As the title suggests, this Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp review is about the latest version of the popular headlamp, more powerful than ever, with 200 lumens.
Key benefits
- Very reasonable price.
- Completely waterproof electronics.
- Very bright.
What is new in the new model
- Physically, you will not see the difference, so if you order it, make sure it is the latest version.
- The new version is with 200 lumens, as compared with 160 in the previous 2016 version.
- The burn time for the new model is 180 and 30 hours (for low and high modes, respectively) as compared to 250 and 50 in the previous model. So clearly, this is not an improvement.
- The beam distance for the new model is 70 and 10 meters (high and low), as compared to 60 and 12 in the previous model.
- The most important difference is in the IP rating. The new version is IPX8 (so totally waterproof electronics) as compared to IPX4 in the previous model.
- There may be the difference in price, dependent on where you order it.
- Note, there is still the 2015 model available on Amazon and elsewhere, but this is quite different by design and you will not get confused. It is with 90 lumens.
More about the features
The most important to start with is the waterproof housing with the rating IPX8. If you are not familiar with this terminology, please see here more. This is practically the highest level. Though, there is yet another with the number 9 but this is about hot water, so probably not something to consider in any case.
The meaning of the number 8 is that the headlamp can survive water immersion down to 3 meters. So this is definitely a reliable tool, much better than its previous version which was weather-resistant only. There is a big difference between the two. You will see in the video below how the Cosmo works in a jar of water.
The lamp is with two working modes, you will see this in the video below, spot beam and proximity mode. The maximum number of lumens 200 in the specifications is for the case when the two lights are combined.
The red light is with strobe function and it can be dimmed as well. The lamp works on three AAA batteries, so this is a classic lighting technology, no reactive features or constant lighting. The maximum power is in the beginning and it decreases exponentially.
Regarding the beam distance, with 70 meters the Cosmo is slightly below the Black Diamond Spot and the Storm headlamps, which have 80 meters beam distance. Not a big difference for sure.
See this short video about the new Black Diamond Cosmo headlamp:
Specifications
- Lumens: 200.
- Weight with batteries: 84 g (2.9 oz).
- Max distances:
– High: 70 m.
– Low: 10 m. - Max burn time:
– High: 30 H.
– Low: 180 H. - IP rating: IPX8.
- LED Type: 1 TriplePower, 1 DoublePower, 1 SinglePower.
- Batteries: 3 AAA, included.
- Colors: 4.
Comparison with BD Storm
There is a new version of the Black Diamond Storm headlamp, so see here how the new Cosmo compares with it:
| Black Diamond Storm |
Black Diamond Cosmo |
|
| Weight (g) | 110 | 84 |
| Max lumens | 350 | 200 |
| Max burn time, h | 160 | 180 |
| Max distance, m | 80 | 70 |
| Rechargeable | no | no |
| Power lock | yes | yes |
| Constant lighting | no | no |
| Reactive | no | no |
| Strobe function | yes | yes |
| Waterproof | yes, IP67 | yes, IPX8 |
| Battery power indicator | yes | no |
| Dimming | yes | yes |
| Hybrid | no | no |
My own Cosmo headlamp
I own this headlamp, I was lucky to find it in our local outdoor shop in Belgium where I live. The price was reasonable for such a quality tool, I paid 34 Euro. You can see it in the picture below.
I am preparing for my tour to the Austrian and Slovenian Alps, not completely sure yet where I shall climb next week because of such an early season, there is still a lot of snow (I am writing this in early May). So, the Cosmo from the picture below will be in my backpack. I am sure I have a reliable waterproof tool, this is what I shall need there.
Summary & rating
So to conclude this Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp review, this is a reliable tool, simple and functional, no wow factors and bells and whistles. This is a tool designed to do the job. I own this headlamp, and I trust the brand behind it, and therefore I can fully recommend it.
I would love to have a rechargeable option for frequent use, like in the case of Petzl’s Hybrid headlamps, like Tikkina 150, which use both the CORE battery and classic batteries. This is more economical and ecological. Please see how I rate it:
Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp
Pros
- Waterproof.
- Good power.
- Reliable.
- Good burn time.
- Good price.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Classic batteries.
- No power indicator.
If you feel this is not what you need, please see my page with many great models described. One of them is the Petzl Tikkina 150 with a simpler design, but see also this Petzl e+Lite ultra-lightweight lamp. Note that the Black Diamond Spot headlamp has also been redesigned and the version is available on the market.
Thank you for reading. In the case of comments and questions, please use the comment box below. I wish you a pleasant day.
Branislav Amerstein says
Hellou. I would like to have advice on choosing the headlamp. BD vs. Petzl took me.
(spot, cosmo) vs. (tikka2017, actik).
Somewhere on the Internet is the best Coast HL7 headlamp.
anyway, I can not choose and I’ve discovered your reviews.
I will use the headlamp anywhere, but most often light tourism, sports or homework.
almost all of them are on the batteries except the new Petzl (core) line that I like to think about the environment.
with regards to Brano
Jovo says
Hi Branislav great to hear from you. In fact, I am using the BD Cosmo almost daily, I go for jogging always in the evening so I use it. These days (nights) we have temperatures around zero and no issues with it at all when I run, typically some 45 minutes or so. And last summer I was using it in my tours in the Italian Alps. My experience is only the best with this headlamp, you have seen my own picture of it in the text.
The CORE option is also great as it fits several so-called hybrid lamps by Petzl. I have used Petzl in the past as well, my experience is very good. Nothing can go wrong with these lamps.
As for environmental issues, note that even with the BD Cosmo you can use rechargeable batteries.