be utilized in different battery-powered BD headlamps.
Operation and options are in any other case the identical in each Astro fashions. The single energy button turns them on and off, all the time powering on in the identical mode and brightness degree final used. The button controls dimming operate and clicks between the white gentle and white strobe modes. Holding the button down when it’s off engages lockout mode.
Of their main, white space mode, each headlamps throw a spherical beam that fills a lot of my peripheral imaginative and prescient with even lighting; the white strobe mode does the identical. The max brightness of 300 lumens, with a spread of 180 toes/55 meters, is actually shiny sufficient for mountain climbing and even operating a path in full darkness. You’ll most likely be snug strolling at midnight at medium energy (150 lumens), at which the vary is 115 toes/35 meters, and at decrease brightness ranges in camp—prolonging battery life. And the vary of 26 toes/eight meters at low energy (six lumens) offers dim gentle for small duties or discovering one thing in your tent.
The run time, or battery lifetime of the Astro 300 utilizing AAAs, is 4 hours at excessive energy and 140 hours at low energy, with 16 hours of reserve energy, in response to BD. For the Astro 300-R, a full cost lasts six hours at excessive energy and 140 hours at low energy, with 1.5 hours of reserve energy.
The simply adjustable, low-profile headband, made out of recycled supplies, stays snug in your head for hours and doesn’t bounce whenever you’re shifting rapidly. The IPX4 waterproof ranking, comparable with some mid-priced headlamps, means it withstands splashing water from any course—it’s probably protected in rain however don’t cease this headlamp into water.
Discover your subsequent journey in your Inbox. Sign up now for my FREE email newsletter.
The Astro headlamps lack the a number of modes present in different BD headlamps, and PowerTap know-how, which lets you faucet the aspect of the casing to cycle between max brightness and no matter dimmed degree you beforehand set. These are undoubtedly good options, price their added value, and extra necessary for extra technical customers, however completely not a deal-breaker for a lot of customers in search of simplicity and affordability.
Do the Astro 300 and 300-R supply all you want in a headlamp? The largest shortcoming of the Astro is that the world mode doesn’t provide the stronger, centered beam of a highlight mode, particularly for seeing an object at a distance. These headlamps will not be an excellent alternative for mountain climbing or route-finding off-trail or when climbing. In any other case, although, they ship all of the performance that many outside customers want. And a few folks will certainly desire the simplicity of the Astro lights over fashions with extra modes and features but in addition extra complexity in working them (and value).
I’ve helped many readers plan unforgettable backpacking and mountain climbing journeys.
Need my assist with yours? Click here now.
The Verdict
Whereas not as versatile as one of the best headlamps out there at this time, the Black Diamond Astro 300 and rechargeable Astro 300-R supply backpackers, dayhikers, path runners, hut trekkers, and others reasonably priced choices for a easy however adequately shiny and practical ultralight headlamp, together with the power to make use of both AAAs or a chargeable battery within the Astro 300.
BUY IT NOW
You may help my work on this weblog, without charge to you, by clicking any of those affiliate hyperlinks to buy a Black Diamond Astro 300-R at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or blackdiamondequipment.com, a Black Diamond Astro 300 at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or blackdiamondequipment.com, the BD 1500 rechargeable battery at blackdiamondequipment.com, or any BD headlamp at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or blackdiamondequipment.com.
Let The Massive Outdoors allow you to discover one of the best adventures.
Join now for full entry to ALL tales and get a free e-guide and member gear discounts!
See “The Best Headlamps,” all reviews of Black Diamond headlamps, and all critiques of hiking gear, backpacking gear, and ultralight backpacking gear at The Massive Outdoors.
Whether or not you’re a newbie or seasoned backpacker, you’ll be taught new methods for making your whole journeys go higher in my “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you’ll be able to learn all of these three tales without spending a dime; when you don’t have a subscription, you’ll be able to obtain the e-guide variations of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”
NOTE: I examined gear for Backpacker Journal for 20 years. At The Massive Outdoors, I evaluate solely what I take into account one of the best outside gear and attire. See my Gear Reviews page at The Massive Outdoors for categorized menus of all critiques and skilled shopping for ideas.
—Michael Lanza
