Thank you for the information. I am not 100% sure that I fully understand the graph - I am assuming that the black line represents the light - what is the blue curve above representing?

Thanks


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Thank you for the information. I am not 100% sure that I fully understand the graph - I am assuming that the black line represents the light - what is the blue curve above representing?

Thanks

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Black line represents high beam for the Monteer 3500 using the relatively low capacity standard battery. The host graph was a L&M Seca Enduro test wetestlights did but I had to edit (double the amounts) the side bar lumen listings to get them high enough for the Monteer's initial output amounts.
Mole

 

Efficient use of current

I did a little further testing pitting the Monteer 3500 against the Gloworm XS. I already knew both lights ended up fairly close in lumen output and max lux after about 30 min. when the Monteer's output quit degrading and stabilized. The plan was to also check current draw so I started the test with the Monteer hooked up to my digital multi-meter (since turning the light off to hook it up would reset the light to near startup levels) and after about 40 min. the Monteer's output had degraded to the point where it was about 10% less than what the XS was producing and the Monteer was drawing 2.73A compared to the XS drawing 4.15A (3.28 set @ 90% which almost exactly matched the Monteers output). So no surprise the XS wins @ output consistency (only about 3% loss in 30min.) but the Monteer seems to require less current to produce its lumens and should be able to eek a little extra runtime from a similar capacity battery.
Mole

 

I found this youtube review (sorry not in English) that showed the Monteer 3500's beam pattern while trail riding and why it's fairly narrow beam may not be what you want for a bar light. Starts a little past 9:30 on the video.
Mole

 

Thanks for that video link. That showcases much more narrow and focused than I had originally thought. A riding video of that at max on the bars (after stabilization) vs the 8000s at medium or so (close to the same stabilized output of the 3500) should be an excellent beam width comparison.

 

The interesting (or frustrating) thing is if you look at the optic angles Magicshine lists for all the Monteer series lights they are identical even though the 3500's fairly narrow beam is vastly different from the very floody 6500/8000 lights. Magicshine does list throw distances and CD values but I'd also like to see them include a beam description (flood or spot) rather than just marketing the 3500 as the smallest Monteer.
Mole

 

MRMOLE, thanks for this information. I picked a 3500 for $120 a few days ago. Comparing to my XS2500 here are some thoughts: Monteer weight = 110g, XS2500 = 100g. The Monteer's color temp might cause problems for those used to neutral white emitters. The long power cable might bother people who like shorter cables (might be a positive if using on the helmet with the battery in a pack or pocket). Cycling through the light levels is downright annoying. If you're a set and forget person then no big deal. Low, medium, high, boost, flash, then repeat is bad news if you like to cycle via a wireless remote (Gloworm). Of course the price is wonderful. Because of the drawbacks I'll likely use this on my road and gravel bikes where throw is more important, especially at high speeds. It's a damn good light. I just wish they'd copy the features that make Gloworm special.

 

Cost is definitely the only real reason for choosing the Monteer 3500 over the older Gloworm XS models if your looking for a high performance thrower. Unfortunately it looks like Gloworm may have handed the long throw light segment over to Magicshine though as compared to the XS 2200/2500 the new XS G2 I'm currently testing is down a little in lumen output and down a lot in throw distance (spot/spot/spot optics).
Mole

 

I wanted to share my solution with the helmet mount for this light. Depending on your helmet the handlebar mount might work as a helmet mount.

This light (I have the Olight version) has become now my favorite light and put my Gloworm XS on the shelf. Very light and affordable - bought mine with battery on sale for 85$ several months ago and can use all my other batteries as well.

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Is the DC jack 5.5 x 2.1 mm or 5.5 x 2.5 mm?

 

If that's OD/ID mine measured 5.5 x 2.1.
Mole

 

First thing I want to take care of is identifying what the Monteer 3500 is, a thrower/spot light! Magicshine provides enough information to identify its beam characteristics if you read all the tech. specs. (see circled info on below screenshot), know what they mean, and take the time to put 2 and 2 together. Highest candela rating (light intensity) and throw distance of any MS light + the use of SST20 are clearly shown but Magicshines description of the Monteer 3500 as the entry level Monteer light is a little vague and if you aren't familiar the SST20's high throw/narrow beam characteristics (in spite of having the same optic beam spread as the much floodier larger Monteer's) I can easily see someone thinking the 3500 is just a less powerful floody 8000/6500/5000 so I wanted to clarify this point!

Your reviews are invaluable. I was just considering this a as a handlebar light (My ITUO XP3 is still working for my helmet) but your review clarified things.

 

@MRM...Nice review of the Monteer 3500. When I looked at the Youtube video you linked to I almost had to laugh. The beam pattern was everything you said it was, "very narrow" so yes this a lamp best used on the helmet as you said. Since you own one of these I'm assuming the weight is not too much for the head. The reason I was laughing was at the end of the video the guy reviewing the light mounts it to his bars and is riding with this as his only light. Can't see how he could stand riding with only that dancing ball of light going all over the place. Now if he had used another bar light and used the 3500 on the helmet that would of made for a better video.

Your reviews are invaluable. I was just considering this a as a handlebar light (My ITUO XP3 is still working for my helmet) but your review clarified things.

I still have my XP3 although it has been gathering dust since I now use a nice torch on the helmet. Still, it's there if I feel the need to go with a wired light on the helmet. Anyway I was going to suggest using the XP3 ( with wired remote ) on the bars and maybe get something like one of the older Gloworm XS ordered with all 3 emitters using spot optics and then use that on the helmet. If you bought it through Action LED you might be able to request from Jim @ ActionLED to switch out the emitters to XPL-HI LED's for maximum throw. He used to be able to do custom LED swap outs but I'm not sure now that he still willing to provide that service. I've always been impressed with the Gloworm products and own at least three older X2's. One of those X2's Jim put NW LED's in at my request but that was many, many years ago.