3.Pro-2019 Spot (Spot325)
This is a more advanced headlamp that is the lighter version of Spot. It has an advantage in that its light output is comparable to that of Storm.
Arguably, the Black Diamond’s Spots and Storms series of headlamps are all useful when camping, mountain climbing, and skiing. Notably, recent development in terms of quality and reliability of both spots and storms have fostered competition among these Black Diamond headlamps- a characteristic that gives customers a platform to make choices that suit their preferences.
Significantly, to choose between Spots and Storms provide a challenge and is based on individual aspects of packing spaces, preference on weight, lighting distances, among other variations. The three models of headlamps boast of many positive reviews from users. Actually, it is a close call!
An Overview Of The Three Models-Similarities
For the past three decades, Black Diamond Company has employed proper efforts to bring about efficient, comfortable, and effective headlamps. The introduction of Spot (pro-2019 and Spot325), and Storm headlamps have all that it takes to ensure your outdoor goes as smoothly as possible as far as lighting is concerned. As for their features, both Spots and Storm headlamps are closely related. They are similar in:
Cost
Spot, Spot325, and Storm headlamps are in the same price range. All three headlamp designs are characterized by three-year warranty plans that make it secure to purchase them. The price of the Spot325 model remains at approximately a $40 price tag since its debut in 2019. However, one can buy a pro-2019 Spot and Storm at a discounted price in Amazon stores. While choosing your headlamp, the price criterion might not be a verysignificant determiner since the price range of the three models remains the same.
You need to consider more factors!
Comfortability Factors
The inspiration behind the development of Spot, Spot325, and Storm models was to promote comfortability and efficiency when you are involved in your outdoor activities. The three models employ hand-free services and additional features to minimize head stress. For instance, both models of headlamps (Spot and Storm) use headbands and hardware to enhance their compactness.
Headbands are easy to adjust and cater to diversified sizes of customer heads, equipment, caps, and hats. Importantly, the Spot headband passes through the housing to ensure that the band is on your head while in use. Correspondingly, the Storm’s headband has padded sections, integrated into the headlamp’s housing. Storm headlamp tends to be more comfortable due to the noted characteristic of its headbands. Comfortability aspect of the three models makes it difficult to distinguish between Spot, Spot325, and Storm. However, on this one, the Storm takes the prize.
Extra Features
Apart from the cost and comfortability factors of the three models, there are other crucial features that you should consider before you settle for any of the models. Spot, Spot325, and Storm provide for standard dimming characteristics, strobe, and red LED light aspects, as well as the Black Diamond’s Power Tap TradeMark technology that enables the user to dim the light by touching and tapping the model’s housing. That makes operating the headlamps quite easy!
The Storm utilizes an additional blue and green LED light and provides a bonus in dustproof protection. In aspects of waterproofing, the IPX8 waterproofing ratings of the Spot enables it to function for 30 minutes when submerged in a depth of 1.1 meters of water. Similarly, the IP67 ratings allow the Storm to operate in an underwater depth of 1meter for up to 90minutes. Therefore, the Spot performs better when it comes to water resistance.
Summary Of the Similarities
Both models share different features, as discussed. Their similarities can be summarized as follows:
- They both have tap interfaces that enable users to change device brightness with a simple tap quickly.
- They have locks that prevent them from turning on inside your pack bag
- They have color LED lighting. However, Storms have green and blue LED lighting also
- They have close and far beams depending on the user preference and decisions
- They are “smart.” In this sense, it is easy to switch the headlamp on as it “remembers” the last setting.
Differences Between The Three Models
However, Spot, Spot325, and the Storm vary in other aspects. These variations provide users with a proper platform for more informed selections. The three models differ in aspects of:
- Size
Preferably, the smaller the size, the more packable the headlamp is. The pre-2019 is smaller in size compared to the Storm. The Spot325 is even smaller and thus more preferable by customers who opt for smaller headlamps. However, the differences in size are not that much, though.
- Weight
The pre-2019 spots are lighter than the Storm. However, Spot325 is the lightest of all three models. The weight of each model is determined by battery size, as well as their housing sizes. For instance, the Spot is lighter compared to Storms since they use 3AAA batteries compared to 4′ batteries, which the Storm uses. Weight ranges from 86 grams to 110 grams. Here are breakdowns of the specific weight of each model
- Pre-2019 Spot weight with battery: 88grams
- The Spot325 weight with battery: 86grams
- The storm weight with battery: 110 grams
Again, just like size, weight differences among the three models are not on much and may,therefore, not wholly impact your preferences and decision.
- BatteryLife
Battery life is an important aspect to consider when choosing a headlamp for your outdoor activities. The ability of the headlamp to light for a long time is crucial in influencing your purchasing decision. Significantly, there are variations between the three headlamp models due to the differences in battery capacities and abilities.
The Spot headlamps can burn for about 30hours while the Storm operates for about 40 hours of maximum lighting. Storm’s battery ismore durable and heavier compared to those of Spots. The enhanced model of Spot325 burns for about 65 hours on maximum brightness.
The Spot325 headlamp also has battery use indicators whereby you can use them to identify changes in battery usage. Battery- use indicators are anessentialaspect when making your purchasing decision. Through the battery-use indicators, the user is able to know trends of battery use. For instance, Green indicates a percentage range of 100 to 50, yellow indicates a percentage range of 50 to 25. Similarly, red indicates a percentage of below 20.
- Light Output
For any outdoor activity, light output is significant. The distance of coverage of both headlamp models (Spot and Storm) influences preferences. For instance, no one would prefer a headlamp with low light output since it means that you are only able to see a few feet ahead of you. Again, light output variations may be widely influenced by battery capabilities,as well as the technology utilized.
Arguably, Spot and Storm are comparable in terms of light output. The Spot300 lumen range is about 80meters, while the Storm350 lumen range is around 85 meters. Due to advancementsin technology, Spot325’s lumen range is between 80 to 85 meters bearing in mind the smaller battery size of Spot325. Notably, the Black Diamond’s headlamps have more lumen ranges than other versions whose range is between 8 to 70 meters.
Other essential characteristics of Spot325 headlamps include:
- Brighter beams, easy- to navigate buttons
- Brighter memory modes
- Adjustable light outputs
- 25 more lumens than pre-2019 models.
Therefore, on brightness, the best option is the Spot325 model.
- Difficulties when operating
Pre-2019 Spots and Storms are reasonably easy to use as compared to themore sophisticated Spot325 model due to the integration of many buttons. This makes it difficult for new users to use Spot325 properly. However, the Black Diamond Company has provided for different tutorial guides on how to use each of the models. Therefore, uncertainties when using the headlampsshould not scare you!
Summary Of The Differences
Sure, some aspects of the differences between the three models are only minimal. However, the three models differ in aspects of color LED, waterproofing, housing size, weight, battery strengths, and burning life. Also, the three models vary on levels of difficulties encountered when operatingeach of the models.
