BioLite came up repeatedly in the feedback after our big solar panel review — many readers were curious why we hadn’t included them. We had no idea how popular the brand was until we realized our mistake, so we reached out and not only did they send us a panel for our next update, but they also threw in one of their new lighting products: the **HeadLamp 200**.
I’m a regular headlamp user — I own a high-end, all-metal, CR123A-powered Streamlight ProTac HL that I use around the property on a daily basis. So I was excited to spend some time with this new product over the past few weeks. Here are my thoughts and impressions.
**Specs:**
- MSRP: $44.95
- Battery Life: 40 hours on low, 3 hours on high
- Weight: 1.75 oz
- Brightness: 5 lumens on low, 200 lumens on high
- Battery Size: 700mAh
### Basic Features and Usability
The HeadLamp 200’s standout feature is its incredible light weight — just 1.75 ounces. That’s impressive even by lightweight headlamp standards. When combined with its sleek design, it becomes a very comfortable light for long periods of wear and doesn’t bounce or shift when running or moving around.
This makes it a great candidate for a bug-out bag (BoB), where it can be tucked away and forgotten about until needed. However, I need more time with it before I feel confident recommending it as a primary BoB light, especially since I don’t yet have a full understanding of the brand’s durability or longevity. Still, it shows promise.
The beam is quite diffuse, offering wide coverage at close range but limited reach. This is great for walking, jogging, or working around the house, but not ideal if you need to light up something far away. It's not the best tool for long-distance illumination.
One of the nicer features is the adjustable beam angle. The light can pivot into three different positions, plus the fully vertical one. This makes it easy to direct the light exactly where you need it.
However, from a prepping perspective, I have some concerns about the pivoting mechanism. When angled downward, it feels like it could snap out of the housing with minimal force. If I were using this for survival or emergency situations, I’d probably keep it closed most of the time unless I needed to charge it, which requires opening it slightly.
The strap is lightweight, adjustable, and comfortable. It holds well during extended use, though I noticed that once removed, it tends to lose its shape quickly. Still, when worn, it stays snug and secure.
The fabric has moisture-wicking properties, though I haven’t had the chance to test that thoroughly given the cold weather.
### Modes and Operation
The HeadLamp 200 offers a wide array of modes and functions, which is both a benefit and a drawback. It includes four lighting modes: white spot, white strobe, red flood, and red strobe. Each mode has multiple brightness levels, along with a lock mode to prevent accidental activation and a battery indicator that uses color-coded flashes to show remaining power.
There’s even an instructional video explaining how to navigate the controls:
While the variety is impressive, the single-button control can be confusing. Managing all these functions via one button is a bit overwhelming, and I found myself struggling to remember the right sequence of presses. A separate brightness slider or wheel would make things much easier, similar to what many other lights use.
Still, the mode memory feature helps — it remembers your last setting, so you don’t have to re-navigate each time you turn it on.
### Conclusions
Overall, the HeadLamp 200 is a solid choice for general outdoor use, especially for running, jogging, or light tasks around the home. Its low weight and comfort make it ideal for urban environments where long-range beams aren’t necessary.
As a survival light, the comfort and portability are its main strengths. But I’d like to see more information on its long-term durability before recommending it as a go-to piece for a bug-out bag or home emergency kit.
I also appreciate that it charges via micro-USB, which is compatible with most solar chargers we’ve tested. That makes it a convenient option for camping or long-term preparedness.
If we set aside the durability concerns for a moment, the HeadLamp 200 is very close to being the perfect bug-out light. To make it even better, I’d suggest:
1. **More waterproofing** — IPX4 is good for sweat and light rain, but I’d prefer a version that can handle submersion.
2. **No pivot mechanism** — while useful, it adds complexity and potential weakness.
3. **Simplified modes** — just white spot, dimmer, and lock would be enough for most prep scenarios.
With those small changes, this light would be nearly unbeatable for emergency use. Even without them, it’s definitely worth considering for our next headlamp review.
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