Is it enough light to illuminate your feet for the headlamp? --Many people may think that if they are hikers who just walk slowly along the roads at night.
However, if you run night runs on night trails or long distance races where you have to keep running all night, the story will be very different.
What is dangerous about running all night is the difficulty of instantly grasping the direction you are going in your narrow field of vision. In many cases, cognitive abilities tend to decrease at night due to the relationship between internal rhythm and fatigue, and judgment tends to be slower. Running on night roads is a activity that is a few times more nerve-wracking than usual.
In that sense, for trail runners who run through pitch black and unstable mountain paths at maximum speed, or skiers who slid down dusk courses, they are essential, even if it doesn't go all the way to the noon, and have a wide, strong brightness that illuminates the way they go, as well as a wealth of batteries that last as long as possible.
The latest headlamp, the Distance LT1100 Black Diamond , the world's leading brand of outdoor headlamps , is the latest high-end headlamp that offers a stable fit even against intense movements. I was able to try out these latest headlamps in the field along with the Distance 1500 which was released last year
table of contents
Key Features of BlackDiamond Distance 1500 & Distance LT1100
The Distance 1500 and Distance LT100, which delivers maximum power output, is a high-power headlamp that is dazzling even at night, and is a high-power headlamp designed by Black Diamond for trail running, with a high-power, up to 1500 lumens (the LT1100 is 1100 lumens), and a large-capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery, making it the brightest and most equipped headlamp on the market.
The polyhedral optical lens combines spots and a wide range, achieving easy-to-read light distribution that combines wide and deep. In addition to the lightweight body, the separate design of the light unit and battery unit ensures a stable fit even when the light angle is adjusted, minimizing shaking during movement. It is also highly practical to have three-color red and green-blue LEDs, IP67 waterproofness, and rear flasher light (distance of 1500 only).
High-speed, long-term activities in harsh fields, such as speed hiking, trail running, ultra marathons, mountain biking, skimos, and backcountry skiing, providing even more comfortable vision.
Favorite points
- A powerful, bright and easy to see light even at night
- Long life spare replacement battery
- Speed charging with Type-C charging port
- Enough waterproofing
- Light for power (LT1100)
- High fit and does not easily shake (1500)
Interesting points
- Rechargeable battery is unique
- Headband with normal fixed force (LT1100)
- USB-C charging port not protected by cover (LT1100)
- It's a bit too heavy to carry around (1500)
- price
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | BlackDiamond Distance LT1100 | BlackDiamond Distance 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Light intensity (lm) |
|
|
| Official irradiation distance (m) |
|
|
| Official irradiation time (h) (min/max) |
|
|
| Actual weight (g) |
108g (actual measurements including battery) |
206g (actual measurements including battery) |
| Dedicated battery | BD LT Battery (3.7V/2200mAh) | Distance 1500 Battery (7.4V/1500mAh) |
| Use while charging | × | × |
| Waterproof and dustproof | IP67 (Dust does not enter / Will not be affected if immersed in 1m deep fresh water for 30 minutes) | IP67 (Dust does not enter / Will not be affected if immersed in 1m deep fresh water for 30 minutes) |
| Light type |
|
|
| accessories | USB-Type C cable, staff bag | Hard case, staff bag, additional headband, USB-Type C cable |
| Long distance irradiation | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Close-range illumination | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Feeling of wear | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Waterproof | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Appearance, weight, comfort: smart construction that doesn't make you feel heavy and comfortable fit
To put it simply, the name "Distance Series" is a series name that is also used in other Black Diamond products, such as backpacks and trekking poles, and the items that are marked are generally made for activities that involve quick travel, such as speed hiking, fast packing, and trail running.
In that sense, these headlamps are also made with the aim of being able to wear them while running.
Distance LT1100
The distance LT1100 weighs approximately 108 grams. When I held it in my hand, I felt it felt much lighter than it looked from the outside.
There is a mode change/ON/OFF and output adjustment buttons at the top, and a USB terminal at the bottom. The exposed terminals and no covers make it a bit of a concern, as it seems easy for dirt and water to get in.
The back comes with a soft and comfortable headband, and the back of the main unit is made to hit the fabric, so the plastic parts won't touch the forehead when installed. This ensures that you won't get sticky or sweaty after wearing it for hours, and the fit is good. Despite its normal strap shape, it is reasonably stable whether you wear it directly on your head or over a hat (photo below).
However, personally, I think that's why I could have taken a step further and made the band more stable and made it more stable, or by increasing the number of bands on the top of the head, improving the fit. To keep it firmly in place so that it doesn't shake even when you run, you need to tighten the band tightly. It's a shame that I'm not so much dissatisfied at the moment.
Distance 1500
The distance of 1500 is a structure in which the battery pack and light unit are separated from the front and back, which is often seen in headlamps with high light (photo below).
A luxurious package (photo below) that includes a dedicated hard case and accessories such as a storage bag and an additional band for the top of the head.
The operational buttons have a mode change button, an ON/OFF button, an output adjustment button, and a boost button on the side. Once you get used to it, it's not that complicated. The overall weight is 213 grams, the LT1100 , but the light unit in front is very thin, and the forehead and back of the head are molded resin protectors (the band's fabric hits the forehead) and the band is soft and stretchy, giving it a very high fit and almost no unpleasant weight.
Furthermore, a vertical band can be added to the top of the head, which will enhance the fit. Once you've done this much, even if you're going vigorously on a training run (despite the weight of this), you won't be bothered by any shaking (photo below).
The USB terminal comes with a cover and is located on the back of the head as the battery pack. The remaining battery power is placed in the battery pack itself.
A thin light unit that keeps the light from shaking even when the angle is changed
One of the main reasons why this light is less likely to feel the weight or distortedness is the "new thin light unit structure" that is common to the LT1100 and 1500
The headlamp in the Distance series is structured to separate either a removable battery unit and a thin, lighter light unit (photo below is the LT1100 ).
The LT1100 can be easily separated into three parts: a light unit, a battery unit, and a band.
Previous headlamps will turn the light angle down so that the entire body, including the battery, bows downwards away from the forehead (usually, when using headlamps, the light is turned slightly downward).
With this separation structure as above, even if you tilt the light down, most of the weight remains stuck to your forehead (in the case of 1500 it remains fixed to your head) and the center of gravity does not separate from your forehead. For this reason, the headlamp is always fixed in place and is designed to be less likely to shake (photo below).
When I tried to ride the trail with my luggage on my back during the test, it was generally comfortable and stable except for a slight shaking, fitted in the position I wanted and the light didn't shift.
Brightness and battery life: High output and long time without any problems even in severe night runs
Another appeal of the Distance Series, designed to accommodate speedy activities, is its high-power lights that can be illuminated widely in the distance.
The lights in the Distance series are large and come in the following modes: "spot wide," "stepless power adjustment," "10-second boost," "red and blue-green color," and "strobe." Incidentally, both light locking mechanisms are firmly attached.
To drive safely along mountain paths at night, you need to be clearly and brightly lit up to a distance. On the other hand, if you are walking around looking for a tent or a leisurely path, wide visibility is more important than the distance you reach the light. You can choose a "spot-wide" light distribution pattern that matches your needs according to the situation.
The lights come with LEDs for spots and LEDs for widening, and a polyhedral optical lens that matches them.
Spot mode illuminates deep into the center, while wide mode illuminates the entire area evenly all around the field of vision. Of course, both can be adjusted in light.
Furthermore, in each mode, you can adjust the brightness steplessly by pressing and holding the button, and when you set the brightness to MAX, both spot-wide lights can emit a mixed beam.
Each mode allows for stepless brightness adjustment, and when the MAX output is set, the entire front is brighter than the other day, from the back to the entire field of vision, allowing me to walk with confidence even on paths between the trees (photo below is 1500 ). The newly developed polyhedral optical lens illuminates the distance and close range in a balanced way, while also smooth edges in the irradiation range. It is a very suitable light distribution to illuminate while outdoor activities.
The MAX output, which allows continuous irradiation for about 10 seconds, allows powerful light to illuminate the back and the surrounding area perfectly.
For example, if you lose sight of the route on a rocky area and instantly lose sight of it, double-tap the side of the case with your finger to switch to "boost mode" to temporarily raise the output to the maximum value ( 1500 is 1500 lumens, and LT1100 lumens), making it easier to find markers such as red tape, red paint, chains, and clues. I found this to be surprisingly useful when used to use it, such as to boosting it when needed while maintaining medium brightness, which is usually moderately bright, which can save moderate battery life (photo below is 1500 ).
How different is the brightness of the LT1100 and 1500?
The MAX output in normal mode is the LT1100 and the 1500 Personally, I can clearly see the difference, but the 600 lumen LT1100 is not enough, unless you are a pretty strict athlete, and it is undoubtedly a satisfying problem for both.
To begin with, if you have a high-power model up to this point, it is most likely that it is sufficient to use it with a slightly lower output (excluding skis, bikes, races, etc.), considering the battery life (excluding skis, bikes, races, etc.).
The LT1100's lights are cool white, while the 1500's light was slightly softer, making it easier to reach light even in early mornings when it was humid.
Various modes that can be used for unusual purposes
In addition, there are multi-color modes that emit red, blue, and green light (red is useful for a variety of scenes and activities, such as stargazing, blue and green are useful for hunting, etc.). It also has a flash mode that is effective in emergencies.
Also the 1500 has a red light attached to the rear battery unit, which acts as a marker for the follower (photo below).
Changes in battery life and brightness
As I always do on this site when I test headlamps, I put a MAX output light on the illuminator about a meter away, and measured the brightness trend for five hours over time. As a result, we found that there is a surprising difference between the battery life and how the brightness of the LT1100 and 1500 This is shown in the graph below.
It should be noted that the battery used in this test is a model that has been used for a few times since the 1100 was purchased and the 1500 was purchased.
of 1500 (when illuminated at MAX brightness) can continue to irradiate an extremely bright beam of 1300 lux the LT1100 in a short-term match, while if the time is extended to nearly 4 hours (of course, this is longer if the time is medium irradiation), the LT1100 than the 1500 (by the way, I also found that this is generally not incorrect with the numbers listed in the manufacturer's manual).
Furthermore, when comparing the manufacturer's irradiation time at medium illumination, the LT1100 is 14 hours and the 1500 is 6 hours, so the LT1100 is focused on long distance and long time practicality as a design concept. In short, if you choose the one that lasts longer, the LT1100 is probably better suited.
Large-capacity dedicated batteries are pros and cons
The dedicated removable battery unit allows for efficient use of power tailored to your device, as well as the convenience of being able to quickly replace a spare battery. However, spare batteries are sold separately and are not compatible with other products. Naturally, alkaline AA batteries cannot be reused, so that's a concern.
Summary: 1500 for the best performance in a race, and LT1100 for the most comprehensive practicality outside of the run.
The 1500 Distance LT1100 , which is packed with high output, comfortable, easy-to-view light, and ample functionality, and distance LT1100 are packed with light in a tent or for activities a few minutes before dawn, may be overspec. However, this is an even more reliable ramp with everything you need for climbers who act steadily from sunset to dawn, off-trail navigation on roadless roads, nighttime trail running races, ultra trail skiing, and cycling. To put it simply, the difference between the two is the 1,500 the LT1100 is recommended if you want to use high-end ramps that range from mountain climbing, running, skiing and racing
When it comes to rival headlamps, the 1500 Distance and the PETZL Nao RL , the LT1100 Distance and the PETZL Swift RL are both considered flagship models from top brands, but in terms of weight, the PETZL is almost the same in terms of power and fit, the function is either automatic dimming or a one-tap boost, and the price seems to be BD, so although there are subtle differences, it is honestly hard to choose between. Therefore, if you choose the person who is superior to the elements you place importance on, you will not regret it no matter which one you choose.
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