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Don't think I am overthrowing it, but depends on how often you ride in the rain (I suspect you ride far more than me)...on the outfront the plug is facing up and it looks like the remote plug isn't snug inserted, so there is space for water to get in and sit.
Probably not an issue for first few rides but if the water stays in there it'll start doing something. The rubber plug is very snug so no water will get in.
Having had cheap light erode/corrode due to poor waterproofing, it is something I tend to consider nowadays.
If the remote has a good seal so no water can get in the hole where it is plugged in then my concern isn't needed, but if not and you ride in the wet a lot with the remote then you'll need to take extra care to dry that hole properly.
However enough of my dry hole concerns...what are people using to space the outfront clamp on mtb bars? The clamp is too big as-is and the rubber spacers don't fit...so just inner tube wrapped round bar to space it out?
eh?
What size bars do you have? the clamp fits 35mm and 31.8 and 25.4 depending on rubber shim orientation
the black plastic cover of the remote microUSB plug sits pretty flush in the socket.
consider your 2 year warranty and physical shop to return it to should it corrode. or as I said above silicone it if you're 'that' worried
31.8mm...I'll try again, but the thinner rubber insert appears to make the clamp too wide to shut...
If the remote plug is flush, then my concern is unfounded, ta. Warranty is great, but I don't tend to buy stuff knowing I'll need to rely on that.
I used mine last night coupled with it's slightly smaller 1000 version on my lid. I did 3hrs on Exmoor using various modes and there's still a ton of battery life left in both units. On full chat it was like riding in day light. I used a bolt on go pro mount off ebay for the bars and the light never moved all night,. Very impressive for the money.
Got a link to the bar mount neilsonwheels? I have been looking but not settled on one I think would work well yet
@stumpy01 just get a magCad Wahoo/ Garmin matchmaker for £15 if it's an issue.
Ebay/Aliexpress(if not in a rush) have plenty generic (K-edge copies) aluminium go pro bar mounts, outfront style or closer to the bar. for about £2 posted
like these.
and depending on your stem face plate width and bolt size, Gopro stem mounts like these: for about £3-4
And top cap mounts like these
How about QR bar mounts for the light? havent taken the rubber strap mount off yet, but I'd think either a gopro style QR, if they exist, or a generic QR that attaches via the bolt?
Agree that the rubber strap is a bit on the wobbly side for rough tracks/offroad. But I'd like something I can easily move from bike to bike with minimal fuss.
Also like to add, I need to stick a bit of electrical tape over the top of the lens as it gets in your eyes a bit.
otherwise, first use last night and it's a great little light.
I've been looking for an all in one type light for the bars as I'm still using cheapo Chinese head units and old 18650 laptop batteries in a 4x holder from a batch of nearly new Sony packs a very kind friend gave me after his Vaio packed up years ago. That all works well (especially with a backcountry research strap to hold the pack on) but it's a bit of a faff and lots of flappy cable everywhere.
I had planned / plan to buy an Exposure as their stuff is lovely and their support is also good, but £50 was a bit too hard to ignore. Hurrah for impulse buys. I still need to replace my disc rotors, of course. Gah. Those probably cost about the same. I'm such a slapper.
I picked one up from my local Halfords this morning along with a remote. A couple of observations:
* A quick try in the garden after dark suggests better performance than the BT40s it is replacing. I'm old school enough that I religiously turn my lights down or off when climbing (Anyone remember NiCADs and Halogens - or the old GU10 plumbed into a load of Wickes plastic plumbing from ages back?), and that makes me think I could probably get an evening's ride out of it comfortably
* I can probably hack together a piggyback charger a la the Lezyne version using my 4x enclosures and 18650s
* The strap and stabiliser thing looks pretty sturdy, but I just think holding something like this on with a rubber band is daft for off road riding. Even the tiny X2s used to flap around.
* I replaced the rubber thing with an Lumicycle QR clamp similar to these £10 Hope ones, Lovewookie - I've had it for years and it's totally reliable. A spare Shimano SPD cleat bolt fits about right. The whole thing has a low enough profile that if can't snug right up next to my stem on the bars, so it's nice and compact. The Hope version looks like it's a slightly higher profile so should be perfect. I might treat myself at some point.
* There's not exactly a ton of material for the bold to fasten to, so be careful
* the light's CoG is roughly where the hole is for the mount
* The remote's rubber band thing is adjustable, but it's still pretty floppy on the shortest setup. I tried a few things, but what seems to work best is an Exposure-style band with one end looped over the whole thing - that holds it snug enough
* The remote isn't ergonomically perfect to say the least, but it's very light action. and super quick compared to clicking through the menu on the button on top of the light. I'm toying with the idea of mounting it sideways on the spacer on top of my stem - probably a dim idea
* The remote clicks when pressing down or pulling up, but it only cycles through the menu on the downstroke. It sort of feels like the action of a cheap and cheerful microswitch under there, but I'm concerned about busting it up trying to open it. I might splash out another fiver at some point if the remote turns our to be worth the hassle
* Charging took a while, and the destructions actually mention a nine hour first charge, advice probably worth sticking to. But don't expect to pull some mammoth ride to work on full chat and charge it fully for the return leg - it might not happen. There's only 5v / 2.1a going in there.
* mention was made of the lens sticking out bit and needing tape across the top. Probably an idea, but I'll test ride it first to see if it'd be a problem for me
* There's cutouts on the side so you throw light out at 90 degrees as well as forward. Good work, whoever designed and made these
* a bit of sugru around the USB remote plug might well solve the issue of water pooling in the socket when it's mounted upside down. I don't ride with a Garmin, so I'm not too worried about this, but I reckon some of that stuff with a nice big overlap would probably see you right
* It seems quite well made. I'm resisting the urge to take it to bits
I'll see if I can upload pics somehow - haven't tried it on the new forum yet.
Hope this all helps. I'll take it for a quick spin tomorrow night if the weather cooperates and actually, you know, ride with it instead of performing an armchair review.
How tight are you guys doing the rubber strap?
Mine is as tight as it'll go on the tapered section of bar a few inches from the (31.8) stem bulge. I then slide it over onto the (tighter) bar clamp bulge so it's touching the stem and it isn't budging in use. (but angle can be altered if I wish to) I've not ridden any rough AF neverending rock gardens or anything but it hasn't budged jumping even with harsh landings ie. a stupid kicker the local kids built and didn't bother building a decent enough landing to get both wheels onto at the same time so basically becomes a semi blind stepdown to almost flat lander. (15ftish gap 4ft lower landing).
I wasn't expecting it to be anywhere near secure enough but am actually happy using it and the convenience of it's quick easy fitting/removal.
I also find the remote completely ergonomic and easy to use. I can't see how mounting it to your stem would improve anything. Unless you run 400mm wide bars 😉
Piggyback charger/battery extender is interesting. I assume you mean just plugging a micro USB from an external battery pack or powerbank into the charging socket while running the light? Would that power the light or would the ext power surce just charge it a little?
If fitted I guess it'd be impossible to use the remote at the same time? The remote waso ne of the main reasons I bought the light in the first place, the other it being stand alone light with no pack/wires to faff with.
I also have far brighter longer running lights with external battery pack for longer/more full on rides but I can see how it'd make the light more versatile if it can run off an external pack for folk who haven't.
Rubber strap here with the extra rubber mount added, firmed the lamp mounting up quite a lot.
I use rubber strap and additional rubber support boot pulled as humanly tight as possible. I didn’t find an issue on features more on rooty/rocky chatter where the movement is enough to ‘wobble’ the light. It’s not the end of the world, just prefer it didn’t do it. As it’s distracting and forces my sight from looking ahead slightly. Hence looking for better clamp options.
I've yet to try mine out properly and looking to use the outfront clamp...just need to work out why I can't get it to fit my bars...suspect I'm being too soft!
There are two ports on the light unit. One is for the remote and the ither for charging.
So it seems it may allow charging as you ride and still use the remote. I havnt tried to see if you can charge the lamp with it on.
Beener
The rear port is so you can charge from the light. Basically you can also use the light to charge your phone. Not really a function I’m ever likely to use I’m afraid
Picked up the 1000 lumen version for my wife's commute this morning, really impressed with it for £36 (BC discount). Seems equivalent or if not better than my evolva x8. I'm interested to test it when it geta dark and see what the optics do.
@Beener the micro USB port is for both charging and connecting the remote.
The USB is for use as a powerback.
Are you saying an external power supply could be attached to the full size USB on the rear to extend runtime?
@Russy. Can't say I noticed an annoying wobble over roots. But TBF for proper riding I run a helmet mounted SSX2 as well so any slight wobble on the light probably wouldn't really be any more noticable than a completely rigidly mounted light when the bike is chattering over the roots.
I too come from the times when the ultimate nightriding lights were a £250 Nitesun which was just nicad batteries inside a waterbottle and two 99p dichroic lamps (10w and 40w) fitted to a homemade looking titanium mount/housing. So find it pretty funny how much shit we can talk about the imperfections of a £50 light that's about a million times brighter and more advanced.
Maybe just me then, I ran it with an exposure diablo on my helmet. Just found it chattering over proper rooty sections, basically the rubber strap can’t dampen the movement. It’s not a problem so to speak, just distracting. Really not wanting to come across as I’m moaning, I’m really not! I’m super chuffed and with some slight modification I think can be improved! But £55 can’t really go wrong
Geex - you're right about the stem mount, of course. I must have pretty short thumbs. 😀 I'm running mine on the left hand side, so in order not to foul the dropper lever it's at a slightly odd angle.
I found lights with rubber bands didn't necessarily rotate around the bars, but I did notice the beam boinging all over the place on chattery stuff compared to when using a rigid clamp. Horses for courses - if you're cool with the band, then stick with it - it's definitely a different level to the ones that X2s used to come with!
As you say, for £55, it's an utterly bargainous light. I seem to remember spending almost £200 on a my first actual grown up night riding lights in about 2000 after faffing with homemade stuff for far too long. This one's basically alien technology in comparison - although it was lovely talking to Mr Lumicycle and working out that he used to deliver stuff to the building I worked in when he was a motorcycle courier.
//Edit// my 4x 18650 enclosures had / have a USB socket on the wiring loom, so yes, I was looking at simply using it as a power pack plugged into the micro usb port. I probably won't use it more than once in a blue moon. Good to know it's doable - I plugged everything in last night after running the light for a bit and it charged.
Of course 😉
Mount he remote on the right. next to your grip, or even ON the edge of the grip with the switch sat above the bar and it's out the way of your shifters but easily flicked with your thumb.
Does the powerbank just charge off your external pack when plugged into the USB port or can it actually use the packs power to effectively double the runtime (while charging) while in use?
Can someone post some more beam shots here please
Hey Geex, I just tried plugging the 4x 18650 enclosure I mentioned in and turning the USB power on while the light was running. The enclosure has a power button to power up the USB part of the wiring loom. At full beam and no pack, the lights are green and the 3.0 light goes out immediately, indicating it's discharging and there are less than three hours of power but more than two. When I switch the extra USB power on, the lights turn red (as they do when charging) and start indicating it's taking a charge. However, when I switch off the USB power, the lights stay red, then the whole thing powers down. I'm making a guess here, but the single tap of the power button to show how much juice the battery has when the light isn't on looks exactly the same, so the extra pack may be fooling the electrics. Either way, if you plug a power bank into the micro USB socket, it appears to charge exactly the same as if plugged into any other powered USB cable.
Was there something wrong with the one I posted on page 1? Happy to take more? But can’t see how much different it will be? A forest in the dark with a light on?
Thanks bent udder.
I'm not sure I understand you though.
I get that the light can be charged by ext battery pack even when the light is in use.
What I was wondering was will it keep running from the power/charge from that pack once the lights internal batteries have run down?
Hopefully you'll understand what I'm asking. Not sureI'm explaining myself too well here.
I'm with Russy on beam shots. Light beam shots are usually pretty pointless except for when done by boffins who do light comparissons with a variety of lights directly compared to each other with everything set-up exactly the same for each light.
Ah, I think I get you. I'm guessing it should do, but I have no idea. I'm night riding next Wednesday, so will do my best to get it nice and flat and try a drunken experiment after I ride back from the pub. Sorry - probs won't take an external pack with me.
Oh yeah - beam shots. That's some sort of obscure kink, right? It's scorchy bright, basically. Hope that helps.
Beam shots on a long straight road might be better. On a middling setting say 600lm.
I find that road is harder for lights to deal with sice you go faster and need to see further, also tarmac is black.
Buy one and do beam shots then. While everyone else who has one is perfectly happy riding with the thing
To be fair I understand why a few more pics would be good. I went today with money in my pocket only to be put off when reading the battery times on the back. 1hr at full, 1.5hrs at 1000, 2.5hrs at 640, 7hrs at 240. I'll need 3hrs worth of light some nights so it would be good to see what 640 & 240 look like.
it lasts a little over an hour on full. So probably more like 1hr 40 on 1000lm. (haven't had it long enough to be completely sure and I'm definitley not going to ne testing run times on each mode)
640lm is perfectly useable for non tech non flat out singletrack (Seems somewhere between mid and full on my Solarstorm X2 helmet light)
I'd find 240lm fine for climbing all night long.
15lm is obv just handy as emergency to plod home by or to be seen by in residential streets.
No trails I ride actually need 1000lm+ for a full 3 hours but get what you mean. Riding somewhere steep I reckon managing to eek out 3 hours by using the 240lm for all the climbs, 15lm for any faffing and 1600lm for only the most gnarly descents and 1000lm for the faster less technical ones could be do able. I only bought the light for shorter rides of upto around 2.5 hours though and have brighter lights with an ext battery for any longer/more full on riding.
I don't think Bikehut were ever marketing this light as a serious off road light for longer off-road rides.
I still don't really think pics would help very much.
I'm injured and bored AF right now though and the nights are long. so... you never know 😉
To be fair I understand why a few more pics would be good. I went today with money in my pocket only to be put off when reading the battery times on the back. 1hr at full, 1.5hrs at 1000, 2.5hrs at 640, 7hrs at 240. I’ll need 3hrs worth of light some nights so it would be good to see what 640 & 240 look like.
I did the exact same thing today. The size of the light you'd think it would have better run times.
****ing tyre kickers.
😀
Ps. you could have saved yourself some petrol money/nightmare shopping time if yu'd clicked on @neilsonwheels link to the box info on the first page of the thread
My main criticism is all the shitty functions! You have to cycle through. It’s bloody annoying, basically from dipped beam to full power requires about 30,000 clicks of the remote….I soon figured when it gets to strobe function the next click is full.
This is one reason why Lumicycle is still my go to bar light. The switch works both ways, no cycling through five different sequential settings, you can make the light either a step brighter or a step dimmer with the same primitive toggle switch.
I know it's not strictly relevant to the light in question, but I can't believe the makers of cheap and not so cheap bike lights - yes, Exposure, I mean you - still haven't managed to devise a switching method that doesn't mean constantly cycling through increasing light levels to make a downward adjustment. Have I missed something. It just seems odd.
Buy one and do beam shots then. While everyone else who has one is perfectly happy riding with the thing
I've already decided to anyway. Just contributing to the 'discussion' about beam shots.
Asking for some comparative beam shots at different settings is hardly a big ask...
If you don’t want to do them - that’s one thing, but give the guy requesting them a break.
a break?
All I'm saying is beam comparisson pics are not hugely relivant without a properly set up consistant photographer/camera/setting and a similarly consistent comparisson pic to a light you actually use. Being honest I do actually think that's a pretty huge ask.
But it's ok now as molgrips has selflessly volunteered to do them. 😉
I’m with Geex here, I took a beam pic. Posted it then was asked for more...like it wasn’t good enough! I will likely take some more but having to mess around loading them with this crappy forum software is a pain! I would say if you are concerned about burn times, beam patterns blah blah, this isn’t the light for you. It’s a £55 halford light ffs!
I will say though that for me, this light coupled with ab exposure diablo. Is as good as any combo I have used. The battery is perfectly acceptable for 2 1/2 hour night rides if you cycle the modes (does anyone really ride with full beam on for 3hrs). It offers a wonderful clear wide, white light (see my picture of the beam) it’s good enough for Fast FOD off piste trails in the pitch black, so would suggest it’s good enough for weekly night rides pretty much any where.
I would say if you are concerned about burn times, beam patterns blah blah, this isn’t the light for you.
I'd have thought it was reasonable to be concerned about beam patters and burn times if you're buying any light, even a relatively cheap one? Not sure where you're coming from.
My point is that, a photo has been taken of the beam pattern, the real life usuage on burn times has been discussed. The light is a £50 Halfords special, I’m not sure what more information people can give!
My my suggestion would be for people to buy one and if they find it’s not fit for purpose, return it! It’s from Halfords for heavens sake not some moody online retailer! Both geex and I have posted our thoughts, answered questions and even taken time to post photos. Hence where I’m coming from. Sorry if that comes across grumpy, but it feels that sometimes people need to read a whole thread before posting!
Yes. A break. He’s not asking for a professional or informed opinion on whether they are helpful. He’s asking because he thinks it will be useful.
read a whole thread before posting!
As I did.
Dick - had the same problem with the rubber spacer on the out front mount. Its a real ball ache to squeeze close enough to get the bolt to bite
Got it on eventually using vice grips to close the thing up and turn the bolt in
I know it’s not strictly relevant to the light in question, but I can’t believe the makers of cheap and not so cheap bike lights – yes, Exposure, I mean you – still haven’t managed to devise a switching method that doesn’t mean constantly cycling through increasing light levels to make a downward adjustment. Have I missed something. It just seems odd
My diablo is programmable, with tap function. I use a mode where I have dipped and full power which gives me about 2 1/2hrs use and mode change by punching myself on the head.
You make a good point though, wouldn’t it be nice if you could program a lights power and function rather than work off a set of preset options? For me the function click through on the Bikehut light is the worse thing about it. Albeit it’s not a deal breaker! For such a tiny amount of money I think it’s great value
I'm not even sure which client Jamj1974 is even acting for.