A close look at two headlamps buyers cross-shop. The Axis leans on low weight while the Sprinter 500 answers with brightness, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Princeton Tec Axis | Black Diamond Sprinter 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 70✓ | 65 |
| Max lumens | 450 lm | 500 lm✓ |
| Weight | 2.9 oz✓ | 4.0 oz |
| Beam distance | 35 m | 50 m✓ |
| Max runtime | 50 h | n/s |
| Price | $80✓ | $100 |
| Battery | Rechargeable | Hybrid |
| Water rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Axis in blue, Sprinter 500 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 Princeton Tec Axis next to the Black Diamond Sprinter 500 and the trade-offs are clear. The Axis wins on low weight and price, and the Sprinter 500 pushes back on brightness and longer throw.
The Axis is 33 g lighter and $20 cheaper. The Sprinter 500 is brighter (500 vs 450 lm) and a longer beam (50 vs 35 m). On the default GearScore the Axis leads 70 to 65.
Pick the Axis if you care most about low weight and price, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Sprinter 500 if brightness and longer throw matter more to you, or you are focused on your priorities.
The Princeton Tec Axis. It is 33 g lighter than the Sprinter 500.
The Black Diamond Sprinter 500. It is brighter (500 vs 450 lm) than the Axis.
The Princeton Tec Axis, 70 to 65 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Axis for low weight, or the Sprinter 500 for brightness. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.