First look: new for 2022 Black Diamond head torches

A fundamental hiking accessory is the head torch and Black Diamond makes some of the best around. Astro, Cosmo, Spot and Storm. No, not the names of reindeer or X-Men (although one of them might be…), but the headtorches in Black Diamond’s core range aimed at walkers in the mountain environment.

These names aren’t new – they’ve been around for a while, with the Storm model being a big favourite of ours – but for Spring 2022 Black Diamond is upgrading these compact, durable and bright lights with new power options, prime amongst which are the new R-series headlamps.

These new lights are powered by lithium-ion batteries, meaning they can be easily charged from multiple sources, including in-car, portable power sources or wall chargers. They also feature smaller head units, more comfortable straps, and improved waterproofing compared to the older models.

Alongside these are the new ‘dual fuel’ versions of the same lamps. They share the same size, comfort and waterproofing upgrades as the R-series but are powered by 3x AAA batteries, with the option of retro-fitting the BD 1500 rechargeable lithium-ion battery (£20 for battery and charger).

The features vary slightly depending on the model, with the Astro sitting at the bottom of the range and the Storm at the top, but among the four versions and their alternative power options you can be sure to find a headlamp that meets your needs. Let’s take a closer look…

Six things you need to know about the new Black Diamond headtorches

Compact Design

The head units of both the dual fuel and the R-series lamps are 30% thinner than the previous model, making them sit flusher against the head for greater comfort.

IPX-Rated Ingress Protection Rated

Both versions of the Astro are IPX4 (stormproof) rated. The dual-fuel Cosmo and Spot are both IPX8 (waterproof) rated, while the R-series Cosmo and Spot and both the Storm 450 and 500-R have an IP67 (submersible) rating.

Easy Controls

The Spot and Storm lamps offer both flood and spot lighting. An easy-to-use interface provides an easy On/Off switch and a secondary switch to cycle between lenses. PowerTap Technology on these models also provides instant transitioning from any setting to full power output with just the tap of a finger.

Night vision

The Cosmo and Spot lamps offer red-light night vision, while the Storm also has green and blue light settings.

Comfort Bands

The R-series lamps feature a recycled elastic headband which utilises Repreve fibre construction for next-to-skin comfort.

Digital Lock-Out

All models feature a lock-out to prevent the lamps being accidentally turned on in a pack.

New Black Diamond Head Torch specs

Trail verdict

Just as good as the originals but with a few more tricks and power options that make these headlamps even more versatile.

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