Black Diamond Ion

The Black Diamond Ion is the brand's lightest AAA headlamp - running on two AAA batteries, it weighs just 55 g, making it more of a lightweight backup or supplementary light than a primary headlamp for extended expeditions. Output of 100 lm and a 38 m beam distance are enough for trail walking, camp chores, and general nighttime tasks, but not for lighting terrain at a distance. Six lighting modes mix spot and flood beams with a red mode that preserves night vision and doesn't disturb tentmates. A lock mode prevents accidental activation in a pack, a detail often overlooked on lightweight headlamps. The adjustable headband fits comfortably even over a hat. IPX8 waterproofing sits at the top of the category and shrugs off sustained rain or a dunk in water. AAA batteries instead of USB charging mean carrying spares on longer trips, but allow a quick swap with no power source needed. Six hours of runtime at 55 g is a reasonable trade-off, making the Ion a solid lightweight backup or primary light for fast, low-key trips.