Up until recently, it was nearly impossible to find a rechargeable headlamp with a long burn-time, weather-resistant shell, and an affordable price tag. But the new Range 300 headlamp from Biolite manages to incorporate most of the features of a standard battery-run headlamp into a tool that’s even more efficient.
The Range headlamp comes in 300, 400, and 500 lumen options. We took the 300-lumen headlamp out into the backcountry, on technical trails in varying weather conditions, and here’s how it performed.
Price and Headlamp Features
The Range 300 comes with a reasonable $39.95 price tag—competitive with models like the Black Diamond Astro 300 and the Petzl Tikka, which cost $24.95 and $34.95, respectively.
One of the most noticeable features of the Range 300 is its weight. While competitive traditional headlamps can weigh anywhere from three to seven ounces, the Range 300 weighs just 1.8 ounces. The Range 300 is also significantly more compact than earlier Biolite headlamps. The hardware is forward-facing, which makes it feel more balanced on the head during technical hikes and bouncy runs.
Featuring a dimmable white spot setting, and a strobe light, this headlamp lacks the red light option that many hikers and backpackers prefer to utilize in crowded common areas like shelters. Yet it’s quick-charging, easy to use, and reliable. In fact, this headlamp can regain up to 80% of its charge in just 30 minutes. And an eight-minute charge adds at least one hour of run time.
Brightness and Battery Life
After several months of use, we were consistently impressed with how infrequently this headlamp required charging. And while some headlamps automatically dim as the charge drops, the Range 300 managed to maintain its brightness late into the night on several occasions. This headlamp is designed to provide 100 hours of usage on its low setting and up to four hours on high. And while we didn’t time the battery life, it turned out to be more substantial than the majority of rechargeable headlamps we’ve tested, including models like the Knog Bilby, and the Black Diamond Astro.
Weather and Storm Resistance
The Range 300 also comes with an IP67 waterproof submersion rating, so users can drop it into a creek for up to 30 minutes and expect it to come out unharmed. After a few soggy nights in the mountains, we found that mild storms and moisture had virtually no impact on this headlamp. It’s also covered by a three-year warranty, which is a nice bonus for adventurers who need their gear to last.
