![]() Oddly, there’s no battery advantage in using the two single LEDs at full power over the distance spot: both will provide a creditable 75 hours, though after 10 hours of use on the quad LED, it will only be illuminating to 15m rather than the 100m with fresh batteries. Both modes go down to a fairly miserly 4 lumen, with the distance quad delivering its full 200 lumen at the other end of the brightness scale, while the proximity pair provides 35 lumen. This is particularly useful if you don’t want to blind your buddies while using the spot mode if you stop for a chinwag or navigation confab.ĭimming the beams also obviously conserves battery power too. This means that whether you’re using the Icon in distance or proximity mode, you can adjust the brightness to the level required. At the brightest or dimmest setting, the torch flickers before cycling back up or down. With the exception of the strobe, the beam can dimmed in all modes by holding down the switch. While the Icon is turned off or in red mode, pressing the control three times turns on the strobe mode. Holding down the button for three seconds puts it into red mode. One press turns on the spot press again and the unit turns off a third press turns on the pair of proximity LEDs. The Icon has one very bright, quad-power LED in the centre and a pair of single-power LEDs either side, the latter providing a good wide flood for proximity work and the former an impressive spot that pierces the darkness to a good 100m.Ĭontrol is very simple via a single press button on top of the housing which can be used while wearing gloves. It’s barely low enough at the lowest setting to do close compass or map work without lowering the head a fair amount. There isn’t a huge amount of adjustment vertically on the main housing, which has just four soft clicks between horizontal and about 45 degrees down. The whole item feels very robust, an observation borne out by its weightiness on the scales, at 232g more than twice the weight of the next heaviest contender.ĭespite that, the Black Diamond headtorch is comfortable in use, the battery box balancing well, especially if the top strap is adjusted correctly. The connecting lead is part coiled and held in place on the headband by two plastic retainers. The main headband and the top band are easily adjustable each by a single buckle. To aid comfort, the Icon has a top head strap. This is well sealed against the weather and the whole thing is rated at IPx7, which means it will still function after a 1m submersion for 30 minutes. The four AA batteries are contained in a separate compartment that sits at the back of the head. The Black Diamond Icon is the big beast of this test, packing a powerful 200 lumen main beam in a sturdy metal housing. ![]() Whichever you choose, make sure it goes with you when you head out.īatteries: 4xAA alkaline, lithium or rechargeable ![]() We put nine different models to the test out on the hill, ranging from basic budget torches to high-tech and high-power units. It’s a very different experience from daytime walking and, as long as you are confident in your night-navigation techniques, allows outdoor enthusiasts to revel in the joys of venturing out under a starry sky.Īnd anyone camping, whether wild or on a site, is well advised to pack a headtorch, keeping your hands free to do what you need to do. Mountain rescuers say many of their callouts are to walkers or climbers who get caught out by darkness either because their route takes longer than expected they are delayed by an incident or injury, or they just underestimate the time it’s going to take to get back down to the valley.Īnd then, there are those who choose to go out at night. Headtorches: essential kit for anyone heading for the hillsĪ good headtorch is an essential piece of kit for anyone heading out on the hills in the UK.
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