[MRMOLE]

For awhile now self-contained lights have been an increasingly popular and highly researched segment of bicycle lighting. I've collected several several so thought I'd share my experiences and hope other will too. I'm hoping to get opinions on some of the less talked about lights (Cygolite, Knog, Garmin, Portland Design, Moon) to add to the database of Niterider/Ravemen/Ituo/Bontrager/L&M/Zebra light/Gloworm lights that are most commonly owned on this forum.

My single cell lights

Ituo Wiz1
Weight: 260 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (Y)/25.4 - 35mm bars
Emitter Tint: NW
Runtime in high: Approx. 3 hrs.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
high capacity battery/long runtime, programmable presets, solid construction, excellent output consistency, $13 current Amazon price

MINUS
Modest output (?), simple round beam, may no longer be available as I write ths

Niterider Lumina 1200 Boost
Weight: 180 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (no)/25.4 - 35mm bars/helmet mount optional
Emitter Tint: CW (very cool)
Runtime in high: Approx. 65 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Customer service/support, reliability, availability, low price

MINUS
Inconsistent output, shorter runtimes, very cool tint creates a lot of glare in higher modes

Bontrager RT Pro (Ion 1300)
Weight: 185 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (no)/25.4 - 35mm bars/helmet mount optional (includes Gopro adapter)
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in high: Approx. 100 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Customer service/support, reliability, availability, output and output consistency, good runtimes, nice tint

MINUS
Pricy, UI program

Cygolite Metro 800/950
Weight: 140/150 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /25.4 - 31.8mm bars
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in turbo/high/med.: Approx. 70/85/150 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Low price, higher than claimed output, near perfect output consistency, very nice UI program (very likable light to use). nice tint, light weight/makes good helmet light, good value

MINUS
Won't fit 35mm bars

**Extra output of the 950 is nice but unfortunately it doesn't match the output consistency of the 800 in any of the modes and also doesn't live up to the manufacturers claims of longer runtimes in the higher modes.**

Sigma Buster 700
Weight: 145 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (yes)/25.4 - 31.8mm bars/helmet mount included
Emitter Tint: (warmish)CW
Runtime in high: Approx. 80 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Low price, much higher than claimed output, excellent output consistency, very nice UI program (very likable light to use). nice tint, light weight/makes good helmet light, good value

MINUS
Short runtimes (but consistent), won't fit 35mm bars

Blackburn Dayblazer 1100
Weight: 140 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar strap /Gopro interface (yes)/25.4 - 35mm bars
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in high: Not measurable/approx 1.5n hrs in 800 lumen mode
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Customer service/support

MINUS
Light would enter thermal protection after less than 3 minutes of use in highest mode level, output consistency poor even in med mode level, output high but only for very short periods of time, results were identical on a replacement light sent to me by Blackburn (at least customr support was good), very poor performing light!

Ravemen LR800
Weight: 120 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar strap /Gopro interface (no)/25.4 - 35mm bars
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in high: 75 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Light weight/Very nice flood beam/Very strong usable Med. mode/Ravemen reliability/Charge on the fly via usb port to extend runtime/symmetrical elliptical beam can be mounted upside down

MINUS
Short runtime in high mode/single mode rotary program that includes flash mode/wired remote not included

Cygolite Ranger 1400
Weight: 185 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /25.4 - 31.8mm bars Gopro accessory adapter/mount
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in turbo/high/med.: Approx. 90/135/210 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
High mode outputs and runtimes, very good output consistency, very nice UI program (very likable light to use). nice tint, good light for riders who do longer rides

MINUS
Won't fit 35mm bars, a bit pricy, too heavy for helmet use (IMO)

Ceco 1000
Weight: 145 grams w/mount
Mount: Strap (fits Cygolite QR/Gopro mounts)
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in Hi/med. high/med.: Approx. 75/115/180 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Low price, higher than claimed output, nice tint, light weight/makes good helmet light, good runtimes, good value

MINUS
Flash mode in main UI program, Reliabiloity problems with mount

Outbound Hangover
Weight: 120 grams w/mount (lighthead 102g)
Mount: Stick on helmet mount /Gopro interface (yes)
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in high: Approx. 89 min. (usable), on the fly use of external usb battery pack/powerbank possible
USB chargeable: yes (C)

PLUS
Excellent throw and beam pattern for helmet use, very light, Good form for low mounting on helmet, quality build and excellent cust. support.

MINUS
Inconsistent output, shorter than advertised runtimes, lower than average power output, for best performance additional external battery needed (IMO), price.

***There are no posts on this light in this thread but here's a link to a thread dedicated to the Hangover.
https://forums.mtbr.com/lights-night-riding/outbound-lighting-hangover-discussion-1103700.html

Dual cell lights

Ravemen PR900
Weight: 225 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (no)/25.4 - 35mm bars
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in high: Approx. 150 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Low price, good reliability, nice OLED display, surprisingly good off-road beam

MINUS
-

L&M Taz 1500
Weight: 230 grams w/mount (Amazon
Mount: Bar /Gopro interface (yes)/25.4 - 35mm bars
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in high: Approx. 80 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Customer service/support, reliability, availability, nice beam shape, output consistency

MINUS
Strap mount won't hold light in place, short runtime, light not powerful enough to support wide beam

Gloworm CX
Weight: 240 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (yes) + quarter turn interface/31.8 - 35mm bars/helmet mount included
Emitter Tint: NW (upcharge option)
Runtime in high: Approx. 160 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Customer service/support, reliability, availability, programmable presets, changeable optics, wired remote, chargeable while in operation from powerbank, field changeable batteries, super throw with xpg emitters

MINUS
Requires tool to tighten enough to remain stable on mount

Ituo Wiz20
Weight: 280 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (no)/25.4 - 35mm bars
Emitter Tint: NW
Runtime in high: Approx. 135 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Low price (currently $27on Amazon), changeable optics, programmable presets, excellent power output, consistent output, fantastic mode button, will not overheat, field changeable batteries

MINUS
reliability an issue with the Amazon sold lights, may no longer be available
Mole

 

[Dominik.M]

MRMOLE - Wiz20 is no longer available

As for those light's there is one more - to the Ravemen - It has quite high self discharge rate. After 2 months it needs more than 2 hours on fast charger, at the same time Fenix BC30R - 5 minutes.

 

[MRMOLE]

MRMOLE - Wiz20 is no longer available

Now I guess we get to wait and see if Ituo brings out the new models they've hinted about or just disappears.

As for those light's there is one more - to the Ravemen - It has quite high self discharge rate. After 2 months it needs more than 2 hours on fast charger, at the same time Fenix BT30R - 5 minutes.

It would be great if you could write a paragraph or 2 about the Fenix (assuming it's still available). Why you like the light (if you do) is what I'm looking for. Thanks
Mole

 

[wschruba]

View attachment 1258779
Bontrager RT Pro (Ion 1300)
Weight: 185 grams w/mount
Mount: Bar QR /Gopro interface (no)/25.4 - 31.8mm bars/helmet mount optional (includes Gopro adapter)
Emitter Tint: CW
Runtime in high: Approx. 100 min.
USB chargeable: yes

PLUS
Customer service/support, reliability, availability, output and output consistency, good runtimes, nice tint

MINUS
Pricy, UI program, wont fit 35mm bars

While there are certainly things about this light I don't like (you nailed it with the UI program, #1 complaint), the included bar mount does do 35mm as well--you have to remove the rubber shim and slot the lower half of the clamp into the other slot. It's snug, and always feels like you are going to break it, but it is an option...albeit one that is unlikely to survive frequent changes.

 

[MRMOLE]

While there are certainly things about this light I don't like (you nailed it with the UI program, #1 complaint), the included bar mount does do 35mm as well--you have to remove the rubber shim and slot the lower half of the clamp into the other slot. It's snug, and always feels like you are going to break it, but it is an option...albeit one that is unlikely to survive frequent changes.

Thanks, I did an edit on it so it reads correctly now. Nice light in spite of the less than ideal UI program.
Mole

 

[Lone Rager]

I find it fits and works very well on 35mm bars with the pivot shifted and both rubber shims removed. It grips well and is secure from rotation without the shims.

 

[Dominik.M]

I don't like Fenix - my personal favorite is ITUO Wiz20, but due to their unreasonable sales politics or simple greed, they are out of business (I think). I was talking to them about purchase of 1000 pcs of WIZ20 for 27$ - the answer was NO.

I like Fenix for ANSI compliance and hate it for handlebar mount... .
I've made a mistake I have BC30R.

 

[MRMOLE]

I don't like Fenix - my personal favorite is ITUO Wiz20, but due to their unreasonable sales politics or simple greed, they are out of business (I think). I was talking to them about purchase of 1000 pcs of WIZ20 for 27$ - the answer was NO.

Wiz20 is my favorite of the self-contained lights I own too although the Gloworm CX is an equally good performer (better in some respects). I've also considered the possibility this may be it for Ituo even though they claim that's not the case. They say they will contact me if/when they decide to release any new products so can only hope to hear from Ituo in the future.
Mole

 

[MRMOLE]

Bontrager Elite R (1000 lumen wider angle beam from Trek)



I saw this new light from Bontrager in a email I got today. Physical clone of the RT Pro with 1000 lumens and a wider angle beam. Unfortunately retained the RT Pro's UI program but most importantly comes with that excellent high capacity battery so should make a great wider angle bar light for those who like longer rides.
Mole

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-accessories/bike-lights/bike-front-lights/bontrager-ion-elite-r-front-bike-light/p/27821/?colorCode=grey

 

[MRMOLE]

Cygolite Metro Plus 800 - New test light

Even though it's still a couple of weeks till I'm medically cleared to ride again it didn't stop me from picking up this Cygolite. I can start with all the indoor testing and have always had interest in this model because of how well it maintained it's output consistency in it's "wetestlights" review. I think my light is a updated model since it has a boost mode + performs even better than the wetestlights example. So here's the light meter results. I'm impressed!

Click image to expand. Blue/Cateye Volt 800 Black/Niterider Lumina Micro 850 Red/Cygolite boost Green/Cygolite High Brown/Cygolite Mediuim

Output results are a pretty close match to the Sigma Buster 700 I recently tested which is a good thing considering how much I like that particular light. Output levels are higher than Cygolite's rating and more consistent than any single cell self-contained light I've ever seen. I'm also happy to note that max. case temperature I recorded in boost mode was only 107 degrees which is excellent. I was concerned about this because I noticed the light case is made of plastic but material/design seems to work just fine in 83 degree ambient temp cooled with a fan for over an hour.

Light does have a couple of warts (mount mainly) but seems pretty solid so far. Outdoor testing will confirm one way or the other. Looking forward to finishing up with the road test portion when they'll let me.
Mole

First Ride/UI impressions

Out the door about 3am this morning for the first ride with the 800+ and my first ride since the triple bi-pass that was done in April. Was still 89 degrees so I did take a couple of miles of the ride just running the light in boost for a temperature sensitivity check but as indoors no problems and it ran cooler than I expected. Also got to play around with the mode button and UI program. Everything on one program but it has a double click feature that takes you to boost with the double click and returns you to whatever mode you started from with the next click. Great for Hi(boost)/Low commuting mode or Hi(boost)/Lower mtn. biking. Unfortunately if you want to scroll through the 3 preset forward modes you still have to cycle through the flash mode to do that so not ideal but definitely livable as is the mode button that requires med. to hard pressure but works reliably. With the major exception of not fitting 35mm bars the bar mount seems to work fine. An accessory helmet mount (not included) comes with a Gopro style slide clip which would make any 35mm Gopro interface bar mount usable. Light seems to work great for an inexpensive light. Med. mode provides right at 470 lumens (measured) with a fairly wide beam and since the light output on this light doesn't degrade you get that output for over 2.5 hours. Will have to wait a while to test on longer rides as at this point my endurance is shorter than the runtime in boost mode.

 

[Cat-man-do]

MRMOLE - Wiz20 is no longer available

As for those light's there is one more - to the Ravemen - It has quite high self discharge rate. After 2 months it needs more than 2 hours on fast charger, at the same time Fenix BC30R - 5 minutes.

Must be some sort of fluke or perhaps a bad cell or cells. I have the Raveman PR-1200. After having not touched it in months it looks to still have a full charge. Actually all of the Raveman products I own don't appear to have any major self-discharging issues.

@Dominik....I too would like to know more about your opinion of the Fenix lamp you own. Particularly about the beam pattern. You mentioned a problem with the mount. What was the issue with the mount?

 

[MRMOLE]

View attachment 1264459

Even though it's still a couple of weeks till I'm medically cleared to ride again it didn't stop me from picking up this Cygolite. I can start with all the indoor testing and have always had interest in this model because of how well it maintained it's output consistency in it's "wetestlights" review. I think my light is a updated model since it has a boost mode + performs even better than the wetestlights example. So here's the light meter results. I'm impressed!

Click image to expand. Blue/Cateye Volt 800 Black/Niterider Lumina Micro 850 Red/Cygolite boost Green/Cygolite High Brown/Cygolite Mediuim
View attachment 1264445

Output results are a pretty close match to the Sigma Buster 700 I recently tested which is a good thing considering how much I like that particular light. Output levels are higher than Cygolite's rating and more consistent than any single cell self-contained light I've ever seen. I'm also happy to note that max. case temperature I recorded in boost mode was only 107 degrees which is excellent. I was concerned about this because I noticed the light case is made of plastic but material/design seems to work just fine in 83 degree ambient temp cooled with a fan for over an hour.

Light does have a couple of warts (mount mainly) but seems pretty solid so far. Outdoor testing will confirm one way or the other. Looking forward to finishing up with the road test portion when they'll let me.
Mole

First Ride/UI impressions

Out the door about 3am this morning for the first ride with the 800+ and my first ride since the triple bi-pass that was done in April. Was still 89 degrees so I did take a couple of miles of the ride just running the light in boost for a temperature sensitivity check but as indoors no problems and it ran cooler than I expected. Also got to play around with the mode button and UI program. Everything on one program but it has a double click feature that takes you to boost with the double click and returns you to whatever mode you started from with the next click. Great for Hi(boost)/Low commuting mode or Hi(boost)/Lower mtn. biking. Unfortunately if you want to scroll through the 3 preset forward modes you still have to cycle through the flash mode to do that so not ideal but definitely livable as is the mode button that requires med. to hard pressure but works reliably. With the major exception of not fitting 35mm bars the bar mount seems to work fine. An accessory helmet mount (not included) comes with a Gopro style slide clip which would make any 35mm Gopro interface bar mount usable. Light seems to work great for an inexpensive light. Med. mode provides right at 470 lumens (measured) with a fairly wide beam and since the light output on this light doesn't degrade you get that output for over 2.5 hours. Will have to wait a while to test on longer rides as at this point my endurance is shorter than the runtime in boost mode.
Mole

 

[frenco]

Some lights have a built in protection against heat, so they perform differently when stationary, when airflow is not cooling them down properly, have you taken that into account?

 

[MRMOLE]

Some lights have a built in protection against heat, so they perform differently when stationary, when airflow is not cooling them down properly, have you taken that into account?

Yes, I have 12" fan I use to cool the lights when run indoors. I position it about 1 meter directly in front of the light so air flow is pretty good. I also measure ambient air temp when doing these tests since it directly affects running temps. Self-contained lights are usually a good choice for riding in higher temperatures because they generally have larger heat sink mass and surface area but there are exceptions.
Mole

 

[Vancbiker]

Kudos to Cygolite for building a light that holds it's output level so nicely!

 

[MRMOLE]

Blackburn Dayblazer 1100 test ride

I was quite excited to get this light. Light weight, very high max lux numbers (good throw), promise of performance/efficiency a step above its competition through the use of two emitters compared to everyone elses one, and good reviews to boot. Initial testing weren't tooo impressive and ended up with so many issues I decided to contact Blackburn. Working with them was great and they sent me a new light with no questions asked but unfortunately the light had identical problems. Why the light has gotten good reviews from others I don't know? My lights overheat quickly in the highest mode, output degrades very quickly in the 800 claimed lumen med. mode but is usable at about 500 lumens where it is somewhat stable. and has limited runtimes. This mornings ride only confirmed the problems I had when doing indoor testing and since I have 2 examples from different sources I have to assume this is normal performance for this light. I'm going to contact Blackburn again to see what they have to say. I'd love to hear from someone else who owns one of these. Here's an output chart I made comparing the Blackburn's med. mode (black line) to my usual whipping boy light the Lumina Micro 850 high mode output and the red line represents a less expensive Sigma Buster 700 that IMO would be a better place to spend your money.

Mole

 

[MRMOLE]

Putting the Blacckburn experience behind me I've been spending most of my rides using my other new light, the Cygolite Metro Plus 800 which has so far been a surprisingly positive experience! The fact that Cygolite somehow has figured out how to maintain consistent ooutput for 95% of the runtime in each preset mode even the highest output boost level is a big deal to me but probably not something all that noticeable (compared to other consistent performing lights) unless you consistently fully deplete your batteries capacity. So that aside I've also found the beam pattern surprisingly good on this light too. A couple of mornings ago I rode my SC Chameleon which is my only bike that uses 35mm bars and took a Bontrager 1300 along for lighting the way (since the Cygolite won't fit 35mm bars). This morning I did the same route on my Vassago with the Cygolite and was much happier with the Cygolite overall. If I needed the Bontrager's extra output for some reason or was doing longer ride I'd choose the Ion but for most of my riding would be happier with the Cygolites wider beam, easier to operate mode button and more functional UI.
Mole

 

[MRMOLE]

Sigma Buster 700 vs. Cygolite Metro Plus 800

Did a little comparison ride between these two lights last night for something to do. A couple of my favorites who's usage was separated by several months of no cycling so in the Sigma's case a chance to refresh my memory. Both lights have similar tint and output but beam pattern changes the lighting effect. The Buster 700 has a slightly narrower beam that invests a lot less light around the front of the bike saving it for some additional lux at distance. Of the two the Buster 700 is the better helmet light and depending on your cruising speed maybe the best bar choice. Wider/more bar oriented Cygolite on the other hand has the perfect (for me) beam for road/MUP/trails combo style rides like I did last night. Enough of everything you need or want and no deficiencies to distract your eyes or concentration. Interesting to note that while both lights measure out about equal in their respective preset modes and I preceived them that way in the Hi/Boost settings, the Cygolite seemed more powerful than the Sigma set in the med. mode (mystery?). Also interesting for me is unlike my ride with the Cygolite/Blackburn combo there was no loser on last nights ride. It's always nice when a light out performs the manufacturer's claims which both these lights do + they both have easy/enjoyable to use UI programs/interfaces so good lights, good ride!
Mole

Lots of info on this so I hope it's not confusing. I ended up with 2 different Sigma Buster 700 lights that perform a little different so I've included results from both of those lights + the Cygolite Metro Plus 800.

Cygolite results are shown in black and decending order from the top (Boost/High/Med.)

Original Buster 700: High/Med. (red/green)

Buster 700 (2): High/Med. (pink/purple)

***Click on image to expand***

 

[Cat-man-do]

The Cygolites have always seemed to get good reviews. Nice to see that the one you have holds a steady output regardless of what mode is being used. Anyway you can provide a photo of the beam pattern?

 

[MRMOLE]

The Cygolites have always seemed to get good reviews.

So far the Metro Plus 800 has been a pleasant surprise for me as I've seen very little about Cygolite's except some unflattering comments from one of the Lumina Nazi's that used to post here.

Nice to see that the one you have holds a steady output regardless of what mode is being used.

I'd like to know how they accomplished that using a single 18650 battery but at least it shows it is possible at this output level from a fairly inexpensive light. Unfortunately we shouldn't expect whatever tech. they used to be incorporated into all their lights!!! I'm also testing a Metro 950 but have only got a chance to run tests on its boost mode and it's needing almost all the lax standards set by ANSI to achieve it's 75 min. claimed boost runtime. It has considerably more power than what's claimed at turn on so I'm hoping will return to the flat output curve of the 800 in the less intense modes.

Anyway you can provide a photo of the beam pattern?

I'll see what I can do. It was something like 114 here today and I'm trying to avoid the heat as much as possible coming off the heart surgery but I may get out super early before sunrise.
Mole