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Black Diamond Storm 450 Headlamp
$64.95
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Brighter than previous versions and able to operate on alkaline or rechargeable batteries, the compact Black Diamond Storm 450 headlamp is ready for your multiday mountain treks or camping trips.
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- Dual-fuel design allows you to power the headlamp with 3 AAA alkaline batteries (included) or the rechargeable BD 1500 lithium-ion battery and charger (not included)
- Settings include full strength in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red, green and blue night vision, and lock mode
- White LED outputs up to 450 lumens on max setting, 225 lumens on medium and 6 lumens on low
- PowerTapâ„¢ Technology allows instant adjustment between max output and dimmed power
- Brightness Memory allows you to turn the light on and off at a chosen brightness setting without it reverting back to the default setting
- Multifaceted optical efficiency lens technology
- IP67 rating means this is considered dustproof and waterproof; it can withstand submersion in water up to 1m deep for up to 30 min.
Imported.
View the Black Diamond Storm Product LineView all Black Diamond LED Headlamps| Best Use | Backpacking Camping |
|---|---|
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Bulb Detail | White / red / blue / green LED |
| Red Light Mode | Yes |
| Beam Type | Flood / Spot |
| Max Light Output (Lumens) | 450 lumens |
| Light Output | High: 450; medium: 225; low: 6 lumens |
| Max Beam Distance (m) | 120 meters |
| Beam Distance | High: 120; medium: 60; low: 12 meters |
| Brightness Levels | Variable |
| Strobes | 5 + SOS |
| Average Run Time | High: 2; medium: 4.5; low: 175 hours |
| Rechargeability | Non-rechargeable |
| Batteries | 3 AAA alkaline (included); also compatible with BD 1500 mAh rechargeable (not included) |
| Dimensions | 5 x 4 x 2 inches |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IP67 |
| Weight With Batteries | 3.25 ounces |
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Broken Hinge Warranty
John1 year ago
I bought the Storm 400 a little over 2 years ago and the battery compartment latch started to crack shortly after. It finally broke this year and while searching for a solution, someone on reddit mentioned a 3 year warranty on Black Diamond lighting equipment. I submitted a photo of the broken pieces along with my receipt and a week later I received a response that they discovered the problem when the first batch of the Storm 450 was released and are sending me a new back for the headlamp. Another week later I received the shipment and it was a new Storm 450 headlamp.
Black Diamond Warranty Claim website:
https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/content/warranty-repairs/
John
NJ
9 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Hinge failure
Buck2 years ago
As others have stated, the hinge is the weakest point on this device. The first one I owned broke the day I bought it. Thinking it may have been a fluke I exchanged it for another. This one broke while it was in my pants pocket in camp (while rafting the Colorado River).
Buck
14 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
PhilR
Received free product
Raleigh, NC
An awesome, do everything headlamp!
2 years ago
I have owned a few Black Diamond headlamps, and given several away as gifts, but this one really takes the cake in terms of doing it all. In a compact headlight, there are multiple modes and settings for almost any need that are relatively to access. One of my favorite features is the PowerTap feature. No button needed to enable the brightest mode--just tap your finger on the side of the light and viola! This is great for projects around the home, or really dark areas where you need wider spread of bright light. The other button features take a little getting used to, but once you toggle between modes a couple of times, it is super easy. Another cool feature is that it is "Dual Fuel"--meaning you can either use regular AAA batteries, or the optional BD 1500 mAh rechargeable battery. I really appreciated this flexibility, and found the rechargeable battery (via USB charger) to deliver on claims of longer run time than the standard battery. While I didn't take this on a long backpacking trip, I assume it could be recharged with a small solar kit--which would totally justify carrying the charger instead of extra batteries. I've seen some negative reviews about the latch, but have had no trouble using it. Even though it is lightweight, the construction of this light is solid and I feel Black Diamond does a good job in this department. I expect it to last a long time, and would definitely recommend!
Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
Drigg
Received free product
New Jersey
Lots of bells and whistles
3 years ago
Lots of bells and whistles. Comes with AAA batteries. Also has the option to use a rechargeable battery. Not included. Several different degrees of brightness, strobe light, red light. Dimmable. Headband fits nicely. Not uncomfortable. Hardly notice it’s there. I used it while I was camping and also for close work at home when I need to find something under the sink. Item was provided to me for my review.
Age:65–74
Yes , I recommend this product
Apex
Received free product
Apex, NC
Nice light but has problems
2 years ago
450 Storm headlamp I liked this light, but cannot recommend -- read whole review. I had a bit of a learning curve as this light is more functional than others I own. Before heading out into the wild, take the time to learn the switches and what they can do. Once I figured it out I could easily rotate through the various modes. Pros: very bright, robust multi-functions, lightweight; red/green/blue low-light modes; unexpectedly good battery life with AAA; I'd trust the rechargeable battery only for overnight. I especially like the colored-light modes. Red is great for inside your tent; blue and green, a little brighter, are good for outside the tent for night-time "necessary" trips. Cons: hyper sensitive touch switch (easily inadvertently engage spot light); fragile; barely discernible differences between primary/secondary switches on top. The primary is raised higher, but not by much. And you lose that sense when wearing gloves or when fingers are cold. This does not rise to the level of being a real problem, but it will be a concern in cold/bad weather. Much shorter battery life with rechargeable battery (kind of surprising). The Deal Breaker: The levered clasp to secure housing broke in my kitchen before ever leaving the house. It cannot be repaired. I got online and searched for this light and found that the broken latch is a very common problem. You can try a rubber band or small zip-tie to close, but even that has problems. If the case is not securely closed/latched, the rechargeable battery can work out of position and turn the light off. In a drop test, the battery fell out on the ground. Using the AAA batteries seemed to help. Overall I really want to like this light, but I'd only use it as a backup light in the trunk my car or ~maybe~ car camping -- as long as I never got out of sight of my cay. Absolutely not for hike-in, backpacking or back-country travel without a dependable backup. Make sure you can figure out the switches in darkness and in cold weather. Photos of low/high/high-with-spot and broken latch. Doesn't do justice for the bright lights.
Age:55–64
No, I do not recommend this product
Gilberto M.
I loved the storm 450
2 years ago
I loved the storm 450 headlamp. Feels really smooth when you tilt it. The button to set it to max is really great and reliable. The light is very bright and the headlamp very light. BUT I am giving it a 1 star review because I also bought a rechargeable battery with it and when I went to charge the battery for the first time after draining it, the hook that holds the battery compartment closed, broke when I was opening it. It used to be very easy to open and close when I first put the battery in so it was not because of me forcing it. I can not close the headlamp with tape for the time being either because it would go over the light source, so it is completely useless now. I also want to add that this happened when I was without electricity for 11 days, after hurricane fiona hit us, so I was disappointed, to say the least, especially for the price. I bought the astro 250 at the same time and the cheap option has been better than the expensive one. I'm glad that I bought that backup.
Originally posted on blackdiamondequipment.com
Bertie
Awesome headlamp, faulty latch can be replaced
2 years ago
I purchased a damaged headlamp in store and was able to email black diamond customer service about the broken latch. They responded in a day or two and ended up sending me a replacement battery compartment door to replace the broken piece and claimed the new material should not break again(it's still the same lamp, just new battery cover/latch), took less than a minute to replace. Excellent headlamp for the price I ended up paying. If you see a broken one in store, this may be worth picking up or if you own one already that is broken, I highly recommend emailing black diamond customer service so they can get you fixed up
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
John
New Jersey
Broken Hinge Warranty
1 year ago
I bought the Storm 400 a little over 2 years ago and the battery compartment latch started to crack shortly after. It finally broke this year and while searching for a solution, someone on reddit mentioned a 3 year warranty on Black Diamond lighting equipment. I submitted a photo of the broken pieces along with my receipt and a week later I received a response that they discovered the problem when the first batch of the Storm 450 was released and are sending me a new back for the headlamp. Another week later I received the shipment and it was a new Storm 450 headlamp. Black Diamond Warranty Claim website: https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/content/warranty-repairs/
Age:35–44
Fred the Wonder Dog
San Carlos
Good light, but latch broke
2 years ago
I have three of their lights, one older three cell one, that latch lasted about a year. In general having to worry about it breaking in use is a total buzz kill, I use them for seabird surveys that start in the dark on salt water. I don't want to have to carry two, no space, and not having one functional light means a lost day of work. As is I carry spare batteries. I have two Storms, one the latch just broke on. I filed a warranty claim and said just send me the latch I can replace it myself. If they won't do that I will make one out of aluminum or stainless steel, and be done with them.
No, I do not recommend this product
Erin
I want a refund.
2 years ago
Immediately after taking it home from the store when I tried to install the batteries for the first time, the latch broke, rendering the headlamp entirely unusable. Wish I had read these reviews before buying. Never had a problem like this with Black Diamond products before. It's a shame because I was pretty excited about using my new purchase. REI should stop stocking this model because clearly this problem is not going away and is making lots of loyal customers unhappy.
No, I do not recommend this product
daniel769
a fragile and disposable headlamp
1 year ago
As many other disappointed Black Diamond Storm 450 headlamp owners have reported, this is a fine, kinda expensive headlamp until the surprisingly delicate hinge that clamps the battery case closed snaps off like a saltine. Once the hinge is broken, the headlamp is unusable. Mine lasted less than a year of light to moderate use, which is ridiculous for gear that people will be relying on for survival in wilderness settings. E.g. My previous headlamp – also a Black Diamond – is beat up but still functions after a decade of backpacking trips.
Age:45–54
No, I do not recommend this product
leo037
Received free product
Middle Georgia
Solid headlamp with lots of features.
3 years ago
Versatile headlamp with more features than one could really need; however, I think that's what makes it appeal to more audiences. I would only really use the white lights (variable brightnesses) and the red light. The blue and green and flashy lights could be good for others or for rare occasions. The only negative I have (which isn't unique to the Storm 450) is the pinch point for fingers (see picture); to alleviate this, you just need to adapt yourself around this poor human-factors design. What's good is that the big button is simple enough to use so that if you throw it to a friend in the dark, they will figure out the basic white light functions immediately. However, the instant bright touch-sensitive button is not intuitive and you can't feel this button so you would have be oriented to the headlamp to use it, and even afterwards, it was awkward to use and I would hit I accidentally on occasion. The third, smaller push-button that you can feel if you knew to look for it is the switch to the other colors of light, and it is intuitively next to the big, main button. The headband is no frills and comfortable. I am able to keep it loose and hang it around my dog's neck for him to use in the dark in the back yard. He didn't know what was happening at first, but got used to it. Since I have a few headlamps of various brands, I sometimes give him one to use. The AAA batteries lasted 12+ hours on low light setting which is what I use for caving. I tested this by leaving it on for 12 hours, but I stopped it at 12 hours since I had to go to work. I dunked it a bunch of times in shallow water and it continued to perform I like the ability to use AAA batteries and not have to wait for it to charge; I can simply switch out batteries as needed. Overall, I think this is a very good headlamp. I would buy it again and recommend it to friends. I don't see anything remarkable about it that really differentiates it from other headlamps though. Like I said, there are lots of features, but I don't see people using all of it. I would buy a similar headlamp without pinch points over this one if I could find one.
Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product
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