Details
Brand
Black Diamond
Model
Sprinter Headlamp
Use
Visibility
Key Features
• 200 lumens• 2m min/50m max beam distance• 3 power modes including One-touch high beam setting• Safety red strobe on battery pack at rear of unit• Rechargeable Lithium• ion battery pack• Updated model charges via USB cable• Provides 5 hour runtime• Rated IPX: 4 • stormproof• Adjustable headband with optional center/top strap for stability• Best suited for urban running• A little pricey• Rated top pick among some reviewers
Comfort
The Black Diamond Sprinter is adjustable, lightweight, and well designed. A balanced lamp in front and sealed lithium-ion battery pack in the back creates a good weight distribution for maximum comfort and the addition of a red blinking light on the pack creates added visibility for safety. While bulky at first glance because of its two separate compartments, most like the layout and find the rear battery to be undetectable once moving. The fit can be further customized with the addition of a top strap for enhanced stability.
Size
The Black Diamond Sprinter is offered in just one size. The headband and additional optional center strap are adjustable for a secure, personalized fit.
Accessories
There are no known accessories manufactured for this product. However, charging cable and headlamp replacements are available for the 2015 models and newer as well as charging cradles (without cable) for older models.
Use
Offering 200 lumens, with 2-50 min/max distances, and a marketed burn time of 4 hours on high, 24 on average, and 42 on low power, the Black Diamond Sprinter headlamp does not seem as impressive on paper. Most claim it is simple to switch lighting modes to use only the power you need and conserve battery life. But powered by only one rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, the 1 triple power LED light just can’t seem to offer enough brightness and distance for some…except those using it for a narrowly focused purpose: daily dark road running. The published statistics do not lend themselves to the confidence that quite a few adventurers would expect in a headlamp but once you factor in that its use appears to be highly specific in that regard, the game changes. It becomes a purposeful tool for many nighttime and pre-dawn warriors. Particularly useful for cyclists and runners, the Sprinter boasts an efficient way to safely navigate early morning and evening outings. Black Diamond enters a stiff competition with lamps that are slated to give off better lighting for outdoor enthusiasts. However, multiple independent testers and users have found that the Sprinter performed better than advertised – making it a strong contender among headlamps of similar purpose. Many found it to be well thought out and constructed, and smart for the environment with its rechargeable battery pack. This combined with its water resistance, make it a very good choice for daily urban running in almost any weather.
Style
As headlamps go, the Sprinter appears streamlined and basic. Offered with a black band and a blue-rimmed headlamp, it is marketed as smoke blue. This simple and functional design is smartly balanced with the battery pack/red strobe at the rear of the headband.
Durability
Most have found the Black Diamond Sprinter to be well made and long lasting. In its updated form that offers 200 lumens, reviews are favorable for quality. Older models did elicit some concerns about the construction of the lamp and connecting wires but that has not seemed to be an issue in the newer incarnation. Some experienced a faulty flap covering the USB port as well as breakage of the clip that attaches the battery pack to the band. And while some found the battery pack to lose charge quickly, most were pleased with its ability to provide the full 5-hour run time and then some.
Breathability
This headlamp consists of a strap that circles the head with a small lamp in the front and battery pack balancing it out in back. An optional top/center band can also be worn for stability. The head is able to breathe as the unit is not cumbersome and with the elastic and adjustable fit, it can be modified to not sit so tight that you sweat.
Price
With a cost that almost doubles lamps that have similar specs, the Sprinter is one to really think about. It is deemed highly specialized for the day-to-day urban runner so it seems to feed into a niche market. Even with top billing from some, it is hard to swallow the cost. In its favor most say it is durable, the light fits their needs, that it is waterproof, and that the safety feature is an added gem. But where the cost tends to get justified is in its offering of an environmentally conscious rechargeable battery that can produce considerable savings in the long run. In addition, it can be found online for a significantly reduced price making it a better buy.
Bottom Line
When determining if this is the right headlamp for you, it is important to understand where it falls in 5-hour to other lamps with respect to some key features. With lumens as a defining category in the search for a headlamp, some may see the updated Sprinter’s 200 lumens as proof enough to buy it. Just as indoor lighting which tends to be 200-300 lumens doesn’t look the same, the same is true for headlamps. Its beam distance of 4 meters min and 50 meters max works in conjunction with lumens for a comprehensive measurement. And its close up brightness sets it apart from others and helps it to earn top pick at some review sites, And while the Sprinter can light up the night effectively, it is not for everyone. While most applaud its craftsmanship and ease of use, they find the light is just simply not enough for their purpose. This is because they claim that unless they are out on a familiar road, the brightness doesn’t just gradually decrease: it seems to drop off significantly after the initial few meters. And most feel the light doesn’t provide enough detail for uneven terrain. But within the scope of road runners that get out daily for their dark miles, this lamp hits the mark. A feature that is lauded by some is the quick touch high beam. This proves to be an essential safety feature along with visibility from the back courtesy of the red strobe. Battery life is another key factor to consider. The Sprinter provides around 5 hours run time courtesy of a USB chargeable battery pack located on the back of the unit. This is not a very long amount of time but considering that its scope is daily urban dark miles, it works well for many and it even comes ready straight out of the box with an initial charge. Subsequent charges are done via USB cable making for a more streamlined product. With some decline in the battery life, the brightness did not work for some but reports of that are rare. This lamp is available with a bigger investment price than some competitors but keeping in mind the savings from avoiding alkaline replacements, most seem pleased with their purchases. At full cost, it might be wise to look for a less expensive option but if you can find the Black Diamond Sprinter available at a reduced rate online and you just want to get out a few times a week for your neighborhood miles, then try it out.
