Your Next Headlamp: Black Diamond Cosmo 300

I love headlamps for a variety of reasons, namely the idea of constantly having light where I’m looking and having the use of both of my hands. While I’m perfectly fine using the cheap Energizer ones at your local hardware store for working under the car or in a poorly lit area of the house or garage, using them in the woods is a different story entirely. My biggest frustration was having light discipline with most headlamps is exceedingly difficult, particularly if you want to use a red light and without cycling through white. Lastly, while I am sure a $200 headlamp is pretty cool, given none of us are in possession of a money tree, the overall value of the product also comes into play.

When I was looking at headlamps to buy, the biggest factor that narrowed down my search was 1) it needed a red light mode and 2) it had to be accessible without cycling through white. Really the choice comes down to two brands. Petzl has a TACTIKKA series and Black Diamond has the Cosmo series of headlamps. Both have a couple different options for lumens, but ultimately the Black Diamond is roughly half the price and it is more water resistant. While the Petzl is IPX4 (weather resistant), the Black Diamond is IPX8 (waterproof) and must operate submerged to 1.1m for at least 30 minutes. Lastly I find the user interface of the light to be more intuitive.

So what exactly does this wunderlight do? Three bulbs supply your light, a large LED and two smaller LED’s stacked next to the larger one. The Cosmo 300 has three settings of white light and one red. The white is rather predictably high, medium and low. The high uses the two white diodes, the medium uses just the large diode and the red uses the lower diode. The medium being more than bright enough to see while walking and the high being bright enough to annoy everyone around you. The red is comparable to the low setting of the white light. What I came to appreciate about the light rather quickly is that every setting is dimmable. I would estimate each setting has 4-5 dimming positions.

The feature that really sets this light apart is the user interface. Looking around the Internet you will see criticism of this, but assuming you are capable of peeling your crayons before you eat them you should be more than up to the task. Rather than one button that does everything, Black Diamond wisely chose a second button to change the between light settings. Meaning that you can set the light to red light and turn it on and off without every worrying about accidentally kicking on the white light or having to cycle through the white light to get to red. Your power button also functions as the dimmer, so there is no risk of white light discharge if you are dimming or brightening the red setting. Lastly, you can keylock the buttons to prevent an accidental discharge in your pocket or pack. The power button is thoughtfully textured and both buttons are nicely recessed. The fit and finish are excellent, the body mating with the lens and the headband is quality elastic.

The one thing I dislike about this light is the adjustment. The light can be adjusted vertically, but the clicking is LOUD. While the light is super secure, using it in an environment that requires strict noise discipline would necessitate you being careful. Lastly, while the AAA batteries are rated to last 200 hours on the lowest setting, the Petzl has a rechargeable battery pack that can be swapped out for regular batteries if needed. Other than those two minor quibbles, I have nothing at all bad to say about the product. I highly encourage you to pick up one or more up while you still can.

Check them out for yourself here:

Black Diamond Cosmo 300

Petzl TACTIKKA 350

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About the Author: Jesse James

The Millennial your professor warned you about. Incontrovertibly opposed to neoliberalism and post-modernism, including their roots, on a theological, philosophical, economic and political basis. My curriculum vitae spans chemistry, biology, law, and western jurisprudence. Juris Doctorate. Recovering libertarian and ivory tower resident. Reluctant monarchist because I read too much history, and watched CSPAN one too many times. Christian in the vein of Augustine and the Five Solas, advocate for patriarchy, western and Christian tradition, and the nuclear family. Avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. Described as a ‘food snob.’ Lover of old bourbon and old books. Happily married to my favorite redhead…my helpmeet and the one that makes it all worth it. I live in Virginia but will always be a Texan.

14 Comments

  1. Jon October 16, 2020 at 16:28

    Jesse

    Great review. Timely too!

    I’ve been using Petzl headlamps for years. Good kit for the reasons you cited. Not wild about AAA batteries, but everything requires compromise. Especially when it comes to budget. Also, the Petzel lockout isn’t exactly 100%; that has been a problem.

    I will try out the Black Diamond in hopes that it’s better than my current Petzl.

    Related, sort of. We lose power a lot during bad weather in winter and spring. Bought the kids headlamps to keep by their beds in case power goes out. This has given them more confidence and self reliance. Absolutely an improvement.

    • Jesse James October 16, 2020 at 19:01

      One of the reasons I went with BD is that the buttons are entirely separate and the lockout for on/off is a two button affair on RECESSED buttons. Splitting hairs, but hey it’s my money. Thanks for the read!

      • cat wrangler October 17, 2020 at 13:05

        “sidewinder compact II” best military flash light under a hundred petrodollars

        by streamlight
        Boycott black diamond, get woke go broke.

  2. stormsailor1981 October 16, 2020 at 16:35

    yeah Jessie, appreciate the gear review, I havn’t replaced my 20 year old petzl, because I wanted the red light, and not having to cycle through the settings. I just ordered a couple, although I chose black instead of red, something about having a red strap around my head and not clashing with my johnny combats.

    • Jesse James October 16, 2020 at 18:59

      I agree 100% on the red/blue colors for the actual headlamp. The one pictured is mine and BD calls it ‘olive.’ Grey might be another good choice. Thanks for the read!

  3. Johnny Paratrooper October 16, 2020 at 17:01

    Great Article.
    I’d like to hear your thoughts on watches next. I need a couple of good watches and some batteries.
    Also, for what it’s worth, many headlights will go directly to red light if you hold the button down.
    Obviously this is a risky task, but it is true of many headlights I have used.

  4. Knowledge Is Power October 16, 2020 at 22:40

    I will humbly submit the the Nitecore NU25 for consideration. I have one, and it hits all the requirements, and performs excellent.

    https://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-NU25-Lumen-Triple-Output/dp/B077Z3LNX9/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-drs1_0?cv_ct_cx=nitecore+headlamp&dchild=1&keywords=nitecore+headlamp&pd_rd_i=B077Z3LNX9&pd_rd_r=49496832-8789-4812-9b8c-d6e0660d4991&pd_rd_w=IpHqD&pd_rd_wg=wgFz4&pf_rd_p=ecbfa24d-f48c-4d5c-83aa-9549f4e7c925&pf_rd_r=BJTXJZ5CVBR7XY40NDNK&psc=1&qid=1602902118&sr=1-1-f6b8d51f-2c55-4dc3-89ad-0c3639671b2d

    Red light? Check. Two levels of red, in fact.
    White light? Check. 3 levels of bright white LED
    Bonus: ‘Incandescent’ light setting, which is great and easy on the eyes and is a warmer, more natural ‘glow’. Perfect for reading at night.
    Ultra light weight, so it won’t slide down your head (1 oz!)
    Built in rechargeable battery: USB micro rechargeable port. I find the battery capacity is more than enough for extended use, and I prefer to have a lighter weight package and not have to carry yet another set of batteries. I always carry a USB charger with me, so it is very practical as well.

    Your mileage may vary, but I highly recommend.

  5. tonare October 18, 2020 at 08:33

    Looks like the Spot Lite 160 model shares a lot of the same features as the Cosmo. 2 x AAA and is $15.55 on sale at REI right now

  6. Recon October 18, 2020 at 10:51

    water resistant is not water proof thus is not a choice for me. Had to many headlamps that were water resistant only to have them crap out on me in a good rain. Dark and rain is not where you want to be without a light.

  7. Anonymous October 18, 2020 at 10:51

    5

  8. Curious Passerby October 19, 2020 at 02:14

    I like the Streamlight SIdewinder II. It’s small, uses CR123 batteries, can easily switch between red, white, blue, and IR, while turned off via the rotating knob, and it can clip to anything. It’s not a headlamp per se, but it has an accessory helmet mount and the clip on it lets you clip it onto a pocket flap, lapel, strap, etc. I made up a simple lanyard to keep it hanging around my neck when not otherwise in use. Great little light. https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/index/sidewinder-compact-ii

    • tonare October 19, 2020 at 22:18

      It has a headstrap option that you can get.

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