Five LEDs and Opticube lens technology make the new HL-EL220 a perfect light for hops around town after the sun has set. Use the flashing mode in city lights shine the constant beam in dark patches.
Submitted by
CFM001
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines Date Reviewed: June 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
n/a
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Local Store
Strengths:
Offers excellent visibility. Great balance between bright center light and peripheral lighting (good spread). Solid mounting (does not move once set).
Weaknesses:
a little heavy with the 4AA batts. Could have used AAA. Other than that, I LOVE IT!
Similar Products Used:
Cateye UNO, another one that I forget the name.
Bike Setup:
'09 Garry Fisher Wahoo Disc
Bottom Line:
Excellent value for your money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adept
a Cross Country Rider
from Hungary, Budapest Date Reviewed: February 14, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Strong, durable
Weaknesses:
need battery :D
Bike Setup:
Haro Shift R3
Bottom Line:
I have replaced the original LED to a Q5 type. It eats the same power, but much more lighter.
I use it in the flashing mode day and night. Every car driver sees the flashing, and let me go. Very good to feel they see me and they know Iam there behind.
USE LIGHT ALWAYS!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Inigo_Questa
a Weekend Warrior
from Glasgow, Scotland Date Reviewed: October 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Route 75
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Bright light, compact, flashing mode, long battery life.
Weaknesses:
None at this price.
Similar Products Used:
Cateye EL530, Smart Nova 1watt
Bike Setup:
Old steel Raleigh
Bottom Line:
This is a great commuter light. Better value than the EL530, as it is just as bright (I don't believe Cateye claims, and neither does myn light meter) as the EL530, but with a flashing mode. Batterries last for ages.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
k v
a Weekend Warrior
from cambrige, MA, USA Date Reviewed: September 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
it's bright and good. I really only write this to reply to the other posters about how the light comes off the bracket. It is actually pretty smooth. There's a button on the side. Push it toward the center of the light. Then pull the whole light back off the bracket. it takes about 1 second. Don't let that be a reason not to get this quite good light
Weaknesses:
The battery case is too easily removed.
Bottom Line:
great light. good price. good side visibility
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Tampa, FL USA Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
SunCoast Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Bright light given the size, weight and batter life. I purchased 2 of these to be more visible to motorists while riding on the road. I mounted one on the front of the bike and one on the rear. The flashing mode seems to do the job and provide long battery life. Motorists seem to be more aware of my presence.
Weaknesses:
It is very difficult the get the light on and off of the mount. There are no instructions on the CatEye web site. A call to CatEye tech. support was useless. The person I spoke with, Harry, did not know how to use the mount and did not seem very interested in figuring it out. I currently cannot get the lights off of the bike without removing the mounts.
The mount has a worm drive strap that is flimsy and does not work well. It cannot be tightened enough by hand to prevent the light from turning on the handlebar or seat post.
A screw fell out of the mount after about 500 miles and was lost. CatEye told me that do not sell the screws and that I would have to purchase a new mount.
Similar Products Used:
Planet Bike Super Spot, CatEye EL410
Bike Setup:
Full Carbon Road Bike, Utegra, Richey, Set up for training and racing
Bottom Line:
Great light. Poor mounting system and customer support. My impression of CatEye used to be that they are a high end quality vendor. That has changed. I would not buy another CatEye product. I am grateful that Nashbar has a good return policy. This is a great light for riders who want to improve visibility to motorists. Don't buy it if you expect high quality hardware or will want to remove the light from your bike frequently.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
locksalordy
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Date Reviewed: April 27, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Brunswick Street Cycles
Strengths:
Very intense light that throws a good beam on the steady setting and a bright strobe on the flash setting. Light is clearly visible during the day which is very important to me because I commute on a mix of public roads, bike lanes and bike paths. Battery life is very good while still delivering acceptable light output.
Weaknesses:
The EL320 gets its power from 4 AA batteries which makes it heavier than AAA powered lights. The first problem is that the new Cateye band mount (kind of like a worm drive hose clip) slips and can't be tightened enough to hold the light securely; the light will rotate around the bar under its own weight requiring respositioning every so often. The second problem is that it is very easy to dislodge the sliding top battery cover when turning the light on and off. A band of electrical tape now holds the cover securely but this should not be needed on a pricey product that claims to be "quality".
Similar Products Used:
Smart and Sun
Bike Setup:
Surly Long Haul Trucker with 26 inch wheels set up for commuting.
Bottom Line:
While the light output is much better than competitive products the EL320 is let down by the mounting system and by the flimsy battery cover. Not good enough for a premium priced product. This is a real pity because well thought out and functioning mounting systems and hardware used to be a Cateye hallmark (they used to think of everything - even down to tiny little plastic caps to put on any exposed length of screw thread). If you want a LED light that is very bright and has steady state and flash modes then consider the Cateye EL320 but be aware of its deficiencies.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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