Why RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
Curious about the modes on your BD headlamp? Red, green, and blue: each color mode is a tool to maximize your night vision in different ways.
When you need the best, brightest, most waterproof, feature rich headlamp that is also ready for any adventure no matter the conditions, reach for the Storm 500-R Headlamp. Powered by our BD 2400 Li-ion battery that’s charged by a micro-USB, the Storm 500 R also features a sustainably made elastic headband with Repreve recycled textiles.
Overall rating: 4.510158 / 5 from 443 reviews.
The Storm 500-R Rechargeable Headlamp is praised for its bright light, good battery life, and lightweight design. Customers appreciate its various features, including the updated user interface and the Brightness Memory feature. The headlamp is also noted for its waterproof and dustproof housing, making it suitable for night hikes or camping.
Review topics: [fit, size, weight, issues, quality, shipping, straps, price, design, feel, color, support, charge, power, customer service, works, model, improvement, warranty, service, instructions, replacement, capacity, headlamp, band, build, light, battery, features, lamp].
"I have owned aprox 8 different black diamond headlamps over the last decade or so. They are used 8-10 hours a day for work (im a mechanic), camping, and around the house. I generally get 12-18 months out of a light before failure. They all take beatings, get cracked from hitting my head, broken battery door latches from daily battery changes on older models, or i just plain wear them out. Black Diamond has always stood behind their product and replaced with a new unit even with HEAVY usage. Excellent quality product with a warranty to back it up ."
"This is great: This headlamp feels sturdy and protected from water. The 2 white beams and the red light with dimming are great and cover all my needs. This is not good: The 3 blue leds of the batery level indicator turn on everytime you tirn on or off the headlamp. In my opinion, by a design error, they point directly into your eyes when you have it in your head, and really blids you on dark environments, to a point that I had to conver them with electric tape. That's a really anoying obvious design flaw. Also, Micro USB for one of the top headlamps of the BD line? I'm sorry, can't understand. . . USB C is the standard already since a while, time for BD to update it."
"Had been a good headlamp for 2 years. Last week the plastic retainer clip broke in half rendering the headlamp unusable. This unit is 2 years into a 3 year warranty period but Black Diamond won't accept a claim without receipt. As irritating as it is that I'm expected to keep a closet full of receipts for every single item I buy ever, I can understand why they wouldn't replace the headlamp without one. However, I told them outright that I didn't care to replace the headlamp itself, all I wanted to get was the $0. 03 plastic clip. Absolutely not. Can't be done. Impossible to make happen. Some customer service. Now a $90 headlamp is useless and unusable over a plastic clip the size of a dime that they can't/won't replace. This has been the best headlamp I've ever used and made me a fan of BD products. This experience, or lack thereof, is terrific free marketing for any other brand that also sells headlamps."
"I love everything about this light, except the micro-USB charging. It seems to be the only light on the market that will light 500 lumens for 7 hours. Black Diamond is just now (August 2026) coming out with 2x newer Storm series lights. Unfortunately, both have smaller batteries than this 4 year old light, and their mode choices don't allow for 7 hours of illumination at anywhere near 500 lumens. And these newer lights also lack the PowerTap feature. Please just update the charger to USB-C on the 500-R model. And while you're at it, please make a mount that will allow attaching to bike helmets. Almost every bikepacker I know uses the Storm 500-R as a helmet light, and have zip-tied/duct taped it to their helmets."
"I like all the features and settings. It feels little top heavy with the battery pack in the front and I struggle sometimes to get it to charge"
"I've had this for years. They do flaw and break eventually or I just had two faulty ones. I absolutely love the green light at night. To the point if I don't have this light I won't go normally lol. But on two lamps I've had before it flickered and then cut out green so only had blue and red or white. This is my third now so let's see! Definitely my favorite light and accessory for sure."
"Everything you would expect from a BD headlamp. Great battery, almost too many options and durable."
"This is maybe the best headlamp I have ever owned, and I’ve owned quite a few over the years."
"Really happy with the headlamp so far. The only complaint I have is that all of BDs light systems are micro USB rather than modernized USB C. Would be great to reduce the cable types required to go into the backcountry with. Outside of that, functions great, adjustable brightness works well with multiple color options. Slim head band is comfortable and fits a helmet easier than past bulkier bands"
"I use head lamps daily, at work and during any adventure, this headlamp is great. It's bright and does the job and you can recharge it and do it again day afyer day, thanks Black Diamond for making a great quality light."