Combining the super light Solo Logic Mv light head with the equally light yet powerful Li-ion battery pack produces the ultimate adventure race system. Providing the brightest; whitest, most adjustable halogen system in the market, the Solo Li-ion will run all night and be ready to go again in less than 4 hours. Combined with our innovative Cabeza mount and you have a race night system so light you won’t even notice it’s there until it counts-when darkness falls.
Submitted by
Aaron Phillips
a Weekend Warrior
from Kalispell, Mt. Flathead Valley Date Reviewed: October 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All of 'em.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Light weight. Easy attachment of battery to frame. Battery can be mounted almost anywhere to keep it out of the way. Bright.
Weaknesses:
Adjustable beam pattern sucks (read: useless). Bulbs are expensive and you will go through them. Lot of light wasted above the trail.
Similar Products Used:
Cheap branded lights (AA, AAA battery sources). Some headlamps (LED).
Bike Setup:
Trek 6500, Trek 4500(commuter), soon to be Fuel EX 8, Mirra Blend 2
Bottom Line:
They use some small/light weight li-ion batteries and the cub unit I purchased has served me well, but I am starting to think they are overpriced. It looks like they have gone LED and a couple of the new units look like knock-offs! I am looking to purchase a second unit and move this one to the helmet. I would consider another unit from them but it looks like there might be some better deals out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
slabcracker
a Cross Country Rider
from Mobile, Alabama, USA Date Reviewed: October 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Strengths:
A very bright light
Weaknesses:
Very expensive. I have replaced the bulb 4 times(about every 6 months) because the burn out. Over the last 6 months the battery will not fully charge (i.e. after 20 minutes of riding the battery is exhausted)
Bottom Line:
I will not buy another halogen bulb again, the jury is still out on the brand.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Collin
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: August 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
national
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At:
beyondbikes
Strengths:
light weight, good amount of light
Weaknesses:
after using the light twice a week for the past four months, the bulb burned out. I'm not sure what the average lifespan on these bulb is, but given a new one is $20, I would have liked it to have been much longer.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight with XT gruppo
Bottom Line:
The light/battery is bright, relatively light, and quick to charge. I use the helmet mount and have never really wished I had more light than the 13 watt lamp provides even at fairly high speeds. My rides are usually 2-3 hours, so I haven't had any issues with battery life. Having to replace the bulb after only four months is not so great, however.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt a
a Cross Country Rider
from phx, Arizona Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
dc on somo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
The Path Bike shop
Strengths:
Amazing light beam pattern, lightweight, easy to use, very fast charge times, great value and performance.
Weaknesses:
not a quick change from helmet to hbar. Requires a screwdriver. Not ideal for on the trail changes, so pick a head of time.
Expensive replacement batteries, almost the cost of the light. A second battery is a must for 24 hour rides.
On off switch is mounted on light body, fine on hbar, but helmet mount is hard to turn off or switch modes.
Similar Products Used:
Niterider trailrat
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Comp
Bottom Line:
A great headlight. I think its the best non hid headlight for the money. I run my light on the helmet. I plan on buying a second so I can run one hbar, and one helmet for optimal lighting.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: November 3, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Weaknesses:
Light disappears (as any halogen does) if someone around you has an HID system. Kind of a pain if you are climbing and someone behind you had HID. Even at the highest power, the Solo Logic cant even fill in the shadows.
Similar Products Used:
Night Rider Trail Rat, various VistaLight systems, L&M Solo Logic
Bottom Line:
Good light. I use this on my bars, and a Solo on my helmet. This combination works great for trail riding.
Definitely get the quick charger with it, if you buy one of these. The charger is pretty much plug it in and forget it. The one that comes with the light doesn't do this.
I once replaced a battery with L&M, and they were super helpful and quick at replacing it. No questions asked.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lyle Fong
a
from Emeryville, CA, USA Date Reviewed: March 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
Bike Nashbar
Strengths:
Lightweight and feature-rich
Weaknesses:
Reliability, Short battery life, Short low-battery warning
Similar Products Used:
NiteRider Evolution, Light and Motion Vega, several Cateye LED AA-battery units
Bike Setup:
Specialized Tricross Comp
Bottom Line:
I bought this light for a daily commute, most of which is on an unlit trail. Feature-wise, this light has everything I wanted; bright beam, light weight, battery gauge, adjustable handlebar mount, etc. However, I was getting closer to 1.5 hrs of burn time from a fully charged battery. The box claims a 2.0 hour burn time, although it appears that more recent marketing materials now claim 1.5 hrs. That in itself is not a problem, the bigger issue is that the low-battery warning gives me less than 5 minutes of warning. Basically, during a ride, the light will suddenly dim, and then less than 3 minutes later, it will dim again, then finally, a couple minutes later, it will shut off completely. To protect the battery, the light will not turn on again until it is recharged. I expected a 10-15 minute warning, and as a result have been stuck in total darkness on rides home. The end result is that in order to be safe, I'd have to charge the battery daily to ensure I have enough light to get home. With a 400 charge battery life, I was hoping to stretch out each charge longer.
So I contacted Light & Motion about this issue, and they said it is normal to see low-battery warnings between 5-15 minutes, and that it varies between batteries. They graciously offered to send me a new battery to see if it will help.
However, shortly after contacting them, the light suddenly would no longer turn on at all. I tried recharging the battery several times, which the charger reported had full charges. But no matter what, the light would not turn on again. (Note: I've now read that other reviewers have run into a similar problem with the L&M Arc HID lights)
So I contacted L&M again, and asked them to instead send me a full replacement instead of just the battery. Unfortunately, they required that I send the entire unit back for repairs instead. While this is a reasonable request, it also means I'd be out of a light for longer than necessary. And even if they were able to repair the symptoms, I feel little confidence that the same root problem wouldn't manifest again. Honestly, I was very surprised that such an expensive, relatively new light would suddenly stop working with no warning whatsoever. Since I depend so heavily on the light to ride safely home, I didn't feel like taking a chance. Fortunately, Bike Nashbar has a pretty liberal return policy, so I was able to return it for a refund instead.
I really like the light, but for me, reliability is more important than feature-set. Hopefully this was just an isolated defect. But at this point, I'd rather not take another chance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen Morris
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: October 14, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Evans Cycles
Strengths:
Battery is incredibly light and the charger charges quickly. Beam is pretty bright without being overly impressive. Easy to mount to cycle frame. Battery lead connection well made and looks durable.
Weaknesses:
I actually commute 19 miles a day, rain or shine, and bought this product to avoid near misses with cars. Expensive light, but if it keeps me safe and lasts, it will become highly revered kit. First time I used it, roads wet and there was a fine drizzle, but I was shocked to discover water droplets in the light unit. Returned it the next day. Evans customer service excellent as ever and swapped it. Whether the old unit had a freak defect, or the light just isn't weatherproof remains to be seen. If the latter, it'll be returned.
Similar Products Used:
Various Cat Eye rechargeable units (from many years ago)and Cat Eye Opticube as a back up
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Genesis frame with Bontrager RaceLites (incorporating Chris King hubs), Vredestein slicks (excellent), XTR groupset, ATAC pedals
Bottom Line:
There's a big question mark over an expensive product. Buying from LBS can be an advantage in such circumstances.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
drew
a Cross Country Rider
from morgan hill, ca Date Reviewed: February 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$325.00
Strengths:
3 power settings, reliable, bright
Weaknesses:
price
Bottom Line:
great light for moderate bike riding in any condition. very bright and lith-ion battery last over 6 hrs. on low power and 3 hours on high power. no complaints about the preformance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Conner
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Texas USA Date Reviewed: January 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Memorial Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
Gift so I'm not sure
Strengths:
Great Light output and quick charging. The beam's ability to focus is a great feature. I'm using the helmet mount and trying hard to remember to avoid looking at other riders as they approach. I noticed that my time on the 6 mile loop I ride is only slightly slower at night thanks to this light!
Weaknesses:
none so far and based on the fit and finish of the product I do not expect anything to give me a problem.
Similar Products Used:
Old night sun many years ago.....numerous utility/safety lights
Bike Setup:
Marin hard tail w/disk
Bottom Line:
This is after many hours of research the most light for the money.I would recomend it to anyone looking for a light with long burn times and a price under $300.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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