Is the Halfords Advance 1800lm still the goto budget no wire bike light?

As per the title. I’ve got ~1000lm Joystick for my lid and a number of cheap wired lights with a various overstated lumens claim for the bars, but I want a single unit with no wires and don’t want to spend Exposure money. Anyone have any experience of it or something similar?

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-lights/halfords-advanced-1800-lumen-front-bike-light-693718.html

Have a look at the Fenix BC30 v2, but budget for batteries – been using mine for over a year.

Looks like a new model, used to be 1600 lumens and non removable batteries. The run time is shown as being less than the 1600 one I think but they might be erring on the side of caution.

There’s the BC30 V2, which uses removable batteries and the BC30R V2 which has non-removable rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable ones seem to claim slightly fewer lumens.

With the nights drawingin i have been thinking of this what would people recommend as a light setup that wont break the bank. Never needed lights before due to working shifts and having days off but now having kids is forcing my hand to go out in the dark

I’m gonna do the usual thing of saying just buy an exposure /end thread.

But with a twist. Buy second hand exposure.

They are infinitely repairable at reasonable cost by exposure here in the uk. My second hand maxx-d at £155 to me is my current favourite thing I own.

a number of cheap wired lights with a various overstated lumens claim

if you add together what you’d spent on these could you have just bought one good light that lasts?

I had one and returned it (after also having 1600lumen previous model). The quarter turn mount is not strong enough, so the light fell off a few times, especially if upside down on a go pro mount. Also it was impossible to buy the correct batteries for it. Halfords didn’t sell them and you literally couldn’t get them anywhere; I can’t remember exact problem but something about +ve/-ve positions.

Are they like the moon “18650” batteries where they have both terminals in a ring at one end?

I’ve this which can be had for £90 @ Merlin:
https://www.ravemen.com/PR/PR1600.html
I really like it, if your not fussed about the wireless beam switch you can get a lower lumen one cheaper.
Gets good reviews.

if you add together what you’d spent on these could you have just bought one good light that lasts?

Yeah thanks for that, I’ll just jump in my time machine and buy something else instead…

In all seriousness. One was bought many many years ago when the first P7 lights came out. The other were cheap T6 based lights where it was cheaper to buy them getting spare battery packs or lost chargers ( ~£20). So we’re not talking anywhere near Exposure cost outlay. They still all work, but I find the separate battery pack and wires a total faff.

Was looking at the same as my 1600lm is brilliant. Just what is the battery issue?

I had one and returned it (after also having 1600lumen previous model). The quarter turn mount is not strong enough, so the light fell off a few times, especially if upside down on a go pro mount. Also it was impossible to buy the correct batteries for it. Halfords didn’t sell them and you literally couldn’t get them anywhere; I can’t remember exact problem but something about +ve/-ve positions.

The spare battery seem to be in stock and available for £15 now. The falling off bit is a concern though (but mine wouldn’t be mounted upside down)

I’m still using my original 1000lm job despite its shortcomings.

Looking at the current Halfords lights I’d go for the 1200 lumen job it’s still got too many modes but it seems to be the only one with a replaceable cell option…

The Halfords light is great for the money but the rubber band mount is crap. You need one of these… https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/lighting-spares/hope-qr-handlebar-mount-plastic-hlsp403/

The 1800 has replacement cell(s) option too

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-lights/halfords-adv-1800lm-spare-batteries-747798.html

Good news batteries are available now, they weren’t in April when I got the light.

(I ended up with an Exposure)

^^^ What Sharkattack said. I have the 1600 lumen one – you need to replace the elastic mount for something more solid like the Hope one. I use mine on 2 bikes and have a combined lezyne and hope mount that won’t move when you drop/jump.
I think the light is great value

Moon meteor storm lite is 1200l and £40 from me

rob.bike.revive@gmail.com

I bought this last year… https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/accessories/lights/moon-vortex-pro-front-light-black__352868?

I use it as a backup, but it’s a neat unit. Rotates around the ‘bars but a wrap of double-sided tape stopped that

I’ve got the 1800 and have used it with the screw on mount without any issues.  It is a heavy light and if you are just using flashes I would probably get a cheaper one.  It takes a bloody age to charge.  it is not my prefered light

I’ve got the 1800 and have used it with the screw on mount without any issues. It is a heavy light and if you are just using flashes I would probably get a cheaper one. It takes a bloody age to charge. it is not my prefered light

How does it perform off-road? (In terms of light spread).

never used it off road.

I have the older model 1800, it’s got a decent amount of spread, no doubt there is better but I’ve never felt the need to use full beam in anything other than full send at Glentress.

Yes it takes ages to charge but it’s also got a hefty battery, faster charging is a convenience that comes at a cost. It just requires you to be organised and put them on in the morning for riding at night.

As above I have the Hope mount for mine, rock solid compared to the included one.

Thanks @squirrelking , that’s very useful. I’m going to order. The long charge time isn’t a concern and it’s USB anyway so way more convenient (and at least I’ll dare charge them in the house, unlike my old cheap lights that stay firmly in the garage💥🙈)

My 1600 has a fair old spread which I didn’t quite like for off-road. The 1000 has less which makes it just as bright functionally. I do not know about the 1800 though.

Thought I’d give some feedback on the Halfords light in case anyone else was looking to buy as I bought the unit and spare batteries.

The batteries are a bit odd as both terminals are at one end, so you can’t just use some cells you have laying around.

There loads of brackets which come in the box, I used the bolt-on bracket and had no issues with light becoming loose or moving.

I was really impressed with the spread and throw of the light. I didn’t need the spare batteries during my ride as it was nowhere near empty (but I was switching through the modes) .

The only negative I found is to cycle through the modes it goes from full , then through 3 flashing modes until you get back to lowest setting. There’s 5 constant brightness setting. So having to cycle through them all is a PITA when off-road and transition from fast downhill to climbing. The display also has a battery indication on it, which is useful, but it would be better if also showed you which mode you’re in too as a few times I wasn’t sure if I was in 4 or 5 and ended up going through all the settings just to get back to the brightest for a fast downhill. Think I’ll just leave it on full next time and swap the batteries if necessary.

TL:DR For the price it’s great. I’d definitely recommend

For that money I’d be going with a moon meteor storm pro.  Solid bit of kit.  Same replaceable batteries.  Comes with a handlebar mounted remote to change lighting mode.

For that money I’d be going with a moon meteor storm pro. Solid bit of kit. Same replaceable batteries. Comes with a handlebar mounted remote to change lighting mode

I don’t regret my purchase (just!), but that does look pretty good tbf. The beam looks narrower, but the remote is a definite bonus.  I’m amazed what £50-60 will get you now from actual brands (as opposed to exaggerated  lumen generic lights powered by repackaged old laptop batteries). But I still remember the days of massive waterbottle shaped batteries and 10w halogen bulbs…

I found it great for off road use paired with a helmet mounted light for trail centre nught riding.

I have three expensive Four4th lights for my own bikes but my poor kids have both had to make do with a cheap 1000 lumen bar light bought from Torchy a few years ago. Fine for lighting up the old railway line and the woodland paths around our house, but my son is more adventurous now so a brighter light will come in handy for the more technical stuff he likes to ride, so I have just blown the budget (or not) and bought this combo……. https://www.amazon.co.uk/BIKIL-Rechargeable-Headlight-Taillight-Combinations/dp/B081LT3Y5H/ref=asc_df_B081LT3Y5H?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920843838496&hvnetw=a&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520389499199&psc=1

The front light is supposedly within 200 lumens of my Four4th Gabriel all-in-one light, which cost me £150 in November 2021 (Black Friday deal), so it will be interesting to see how they compare.

Hopefully not a case of the old ‘Chinese’ lumen.

I just searched my emails, my old Solar Storm was ‘6600 lumen’ apparently, yet isn’t a patch on the Halfords light (It was only £20 though). What’s laughable now is if you search ‘Solar Storm Bike light’ the new ones are claiming to be 20,000 lumen😂. Though that might be measure of the brightness when the battery pack explodes during charging (there’s a reason I only ever charged mine in the garage…)

Hi,

How are people getting on with these?

Ive got the 1800 version as I can use it to charge my wahoo. Only problem is when you shake the light it goes back to the lowest setting.

Its out if warranty. Any ideas on how to fix it. I’ll probably be taking it apart this week and hoping I can see a lose wire or broken solder.

Thanks

take it back & get another apparently, it’s listed as having a lifetime warranty on https://www.halfords.com/guarantees.html

I can’t find the receipt of box anywhere.

Supposedly you don’t need the receipt, as they’re printed on thermal paper, & fade overtime. Google suggests people have varying experiences, but many positive, so go ask? (At a few, if need be)

I have the 1800lm Halfords light and in combination with my helmet light I can ride at Inners in the dark no problem (I’m not particularly good though so I am not fast).

The bolt-on band is totally fine, battery lasts a decent amount of time for what I need it for i.e. a couple hours on a weekday evening. I’d want spares or more likely a better light if I was doing a big bikepack or the Puffer something. Echoing what others say, it’s intensely annoying to cycle through all 8 modes when you want to dim or brighten it. It’s heavy but seems well built. Charging takes a while but as long as I keep it charged after I’m finished it’s no problem.

See how long it lasts, but for the price it’s brilliant so far I’d say. Good on the road bike too for laps around Arthur’s Seat where I don’t need to see for miles, and it comes with a huge amount of fixtures in the box. I don’t do enough night riding to justify buying an Exposure or whatever.

Interesting about the warranty, mine’s developed a disturbing habit of turning off when on a bumpy descent / potholes / etc, so I only really use it as a backup light.

I don’t mind my 1800 which replaced a 1600. Very much prefer the removeable batteries and for some time haven’t bought anything that I can’t do this with. Sadly just one of three versions of the 18650 though and the least common at that.

Most of the brackets are flimsy. The rubber one that allows easy removal is great in many ways but not 100% solid. I have replaced mine with an old Exposure one. USB c is better but I miss the ability to use it as a power pack. The 1600 allowed that.

Finally it takes for ever to switch on. Very sensitive to the exact sweet spot on a whopping switch and it needs holding down for 6 seconds or more.

Don’t pay retail price but watch out for dodgy seconds.

Finally it takes for ever to switch on. Very sensitive to the exact sweet spot on a whopping switch and it needs holding down for 6 seconds or more.

+1