Two headlamps worth lining up side by side. The Storm 450 takes a modest overall edge, led by low weight, but the Actik has its own case.
| Black Diamond Storm 450 | Petzl Actik | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 72✓ | 70 |
| Max lumens | 450 lm | 450 lm |
| Weight | 3.2 oz✓ | 3.5 oz |
| Beam distance | 120 m✓ | 100 m |
| Max runtime | 175 h | 100 h |
| Price | $60✓ | $65 |
| Battery | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Water rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Storm 450 in blue, Actik in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Runtime is shown for context and is not scored, since makers publish it at different brightness levels. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full headlamp comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
The Black Diamond Storm 450 and Petzl Actik take different routes to the same job. The Storm 450 wins on low weight and longer throw, and the Actik pushes back on value.
The Storm 450 is 7 g lighter, a longer beam (120 vs 100 m), and $5 cheaper. On the default GearScore the Storm 450 leads 72 to 70.
Pick the Storm 450 if you care most about low weight and longer throw, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Actik if you would rather save the difference.
The Black Diamond Storm 450. It is 7 g lighter than the Actik.
The Black Diamond Storm 450. It is a longer beam (120 vs 100 m) than the Actik.
The Black Diamond Storm 450, 72 to 70 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Storm 450 for low weight, or the Actik for the price. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.