Bontrager Ion Pro RT 1300
:Better than expected" is the best way to describe my feelings about this light. I bought it because it is the latest and greatest from Trek/Bontrager who in the past produced some of the best single cell self-contained lights but it's intended purpose was to be the single cell "whipping boy" in a single cell vs. dual cell comparison between it and the Ravemen PR1200. Purpose for the comparison was to show how much more stable output is with 2 cell lights vs. single cell ones (that typically have a fairly consistent and rapid decrease in output thru their runtime) but nobody told the Ion 1300 that! It still had a substantial drop in the first 10 min. (I estimate heat being the culprit for a single emitter at this output level) but continued on for the first hour at a consistent rate till it tapered off to a still very usable output of 680 lumens (estimated) @ an hour and forty minutes. Higher than expected battery capacity of 4800 mAh I think had a lot to do with the better than expected output performance. Output curves for both lights were very similar for the first hour, advantage Ravemen for the next 25 min. and flipped to advantage Ion 1300 for the next 15 min. where I shut it down and the Ravemen continued above 600 lumens for another 20 minutes after that. Overall the main performance difference is the beam pattern. Ravemen has a much wider beam and would be my pick as a bar light. Ion 1300 has a narrower beam but 2x the max. lux value so much more throw and a better helmet light so 2 winners here.
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Weight: 150gm (lighthead) + 30gm (mount)
Battery capacity/runtime: 4800 mAh/1:40 usable (measured)
Retain price: $99.99
Estimated lumen output in highest mode: 1415 (initial), 1100 (10 - 60 min.), tapering to 680 (100 min.)
Emitter tint: Cool White
As I said above this light surprised me with how good it performed. Bigger than expected battery capacity + high than typical output gave it solid usable performance from start to 10 min. after its claimed max. runtime. I haven't seen the optional helemt mount but if it's decent I'll have no problem recommending this for the many who only want self-contained for their helmet light. Throw is very good, on par with the better throwing 1200-1500 lumen lights out there. Bar mounted the beam is a little narrow for my taste for mtn. riding but fine for path and road use. Solid bar mount fits 25.4 to 35 mm bars in a inovative way, too bad there's no provision for horizontal adjustability.
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UI is a bit of a let down. 1 program, 5 modes so flashing modes have to be togeled through to go from low to high (yuck!). Double click to turn so no accidental turnons in pack or bag. Press and hold to turn off. Button action firm but precise.
Mole
SUMMARY
I've had this light for a few weeks now and am still very happy with it. I makes very good output and maintains the output far better than most single cell self-contained lights on the market currently. It has survived 100 degree ride temperatures will no ill effects. It makes plenty of power in the lower modes so running on high is a seldom needed option for me (mostly helmet mounted off-road). Excellent throw distance for higher speeds. Solid bar mount that fits 25.4 - 35mm bars. Nice quality looking fit and finish. Only real problem that came up was some instability with the helmet mount which I was able to fix without any additional cost (see post #35). So far I'd have no problems recommending this light!
:Better than expected" is the best way to describe my feelings about this light. I bought it because it is the latest and greatest from Trek/Bontrager who in the past produced some of the best single cell self-contained lights but it's intended purpose was to be the single cell "whipping boy" in a single cell vs. dual cell comparison between it and the Ravemen PR1200. Purpose for the comparison was to show how much more stable output is with 2 cell lights vs. single cell ones (that typically have a fairly consistent and rapid decrease in output thru their runtime) but nobody told the Ion 1300 that! It still had a substantial drop in the first 10 min. (I estimate heat being the culprit for a single emitter at this output level) but continued on for the first hour at a consistent rate till it tapered off to a still very usable output of 680 lumens (estimated) @ an hour and forty minutes. Higher than expected battery capacity of 4800 mAh I think had a lot to do with the better than expected output performance. Output curves for both lights were very similar for the first hour, advantage Ravemen for the next 25 min. and flipped to advantage Ion 1300 for the next 15 min. where I shut it down and the Ravemen continued above 600 lumens for another 20 minutes after that. Overall the main performance difference is the beam pattern. Ravemen has a much wider beam and would be my pick as a bar light. Ion 1300 has a narrower beam but 2x the max. lux value so much more throw and a better helmet light so 2 winners here.
Weight: 150gm (lighthead) + 30gm (mount)
Battery capacity/runtime: 4800 mAh/1:40 usable (measured)
Retain price: $99.99
Estimated lumen output in highest mode: 1415 (initial), 1100 (10 - 60 min.), tapering to 680 (100 min.)
Emitter tint: Cool White
As I said above this light surprised me with how good it performed. Bigger than expected battery capacity + high than typical output gave it solid usable performance from start to 10 min. after its claimed max. runtime. I haven't seen the optional helemt mount but if it's decent I'll have no problem recommending this for the many who only want self-contained for their helmet light. Throw is very good, on par with the better throwing 1200-1500 lumen lights out there. Bar mounted the beam is a little narrow for my taste for mtn. riding but fine for path and road use. Solid bar mount fits 25.4 to 35 mm bars in a inovative way, too bad there's no provision for horizontal adjustability.
UI is a bit of a let down. 1 program, 5 modes so flashing modes have to be togeled through to go from low to high (yuck!). Double click to turn so no accidental turnons in pack or bag. Press and hold to turn off. Button action firm but precise.
Mole
SUMMARY
I've had this light for a few weeks now and am still very happy with it. I makes very good output and maintains the output far better than most single cell self-contained lights on the market currently. It has survived 100 degree ride temperatures will no ill effects. It makes plenty of power in the lower modes so running on high is a seldom needed option for me (mostly helmet mounted off-road). Excellent throw distance for higher speeds. Solid bar mount that fits 25.4 - 35mm bars. Nice quality looking fit and finish. Only real problem that came up was some instability with the helmet mount which I was able to fix without any additional cost (see post #35). So far I'd have no problems recommending this light!
