Black Diamond Distance LT1100 Headlamp Evaluate

Backside line

The Black Diamond LT1100 is a high-output headlamp constructed for actions that demand robust, targeted lighting—suppose evening mountaineering, ski touring, bike commuting, or fast-paced path runs after darkish.

Its 1100-lumen max output is spectacular and throws a good beam far down the path, making it one of many brightest choices in our lineup. Its 1100-lumen max output is spectacular and throws a good beam far down the path, making it one of many brightest choices in our lineup. It’s not probably the most compact or inexpensive possibility, however for customers who want intense brightness, the LT1100 is an attention-grabbing possibility. 

We discovered the LT1100 to be surprisingly snug for such a robust headlamp, although we wouldn’t go as far as to say you overlook it’s there. It’s a bit bulkier than smaller fashions, however the well-balanced design and comfortable headband assist distribute the load properly sufficient for prolonged put on.

It’s additionally filled with helpful options and delivers strong battery life contemplating its brightness. That stated, it does take its time recharging—as much as 4 hours in our expertise—so that you’ll need to plan forward when you’re heading out for back-to-back adventures.

How We Examined

We examined the Black Diamond LT1100 over a number of months in winter and spring, logging miles within the mountains of Colorado and alongside Florida’s Gulf Coast. This gave us the possibility to see the way it dealt with a variety of temps, humidity ranges, and terrain – from chilly, dry mountain trails to heat, muggy seaside runs.

Illumination & Mild High quality

The Black Diamond Distance LT1100 is the brightest headlamp in our lineup – each on paper and in real-world use. Its fundamental LED places out a max of 1100 lumens through PowerTap mode, which supplies you a 10-second burst of full brightness earlier than reverting to your earlier setting. It’s particularly useful for fast glances down the path, checking path markers, or scanning your environment in open terrain. It’s critically shiny – virtually shockingly so the primary time you utilize it.

Beam high quality is great, which we’d count on at this value level. The multifaceted optical lens blends spot and flood lighting, so that you get each vary and peripheral protection. That steadiness is admittedly useful if you’re making an attempt to keep away from tunnel imaginative and prescient, particularly on technical trails or uneven footing. We appreciated this most on rocky terrain after darkish, the place it gave us loads of discover to navigate obstacles with no need to continually modify our purpose or tempo.

Whereas it’s clearly constructed for high-output duties, the LT1100 nonetheless gives strong low- and mid-brightness choices. These dimmer modes labored properly for mountaineering, camp chores, and preserving battery life. The colour rendering is on par with most premium headlamps, although at full brightness, the beam can really feel slightly harsh for close-range duties. Nonetheless, the vary of lighting modes – together with pink, inexperienced, and blue LEDs for evening imaginative and prescient, stealth, or monitoring – makes this a flexible software for every thing from evening hikes to early-morning hunts.

Burn Time

In our testing, the LT1100 lived as much as Black Diamond’s marketed runtimes pretty properly. On the very best setting (1100 lumens), we obtained simply over 4 hours of strong efficiency earlier than the sunshine noticeably dimmed, which tracks with the listed 4.25-hour runtime. That’s first rate for a headlamp this shiny, nevertheless it’s one thing to bear in mind when you’re heading out for longer evening missions or ultramarathons with out time to recharge.

On medium and low settings, the battery life improves considerably. Medium mode (which we used probably the most) persistently lasted round 12 to 14 hours in our testing—sufficient for full in a single day efforts or multi-day use when you’re being conservative together with your brightness. Low mode is the place the LT1100 actually stretches issues out, with an marketed max runtime of 120 hours. Whereas we didn’t push it that far, we did apply it to low for a number of nights in a row with no need a recharge.

You’ll get a gradual dimming because the battery drains, fairly than a sudden shutdown, which helps keep away from surprises. That stated, whereas it’s not probably the most environment friendly headlamp we’ve examined, the burn time feels cheap given how a lot brightness you’re getting. For the output, it holds its personal.

Weight

At 3.8 ounces, the Black Diamond Distance LT1100 is unquestionably on the heavier aspect in comparison with different headlamps we examined, however that’s comprehensible contemplating how highly effective it’s. We felt its weight on path runs by way of the Colorado foothills and lengthy hikes alongside sandy trails in Florida, nevertheless it wasn’t a serious concern. The large headband helps unfold the load fairly evenly, making it manageable for many adventures.

One factor we observed is that as a result of all the load is up entrance, there’s a slight ahead tilt and a little bit of bounce when operating or tackling rougher terrain. In case you’re counting each ounce for ultralight adventures, this in all probability isn’t your best decide. But when brightness and further options are your high priorities, the additional little bit of weight is a good trade-off.

Total, the LT1100’s strong construct and intense brightness make it price the additional ounces, particularly for evening runners and hikers who worth efficiency over saving each final gram.

Consolation

For such a robust headlamp, the Black Diamond LT1100 is extra snug than we anticipated, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly bulkier than lighter fashions. We examined it on every thing from early-morning seaside runs on Florida’s Gulf Coast to late-night hikes in Colorado’s mountains. And whereas we by no means forgot it was there, the large, adjustable headband helped maintain issues feeling comparatively safe. The front-heavy design does have its drawbacks, although. The entire weight sits on the entrance mild unit, and whereas the scarf distributes it pretty properly, we nonetheless observed some bounce and slight entrance flop, particularly throughout longer runs or on uneven terrain.

Breathability can also be one thing to contemplate. On hotter, extra humid nights, we discovered ourselves adjusting the match sometimes to forestall warmth buildup. It’s not probably the most ventilated headlamp on the market, nevertheless it’s manageable for many actions. Total, the LT1100 wouldn’t be our high decide for ultralight backpacking or long-distance path operating—however for conditions the place brightness and stability take precedence, it strikes a good steadiness between consolation and efficiency.

Ease of Use

In case you’ve used different Black Diamond headlamps earlier than, the Distance LT1100 will really feel fairly acquainted – it makes use of the identical two-button interface discovered on a lot of their fashions.

There are two buttons on high: a bigger energy button and a smaller mode button. To activate the sunshine, press the ability button; to cycle by way of the lighting modes, press the mode button. Once you attain the pink mild setting, you may change between pink, blue, and inexperienced LEDs by holding down the mode button for about three seconds. To dim the sunshine on any setting, simply maintain down the ability button.

There’s additionally a PowerTap characteristic on the aspect of the unit: faucet it as soon as and the headlamp briefly boosts to max brightness for 10 seconds earlier than reverting to your earlier setting. There are different options too – like an SOS blink mode and a journey lock – however most people will probably simply use the fundamentals.

Charging is straightforward through USB-C, however swapping out the battery is a little more concerned than anticipated. Nonetheless, neither of these points is a dealbreaker.

Options

The Black Diamond Distance LT1100 comes filled with considerate options aimed toward high-output actions like path operating, quick mountaineering, or evening navigation—however with slightly extra complexity than your common headlamp.

One of the vital helpful options is the PowerTap™ perform, which helps you to briefly enhance the beam to a blazing 1100 lumens with only a fast faucet—nice for scanning forward with out locking into max brightness. After 10 seconds, it robotically drops again all the way down to preserve battery.

The pivoting mild unit additionally helps with purpose and luxury, letting you modify the beam angle with out messing with the strap. And whereas the sunshine is front-heavy, Black Diamond’s design retains the battery flush with the top, serving to scale back bounce greater than we anticipated.

You additionally get a multi-color LED (pink, inexperienced, and blue), every designed with a particular use in thoughts. The pink mild helps protect evening imaginative and prescient in the dead of night, best for map studying or shifting round camp with out blinding your companions. The inexperienced mild is beneficial for remaining much less noticeable to wildlife whereas searching, and the blue mild can help with monitoring sport blood.

When you get the grasp of the interface, switching between these modes is fairly easy. The LT1100 additionally carries an IP67 waterproof score, so it holds up properly in unhealthy climate. Charging is dealt with through USB-C, and the detachable battery could be swapped out within the subject when you carry a spare.

Ought to You Purchase the Black Diamond Distance LT1100?

The Black Diamond Distance LT1100 is greatest suited for many who prioritize excessive brightness and efficiency over weight and minimalism. In case you’re doing lengthy path runs, quick hikes earlier than dawn, or want robust illumination for any exercise, this headlamp delivers critical output in a well-balanced bundle. It’s extra snug than anticipated for its dimension, and options just like the PowerTap enhance and RGB colour modes give it versatility for a variety of nighttime actions.

That stated, the LT1100 isn’t for everybody. In case you primarily want a light-weight headlamp for informal tenting or on a regular basis use, this one will probably really feel like overkill. And whereas the battery life is strong for the brightness it gives, it’s not probably the most environment friendly. 

Nonetheless, for runners, hikers, and adventurers who demand a robust beam and don’t thoughts a little bit of bulk and a excessive price ticket, the LT1100 gives good worth and reliable efficiency.

What Different Headlamps Ought to You Take into account?

In case you’re trying on the Black Diamond Distance LT1100 however aren’t completely offered, listed here are a number of different headlamps that supply comparable efficiency with barely completely different strengths. Every is price a glance relying in your particular wants. For a full breakdown of one of the best choices on the market, don’t miss our full headlamp gear information.

Ledlenser HF6R Signature Evaluate: In case you like the thought of excessive brightness however need one thing inexpensive, the HF6R Signature is a powerful various. It has glorious beam customization, spectacular throw distance, and strong battery life in a rock-solid bundle. Nonetheless, it’s heavier and simply as cumbersome because the LT1100.

Fenix HM50R V2.0 Evaluate: The Fenix HM50R V2.0 is a light-weight powerhouse that packs as much as 700 lumens in a sturdy aluminum physique. It’s not fairly as shiny because the LT1100, nevertheless it’s much more compact and higher suited to backpacking or minimalist path use. USB-C charging and a detachable 16340 battery make it versatile and dependable.

BioLite Sprint 450 Evaluate: For runners or hikers who need a lighter, extra minimalist headlamp, the Sprint 450 is a superb match. It weighs lower than 3 ounces, has a balanced entrance/rear design, and nonetheless gives strong brightness for many actions. Whereas it may possibly’t match the LT1100’s depth, it’s a extra snug possibility for long-duration put on.