I used a Black Diamond Revolt for several years and really liked it. It’s bright enough, a full charge lasts an entire 7-day trip, it has red light, and it dims. I picked up the Petzl Actik Core 450 Headlamp not to replace the Revolt, but mostly just because it’s brighter and because I can’t keep track of headlamps so I need to have several. I have since lost the Revolt so the Actik Core is now my only headlamp. My comparison of these two tells me that:
The charges last about the same amount of time
Actik Core is MUCH brighter
Actik Core has several brightness settings but doesn’t dim as low as the Revolt (I like the low setting for saving battery)
Actik Core doesn’t seem very waterproof, Revolt seems a bit more waterproof
Actik Core headband seems more durable or like the stretchiness is stiffer or something
On a recent 5-day trip I used my headlamp for only about 15 min a night, and by the end of the trip the charge was still almost completely full. So it’s hard to say if that lower setting on the Revolt is really that much better for saving battery.
The Actik Core is ridiculously bright, so if you actually need to do some nighttime route-finding or something similar, I would definitely choose it over the Revolt.
Model / Variant
My level of backpacking experience
expert
# of days I've used this product
45
Would I recommend this product to a friend?
Yes
Overall4.33
Light Weight4
Durability5
Versatility4
Performance5
Design4
Price4
Membership Required
This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership.
Premium Articles
You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team.
Get full article access by subscribing to a Premium or Unlimited Backpacking Light membership!
© Beartooth Media Group Inc.
Loading...
Very bright, long-lasting charge, no dimming feature
I used a Black Diamond Revolt for several years and really liked it. It’s bright enough, a full charge lasts an entire 7-day trip, it has red light, and it dims. I picked up the Petzl Actik Core 450 Headlamp not to replace the Revolt, but mostly just because it’s brighter and because I can’t keep track of headlamps so I need to have several. I have since lost the Revolt so the Actik Core is now my only headlamp. My comparison of these two tells me that:
On a recent 5-day trip I used my headlamp for only about 15 min a night, and by the end of the trip the charge was still almost completely full. So it’s hard to say if that lower setting on the Revolt is really that much better for saving battery.
The Actik Core is ridiculously bright, so if you actually need to do some nighttime route-finding or something similar, I would definitely choose it over the Revolt.