Home | Reviews | Accessories | Lights

CatEye HL-1600 Lights

Average Rating: 4.5/5
MSRP: $ 45.00
# of Reviews: 2

Fully rechargeble light with quick-release system allows ease of use and precise aiming. Integrated charging socket enables simple, easy recharging. NiMH batteries will run up to 3-1/2 hours on 8 hours recharge. Bright 2.4 watt halogen bulb. Can be used with either NiCad or NiMH AA-size batteries. Comes with handlebar mounting bracket.
Mtbr Bike Lights Shootout - over 50 bike lights reviewed, photographed and measured here.

Review Options: Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Reviews 1 - 2 (2 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Mark a Racer from Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002

Strengths:    Previous review is accurate.
Main strengths: low battery level indicator, so you know when to recharge it, hours before it actually goes out. The charger plugs straight into the light, so you don't even have to open the case.
So this means you're basically guaranteed that it won't run out unexpectedly, which is a problem I have had with other lights.
£25 is a bit more, but easily worth it for the non-fade guarantee and ease of recharging

Weaknesses:    Last time I was in a decent bike shop (Oct 2002) they said that they didn't sell it any more.
Previous review is correct that once it starts to fade, it does fade fast. (This shouldn't be a problem as long as you recharge it if you get home and the LED was on.)

Bottom Line:

The extra money for the LED low batt warning indicator and recharger is definitely worth it.

If you didn't by Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries (ie you just bought nickel Cadium, then replace with NiMH as soon as possible.)

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   2 Years

Price Paid:    $40.00

Purchased At:   £ 25 quid, Evans Cycles (UK)

Similar Products Used:   Basic lights with 2*D batteries in. They were simple, but no warning when they fade out.

Bike Setup:   racer with this on the front, and two cateye LED+reflectors on the back (just in case one runs out of batteries.) I like to have one flashing and one constant. Hopefully this *should* make me visible and on the right side of the law.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by John a Weekend Warrior from England

Date Reviewed: June 28, 2002

Strengths:    Good bright white beam; solid but easily fitted and adjusted handlebar mounting; low-battery indicator light; looks quite cool in a see-thru, iMac sort of way. The fact that it's rechargeable is a real plus. It costs more to buy the light, but it pays for itself in savings on batteries. And you can keep it well-charged and ensure a good bright beam.

Weaknesses:    Nothing major. The low-battery indicator tends to come on even when there's quite a bit of run-time left in it. That said, when it does die, it goes quickly from bright to no light so it might be better to be safe than caught short. Although you avoid buying batteries, halogen bulbs can be expensive.

Bottom Line:

This is a good light for commuters, or for light trail riding, but probably not for any more serious off-road action. It's a nice entry point for rechargeables. And it looks good.