Want a decent light for up front on the bars that covers me for road and light off-road (more gravelly than gnarly).
Raveman seen to be a bit cheaper than the competition. Is it a case of too good to be true?
They seem to get decent reviews, but was wondering whether folks had some longer term experience with them.
Was looking at the CR600 or CR1000, but then saw they have funky dual beam jobbies such as the PR1400 or PR2000.
PR2000 is a good light gravel light on main beam, I have used one for the last 3 years. On mid beam setting (6 hours runtime) it's more than adequate for road riding on unlit country lanes. If you want to go brighter there's a 2400 lumen version too, cunningly named PR2400.
I've been using a PR1200 for the past few years on the road. It's well made and has good battery life unless you use the high beam too much. I tend to use it on dipped a few notches from full most of the time, which gives 4+ hours reliable battery. Pretty impressed.
I use a CR1000 (hung upside down, with the lens turned to maintain the cut-off) for road and gravel, it's good. A did a short (and wobbly) test video here:
I've got a PR1600 which I don't think they do any more. Same light as others in their range, but that output option is no longer available.
I really like it, although should caveat that by saying I've mainly used it as a road light.
Cheers folks....
I think I'll go for the PR2000..... Sounds like a good ball lance of battery life, weight and versatility. I also like the idea of being able to charge my phone from it if needed.
The PR2400 is getting heavy.
Available from Raveman direct for 130€. Woohoo!
The PR2000 is available from Bike Inn for £92, which seems cheaper than 130 Euros.
I have a couple of Raveman lights, and they are well made. They have good battery life, and very accurate battery life displays. Be warned though that the dual beam is only good-ish. It sort of works, but is not StVZO compliant.
Aha ... Thanks for the Tipp re Bike Inn.
They have good battery life, and very accurate battery life displays. Be warned though that the dual beam is only good-ish. It sort of works, but is not StVZO compliant.
How do you mean the dual beam is only good-ish?
Not overly fussed about the Straßenverkehrszulassungsordnung (just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?) despite being in Germany more than most ..... would rather been seen than not and elsewhere in Europe they don't seem so hung up about penalising cyclists for flashing lights.
Ha... Gits. Bike Inn won't ship Raveman to Germany.... 😢
“How do you mean the dual beam is only good-ish?”
There are two beams (and various strength settings for each beam). The high beam is great, it gives a good spread and is very bright on the max setting. Not good enough for night riding in the woods, but enough for anything else.
The low beam is definitely a bit lower, but if still shines high enough to annoy an oncoming pedestrian, car, or cyclist. I have StVZO lights, and the side by side comparison of beams shows that the Raveman is nothing like.
I don’t want to put you off, they really are well made lights. Most of my commute is off-road and unlit, and it’s perfect for that. If I know I’m going on the road for long periods I use a different light.
Do you think maybe Bike Inn won’t send the light to Germany because of the StVZO regulations?
In support of Ravemen, I've had a PR2400 since last year and it's been a great light (nice 'solid' build, wireless remote is very useful, good beam & decent runtime, plus i like the backup ability to use it as a powerbank) so I'd imagine the pr2000 is similar
Do you think maybe Bike Inn won’t send the light to Germany because of the StVZO regulations?
No eye deer...
They're available in Germany from other retailers and from Raveman direct so I doubt that is the issue. Only issue is it's another 30€ more.
Cheers!
I have PR1400 (I think) and was disappointed. It doesn't let you switch the high beam on and off without changing power levels. The flood is also aimed so that the centre of its beam is at the top of the cutoff beam. I find that is too low for the flood to illuminate a decent distance in front without the light being pointed too high for the cutoff to reliably not blind people.
It tends to just live in the draw, instead using my B&M cutoff as the cutoff beam patter is much better and the raveman isn't worth the faff of trying to switch between high and low. I am tempted to try one of the magicshines next winter.
I bought a PR2000 over the winter for an unlit commute and it’s excellent. I use it mainly on the 2nd highest road setting then knock it to main beam when I need to, one button up and down. It’s a shame you can’t cycle through the power settings without going through them all, so I have it as high as I’d want it then add main beam, the low beam is low enough that I’ve not been flashed, and if I’ve below 15mph or so on the road I don’t even bother with the high beam.
Not perfect but a lot better than I’ve had before and a lot cheaper than it could be, build quality seems decent too, and the remote is great.