Buy the Spot if you put weight and waterproofing first. It puts out 450 lumens at 53 g, is rated IPX7, and costs ¥8,800 with tax. This season's version also adds red, green and blue lights. High mode runs only 2.6 hours on AAAs, so it's not for anyone who wants to stay on high for long.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The Spot trades the length of its high mode for low weight and waterproofing. It gives 450 lumens at 53 g. That is 35 g lighter than the Petzl Actik Core (625 lumens, 88 g), and waterproofing goes from IPX4 to IPX7. I see it as the light you keep at the bottom of the pack for when the descent runs late, not one for walking through the night on high. For that, I pick this weight.
Key points
- 8.5 lumens per gram (450 ÷ 53). That beats the Actik Core at 7.1 and the Storm at 5.4
- Waterproofing is IPX7: it survives 30 minutes in 1 m of fresh water, a step above Petzl's IPX4 (splashes from any direction)
- High lasts 2.6 hours on alkaline AAAs and medium 5 hours. If you need high for long days, even 3.4 hours with the optional BD1500 battery falls short. That's the weak spot
When you're trying to cut pack weight, 53 g for a headlamp is a big number. That is 35 g less than the Petzl Actik Core at 88 g, and about half of the Black Diamond Storm at 102 g. The new fall/winter 2026 Spot gives 450 lumens at that weight.
How I judged it
The first thing I checked was how brightness balances against weight. At 8.5 lumens per gram, the Spot is the highest of the three I compared. Next came waterproofing, and it is IPX7: enough that rain on a ridge or a wet descent along a stream is no worry. What I hesitated over was high mode, which lasts only 2.6 hours on alkaline AAAs. So I recommend it as insurance for when night falls.
What are the Spot's numbers, and how does it differ from the earlier model and other brands?
Scroll the table sideways →
| Model | Max brightness | Weight | Water resistance | Price (JPY, tax incl.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Spot | 450lm | 53g | IPX7 | ¥8,800 |
| Black Diamond Storm | 550lm | 102g | IP67 | ¥10,450 |
| Petzl Actik Core | 625lm | 88g | IPX4 | ¥13,530 |
The Spot costs ¥19.6 for every 1 lumen (8,800 ÷ 450). That is a little less than the Actik Core at ¥21.6 and about the same as the Storm at ¥19.0. Rather than price, what you get is the weight you save.
How long does it run?
| Battery | High | Medium | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaline AAA | 2.6 hours | 5 hours | 200 hours |
| BD1500 battery (sold separately) | 3.4 hours | 8 hours | 150 hours |
2.6 hours on high is enough even if a day hike's descent runs an hour late. If you set out before dawn from a mountain hut, plan around the 5 hours on medium to stay on the safe side. The battery charges while it stays in the lamp, and stretches high to 3.4 hours and medium to 8.
What changed from the earlier model?
This season's model adds red, green and blue lights. The 450 lumens of white light and the 53 g are the numbers I used to compare it with the other lamps in this review.
Things to watch
The short high mode is a clear weakness. If you use high a lot on night starts or long traverses, a lamp with a longer high mode, such as the Storm or the Actik Core, suits you better. Adding the optional battery pushes the cost above ¥8,800.
Who is it for?
It suits day hikers and hut-to-hut hikers who want to cut weight, and anyone heading into wet or splashy mountains. As a just-in-case lamp for people who normally get down before dark, 53 g is a good weight. For long nights on trail, think about pairing it with another lamp.
For how it stacks up against other lamps, see Headlamp Rankings. If you want both a rechargeable and AAA batteries, see the Petzl Actik Core review.
FAQ
How bright and how heavy is the Spot?
Up to 450 lumens, and it weighs 53 g. That works out to 8.5 lumens per gram.
How waterproof is the Spot?
IPX7. That rating means it survives 30 minutes in 1 m of fresh water, which is plenty for rainy hikes.
Should I buy the Spot or the Storm?
If weight comes first, the Spot. If you walk long stretches on high or want 550 lumens, take the Storm, which weighs about twice as much.
