Product Description
The HL-500 Halogen has been the standard in bike lights for over ten years. Owned by over 10 million cyclists, the HL-500 provides 1,000 candlepower of light using two "C" batteries. Side light markers provide additional illumination from the right and left for nighttime visibility. The HL-500 is a night commuter's dream.
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 - 15 (21 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
User Reviews
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
chopper
a Weekend Warrior
from AustraliaDate Reviewed: April 19, 2009
Strengths: Cheap enough...Good in its day.Weaknesses: Switch too hard to find and i do not like the way it operates.Most bike fittings i find too weak,..and its a drag if lights etc..detach half way down a hill etc..So be sure that it is locked on properly;)Bottom Line: If you find one cheap enough,.then its probly good enough;)Of course a stronger beam is desirable if indulging in risky night manouvres (downhill etc.).For general riding/visibility to others etc. this light will do.Should really be solar rechargable,.as its pretty flat on top.
Favorite Trail: round town
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: Old Keith Dents Bike
Similar Products Used: Smaller torch-looking light,..similar bracket..Lost in action due to unclicking from bracket.
Bike Setup: 17" Giant Boulder Disc 2008..Hence the renewed interest in lights.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from LA, california, usaDate Reviewed: August 18, 2005
Strengths: The light is very focused and bright. can light up a pitch black street. The weight isn't so bad and is easy to dismantle.Weaknesses: Absolutely nothingBottom Line: It can double up as a flashlight and is very focused. even when it is pitch black, this headlight can light things up. This headlight is ideal for commuters and weekend mountain biking.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$9.00
Purchased At: local shop
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
'ric
a Weekend Warrior
from SingaporeDate Reviewed: December 17, 2003
Strengths: Cheap, I guess, but then there are cheaper
ReliableWeaknesses: Not bright enough
Eats up batteries like it was in a buffet
Fat, takes up valuable bar spaceBottom Line: I don't see the point of this light...
If you're a commuter, you'll want something that's highly visible, and which won't die on you too quickly. So you'll probably look for LED lights which use AA-batteries (easier to find in rechargeable format).
If you're on the trails, you'll probably want something that casts a substantial amount of light. So you'll want a HID or equivalent.
This light doesn't throw enough light to navigate with, and neither does it have the same visibility range of LEDs. Swallows batteries whole too. Yes it's cheap, and will take a beating, and is fairly waterproof. Beyond that it seems a bit redundant, 'specially since it's so damn big.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$8.00
Similar Products Used: Quite a number, don't remember the models
Bike Setup: Merlin E-Stay Suspension '93, full XTR
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from SingaporeDate Reviewed: November 2, 2001
Strengths: Relatively cheap, cover screw easy to remove with fingernail :P. Reasonable battery life.Weaknesses: Not bright enough for trails. uses 2 heavy size c batteries.Bottom Line: This light is hopeless for trails unless ur handlebar has space for about 3... A commuting light.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$8.00
Similar Products Used: No brands
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
chongyi
a
from WIDate Reviewed: October 17, 2001
Strengths: quick release, long battery life, bright under total darkness, beam can be repositioned anytime without any tools.Weaknesses: horizontal rectangular beam limits the depth.Bottom Line: very good lights for commuting purposes and able to light up dark paths effectively. i highly recommend it to students who travel between classes at night because batteries last quite long (i travel 4 trips a week night time with at least 15 mins each trip and the lights only dimmed a little after a month). but im giving it a 4 out of 5 because the depth of beam is quite limited (but good enough unless your are riding extremely fast on pavements without any streetlights).
Favorite Trail: around UW Madison
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At: Budget (Used) Bike Shop
Bike Setup: Raleigh M30 2000, XT derailleurs.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tod Monet
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX, HarrisDate Reviewed: June 19, 2001
Strengths: Long battery life. Sturdy constructions.Weaknesses: Light not as bright as others.Bottom Line: I've owned this product for over two years. Only now is it beginning to suffer from weather exposure. I didn't fully appreciate what I have until I looked for a comparibly-priced replacement. This light uses two C batteries. I use rechargables. They last a good two weeks between charges. I bought a similar product that uses 4 AA batteries. They lasted about an hour! I put this one back on and am still using it. Don't use the product if you need the light to see. It's only good for BEING seen.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At: Bike Barn
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Ward
a Cross Country Rider
from Rotherham,s.yorks,EnglandDate Reviewed: June 12, 2001
Strengths: This light is ezcellent value for what it is, its ok for roads, easy removable so it doesn't get knicked. Also doubles as a flashlight!Weaknesses: There a couple of small holes in the side that seem to lose a lot of light.Bottom Line: This light is brilliant value for what it is. If u want a cheap, good light BUY THIS!
Favorite Trail: Coed-y-Brenin
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: JE James
Similar Products Used: Cateyes..
Bike Setup: GT Backwoods, stock, part from SID 100's and XT kit.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jose M Meda
a Cross Country Rider
from Garza Garcia, NL, MexicoDate Reviewed: April 16, 2001
Strengths: Clear light, powerfull beam, easy to set-up, only 120 gr. in weightWeaknesses: The halogen bulb is very delicated, yoa most be very carefull because it will brake with no effortBottom Line: Excelent price/performance relation, you will find a light with better illumination only if you are willing to spent $100+.
Favorite Trail: Bio-Parque Estrella
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$24.00
Purchased At: Outdoor Life
Bike Setup: Marin aluminum Palisades Trail, Manitou fork, Trek computer
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tony VB
a Cross Country Rider
from Antwerp,BelgiumDate Reviewed: March 30, 2001
Strengths: Good light
sight lightWeaknesses: not to remove at all when it rains so it is stolen after a weekBottom Line: will buy sigma now because it's even brighter and it will remove allways so i will have a headlight longer then a week
Favorite Trail: Ardennes
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At: decathlon
Similar Products Used: sigma
Bike Setup: kona cindercone
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mr Dove
a Weekend Warrior
from BuffaloDate Reviewed: March 29, 2001
Strengths: Light, Portable, easily detachable and it doubles as a flashlight in a pinch. Battery life is pretty good too.Weaknesses: More expensive products have higher output.Bottom Line: This is a really good product for someone who does not ride much at night. The battery life is pretty good but they are not rechargeable. The light output is not wonderful but it's enough for most people.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At: REI
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: GT Avalanche 2.0
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Raymond Tiangco
a Racer
from Makati City, PhilippinesDate Reviewed: March 28, 2001
Strengths: Muy barato! Cheap! Got it for 250 Phil. Pesos ($5).
Strong casing..detachable....Weaknesses: Not bright enough, uses Medium batteries (heavy)Bottom Line: Great light for low traffic training sessions at night. Still, some cars coming at me head on either ignore me or just don't see my light. It's too weak to see the potholes and bumps before it's too late. Don't use for off-road, or on paved roads you are not familiar with. Bottomline, GET SOMETHING BRIGHTER.
I give it a 5 for value since I got it at the price of 3 quarted pounders.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$5.00
Purchased At: Glenn's Cycle Shop
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: Chro-mo custom, 105, Cinelli, TTT, Selle Italia, Open Pro, Panaracer
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Linton
a Weekend Warrior
from RoscoeDate Reviewed: February 14, 2001
Strengths: Long batery life easy to remove coolWeaknesses: none or mabe a little the beam gets very narow one batery gis getting to be deadBottom Line: good cheap light
Favorite Trail: All at night
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: Humpwithme's
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Sipes
a Downhiller
from Ben LomondDate Reviewed: November 29, 2000
Strengths: Removeable (makes a flashlight)
Super Bright!
Lasts longer than I can ride!
Very lite, instead of the rechargable ones!
Small and comapct!Weaknesses: NoneBottom Line: Great product, cheap price, excellent! What more can I say?
Favorite Trail: Black Sage, Gazos Creek
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At: Bike Trip
Similar Products Used: Cateye TL-LD120 Tail light
Bike Setup: Mongoose D50
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jonny
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford, UKDate Reviewed: September 21, 2000
Strengths: Bright beam compared with other cheap lights
Battery Life
Compact
Solid construction - I keep trashing it, it keeps working!Bottom Line: Great light for when you dont want/need to carry 2kg of rechargeable twin-halogen badger scarers.
These price/power lights are for town riding and for emergency get-you-home situations and compared to all the other cheap lights its bright, strong and small enough to pocket (how many lights have YOU had stolen so far this year?)
Its also the only UK road-legal light I've seen (visible thru 180 deg)
Favorite Trail: Aston Hill
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: Loads of other cheapo lights
Bike Setup: Orange EVO II std + CrudCatchers!
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Shredder
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TXDate Reviewed: May 29, 2000
Strengths: price, build quality, mounting bracket, run timeWeaknesses: low outputBottom Line: I have had this for years, I use it mostly for around the neighborhood (we have a headlight law) or at the local hike-and-bike trail around townlake at night (mainly so joggers can see me). Make no mistake this is no off-road light for shredding. On the other hand, it still works while I have been through 2 Spec. Pro-View Nicads and am again in the market for a new off-road light. It also works well as a flashlight for camping, etc. I just used it to check on my ribs I was BBQ-ing outside. It does what it was intended to do very well, the best thing is it saves your high-buck lights for when you really need them...
Favorite Trail: Doctors Park near CB Colorado
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: none similiar, only much higher-end
Bike Setup: 1999 s-works m4
|
Reviews 1 - 15 (21 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
