A close look at two headlamps buyers cross-shop. The Storm 450 leans on low weight while the Storm 500-R answers with brightness, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Black Diamond Storm 450 | Black Diamond Storm 500-R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 72✓ | 67 |
| Max lumens | 450 lm | 500 lm✓ |
| Weight | 3.2 oz✓ | 4.2 oz |
| Beam distance | 120 m | 120 m |
| Max runtime | 175 h | 350 h |
| Price | $60✓ | $75 |
| Battery | Hybrid | Rechargeable |
| Water rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Storm 450 in blue, Storm 500-R 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.
Put the Black Diamond Storm 450 next to the Black Diamond Storm 500-R and the trade-offs are clear. The Storm 450 wins on low weight and price, and the Storm 500-R pushes back on brightness.
The Storm 450 is 27 g lighter and $15 cheaper. The Storm 500-R is brighter (500 vs 450 lm). On the default GearScore the Storm 450 leads 72 to 67.
Pick the Storm 450 if you care most about low weight and price, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Storm 500-R if brightness matter more to you, or you are focused on your priorities.
The Black Diamond Storm 450. It is 27 g lighter than the Storm 500-R.
The Black Diamond Storm 500-R. It is brighter (500 vs 450 lm) than the Storm 450.
The Black Diamond Storm 450, 72 to 67 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 Storm 500-R for brightness. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.