#Cateye bike light full#
#Cateye bike light windows#

Oxford's Ultratorch Mini+ Headlight is also £19.99 and pumps out 100 lumens in the highest of four modes, but run-times are comparatively short.Ī little dearer but worth it, I'd say, is Moon's Meteor Front Light at £24.99. ValueĪlthough it's the same price, the Cateye strikes me as a better option than Decathlon's ELOPS Front LED Lock USB Bike Light FL520, which comes with a single, 28-lumen steady mode. The one minor thing to keep in mind is that it doesn't automatically kick down to flashing when reserves tumble.

#Cateye bike light full#

Run-times and chargingĬateye cites 3.5 hours for the constant, 35 for the flashing, and so far, in temperatures ranging between 3 and 12☌, it's returned the full 3.5 hours in constant while the flashing has managed 34hrs 54mins. Though extrovert, the tempo seems just slow enough not to irritate, or distract the rider, which isn't always the case in my experience. Friends reckon they could spot the flashing setting at 100-120 metres, which is reassuring. Out in the sticks, I've paired it with my 1,300-lumen dynamo lamps and been similarly impressed by its swift, bright tempo, particularly welcome during those 30-odd metres before the dynamo comes fully alive. > Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best rear lights for cycling It's great for standing out around town, especially when entering the flow of traffic and tackling roundabouts.

Okay, not to the same degree as more powerful lights in bright winter sunshine, but I reckon I've snared the attentions of oncoming traffic at around 70-80 metres, further when it's dull and overcast. As a daylight running mode, the optical quality and pace make it stand out. Save for emergencies, I'd never suggest running it along unlit roads, but I was pleasantly surprised by how useful it was for reading road signs, rummaging through luggage and roadside inspections.įor these reasons, save for testing, I've defaulted to the flashing. > Buyer’s Guide: The best 2021/22 front lights for cycling Similar story with pedestrians and other riders along shared-use paths. Other traffic seemed to take note at around 25-30 metres, which is hardly going to win any awards, but adequate.

#Cateye bike light windows#

The side windows are sensibly positioned too, offering reasonable peripheral bleed, without being obscured when cruising on the hoods. Through town, it gives a decent view of glass and other small hazards at a steady 15-17mph. I wasn't expecting much from the 100-lumen constant mode, but the arc of light is surprisingly pure and good enough for better lit sections. The micro-USB port cover fits snugly enough, and I've not found any issues with damp stuff creeping inside. I've had no problems in heavy rain or leaving it in situ when giving bikes a thorough wash. Weather resistance is IPX4, which taken literally means showery rain, but in practice it's reliable enough for everyday riding. It's fuelled by a 3.7v 800mAh li-ion battery, reckoned good for 300 charge cycles before dropping to 70%, which should mean a few years of hard service before tapering off. Despite this it also has a memory function, which sounds unnecessary but is handy just the same.

There are just two modes, constant or flashing, both 100 lumens, which keeps things simple and covers the basics. You're not going to be navigating rural backwaters at 25mph in the dead of night. In my experience, these lenses live up to the hype, although a standalone light putting out 100 lumens is still very much a town/contingency model. The single diode is projected through an Opticube lens, which Cateye says is designed to get the absolute best from the diode and lumens. I've not dropped it, but I haven't 'babied' it either, and it's bounced around in jersey pockets and bags without any obvious marks or swirls.

The AMPP 100 measures 86 x 35 x 33mm and features a nicely executed composite body. Pumping out a maximum of 100 lumens and with two modes, the claims that 'it's an ideal choice for all riders' are stretching things a bit, but it is brighter than the numbers suggest and makes a useful town or 'companion' light. The Cateye AMPP 100 front light is the baby of the AMPP family.