Two headlamps worth lining up side by side. The Actik leans on low weight while the Storm 500-R answers with brightness, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Petzl Actik | Black Diamond Storm 500-R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 70✓ | 67 |
| Max lumens | 450 lm | 500 lm✓ |
| Weight | 3.5 oz✓ | 4.2 oz |
| Beam distance | 100 m | 120 m✓ |
| Max runtime | 100 h | 350 h |
| Price | $65✓ | $75 |
| Battery | Hybrid | Rechargeable |
| Water rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Actik 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.
The Petzl Actik and Black Diamond Storm 500-R take different routes to the same job. The Actik wins on low weight and price, and the Storm 500-R pushes back on brightness and longer throw.
The Actik is 20 g lighter and $10 cheaper. The Storm 500-R is brighter (500 vs 450 lm) and a longer beam (120 vs 100 m). On the default GearScore the Actik leads 70 to 67.
Pick the Actik 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 and longer throw matter more to you, or you are focused on your priorities.
The Petzl Actik. It is 20 g lighter than the Storm 500-R.
The Black Diamond Storm 500-R. It is brighter (500 vs 450 lm) than the Actik.
The Petzl Actik, 70 to 67 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Actik for low weight, or the Storm 500-R for brightness. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.