Knog Bilby 400 Headlamp
Kirk Deeter
April 17, 2025
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There are three scenarios where I actually rely on a headlamp to aid me when I’m fly fishing: The “Hex” hatch, when the big bugs fall from the sky on my home waters in Michigan; when I want to go “mousing,” usually also in Michigan, but also pretty much anywhere in the middle of the night; and when I want to get up early to go striper fishing along some beach.
The rest of the time, which means most of the time, the headlamp is a camp tool. Or a hunting tool. I often rely on headlamps as I set the blocks out early before a duck or goose hunt, or as I’m plodding my way out to a tree stand to hunt deer, or a ground blind during elk season.
All of which is to say, as an angler and hunter (and camper), I actually use headlamps quite a bit. Heck, grilling ribeyes on the deck in mid-January is a test of the headlamp as well.
The Knog Bilby 400 is plenty bright, almost shockingly so, when you get it fully amped.
What I like most, though, is the bar that shines a subtle light downward, toward your fingers as you might, for example, tie on a fly.
Took me a while to figure out how to turn the darn thing off, which could be a problem in a deer blind, but a gentle, consistent press of the right-side button shuts things down.
As for “waterproof-ness,” I did let it sit a few feet down in the Yampa river for a minute or so, and it came back unscathed.
At a standard price of $65 (now discounted for $32.48), this almost seems like a steal and an easy recommendation.
Pros
Easy to operate and versatile light power options.
Strap isn’t going to stretch out, wilt or stink.
Love how you remove the light unit and plug into a USB power source.
The downward-tilted light option matters for anglers.
Cons
You’ll have to get used to the rubbery, silica feel.
There are so many light modes, you can click around all day and not land on what you want, nor turn it off–a solid, consistent press of the right button is “off.”
It’s not exactly “light” and there are other headlamps you can barely feel, but it’s not going to seem too heavy.
Holy smokes: $33 for a headlamp that throws out 400 Lumens? With adjustable lighting options? And it won’t get ruined if it falls off your head into the river? And you don’t have to buy AAA batteries to make it work (USB charger)? You’d be dopey not to take advantage of this deal, at least if you fish, hunt, hike in wild places, or grill out when the sun isn’t shining.
The headlamp wars are apparently on, and consumers actually win.
Thank goodness and sign me up.
- Price: $65
- Beam: Up to 330 feet
- Waterproof: 3 feet with an IP67 rating
- Charging: USB rechargeable
- Strap: Silicone, easy-clean, anti-odour
- Warranty information: Knog warranty
From Knog: “The Bilby 400 headlamp has been designed from the ground-up for serious outdoor adventure. It’s powerfully bright, tough, intuitive and sets a new standard for multi-purpose headlamps.”
“Knog stands behind everything we make, which is why we offer a 2-year warranty on all products and have a 30-day no questions returns policy for orders made on our US website.
All Knog products are warranted for 2 years from date of purchase. We will cover defective hardware, software faults & factory defects. We won’t cover ordinary wear and tear or damage caused by improper use or accidents.”
This is an easy call.
Thirty-three bucks? 400 Lumens of power? Totally rechargeable without a special adapter? Waterproof, at least in situations where you might drop the thing in the river? Various light settings, including one that shines down at your fingers as you might tie on a fly in the dark? Oh, and the headband isn’t going to stretch out, or end up stinky?
What am I missing here?
Nothing. This is a slam dunk.
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