Outdoor recreation equipment: Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp vs. REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent

Quick Verdict

The Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp is a versatile lighting solution suitable for various outdoor activities, while the REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent is a reliable shelter for camping, offering good weather protection and ventilation, though it may be bulky to pack.

The Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp is a lighting device with multiple modes, while the REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent is a 2-person tent designed for 3-season use.
The headlamp is lightweight and water-resistant, featuring a variety of lighting options and adjustable settings.
The tent offers good ventilation, a sturdy construction, and a full-coverage rainfly, but may have a large packed size and require upgraded stakes for windy conditions.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp	REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent
Name	Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp	REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent
Brightness (Lumens)	400 lumens	Not available
Weight (oz)	2.7 oz (with AAA batteries), 2.54 oz (with BD 1500 rechargeable battery), Spot 400-R (Rechargeable): 2.6oz \| 73g	Not available
Battery Life (Hours)	High: 2.5 hours (AAA), 4 hours (BD 1500); Medium: 5 hours (AAA), 8 hours (BD 1500); Low: 200 hours (AAA), 225 hours (BD 1500)	Not available
Water Resistance Rating	IPX8 - Waterproof to at least 1.1 meters underwater for 30 minutes. Spot 400-R (Rechargeable): IP67 - Waterproof to at least 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes.	Not available
Beam Distance (Meters)	100 meters	Not available
Material Durability	Body: Polycarbonate, Stainless Steel, TPU; Lens: Polycarbonate; Strap: Polyester, Nylon, Rubber	Thick 70-denier (or 75D) taffeta nylon floor, 40-denier nylon rainfly
Number of Doors	Not available	2
Tent Capacity	Not available	2 person
Peak Height (Inches)	Not available	42
Floor Area (Square Feet)	Not available	35.8 (or 38.1)
Packed Weight (lbs)	Not available	6 lbs 3.6 oz
Ease of Setup	Not available	Not available
Price	Not available	Not available

Overall Comparison

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp: 400 lumens, 2.7 oz weight. REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent: 2-person capacity, 6 lbs 3.6 oz packed weight, 42-inch peak height.

Pros and Cons

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

Pros:

Versatile lighting modes (spot, flood, strobe, red light)
Comfortable and well-balanced design
Secure fit with adjustable headband
Easy to operate with gloves
Impressive burn times on low mode

Cons:

Battery life may vary from advertised specifications
Adjusting straps can be challenging with thick winter gloves

REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent

Pros:

Good ventilation due to large vents and mesh design
Easy to adjust rainfly in adverse weather
Sturdy construction
Full-coverage rainfly
Raised bathtub floor with quality seam taping
Handles most 3-season conditions
Survived a 1-hour heavy rain test without leaking

Cons:

Fairly large packed size
Some find it tough to pack down into its stuff sack
May need better quality stakes and additional cord for windy conditions

User Experiences and Feedback

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

What Users Love

Effective lighting modes for various activities
Comfortable to wear for extended periods
Easy to operate with gloves

Common Complaints

Battery life may be below advertised specifications

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Settings easily switched based on specific needs.
Soft strap provides a secure fit without feeling bulky.
Single-button operation is straightforward, even when wearing gloves.

REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent

What Users Love

Good ventilation
Easy rainfly adjustment
Sturdy in wind (with upgraded stakes)
Waterproof in heavy rain test

Common Complaints

Large packed size
Difficult to pack

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Rainfly can be quickly pulled over to cover the entire tent if a storm rolls in.
The zipper design on the rainfly provides a wide opening for getting in and out of the tent.
The Half Dome 2 Plus has large vents, lots of mesh, and enough space separating the rainfly and tent body to provide good ventilation.
The vents are easy to access and customize depending on weather conditions.
The mesh tent body acts as a buffer between the rainfly to minimize condensation.
The tent floor is made from a thick 70-denier taffeta nylon. The latest version has a thicker 75-denier floor.
The packed size is fairly large, and some find it tough to pack down into its stuff sack.
The bag's size is forgiving if you do a less than perfect pack job.
The tent held up well in wind gusts above 40 miles per hour.
It is recommended to purchase better quality stakes and additional cord.
The Half Dome 2 Plus is equipped to handle most 3-season conditions with its sturdy construction, full-coverage rainfly, and raised bathtub floor with quality seam taping.
It survived a 1-hour heavy rain test without leaking.