REVIEW
Night Riding Needs: The Blackburn Dayblazer 1500
Promises, Promises
I can taste battery acid. Not because I've had Blackburn's new Dayblazer 1500 in my mouth. This is sadly much, much worse than sucking on plug-in electronics. I just almost typed the word 'disrupting' to describe this light system. Now I'm thinking about burying it on the trail somewhere and denying it ever arrived.
It's not entirely my fault. You see, I've been waiting for this light for a long time. Ever since NiteRider introduced their TriNewt LED to compete with finicky HID systems. Ever since Light & Motion introduced their self-contained Taz. And most especially, ever since I rode Bontrager's Ion Pro RT.
For years, complex multi-part light systems ruled the night for anyone who is serious about night riding. Especially anyone serious about regularly night riding on North Shore trails in the pissing rain. For years, self-contained lights have been evolving toward the point where they would render multi-part systems overpriced and obsolete, for all but the most aggressive 'daylight-at-night' mountain bikers.
Blackburn's new Dayblazer 1500 throws a bold beam with great colour for 95 USD. And it runs on high - or what they call 'Blitz' - for two full hours in the pouring rain at 7°C.
The 95 USD kit includes the 1500 lumen Dayblazer, rubber strap, and a GoPro mount. I ran it on the same GoPro helmet jig I use with all my headlamps.
Construction is identical to the Dayblazer 1100 I previously reviewed. It uses a lightweight finned aluminum body & plastic head for heat management.
I have a couple of high-end light systems from 3-5 years ago, each with batteries and bulbs connected with a cord. Both have plenty of life in the batteries and the LEDs are good. And the more impressive unit, also rated at 1500 lumens (both ANSI FL1), has a very big beam. Unfortunately, they both have shorts, presumably in the head units, and I haven't managed to sort out either of them. They're well out of warranty, the manufacturer doesn't offer service anymore, and it was a defect in rider skill and judgment not materials or manufacturing that caused the issues. I could purchase new head units to run on the batteries, but I've decided to fix them or recycle them because I'd rather have self-contained units if given a choice.
I've been out in the woods with this Dayblazer 1500 on my head and the solid L&M Seca Comp 2000 on my handlebar and I really can't see spending more on lights. And in a given year, I use my lights more than enough to amortize investing in the right setup.
The Seca has a bright flood beam that complements the more focused light of the Dayblazer 1500. It runs an honest 90 minutes on the high setting where the Dayblazer will pump out 120 minutes. I generally turn off the Seca entirely on climbs and cycle down the Dayblazer, so I have yet to run out of battery on any ride I've done.
I love that there's no pesky little hard-to-remove charger cover and no faffing about with the mount itself to get a cable in.
Just pull the rubber plug and insert a micro USB cable. It's the best system I've used in this regard. A full recharge takes about 5 hours.
If I was buying lights tomorrow, I would have a hard time not choosing a pair of Dayblazer 1500s over my current Dayblazer/Seca setup. It just comes down to a 95 v. 230 USD unit cost or a system cost of 190 v. 325 USD. There's no ride I'm doing where I wouldn't be totally happy with a pair of Dayblazers despite the Seca's broader beam. I hope we see an updated runtime, reduced weight, or lower cost from L&M in the future to reflect updated technology.
With much respect to the folks I know trying to ride after hours at top speed on DH bikes like it's daytime, I night ride as much as most folks and I ride fairly technical terrain (though a step down from my regular daytime routine) and I can't fathom spending over 300 USD for a system again. The Blackburn is bright, simple, durable, and robust, and if I smash it I can afford to replace it.
The light the Blackburn Dayblazer 1500 has largely replaced is my Bontrager Ion Pro (1300 lumen) and it's still getting close* to the specified 1.5 hours of runtime on high, a full three years since I first tested it. I carry it as a spare when my daughter's not using it on the trails.
*I plan to run it out from a full charge to determine exactly how long it runs after 3 years of use.
The system is rated as waterproof for immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. So it's good for the wettest nights in Raincouver.
To give this unit a proper test I've been riding with it mounted down low on the control arm of my cargo bike. Lots of grit and puddles on the local bike routes.
I would never advocate going out into the woods with one light system. I have friends who don't carry a backup or rely on an old secondary light and they've yet to have a problem but I don't want to spend a night alone in the woods or make a Search & Rescue call, so I always have two systems I completely trust and a third light source - that isn't my cellphone - for hiking out.
Night riding is increasingly inexpensive and it's accessible for folks who don't have the flexible work and family schedules that allow them to get in a daytime lap before dusk when the days are short. I enjoy being in the woods alone at night, but for anyone who doesn't I've never found it hard to find fellow travelers - at least on a nice evening.
95 USD for the Dayblazer is the best value I've found in an offroad light source to date when I consider the quality of light for the runtime. The fact that I can use it regularly for commuting, usually in a lower setting, is a bonus.
More information on the Blackburn Dayblazer 1500
Comments
AndrewR
3 years, 6 months ago
I switched to Lynx OGT Raven set up in 2020 (https://www.lynxogt.com/product-page/veblen) which is all Canadian made (Nelson BC), with the exception of the battery.
For the price of one of the cheaper systems I have two head lamps (one for car and one for the house, or two for night riding), a bar mount, 2-3 helmet mounts and two spare 18650 batteries.
1800 lumens for 3.5 hrs so I can manage a full 0200 hrs depart for a Lord of the Squirrels sun rise mission and completely light up the night and know that I have an emergency reserve of light if I need it, even before committing to the spare batteries.
Useful as a guide for camp at night and all other reasons that an awesome head torch comes in handy.
The ability to set a variable (lower level) on the first setting is excellent and the SOS function is something that I hope I never have to use.
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Martin
3 years, 6 months ago
Nice find! I like the versatility of the system too. It just joined the Fenix BC30 v2 on my want list. Thanks!
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ackshunW
3 years, 6 months ago
Uh that light looks amazing, what’s the catch?
Seriously ready to order that poste-haste .. to complete my research though, could you tell me your least favorite thing about it?
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el_jefe
3 years, 6 months ago
Get it! But see my other post - least favourite thing is the beam pattern with very defined line between spot and wide beam. But this is a GREAT headlamp. All my Petzl and Black Diamond headlamps sit unused now that I have the Raven
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el_jefe
3 years, 6 months ago
I have one as well and got a bunch for friends on a deal Lynx had a while. By far my most used headlamp - LOVE IT! You can get a GoPro mount for it too. I consider it an amazing back up for mtbiking, but personally prefer a bike-specific light that has a good beam pattern (which the Raven does not). Raven's biggest downside for riding is that the beam pattern is basically a very defined spot with a bunch of broad beam overspill. If you are used to using crappy lights with crap beam patterns, or just ride slow so aren't distracted by it, it's fine. But for dedicated mtb light, my preference is something with a better beam pattern (I use the Outbound EVO system Hangover and Trail).
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ackshunW
3 years, 6 months ago
Aaarghh That’s too bad. Sounds like the light is still awesome, but the beam issue is virtually a deal-breaker for serious trail riding ( at speed anyway...?)
Of course, no clue how it would compare to my old L&M setup. And regardless, I usually keep the tech and the speed dialed down at night. I’ve never had the confidence to go full-on (or maybe just never had enough good light?!)
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AndrewR
2 years, 3 months ago
@el_jefe:
How fortuitous that someone posted a new comment and that led me back to this thread.
update from Lynx OGT (Dylan) and I just received my new Aurora and Otus headlamp (nothing wrong with the Ravens - they are now on permanent house/ car/ dog walk and odd job duty - still running awesome and bomb proof).
I went with an Aurora for guiding & night riding as I quite like the idea of the red light LED that does not diminish night vision or spook wild life like a white LED does. Still very powerful and clean light even if 'only' 1200 lumens at full spank rather than the Raven's 1800 lumens. One an vary the red light in the same way one can vary the white light levels (one step for variable and one for full power for both red and white). The battery life seems to be a little longer but I haven't managed a three hour night ride (too cold) to really drain it.
The Otus was developed specifically for mountain bikers (and probably SAR sledders) to give a more focused long range beam punching out 1500 lumens for 3.5 hrs.
My new night ride set up is now the Aurora on my helmet and the Otus on the bar mount. Both can take the same spare battery (18650) that I already have for the Ravens.
Other than a back country trip that has gone sideways (injury or bad mechanical) I cannot imagine needing more than 7 hrs of moose melting lumens on a ride!
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Andrew Major
2 years, 3 months ago
I'm increasingly fascinated by the idea of spare batteries. With taking my daughter night riding I'm always packing multiple extra lights but I think that would be a better (lighter and cheaper) way to get some of my redundancy.
What do you pack the extra batteries in though to keep them dry? I'm a bit paranoid about batteries and charging these days given we take these things into the woods and bash them around and pour water on them.
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Vincent Edwards
3 years, 6 months ago
Wow, that’s a lot of light for $95 - I might need to check this one out.
I’ve been pretty impressed with the outbound hangover light. 105g +20g for the mount. Medium is plenty bright for general riding. I’d describe the beam pattern as spot + flood. It’s not as big and even as a Seca 2000 system, but it’s great as a helmet light.
I’d say nearly 1/3 of riders are now using the hangover on our weekly night rides.
—
I go back and forth between Taz 1200 and Seca 2000 system on the bars, depending on the ride. I’ve been tempted to pick up the Seca Comp, but as you mentioned the price/performance seems to be lagging this year.
Considering the weight and price of this Blackburn, I could see running two on the bars. Having 3 of the same light would provide plenty of backup - redundancy. And would still cost under $300
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
Outbound certainly crashed into the market with strong marketing and an interesting product. I have a few friends using their helmet/bar combo with good results aside from some handlebar mount failures. When it’s dank and technical it’s they’re certainly running full-juice though.
I expected L+M and NiteRider to have updated self-contained systems this year to take another step but, at least in NR’s case, they traditionally release new stuff in spring (capture the summer night riding season in the hotter parts of the USA) and with ‘rona lots of releases are delayed a year.
…
My Seca Comp rubber strap died in a crash, which is an annoyance. I’ve been running it for ages in a classic (awesome) NiteRider Universal mount. I still think it’s a great all-in-one bar light but hadn’t considered just running paired Dayblazers.
With the Blackburn I can run.a lower setting at climbing speed but I run full-on coming down trails. Once it starts raining I find the forest eats any light.
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DanL
3 years, 6 months ago
I picked up the outbound set as well, they've been great, excellent customer support but If I see you out there in the dank it'd be great to compare lumens. (I imagine a set of two mounted either side of the helmet on the chinbar in full Orbital manner would be pretty spectacular)
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ReubenSandwich
3 years, 6 months ago
I've always wondered how the Outbound helmet light would compare to the Seca as far as beam pattern and output.
The Outbound marketing sounds like they have an inferior product that they are trying to drum up when they talk about not listing output and how "your eyes will adjust". They should list a Lux value (the amount of light measured at a given distance from the light source) as that actually has real-world use whereas lumens are more a theoretical or calculated output (and therefore a bit shit really).
I have a lux meter built into one of my multimeters (I'm an electrician) and have in the past measured the amount of light my various light systems put out in spot and peripheral positions. My old bar light was home made LED and was better than the bought ones I'd copied off!
*EDIT* I see outbound do actually list an approx output now of 900- 1000 lumens for the hangover lamp.
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Allen Lloyd
3 years, 6 months ago
5 years ago I bought a NR self contained unit. It cost a bit less than half my prior system, weighed was less than half and had 1/3 the parts needed to ride (old one was light, cable, and battery vs. new self contained unit). Ohh and it was double the lumens. For all the talk about increasing bike prices, light prices seem to be the opposite and I think the products have advanced even more.
I am due for a new light again and I have been a loyal NR customer, I hope they come out with new stuff and do some crazy sales on the current stuff.
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
NR make great products - I’ve owned their systems and I use their rear flashers all the time - but they are definitely overdue for a refresh on their self contained Lumina units:
Light, brighter, longer running.
I mean, the current brightest Lumina (1800) only pumps out max output for 45mins and 1500 lumens for 1.5hrs (Dayblazer 1500 = 2hrs) and weighs 258grams (Dayblazer 140grams) and costs $170 USD (Dayblazer $95 USD).
I wonder if some of the disruption coming from the Bontragers and Blackburns out there is that they haven’t been selling expensive systems previously? It’s a big change in revenue per unit selling a Dayblazer 1500 v. a Pro 2200.
Anyways, I would count on them to release updated self-contained systems this Spring. I would never count them out. I’ve relied on their lights to get me through the woods for years with good results.
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DadStillRides
3 years, 6 months ago
NR now makes a lumina 2500, but only lasts 30 min on max output. 216 grams
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ReubenSandwich
3 years, 6 months ago
Interesting...
I'm running a L&M Seca 2200 enduro on the bars and an older Seca 1700 race on the helmet as I have long subscribed to the "daylight at night" idea. The 1700 is starting to show its age a little; decreased run time, insulation has broken down on the cable from absorbing sweat where I run it through my helmet.
I've looked at a few options (namely Outbound) but the run time and/or light output makes me hesitant but low weight is so tempting! Especially when you add a ~300g light head to 400g helmet. Do you know what the weight is of this Andrew?
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
I was long a system rider too. Just to have enough light to see jumbled roots and pick the less greasy lines down rocks at all.
Kept wrecking extension cables - which is apparently a me thing - which is when I switched to a self contained helmet / system on the bar setup. I figure the next gen Seca Comp will be lighter and run longer, so excited for that. No more cords!
The advantage of systems is, of course, not having the battery on your head. The Dayblazer is light though. They claim 140-grams. I’ll toss it on a scale and confirm this morning.
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smoothjazzlines
3 years, 6 months ago
I recently retired a 2010 vintage set of Magicshines and picked up a Evo DH setup from Outbound and it's a joy to use. So light. So much light. I haven't found run time to ever be an issue for me. Fairly short 3ish hour rides. PNW fire road climb situations being what they are, high beams only go on for the descent. And the Outbounds are in stock... sooo. Really fun product to use. No external batteries is wonderful.
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
With the GoPro mount bolted on (ready to clip on to the stick-on receiver on my helmet) its 146-grams.
Pretty freakin’ light for 1500-lumens / 2hrs running.
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Vik Banerjee
3 years, 6 months ago
I've got a couple long suffering Dinotte lights with head units + separate batteries. The batteries have lost a lot of capacity so I really need to buy either two new ones or at least one new one and then the 2nd light can have 2 older batteries. Given a single battery is $121CAD + $61 shipping it's tempting to try something like this all in one unit and given up on the old lights. Analysis paralysis!
My crappy getting worse eyes lean me in the direction of maximum light firepower.
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
Sometimes it’s nice to have a big flood lamp on the bar but beyond that 2000-lumens is plenty bright. Lighter, smaller, less expensive is the future.
If you’d bought a top end system five years ago it would still be plenty bright today, but lamps like this Dayblazer are the future. $95 USD! It’s just so much more convenient to pack along all the time (I always bring a light in the shorter-season as dusk hits quick) and the quality of the lamp is similar.
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Sean Chee
3 years, 6 months ago
I use nitecore torches for riding. They’re cheaper, use common batteries (21700’s on my newer torches), and are more useful off bike than dedicated bike lights. I’m currently using a HC35 (60 usd including battery) with a custom 3d printed helmet mount, and a MH12S (55usd inc battery) on my bars.
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mikeynets
3 years, 6 months ago
I always try to double up gear for multiple uses and I've looked into several headlamps/flashlights like the Nitecore HC35. Mounting is always the catch, though.
Could you share the plans for your 3D printed helmet mount? I've never printed anything myself, but figured it's something I could send to a person or shop that has a printer?
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Sean Chee
3 years, 6 months ago
I can do that. It's just a cradle that uses zip ties to secure the torch to it. It attaches to the helmet with gopro tines. I'm away from home for the next few weeks, but I will upload to thingiverse when I get back to that computer. I'm sure if you ask amongst your friends network, someone will have a 3d printer.
The HC35 is a beast! It's my most used torch, the magnetic base being particularly handy. I just wish it could fit standard 1" accessories as I would like to fit a diffuser cone or red filter to it. I spend a lot of time doing astronomy and photography at night, the red light doesn't blow out your natural dark vision like a white light does. I do have another headlamp with an aux red led (NU25 I think it is), and the MH12S takes both the filter and diffuser, making it handy for doing general farm tasks at night. I just wish it had the magnetic base, but you can't have everything I guess!
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Ripbro
3 years, 6 months ago
Currency conversion is tough these days. 98 USD but most shops are selling these for $149CAD. I started night riding and have been contemplating going all in and purchasing a Gemini system, but maybe a few of these is a better choice.
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
Yeah, full disclosure that the reason I didn't include a Canadian SRP is that its silly beans. The dollar has been hovering close enough $0.80 for long enough that even accounting for the average higher costs of doing business in Canada (shipping, rents, wages, etc) that's a big difference to swallow.
I'll throw out $125-$130 as a fair price to pay on this side of the border.
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Ripbro
3 years, 6 months ago
Agreed. I’ll see if there are any Black Friday sales and hopefully pick one up for around that price.
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
I guess it depends on how/who you ask but I'd be surprised if any dealer wasn't happy to split the difference on CAD/USA SRP and sell you a light for $130. It's been a long time since I worked in or ran the front of house of a shop but certainly, and especially this time of year, we appreciated folks that wanted to help us keep the lights on instead of automatically ordering from an online store.
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Martin
3 years, 6 months ago
I'm still using my trusty bought-used Lezyne MegaDrive/SuperDrive lights with replaceable batteries.
The SuperDrives use 18650s so I bought a few new ones last winter and I'm golden. The only thing is that they're only 600-700lumens, but for snow riding on not too technical trails they've been great on my helmet.
The 1100 lumen MegaDrive came with 2 batteries (double 18650s) so I can also swap one mid-ride.
The original batteries are from 2013-2014 and still give me around 80% of the advertised time. Keeping in mind that I'm always using them between 0c and -10/-15C. Below that it drops quite a bit faster.
Anyway, what I really wanted to say is that the Dayblazer would be a great replacement, even if I'd prefer replaceable batteries again.
The Fenix BC30 (2200lumens burst, 1500 high for 2.3hrs) is probably the one I'd buy for this reason. It's 130$cdn/90$usd, uses rechargeable 18650 batteries and has a remote to put close to your shifters.
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Sean Chee
3 years, 6 months ago
I’ve gone off Fenix over the last couple of years. I’ve had three headlamps fail in normal use and been denied warranty claims on all of them. Until then, I had quite liked their products. Nitecore support has been a much better experience. They recently sent me a replacement switch for a torch that is well out of warranty. I also discovered genuine nitecore lights available for huge discounts on AliExpress.
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Martin
3 years, 6 months ago
Thanks for the feedback, I might pass on the Fenix. Were your warranty issues for a bike light or one of their flashlights?
The Nitecore HU60 could be another option then, I'm using their 18650 batteries in my Lezynes and their products seem to have good reviews.
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DadStillRides
3 years, 6 months ago
I'm currently running the Bontrager ion pro rt on helmet and Niterider lumina 1100 on bar. It's a pretty great setup, but always interested in more light and a smoother helmet setup.
I've never used a gobro and kinda lost in all the options for an action cam helmet mount to pair with this Blackburn (or Outbound). Any recommendations?
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
I’ve never owned a GoPro. Just bought their standard stick-on helmet mount at the local camera shop.
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Greg Bly
3 years, 6 months ago
Chances are the tiny protection circut connected to the sealed battery failed. Common occurrence. Then what? Throw it in the garbage?
I have bike lights with batteries I can take out and charge. I can also bring spare batteries for unlimited riding.
Maybe a bike light investment should have more value than a disposable bic lighter.
How difficult is it to have a battery you can remove ? More important to save a dollar on cheaper assembly.
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
Hi Greg, the tiny protection circuit on what battery failed, sorry? If you’re talking about my systems that aren’t working they have separate batteries and the batteries are good. The shorts are in the wires/circuit in the head units (x2).
I would have agreed with you re. replaceable batteries (I like serviceable stuff) but I’ve had zero issues with any of the self-contained lights I’m using - Blackburn, Bontrager, L+M, etc. I’m going to run test my oldest Bontrager Ion Pro (three years old) and see how much run time has changed since new.
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Velocipedestrian
3 years, 6 months ago
If the batteries are 18650s you can buy wall wart chargers for them. And replace if required... Just some Johnny 5 disassemble / reassemble. No need to bin the whole unit.
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Greg Bly
3 years, 6 months ago
Yep that's how I discovered the soldered 18650 in one of my trashed units.
Batteries can be purchased on line for low $.
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Greg Bly
3 years, 6 months ago
I'm going to guess that every single unit uses the same battery it's a 18650 lithium ion battery. Ranging from 1.5 to 3 amps. The battery has a protection circut . So does the charging circut. To prevent fires .
I have had one unit compleatly fail and another that never gave a full charge. Yes warranty covers this. Warranty is rather pointless in the bush at night. Purchased my units from MEC .
How long would your Ion pro last if you used it every day, um night , for commuting?
Cables failing is exactly why I would never use a separate battery. Night rides and loose cables is a problem waiting to happen.
Are you aware that all these single units most likely use the exact same extremely common battery?
When my battery is low on power I pop in a fresh one. Who wouldn't want that feature. ? No need for battery conservation. Full burn whenever I want. And you probably have a story or two as I do of creeping home on low power. Those days are over for me.
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Mammal
3 years, 6 months ago
Congratulations Greg Bly.
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Greg Bly
3 years, 6 months ago
This comment has been removed.
Greg Bly
3 years, 6 months ago
This comment has been removed.
Alexis Morgan
3 years, 6 months ago
Sounds solid. I suppose I'm struggling a bit these days with Blackburn/Giro/Vista being an ammunitions company and trying to spend dollars on the brands that align with my values (and no, I'm not seeking a gun debate - each into their own). Any hot tips for other solid choices beyond the Trek/Bontrager Ion?
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Pete Roggeman
3 years, 6 months ago
Alexis, Vista divested of their ammo business a few years ago:
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/07/09/rei-resumes-sales-vista-products-following-sale-firearms-brands#.YWsInSRfMWM
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Alexis Morgan
3 years, 6 months ago
Were that it were true Pete! Yes, they sold their gun business, but not their ammunition business (in fact they doubled down on it I believe). Check out their website:
https://vistaoutdoor.com/brands/
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Pete Roggeman
3 years, 6 months ago
Right you are, and I think I was being a bit lazy. They sold the gun biz (and it was the one that makes assault-style rifles that was controversial) not ammo, as you point out. Without going down that rabbit hole, or engaging in a debate about where the line is, I'll simply say that personally, I'm not against hunting* so the ammo thing isn't an issue for me, but respect the fact that it could be for you.
*when done responsibly, by people who eat what they hunt and respect conservation laws, etc
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Andrew Major
3 years, 5 months ago
I appreciate folks with the courage of their convictions and spending money with companies whose politics align with your own - whatever they may be. Vote with your purchases for sure. And generally, that's all I'd have to say on the subject.
But, I have to say, in the specific case of many if not most mountain bikers I know who use ammunition manufacturing as a reason to avoid Vista brands there's something that often rings a bit hollow and it comes down to the exact objection. It's easy to not buy Vista - it's obvious which brands they own, and yeah - bullets are bullets - but is that where the exercise stops?
For example, Fox Racing Shox manufacturers suspension for armoured vehicles - and other military uses - under Fox Defense. But it's not like they publish a client list so who knows what conflicts their suspension is being featured in? Does that stop you from buying Fox products or is it a big enough step removed? Would you consider it when purchasing a suspension product?
It gets even more opague when you start purchasing bikes that are manufacturer overseas (which is the vast, vast majority of them). Who, or in some cases what government, owns the factory where your frame was made? I don't know a soul who's gone that in-depth when purchasing a bicycle but I do know that it doesn't take more than 30-seconds on Google to figure out who is (or at least was) making carbon bikes in Myanmar. How in-depth did you research before buying your last bike?
Who's making say Bontrager's light system? Do they also make electronics for military applications?
Please don't take it as a personal criticism, it's just something I feel the need to say in response to the usual, casual, dismissal of Vista. It could be a stepping stone to an individual being more aware of all their purchases but I feel like it's usually low-hanging fruit.
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Spencer Nelson
3 years, 6 months ago
Of course this review comes out a day after I buy a replacement battery for my cheapo (but bright) lights! Would've been enough to push me over the edge to abandon the corded setup. Ah, next year, maybe...
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Tjaard Breeuwer
3 years, 6 months ago
What I don’t like is the tiny batteries on many of these lights. I don’t need some crazy amount of light, but I do need the ‘decent level of light’ to last my entire ride, with a margin of safety.
Wh can’t we get a light with ~1200 lumen with a good beam pattern, but a 4 hour run time? Instead, they just keep putting brighter and brighter LEDs in there.
Considering that most batteries perform far worse in the cold, and that my night riding happens in the winter, when it is below (often far below) freezing, ad I have a hard time abandoning separate battery and light set ups.
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Sean Chee
3 years, 6 months ago
The nitecore hu60 might be the light you’re after if you prefer split systems. I expect an updated model will be arriving in the next six months. They even make nice handlebar mounts for it
https://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/hu60
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SteveR
3 years, 6 months ago
These self contained systems look appealing, but like Tjaard, my night riding is in the (Alberta) winter, almost always at well below freezing. Keeping batteries tucked into an inner pocket or close to my back in a pack makes a big difference. My trails are usually snow covered though, with the increased reflectivity allowing longer runtimes at lower settings.
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Pete Roggeman
3 years, 6 months ago
I find that riding at night in snow makes for far less demanding conditions as far as lighting goes. Often one is enough since you don't have to overcome nearly as many shadows as you do when the surface of the ground is dark. I'm sure it's not the same everywhere, but for riding on the shore, we've usually been amazed by how much the reflectivity of snow makes a greater range of lighting setups not only useable but effective.
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Andrew Major
3 years, 6 months ago
I love snow rides… it’s like daylight on the lowest setting.
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human_touch
2 years, 3 months ago
Hi, great artical as usual. I have been using set of two 2015 Magicshine lights, 2k lumen with external battery ( the cords never bothered me too much). Out of interest I was checking for Dayblazer 1500 prices here in the UK and found it for 16GBP on Amazon, brand new! Purchased, tested.. and my feel about the light is bit mixed. I like how compact it is. It's great for my commutes, but in the woods can't compete with my old lights, which are brighter and have a wider beam. What I'm going to try though is to put my old lights both on the bars and Dayblazer on the helmet - that way I'd get the best of both systems. Additional comments (stuff not mentioned in your review): the charging port is somehow 'sinked' into the light body which doesn't work with many cables. The gopro mount comes without a screw which is a shame. The rubber bend mount for bars is quite short, can't imagine it works with 35mm bars. The rubber seal of the charging port is easy to use but also easily opens when you manipulate with the light. Saying all this, I'm generally happy with the light and have enough use for it; but don't think would be able to use it as the main light source for mountain biking. Cheers!
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