# Petzl Actik Core vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Petzl Actik Core (Petzl) and Black Diamond Spot 400-R (Black Diamond) among headlamps. Black Diamond Spot 400-R is the cheaper of the two at $79.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | Petzl Actik Core | Black Diamond Spot 400-R |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $87.95 | $79.95 |
| Brand | Petzl | Black Diamond |
| Max lumens | 625 | 400 |
| Max beam distance meters | 115 | 100 |
| Runtime max hrs | 100 | 225 |
| Weight grams | 88 | 86 |
| Battery type | hybrid | built-in-li-ion |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 1250 | 1500 |
| Recharge port | usb-c | micro-usb |
| Waterproof rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Red light | Yes | Yes |
| Reactive lighting | No | No |
| Beam type | mixed | mixed |

## Key differences

- Max lumens: Petzl Actik Core 625 vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R 400
- Max beam distance meters: Petzl Actik Core 115 vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R 100
- Runtime max hrs: Petzl Actik Core 100 vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R 225
- Weight grams: Petzl Actik Core 88 vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R 86
- Battery type: Petzl Actik Core hybrid vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R built-in-li-ion
- Battery capacity (mAh): Petzl Actik Core 1250 vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R 1500
- Recharge port: Petzl Actik Core usb-c vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R micro-usb
- Waterproof rating: Petzl Actik Core IPX4 vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R IP67

## What reviewers say

**Petzl Actik Core** — Two whitelisted hands-on testers (CleverHiker, Switchback Travel) rank the 625-lumen Petzl Actik Core a top all-around headlamp: bright, reliable, with a swappable USB-C rechargeable Core battery or three AAAs and long, dependable burn time. Both flag its IPX4 splash-only rating against IP67/IPX8 competitors. Comfort and bulk are contested between the two. Neither published lab-measured output or runtime, so there is no measured data. (2 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Petzl Actik Core: https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Headlamps/ACTIK-CORE (petzl.com, verified 2026-07-11)
- Black Diamond Spot 400-R: https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/spot-400-r-rechargeable-headlamp (blackdiamondequipment.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/headlamps/petzl-actik-core-vs-black-diamond-spot-400-r/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Petzl Actik Core ($87.95) vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R ($79.95) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/headlamps/petzl-actik-core-vs-black-diamond-spot-400-r/
License: CC BY 4.0.