I think my old helmet light has given up after 15 or so years of service. It switches on, but cuts out after about 15 mins of use. It could be the battery, or it could be the light, not sure yet as I’ve not had it open, or the cells checked.
it’s a Cutter 3 LED Cree R2 in a lumicycle halogen pot (remember those?) 14.8V battery. probably puts out about 1000 lumen, but has quite a far reach, about 100m I reckon and is nice and spotty. I use it along with a bikehut 1600 bar light for the near flood duties and it worked superbly.

Before I start investigating the light further and potentially forking out circa £50 for a new battery I’d like to get an idea of if there is anything out there that would replace it.

I’m looking for something with good throw, tight beam and light. all in one may work, but I’m also used to carrying a battery pack in a bag, so that works.

current head unit has to be around 80g with mount, so something around that would be good. can’t imagine running something heavier on my head.

runtime of 1.5h+

budget around cost of battery replacement so £50-70 seems right.

anything out there that fits the requirements?

The moon bigger front lights have helmet mount and are excellent.

It’s an all in one but fine on a helmet – Moon Vortex. There’s a cheaper one with 1000 lumen or a more expensive one with 1300 lumen (pro). I’ve had a few of the older ones and they’ve been pretty great. Bit heavier than what you’ve mentioned but not too heavy in my experience.

I used the previous 800 lumen version on my helmet with the bikehut 1600 lumen light on the bars – worked well together.

https://www.merlincycles.com/moon-meteor-vortex-rechargeable-front-bike-light-2020-206202.html?utm_source=PHG&utm_medium=AffiliateMarketing&utm_campaign=phg-GB&ucpo=125706&gbraid=0AAAAADANKJkksBDW_8bSRmhN2nO6eEqhB&source=PHG

You have to buy the helmet mount seperately but leaves you plenty spare for that out of your budget.

A review of said light:

https://www.merlincycles.com/moon-meteor-vortex-rechargeable-front-bike-light-2020-206202.html?utm_source=PHG&utm_medium=AffiliateMarketing&utm_campaign=phg-GB&ucpo=125706&gbraid=0AAAAADANKJkksBDW_8bSRmhN2nO6eEqhB&source=PHG

great, thanks

I’ve been using the Chili Tec helmet capsule and found it great (£50 on the website) It’s all in one, 800 lumens but seems brighter. They’ve just launched a 1100 lumen version too, which should arrive next week. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for special deals, I’ve just paid £40 for the new 1100 lumen one with the bigger battery too…
https://www.chilli-tech.com/bike-lights/helmet-light-for-mtb

@bikematt what;s the throw like on these. like the idea of the 1100lumen one, but i’d be looking for something with a strong spot.

limited reviews of them outwth the ‘it’s just a chinese light’ which in my experience can mean it’s either much better than expected, or has 20 led’s but only pushes 200 lumen. :-/

I’ve just been out with a Moon Vortex Pro on my lid for the first time, it was excellent. Came with a helmet mount too, I’m sure I got it for about £50

Merlin have various moons at decent prices.

https://www.merlincycles.com/moon-meteor-vortex-pro-rechargeable-front-bike-light-2020-206208.html

https://www.merlincycles.com/moon-meteor-storm-rechargeable-front-bike-light-2019-157512.html

@lovewookie the 800l one is pretty good, but I don’t have anything to compare to. The 1100l one should be here in the next day or so, so I’ll post some pics when I get it.

Very happy with my 4/5 year old Vortex Pro, and looks like they upgraded the specs since I bought mine.

It came with a helmet mount, but I don’t use it, as I find a lump of sugru and a velcro strap work better.

Surprised no one has mentioned @smudge at MTB Batteries yet. I’m really happy with my lumen 800 helmet light & the service is second to none.

https://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights/lumen800/

I’ve just been out with a Moon Vortex Pro on my lid for the first time, it was excellent. Came with a helmet mount too, I’m sure I got it for about £50

£45 on Merlin. Looks hard to beat value wise….

was weighing up the various options. mark at MTB batteries had offered me a deal on a replacement battery and even to have a look at my existing light to see if it was the battery or LED driver, it is after all very old now. think it was built in 2007.

Looked at the chilli tech ones. the beam shots look OK, but may lack the throw I’m looking for.

looked at the reviews of the Moon lights and the vortex pro sounds like it’ll do the job, so I’ve gone for that as all options were coming in at similar cost,

thanks all.

I think that’s a good choice – things have moved on since your old light was made in 2007.

It’s also much nicer / easier having an all in one unit rather than having a wire going from your helmet to a battery pack somewhere.

Another thumbs up for the MTB Batteries Lumen 800 here.
While you can pop the battery on your camelbak, etc. I just attach the light and battery to my helmet.

My Lumen 800 and battery weight 200gms together but I paid extra for a bigger battery.

What I really like about the Lumen800 is that I can use the battery as a spare for my Lumenator (or vice versa) and that the button is really positive and easy to operate with gloves on.

It was a consideration, but I saw the review on their page and noted it lacked throw, so not what I was looking for.

when my bikehut light dies, I’d definitely be looking to mtbbatteries for a main light.