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The Spot’s housing is smaller because it takes 3 AAA batteries compared to the Storm’s 4, and the Spot body itself is about 10 grams lighter (the Spot325 is about 2 grams lighter than that): The pre-2019 Spot is lighter and smaller than the Storm, and the newer Spot325 is even lighter than that. The new Spot325 is a solid improvement over the older Spot model, with a burn time of 65 hours at its max output.īlack Diamond used a new “optical lens design” to improve battery life and clarity, and of the three models, it’s now the workhorse when it comes to burning as long as possible.įor the best battery life, check out the new Spot325 model and its improved optical technology. The fourth battery in the Storm helps battery life, but it also adds extra weight. Battery LifeĪt its max output, the Spot burns for about 30 hours, while the Storm operates for about 40 hours at max strength. If you’re looking for max output, go with the Storm, but know that the Spot325 isn’t far behind. The minimum output is also similar for both lights - 6 lumens for the Spot, 4 lumens for the Storm - and the red LED light appears to be about the same for both models. Still, having 80+ meters of light comes in extremely handy when you’re peering through trees or across landscapes you’ll need to navigate. We also tended to use the dimmed version of the light most of the time. Black Diamond Spotįor most activities, 80 meters is plenty of output, and in our own field tests we rarely needed to use it beyond the 15 to 30 meters directly in front of us while setting up camp or making dinner. Only Black Diamond’s Icon has a higher range - the rest of their lineup stays in the range of 8 to 70 meters. The light output of both the Spot and the Storm are comparable: the Spot’s 300-lumens range is 80 meters, the Storm’s 350-lumens gets around 85 meters (the newer 83-lumens Spot325 is somewhere in between). To get the best features of each model, we now recommend going with the improved Spot325, a lighter version of the Spot with a max light output that rivals the Storm. Both have stellar reviews and work well for the average outdoorsman, so choosing one over the other is a matter of personal preference more than anything else. The Storm is larger, heavier, and offers brighter lighting and more features. The Spot and the Storm: A ComparisonĬomparing the Black Diamond Spot and Storm side-by-side, you’ll find the Spot as a smaller, lighter and less powerful headlamp that still offers plenty of performance. We’ve updated our review to reflect all three models. In early 2019, Black Diamond released the Spot325, a lighter, more powerful headlamp with a few tweaks in performance. Quick note: the main comparison we’ve offered is based on the 2018 and earlier version of the Spot.