The BioLite HeadLamp 330 is the first (and only) headlamp to come from a company known for its unique take on power, fire, and energy. It’s billed as a “no-bounce rechargeable head light” — ideal for running, hiking, and general camp life.
The BioLite HeadLamp 330 stacks up against front-running outdoor headlamps (like Black Diamond and Petzl) with a full set of light modes — red, white spot, white flood, and white blinking — all of which are dimmable. It’s rechargeable and comes with a built-in (and non-removable) lithium-ion battery that charges via USB port. The slim in-set chassis that holds the lamp tilts for easy viewing, and is so thin and light you can hike (or read, more realistically) for hours.
The BioLite HeadLamp 330 comes in multiple colors, has three main light modes, and looks good on rocks.
In the world of headlamps, which are brighter, lighter, and more comfortable to wear every year, the BioLite HeadLamp 330 uses a unique design to stand out.
Unique Features of the BioLite HeadLamp 330
The main feature of the HeadLamp 330 that makes it unique is the “no-bounce.”
BioLite set out to make a headlamp that does away with head pain. They tackled this by separating the battery compartment and light compartment, moving the battery to the back to create even pressure against the head, and setting the light in an incredibly slim chassis. The company measured the front (of course they did) — it’s just 9 millimeters thick, which is about the width of your finger.
It doesn’t feel like a headlamp so much as a headband when worn.
BioLite HeadLamp 330’s housing depth on the front is incredibly slim. It feels more like a headband. Not to mention the button is easy to depress.
Moving the battery to the back isn’t a new thing — headlamps started out this way, well before they could put a few AAA batteries into the front. But the ergonomics work out surprisingly well, as it makes the lamp less front heavy, which creates a more natural feel.
Charging Done Simple, Done Right
The other feature that stands out is the rechargeable Li-on 900mAh battery. It lasts for roughly 3.5 hours on high (bright enough to night-hike with), and nearly 40 hours on low, both of which are accurate.
Rechargeable headlamps are slowly becoming the norm, and overall we think it’s a good trend. That said, typically battery life is shorter and the light is much dimmer than classic batteries — but neither of these is true for the HeadLamp 330.
The main spot light on high is a truly illuminating 330 lumens, which is more than enough for night hiking. You can dim the BioLite HeadLamp 330 by holding down the power button.
If you want to recharge you’ll need a backup battery bank or solar charger instead of store-bought batteries, but most people have these today. BioLite of course has two charging units, the Charge 10 and Charge 20, and a number of solar panel products to help you keep the light up to snuff.
USB rechargeable plus a killer battery indicator makes the BioLite HeadLamp 330 operationally excellent.
We love the high quality four-light battery indicator on the BioLite HeadLamp 330, which glows every time you turn it on, off, or when you charge the device.
Who is BioLite?
If you haven’t yet heard of BioLite, you’re missing out on one of the most unique outdoor brands. The company made a name for itself in the recreation market with its wood burning stoves, which capture the heat generated by fire and convert it to electricity. Yes, you can power your smartphone (and the HeadLamp 330) from BioLite’s stoves.
BioLite redefines energy and fire in the outdoor market.
Off to a strong start, BioLite has since introduced a wide range of fire, power, and lighting products, all of which aim to rethink how we use and capture energy. One such recreational product is the FirePit, a reinvention of the classic campfire.
The company does an equal amount of work in the emerging world market, where its technology (like the SolarHome 620 has generated electricity for people who would otherwise have none. This is part of the mission of the company, which strives to impact people globally. To date it has generated over 640 million watts of electricity for over 660,000 people.
BioLite also offsets all of its carbon emissions, and helped to found Climate Neutral, a new non-profit that offers a certification for brands who offset their carbon emissions.
See the BioLite HeadLamp 330, and learn more about BioLite!
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So how bright is the RED light? How long does that last? I hate dim red lights. You want it as bright as possible