Start with the job, then the light.
A headlamp puts the light near your line of sight while leaving your hands free. That can be useful when you need to hold or carry something. A handheld light gives you a separate direction of aim. Neither form is the right answer for every task.
Compare that choice with our handheld flashlight guide, which covers charging, light modes and storage controls.
For this example, we are looking at the Black Diamond Spot 400, a candidate from our lighting research. This is a closer look at the manufacturer’s information, not a claim that it is the best headlamp or a replacement for a hands-on test.
Decide how you want to power it.
Black Diamond describes the Spot 400 as dual fuel: three AAA batteries or its BD 1500 rechargeable battery. The manufacturer lists AAA batteries as included; the rechargeable battery is sold separately. Check the exact model and package, rather than assuming that every listing includes the rechargeable option.
The practical trade-off is what you already keep charged or available. That is a decision for your own setup, not a promise about how long a light will last during an outage.
Read past the headline lumen number.
The manufacturer specifies output of up to 400 lumens. Its runtime table varies by battery and mode. The instructions define ANSI runtime down to 10% of the initial output and list reserve time separately. Those figures do not describe a lamp holding its maximum brightness for the entire period.
Use the manufacturer’s instructions to compare the setting and battery you intend to use. We have not independently measured output or runtime.
Get familiar with the controls before you need them.
Follow the exact model’s instructions for the lock function, light settings and battery installation. The manual instructs users to remove batteries during storage and transport. Check it for the full care and safety guidance rather than treating this short guide as a substitute.
If the light belongs in a pack, decide how you will reach it. Our backpack selection checklist walks through fit, your intended load and access to equipment.