I’ll start off by saying that I’m an Exposure fanboy, I’ve got an older MaxxD (mk7 2400lumens) on the bars (had the back panel replaced last year after the display failed) and it works perfectly, I’ve also got a Mk8 Diablo (1300 lumen) for my helmet light, battery life on this isn’t quite what it once was and it’s been flat when I go to use it on a couple of occasions now (when left for a long time admittedly but the MaxxD doesn’t do the same)
I’m drawn to the Axis, it has the same output as my Diablo bit in a lighter package with a supposedly better run time.
Interested to hear other peoples thoughts before I drop £190 on one, happy to hear other suggestions too, but as I very rarely ride with a pack they need to be attached only to my helmet.
I tried both an Exposure Axis and a Diablo as a helmet light and was pretty underwhelmed by both (in terms of value for money). I ended up going with a Moon Vortex pro which was only £33. I did back to back tests with all three and in terms of output there wasn’t much in it at all. The run times on the Diablo were particularly disappointing though - just over an hour on full power (the other two were around 90 mins). I think the Diablo is rated at 1800 lumens but it really didn’t seem to pack much punch, can only assume its because the beam pattern is more floody? I also use a 2400 lumen bar light so any benefit from a helmet light with a wide beam pattern isn’t really noticed.
The Moon light isn’t perfect - the button is fiddly to locate with gloves and you have to cycle though some flashing modes to change power (there is a way round this) but for the money its hard to beat. It does also have a replaceable battery which I was impressed to find out and weighs about the same as the Diablo.
Four4th Scorch ftw. Plenty of power and you can swap batteries mid ride if needed.
I suspect all the Exposure helmet lights are limited in runtime if used with the power required for proper riding.
Anyone wanna correct me?
https://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk and order a battery pack on a cable so you get the run time you need. I think Smudge also replaces the internal batteries.
Having tried a few helmet lamps including a Gloworm X2 (I run an XS on the bars) and a Joystick I've settled on a Scorch which is great - service has been spot on and its really well put together
For the money though I was also impressed with the Fluxient U2 that Torchy used to sell (way better than a Joystick and much cheaper) - not sure if they are still available (but I have one I'm no longer using!)
Paying attention to this thread. I have a joystick and I just don't like it.
When it's on, it's a good light. I just find it hard to actually switch on/change with gloves on. That stupid button is, well, stupid.
chakaping
Free Member
I suspect all the Exposure helmet lights are limited in runtime if used with the power required for proper riding.Anyone wanna correct me?
Depends how you use the light and the type of riding I guess. I regularly go out for 2/3 hour rides in the dark but I don’t need my lid light on full power for this time. For climbs and non technical sections I put the power down for both helmet and bar lights and save full power for descents. Never have an issue with batteries this way.
When it’s on, it’s a good light. I just find it hard to actually switch on/change with gloves on. That stupid button is, well, stupid
I've got an Axis and would agree.
Why can't lights have two buttons?
Power
Mode
Whilst I'm moaning
I really can see no reason for a flash mode that is capable of giving someone a seizure from 3miles away.
With a bar light and a helmet light, I save the latter for the narrower, twistier bits. I don't faff around with modes either. That being the case, something like a Joystick works really well and is easily switched on and off with gloved hands. I actually have an Equinox for a helmet light but they're no longer available.
I like my Joystick, I changed the mode so it only has two settings. I run full power going down and reduced power going up and along. The battery has never run out on rides of over three hours
I've got a mk6 Sixpack (3800lm) plus a mk7 Diablo (1300lm) on my helmet. Diablo is mostly swamped by the bar light but is priceless on twisty descents or over drops etc - forgot to charge the Diablo ahead of Fri night's ride and really noticed the difference.
Point of that is I think 1300 of Exposure lumens would be perfect for the head, so an Axis sounds about right.
I also have a mk8 Toro with 1800lm as my sole bar light on my gravel/commuter and that's bright enough by itself.
Depends on how bright you think you need it to be...I find over 1200 lumens and everything is just a bright flare, so I'm more than happy with that kind of output as it also then tends to mean a much longer burn time.
I'm still running an original Lights & Motion Seca Race ultra light - 900 lumens with a very usable beam pattern and on full power I get almost 3 hours burn time.
Aware some people want the brightness of the sun on their handlebar and/or helmet but I'm not seeing the benefit of the brightness as everything just gets washed out and you then have no real depth perception.
I keep watching bike lights but we still seem to be going brighter rather than longer burn times, so we still seem to be wanting brighter rather than longer.
Now I've had my grumble...Moon seem to do a decent list of lights that may have something suitable and I think Magicshine has recently released a 8000 lumen behemoth that is apparently an ok size for the helmet - if you are after something that bright!
I have progressed to a helmet and bar light though - but if the weather is bad - rain/sleet/snow or mist/fog, then I tend to not use the helmet light as it just flares the water vapour like something out of Star Wars and I end up with a small window to see what is going on, I suspect brighter lights would be even worse, but the helmet light has made twisty stuff more enjoyable - not for any added brightness, just that the light points where I look which helps see round corners in the woods.
8000 lumen behemoth that is apparently an ok size for the helmet
I hope it makes noise when you turn it on like spotlights in old films.
I have an image in my head of someone switching it on, setting fire to the rider in front and immediately being thrown backwards off the bike
lumens count is what sells. like megapixels on a camera
usually brighter LED with the same battery means more runtime that the previous model at lower outputs, or brighter output for the same duration.
beam shape plays a big factor, I found my diablo was drowned out by my bar light so kept hold of my joystick and move the diablo on, as the joystick had a spottier beam. don't know if that's still the case with current joysticks though, the version before mine had a slightly floodier beam. You can usually tell by looking at how smooth the reflector is
I can absolutely say I do not need that magic shine jobbie, thankfully most of my riding buddies aren't into the arms race when it comes to lights, so I'm not really having to battle other peoples lights, the MaxxD works fine and I don't want a headlight which will blow that out of the water.
I'll do a little reading up on the scorch, it looks like it might be what I want, although I'm still leaning toward the Axis, especially as I could always carry the Diablo with me too on longer rides as a backup.
I’ve got a maxx D on the bars - the one that can do 4000 lumens on reflex I think.
On the helmet I’ve got an Axis - I don’t really rate it for the money. I had a 900 lumen Moon on there before and it’s not a big step up from that I don’t think - and battery life seems worse.
If I had my time again I think I’d get the newer moon vortex pro with 1300 lumens and save the money. Or if I wanted something spendier to try the Fourth Scorch.
I looked at the Diablo and Zenith and the run times weren’t particularly good I didn’t think.
I've got a joystick and four4th scorch. Prefer the joystick for a number of reasons.
1. Has a more focused penetrating beam pattern
2. The switch on the back is easier to use than the touch sensitive lens on the scorch, especially in the middle of winter with big gloves on
3. The helmet mount for the joystick is much simpler. Bonus is that the scorch fits in it nicely
I think the scorch is actually brighter and has a wider beam pattern, so may be good on the handlebars.
I’ve got a maxx D on the bars – the one that can do 4000 lumens on reflex I think.
On the helmet I’ve got an Axis – I don’t really rate it for the money. I had a 900 lumen Moon on there before and it’s not a big step up from that I don’t think – and battery life seems worse.
If I had my time again I think I’d get the newer moon vortex pro with 1300 lumens and save the money. Or if I wanted something spendier to try the Fourth Scorch.
I looked at the Diablo and Zenith and the run times weren’t particularly good I didn’t think
Yeah it's the moon vortex pro 1300 that I tested the Axis/Diablo against and ended up keeping.
Only £34 from here
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/accessories/lights/moon-vortex-pro-front-light-black__352868
Thought I should close this one out.
After a couple of weeks of procrastinating, I ended up ordering a Mk1 Exposure Zenith from Leisure Lakes for £195, I used some man maths and figured that the bigger battery was worth having, I've set it to the second highest output (the 2hr/6hr one with no 'low') and it's throwing out far more light than the Diablo did on the 1hr setting.
I had originally planned to keep the diablo as a back up, however as I had an eBay offer at the weekend I thought I list it for £85 and it sold within the first hour
Only issue now is that it's making my MaxxD feel a little undergunned, so time to start saving up for a new six pack...
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIPXSMH2W/planet-x-super-mini-2-way-200-lumen-bike-helmet-light are great little lights for tarmac rides, comes with various mounting options including helmet.
I've a Diablo Mk12 and really like it. I have came from cheapo lights and find the lack of spottyness much better.
I've just picked up a support cell for it so that will help with longer rides. Also being able to choose a mode/runtime to suit is a handy feature.
Just bought one if the Moon Vortex Pro 1300s based on this thread. First ride out the other night and it's a bloody amazing light for £34!
Moon on the helmet and my older Magicshine 1200 lumen on the bars. Perfect amount of light 😎
I run a very old six-pack on the bars and a diablo V2 on my lid.
If you are happy with the diablo on the lid, why not get a extra battery pack?
I night ride up to 3h and turn the diablo off going up or on lowest if it's twisty going up.
I really don’t understand the people that pair a Diablo or equivalent with a big bar light. The Diablo is a floody beam pattern as is the bar light, but the bar light is far more powerful, so drowns out the helmet light. The joystick is MUCH more focussed, so great for peering around corners where the flood is weaker at the edges.
I always viewed it as:
Diablo/Zenith/Equinox on the lid if ran on their own, or Joystick+bar light if paired.
ajantom
Full Member
Just bought one if the Moon Vortex Pro 1300s based on this thread. First ride out the other night and it’s a bloody amazing light for £34!Moon on the helmet and my older Magicshine 1200 lumen on the bars. Perfect amount of light 😎
Yeah I was really impressed with the value for money this light offered, glad my post helped.
Daffy
Full Member
I really don’t understand the people that pair a Diablo or equivalent with a big bar light. The Diablo is a floody beam pattern as is the bar light, but the bar light is far more powerful, so drowns out the helmet light. The joystick is MUCH more focussed, so great for peering around corners where the flood is weaker at the edges.
How would people know this though? USE don’t advertise the difference in beam patterns on the product pages on their website
With the magicshine bar ligh 6500 or the 8000 you dont need a helmet light. Better run time, better beam, just better all round than the exposure.
Been there with exposure lights, sixpack, diablos, axis……bought the monteer 6500 and stopped wishing for more / better / runtime anxiety.
Had the scorch and whilst run time is good its heavy on the lid and on the bars it vibrates and eats through bands.
The four4th omg is superb. But pricey.
But with the magicshine i only need the bar light. Even on relatively tight twisty stuff
I've a Lupine Wilma with the big battery that has been flawless for the past 7-8 years. Either 2800 lumens for 2 hrs 45 minutes, 2100 lumens for 3 hours 50 mins and 1300 lumens for 7 hrs. It also has 500 lumens for 32 hours I think it is, but I only use that when we have stopped or mechanicals. Light spread is amazing and only really run it on the 1300/2100 settings but will whap it up to 2800 when I'm not sure where I'm going or super techy. Another plus is it is programmable to your needs
