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Choose Black Diamond Spot 400-R if you prefer the lighter of these rechargeable headlamps. Consider Storm 500-R when its larger battery and extra coloured-light options are useful enough to carry. Both use Micro-USB charging, so neither should be assumed to share a USB-C cable with newer camping equipment.
Table of Contents
Compare the named rechargeable models
This guide covers Spot 400-R and Storm 500-R. The battery-powered Spot 400, Storm 450 and other generations are different products. Retailer titles and descriptions sometimes mix specifications, so match the model code and manual before buying.
| Feature | Spot 400-R | Storm 500-R |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum output | 400 lumens | 500 lumens |
| Manufacturer weight | 86g | 120g |
| Integrated battery | 1,500mAh | 2,400mAh |
| Charging port | Micro-USB | Micro-USB |
| Specified protection rating | IP67 | IP67 |
Start with your evening routine
For reading, sorting equipment and walking around a campsite, an accessible low setting can be more useful than the highest output. Practise dimming the light and switching modes without shining a bright beam into someone else’s tent.
Both offer red lighting, while Storm adds green and blue options. Decide whether you have a real use for those extra modes. More settings do not automatically make a lamp easier to operate when tired or wearing gloves.
Read runtime at the selected brightness
The larger Storm battery is a meaningful specification, but it does not establish a fixed number of extra nights for every user. Your chosen settings and time spent at higher output matter.
Read the manufacturer’s runtime information alongside its brightness levels and test conditions. Do not pair a maximum-lumen figure with a longest-runtime headline from a low mode. Output can change over a run, so advertised hours should not be interpreted as constant maximum brightness.
Check charging and handling
Include a working Micro-USB lead in the kit and test it with your intended power source. These rechargeable versions should not be treated as interchangeable with models accepting loose AAA cells.
Use the lockout when transporting the lamp and learn how to release it. Keep the charging connection dry and follow the care instructions. An IP rating is not permission to charge a wet lamp or ignore damage to the housing.
Try the headband fit
Wear the lamp with your usual hat or hood and move around. Check whether the bracket holds its angle and whether the band is comfortable. The heavier Storm may feel fine for one person and unnecessary for another.
For a trip involving consequential night navigation, assess the beam and carry appropriate independent backup lighting. A campsite comparison does not establish suitability for every route or condition.
Which should you buy?
View the Spot 400-R Graphite on Amazon UK. Use Black Diamond’s exact Storm 500-R specification to check any competing listing.
Choose Spot for lower weight and a simpler feature requirement, or Storm when its battery and additional lighting options match how you camp. Confirm the complete model name before comparing prices.
Continue with our camping headlamp guide.
Reviewed 10 September 2026. This guide is based on published specifications and guidance.