The Icon from Black Diamond is unique among the headlamps of the world: it offers a rechargeable battery. As someone who tries to live in a sustainable matter, it bothers me that things like headlamps, cameras and beacons often burn through many batteries over the course of the year. This rechargeable option is just the ticket, and the Icon isn’t some sissy headlight, as this thing puts out the watts. If you happen to look into it as you turn it on, like our unfortunate roommate did, you might go blind for a few seconds.

It offers two lighting modes, one big LED and four smaller ones. There are several brightness settings for each giving you about seven different settings to choose from. To switch between the two you simply press the power button down half way, simple yet effective. I found this plenty easy to accomplish even with gloves on as I was skinning up Sopris early Sunday morning.

But wait, you say, it looks really heavy! Come on, are you kidding? This is a headlamp, what’s a couple of extra ounces? I’m not one to complain about carry a few extra pounds here and there, and when you get the kind of quality light the Icon puts out, you wont think twice about tossing it in your pack.

The rechargeable battery is said to last for up to 90 hours on the brightest setting. We’ll never let it run out though, since we’ll be recharging it from our Brunton solar panels. Pretty cool to think this little light can be powered entirely by energy from the sun.