Bike Lights
Interesting article in this week’s CW on bike lights.
They have reviewed many makes. Lupines are not featured but less face fact – they are beyond budget of most.
So -
CW have looked at some of the cheaper ones and rated them for you and I do not think they will mind if I bring some of their recommendations to a wider audience.
I can recommend this weekly mag by the way – lot of news and discussion on the most important aspect – LE SPORT!!
However, this week's a MUST
for the commuters as there is an excellent article on this and I will be making a follow up summary of the piece.
OK – they rate from 1 –5 with 1 = RUBBISH and 5 = FANTASTIC!
They categorise the scores further from construction/seals/mounts/quality/l
Lighting/beam/
Brightness
Size
Batteries
Visibility on bike
As such most comprehensive review ever read!
OK here is the list and average marks/ As I do not wish to breach copyright and think the magazine is worthy of a keepable purchase…shall keep to salient detail. For more information
– recommend a purchase for tips on how to get fit and the commuter guide. A worthy read for true cyclists!
SMART Polaris 3 (they think the mounting may weaken in time but this £16.99 light scores a creditable 3 /4 on aggregate
INFINI Prometheus Dual or LED Has low battery indicator but scores badly on battery access and seals. Mostly 3 (average) in ease of use etc. Cost - £19.99
CATEYE Hi-EL30085 Opticube front LED . Mount can be rotated but rubber seals disappoint Average score 3 to 4 for this £35.00 light.
LIGHT & MOTION Vega Ni-Mh They reckon this Luxeon LED gives a good light and it score 4 and 5 in each category. Costs £125 though.
CATEYE EL710 Double Shot CW considers this a solid light with a 5-hour battery burn time. It has a bar and helmet mount and a smart charger. They award top marks overall – 4-5 but rate with a 2 on beam options. Cost £235.
TOPEAK White light DX. CW claims this is no super light but like the seals. At £25 – scores an impressive 3 to 4 overall.
INFINI Contrail. Per CW output is good and seals on moisture proof and they like the adjustable angle of beam - at £29.99 a very good buy scoring 3 to 4 and one 2 overall.
SMART Nova 1 They reckon the buttons are stiff. But like the adjustable beam. Scores mostly 4 and a fair investment at £30. I would consider this light.
TOPEAK CW thinks this a good emergency light despite a stiff button Scores 3 –4 overall. At £11.99 a reasonable buy.
TOPEAK Redlight -criticised for dodgy O-ring brackets and fiddly cbattery connections. Theirs broke! Scored 1 –2 with the odd 4 for brightness given the price.at £8.99
SMART 3 LED Mini-Rear CW reckon the seals make this prone to corrosion but given its size, brightness and price at £5.99 gave it an average score of 3 overall.
CATEYE TL-LD1000 rear LED - CW thought the two buttons and several options made it over-complicated and thought it could foul a leg. Despite this – they awarded this chunky £45 light an average 5 for performance.
CATEYE TL-LD260BS rear LED dual. CW thought the seals were dubious and scored this £20 an average 4.
SMART 7 LED 307R - per CW a nice compact light and I agree. Costs £12.99 and I would agree with their 4 for each category.
I cannot emphasise enough that the law requires cyclists to display lights and in any case - you have to be
seen by other road users.