Are expensive bike lights a rip off?

[Eduardoramundo]

arh, maan, it's very tempting. Is there a chance you could post up your purchase on arrival? Did you pay extra for tracked delivery, or did you just choose free delivery?

is it a risky purchase? ?

I didnt realise there were different shipping options and just had the standard one

i will post up when it arrives.

 

[apac]

I didnt realise there were different shipping options and just had the standard one

i will post up when it arrives.

It looks like a really good deal. The Magicshine lights seem to have gone up in price by quite a bit this year.

 

[lightning]

My Exposure MaxxD has been going over 10 years now, no drop in runtime or power so I'd say it was a bargain!!!

Same here, nine years and no detectable drop off in power or runtime.

Also, when there are issues with the light (such as the time l crashed and the light didn't work afterwards) you can send it back to Exposure if you are in the U.K.

They repaired the light for £18 which included return postage.

 

[AdmChr]

I'm currently using a Hangover and Trail Evo from Outbound Lighting.

Outbound Lighting | The Best Bike Lights for Night Riding

The illumination is very even and it only takes a few seconds to snap everything into place once the lights are charged up. They're not Magicshine budget lights, but they're not crazy expensive either.

I also just bought this same setup and had my first night ride the other night with them. They are exactly what I wanted in a light setup. Self contained batteries so no worrying about strapping a battery to the frame, etc. And the wide beam pattern seems perfect on the trail. The plus would be if I did want to extend the battery run time I can grab a 20,000 mah battery bank and connect it via USB-C, no dealing with a proprietary battery or connection like some. For me, they are the perfect setup.

Random photos from my group ride

 

[apac]

I also just bought this same setup and had my first night ride the other night with them. They are exactly what I wanted in a light setup. Self contained batteries so no worrying about strapping a battery to the frame, etc. And the wide beam pattern seems perfect on the trail. The plus would be if I did want to extend the battery run time I can grab a 20,000 mah battery bank and connect it via USB-C, no dealing with a proprietary battery or connection like some. For me, they are the perfect setup.

Random photos from my group ride
View attachment 75509 View attachment 75510 View attachment 75511

I love the idea you can add a power bank.
Most importantly are they bright enough for fast twisty single track In the woods?.... be honest! What's your review?

 

[apac]

The shipping cost to the U.K is £78

 

[AdmChr]

I love the idea you can add a power bank.
Most importantly are they bright enough for fast twisty single track In the woods?.... be honest! What's your review?

Only had one ride with them so far, while it was plenty of twisty singletrack it wasn't all that fast, also it was a big group so I only ran them on medium brightness (and that was plenty for that ride). I'll have to report back after a few rides, or maybe try a GoPro video on a night ride to see how that turns out.

 

[BBear]

The answer, is yes.

I just bought brand new MaxxD from Tredz, I got it after 3 days, in a nice hard case with a zip-lock. Unfortunately, the light doesn’t work and the charger wouldn’t charge the battery.

When excitement wore-out, I realised that the light was shipped in a hard case, without any ‘retail shrink-wrapped packaging’.

So, the retailer took their profit margin for allegedly superior, but broken light. And now I have to wait for an assessment and their decision. Well spent +£300.

On a positive side, the person at Tredz offered not to charge me £3 handling fee. WooHoo!

Why do you need to wait for their assessment and decision? The goods were damaged so surely you’re entitled to a replacement or refund.

 

[VWsurfbum]

12 hrs? It's 3hrs at max setting according to Exposure's website. Magicshine is 1.5-2 hrs.

But it doesn't run on the max setting with the Flex +, it drops down automatically when the trail is smooth (road) or stationary to the low setting which is 12hrs +

 

[Doomanic]

OK. Good to know, but irrelevant to me as I only ride off road so it would live on the high setting.

 

[VWsurfbum]

OK. Good to know, but irrelevant to me as I only ride off road so it would live on the high setting.

yeah I get ya, I ride too and from the trails, probably about 20-30 each way then stop for a breather on the trails, extends the burn tim considerably. Plus you certainly dont want it on full power on the road lol.

 

[Janc]

I was an early adopter of Cateye Stadium when buddies were riding 6v lead acid powered lights. No one would ride in front of me because of the shadow they created! Pretty happy with the chinese Cree lights on handlebars and helmen=ts though appreciate the batteries don't have much run time or durability but I've had about 7 years of riding for less than £100 including replacements and spares. I admit to not having tried any of the new generation expensive ones. However I now rarely ride at night.

 

[Chaser]

I've never done anything more than the odd commute in the dark, but I'm looking to toe dip into the lights world to give some off roading a go in the dark.

Do you go for brighter on the bars or on the helmet?

I've used CandBseen website before as they check the quality of the chargers and batteries but that was just for a couple of 1000lumen Cree torches. They do a 3000 lumen handlebar light kit with a battery pack and a 1000 lumen headtorch with battery pack on the helmet. £115 for the pair. Is there better for less?

 

[VWsurfbum]

Do you go for brighter on the bars or on the helmet?

Personally I think bright with spread on the bars and a spot on the noggin so you can follow around the corners.

 

[Gyre]

Personally I think bright with spread on the bars and a spot on the noggin so you can follow around the corners.

Exactly. Flood on the bars, throw on the helmet.
The handlebar light has to be powerful enough to cast shadows on the trail so you can read its shape. Helmet lights are very bad at that.

 

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

I used cheap Chinese ones and as many said thought they were good. I then bought a Hope R2 followed by an R4 and the difference is they are more focused/directional and last longer. Expensive thought compared with £30 for the cheap ones if you only ever ride your local tame trails.

 

[Alexbn921]

Lumens are important, but over 2000 real output the shape and density of the beam is far more important.

This is where expensive lights shine! Having a hot spot in the middle will overpower your eyes to the point you loose peripheral vision. Having an even density of light in the center will feel brighter to your eyes and keep more night vision on the edges. Exposure has the most even distribution of light and even if it is "down" on output compared to mid priced lights.

 

[Pivot]

Why do you need to wait for their assessment and decision? The goods were damaged so surely you’re entitled to a replacement or refund.

Good point, you would have thought so.
I spoke with them today, still didn’t receive the light from TNT?
I just hear excuses and I am begging to think that I should request a refund.

 

[Gary]

Lumens are important, but over 2000 real output the shape and density of the beam is far more important.

Totally agree.

This is where expensive lights shine! Having a hot spot in the middle will overpower your eyes to the point you loose peripheral vision.

I'd disagree that it's only the most expensive lights which manage that. Bearing in mind many of the more affordable bike lights also use the same LEDs Exposure do and there are quite a few multi lens units which also do a great job of casting an even spread with less of a hot spot.

Exposure has the most even distribution of light

Not saying its definitely not the case but that's an extremely bold claim considering the huge amount of lights available..
Where do you get this information from and how many and which other lights have you seen directly compared?

 

[davarello]

I started off with VistaLites in the 90's and then when I got back into riding about 15 yrs ago I bought my first Gloworm lights. Not cheap, but you can customize the beam pattern with changeable optics, their mounts are nice and clean and the remote makes changing output easy. This is the X2 1700L (spots on helmet) and the XSV 3400L (wides on bars) combined - it lights up a lot of track and hillside..

 

[Alexbn921]

Totally agree. I'd disagree that it's only the most expensive lights which manage that. Bearing in mind many of the more affordable bike lights also use the same LEDs Exposure do and there are quite a few multi lens units which also do a great job of casting an even spread with less of a hot spot.

True that the LED's are not special, but the amount of effort put into the lens is extremely important. Most don't care enough and the interchangeable ones are even worse.

Not saying its definitely not the case but that's an extremely bold claim considering the huge amount of lights available..
Where do you get this information from and how many and which other lights have you seen directly compared?

Over the years I've kept track of light tests and compared close to 40 different lights that have cycled thru our rather large group of riders.
Exposure has always been the gold standard, but I am not claiming they are the absolute best. Just the best I've used and seen.

 

[Philly G]

OK. Good to know, but irrelevant to me as I only ride off road so it would live on the high setting.

You're kind of missing the point. I only ever ride off-road as well but always use the Reflex+ (auto) mode. The light has a built in gyroscope & accelerometer, so it knows if you're climbing, going slower on even flat ground, or stopped for a breather. In these scenarios it will automatically dim to save battery. The instant you accelerate / point your bike downhill it will flare up to max lumens. It's actually a very cool feature and part of what you pay for when you buy Exposure

 

[apac]

Anyone know the difference between Olight products and Magicshine?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Anyone know the difference between Olight products and Magicshine?

Olight are made by Magicshine.

 

[apac]

Apart from the price can anyone shine any light on how these two products might be different?

MagicShine Monteer 3500

Olight RN 3500

They are made by the same company and look and perform identically according to the blurb. Both are linked to U.K distribution.

I know that Magicshine have put the prices up recently. Maybe this is a seasonal thing?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Apart from the price can anyone shine any light on how these two products might be different?

MagicShine Monteer 3500

Olight RN 3500

They are made by the same company and look and perform identically according to the blurb. Both are linked to U.K distribution.

I know that Magicshine have put the prices up recently. Maybe this is a seasonal thing?

Probably identical product but in different packaging.

 

[Jimbo Vills]

If you look at the Olight website / image. It even uses the Magicshine mounting.

 

[apac]

Bollocks to it. Just ordered Exposure Max D and Diablo package from SDJ Sport. Yeah they're turquoise, But that's ok, they'll match my David Icke shell suit.

 

[Philly G]

Bollocks to it. Just ordered Exposure Max D and Diablo package from SDJ Sport. Yeah they're turquoise, But that's ok, they'll match my David Icke shell suit.

A purchase that will reward you for years to come, you won't regret it

 

[VWsurfbum]

Just for an example, last night I did an analog ride (don't hate me) and we were out over 3hrs, moving time of 2.5hrs and I still had an hour left on my six-pack using the full power in reflex mode.