Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

I compulsively bought this headlamp for the night scenario portion of a Wilderness First Responder course. It was a good excuse to buy a nice headlamp I hadn't realized I needed. My headlamp easily out-shined everyone else's. This sucker allows you to look halfway down the mountain...or at least that's what it feels like.
I ended up using it a lot while teaching outdoor education in Colorado. I brought it along for a back-up light during night hikes, in case the moon failed us. When the moon did fail, the Icon was an explosion of light along the trail. No tripping was caused by not being able to see. My only issue with it is that the battery pack and the strap over the top made it rather awkward to wear around my neck while I wasn't using it. This could obviously be solved by wearing it on my head where it's designed to go, but why would I do that?
I've recently started using it for bike commuting. I was able to loosen the straps and shove it over my helmet, which works great. However, if I was to use that set up for something more intense, there would be issues. Someone has posted an ingenious way to 'cement' the Icon to a helmet. But no matter how you have it rigged to your helmet, it functions almost better than a car headlight. It ensures you won't be launched over the handlebars by an unseen pothole and drivers will definitely see you.
If you want a headlamp that has great battery life for the amount of light you get out of it and works for pretty much everything, this is it. If you want something small and light to jam in your pocket, pack or glovebox, this is probably not the light for you.

The new BD Icon is in a class somewhat by itself.
The other main headlamps in this class; PTec Apex, Mammut X-zoom and X-shot, and Petzl Myo do not offer both both red and white light with a rear bat. pack and the level of adjustability.
The Icon fits well, the front portion is light weight and the switch is glove usable though not friendly.
The one question with the new BD Icon will be durability. It does feel slightly less robust than the Apex.
The other factor which will probably not matter to many folks is beam quality. The Icon puts out a beam that is not uniform is brightness or shape. Especially when compared to say a Zebra light (which is not surprising). However, even when compared to my Petzls and PTecs, the beam on the Icon is sub par.
Given the negative factors I have mentioned, why should someone buy this Head-Lamp?
It has awesome battery life while putting out your choice of 4-200 lumens, is tested to be water proof, has infinite output adjustment in both white and red light.
This is not going to replace my Zebra light, Petzl zipka or tikka, It is going to be used for extended night use when Weight and size are only secondary concerns.

As everyone else has said, this light is super bright. When hiking on some pretty technical trails I only use the lowest setting on the LEDs. I use the higher setting and/or center bulb (beam) to check something out or spot the dogs when they go exploring off trail. For around camp or in the tent I would actually use a much smaller headlamp that is less bright. This one is awesome for any kind of night adventure; whether its just seeing where you are going or a true safety need. I was skeptical at first of having "set" settings instead of a focusing beam like I've use on other headlamps. I've found that the 6 different settings are more than enough adjustment. One reason I chose this headlamp over other similar ones was the weight - lighter than most in its class. This is the first time I've used a headlamp with a separate battery pack and I don't even notice it on my head - even during strenous hiking. Can't wait to use it XC skiing this winter - should be more than bright enough and secure and light.

I just received this headlamp in the mail from Backcountry.com. First impression: the construction does not seem to be the best quality. I am skeptical of how it will hold up to wear and tear. As far as light goes, it is awesome. I need this head lamp for spotting creatures at night for research and I have been disappointed with some of the LED lamps out there. The center 3 watt does not disappoint. It is very powerful and the three power settings are great for times when I don't need as much power. The side LEDs are very bright as well and provide great peripheral lighting. I wish there was a setting to combine the two types of lighting but it is not that important.
I have not field tested it yet but I think it is just what I need. I will add more after I have put it to the test. I only gave it 4 stars because I think it could have been built a little more rugged.
*side note: the actual green color is much brighter than the green seen in the picture on the site.

mcl4927862's comment below on the beam is pretty accurate.
Positive:
-Comfortable; long battery life; numerous functions and modes; red light; heavy duty water resistance; great tilt range; dimmer option in all modes (except strobe)
Negative:
-Somewhat dispersed beam, even in spot mode; relatively heavy (not too bad while worn, but adds nearly 1/2 pound to your pack)
Overall this headlamp works well and I recommend it. My biggest gripe is the beam concentration in spot mode is not all that focused. My older Icon's spot mode is more concentrated and thus has a farther throw, but is not as bright overall. Yet the 2012 Icon does have some nice features and actually feels less awkward when wearing it. This light is rated at 200 lumens, and may very well meet that, but the broad beam doesn't reach as far as I had hoped. If you are expecting a spotlight look elsewhere, as this is somewhere in between flood and spot. The diffused mode, which is the same mode available in the red light, works well for around camp.

...only not as hot. Or as heavy. I bought this with the rechargeable battery pack option, and it's amazingly bright. I can see the spot it makes on the ground a good 20 feet away in broad daylight, and at night it's just mind-boggling. Via some magical witchcraft, Black Diamond has somehow made the focused spot on the bright setting stay focused at any distance. On the flip side, the LEDs provide a good spread of light up close for cooking, reading, whatever. It fits my head really snugly, doesn't flop around when I move, and the top strap comes off for helmets, hats, or if you don't want to mess up your faux-hawk. I can't think of anything wrong with this.
Oh, and on a side note, ala2474331 is *ahem* an idiot. If you have an item from Backcountry, their return policy is NOT "sorry, now throw it in a burning barrel of garbage". Send it back, get your money back. Easy. Guess you're out 60 bucks now.

I went in to REI and ask the dude near the headlamps, "What's the best one here for general use" and he said, "No question, the Icon." So I thanked him, went home and ordered one of these up from here and I have to agree. I've ordered five more since for around the house and for a friend who also agrees this is the best any of us has ever tried. Keep in mind it's a little heavier but the multiple levels of both flood and spot and the incredible power of this headlamp is just perfect for everything I do. I still have several Zipkas around, my choice for the tiny option - but they aren't comfortable to wear and don't have nearly as many light levels. I actually like the battery on the back configuration for the balance and comfort. The Zipkas now are mostly used to strap on to something and not something I wear any longer.

I bought this headlamp for the 3Watt LED, but when I recieved the light, I quickly realized this is more than just a headlamp for projecting a long distance beam. The 4 "super bright" LEDs will light up your entire work area whether it be a campsite or working on your car in the garage. I purchased the headlamp to use when I go duck hunting. I needed a spot light that allowed me to keep my hands free. It has been great. Being an ultra light backpacker so I was a little conserned that the headlamp might be too heavy for backpacking. I really like the red, yellow, and green LED battery meter on the side. I have also purchased the rechargable kit. I have used this light for everything from hiking at night to oporating a boat to doing projects in the garage. I do not endorse many products, but this gets a big thumbs up.

I got this as a gift (my Petzl myo-belt broke) and I will say that it does provide more light that the petzl did. I use it for trail running mostly on a hilly fire road that is in rather poor shape, so I worry about a ankle roll. I have had no problem with seeing the trail, no rolled ankles. It does lose intensity pretty fast so I am glad I have the rechargable battery pack, I recharge after every other run. The "half click" to adjust the light is somewhat tricky, but I always leave it on full so not a problem for me. I only wish that it had the option of being able to keep the battery pack in your jacket to help keep it warm (a big plus of the petzl myo-belt). All in all, even though the power fades somewhat fast it is a solid unit.