Headlamps
Product 2026
Woman, Man
The market for ultra-powerful headlamps is not particularly well supplied. It is not easy to find an equivalent to the remarkable Black Diamond Megawatt, which delivers an impressive 3,000 lumens! Petzl’s most powerful headlamp has disappeared from the catalogue, while the Duo RL tops out at 2,800 lumens and does not feature a remote battery pack.
Although Black Diamond positions the Megawatt primarily as a headlamp for skiers and ski touring, we have used it during photography productions on UTMB World Series courses, in the mountains and across all kinds of technical terrain.
Before looking at the undeniable advantages of the Black Diamond Megawatt, we need to talk about its weight.
The complete package weighs 725 grams, including its particularly well-designed, high-quality case, while the headlamp and battery alone weigh 435 grams. These figures make it clear that the Black Diamond Megawatt is not a headlamp for everyday use or for every activity: carrying it involves making a conscious choice when packing your backpack.
But there is an important point to consider: as mentioned, the Black Diamond Megawatt has a remote battery pack. Attached to a belt or backpack, it almost disappears from view and its weight is barely noticeable. When the lamp is mounted on the head using the headband and long cable, the perceived weight is considerably reduced. That said, this is definitely not a lightweight headlamp.
The benefits in terms of lighting are obvious and genuinely impressive for fast-moving sports such as skiing, ski touring and cycling. The maximum output of 3,000 lumens can be maintained for four hours. The lamp’s different beams adapt to most situations. A red LED flasher on the back of the battery pack provides rear visibility, provided, of course, that the battery is not covered. Red light can also be activated on the headlamp itself.
Operation is straightforward, and the buttons are accessible most of the time even when wearing reasonably thin gloves. You get the usual lockout function, with different modes selected through various button presses. The SOS mode emits the official distress signal.
The Black Diamond Megawatt can be controlled using a small remote control supplied with the headlamp. It can be attached to a pole, backpack shoulder strap or handlebar. It turns out to be extremely practical when the lamp is mounted on a helmet or positioned close to a hood. The remote can be used from a distance — several metres away from the lamp. This is useful for lighting an entire bivouac, for example, or for taking photographs with the lamp positioned away from the photographer.
Beyond its sheer lighting power, what we particularly appreciated were the charging and battery-life indicators. A short press on the headlamp displays the remaining operating time — in hours and minutes — on the battery’s screen, as well as the battery’s charge percentage. A simple press on the battery itself also displays the remaining charge level.
The battery charges via USB-C in four hours. It can also reverse the direction of the current and charge a phone, for example.
The Black Diamond Megawatt carries an IP67 rating and is designed to withstand immersion in one metre of water for 30 minutes. We are familiar with this type of IP-rated equipment: in simple terms, the headlamp is protected against dust and rain. Our advice, however, is to strongly avoid submerging it.
The cable is robust and the connectors feel solid and reliable. The helmet mounting system is based on the same principle as a GoPro mount. It works, but its rather raw appearance does not feel particularly premium.
For us, the weight of the battery mounted on the head is simply too much, so we used it with the battery pack remotely mounted, either on a belt or attached to a backpack. To attach it to a belt, you need a relatively thin one, as the battery’s belt loops are narrow. A textile pouch is also included.
A headlamp that lives up to its name: Megawatt. With 3,000 lumens available for four hours, this is a genuine searchlight. It is designed for specific uses: fast-paced night sports, skiing, cycling and trail running. It is heavy, but its performance is formidable. Award Core Test4outside.com.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
Receive your answers by mail. Do you have a particular question concerning the design, use, durability or other about a tested product? We will answer your question personally.
