Black Diamond Cosmo $69.99
Weight: 87g
Used by: Gear-pinching former deputy editor George Driver
Used for: Three years
This is actually my girlfriend’s headlamp, but I like it so much I usually ‘borrow’ it on trips. The Cosmo has a number of handy features, including a strobe function for emergencies, red-light to preserve night vision for stargazing and a transport lock.
It is operated by a single low-profile push button, but the limited controls require practise to navigate through the features.
It runs on three AAA batteries and has good battery life (6hr at max power), although using batteries feels a bit outdated and wasteful – it would be great to have a long-life battery that could be recharged with a USB.
With 225 lumens, I’ve found it sufficient for around the hut or campsite, and finding my way along a trail in the dark. I also like that it can be run at very low brightness, which is handy for reading in a full hut.
Being so light, it’s comfortable to wear and easy to adjust – my other headlamp has a rear-mounted battery pack which is cumbersome and uncomfortable.
Verdict: A feature-rich, comfortable headlamp with a good price.