MTB Lights 2022!

I'm a bit underwhelmed by my Hangover. Compared to my original (circa 2010/11) Gemini Xera which is ~850 lumens, the Xera is brighter. I was expecting more from the newer tech.

Finally tried out the Lynx Double on the trail last night.

Although not quite as bright as the China quad LED I use for the bar, the quality of light is superior, with a nice warm color. My China lights are very cold, one of my main issues with them. I find a beam that's too cold produces glare and emphasizes shadows, which screws with my perception during the ride. Lynx has a nice warm tone that's very effective, no issues picking up terrain features at speed. My bar light was having sime issues, so ended up running it at low, and the Lynx at high was more than adequate.

The fully adjustable low beam was super handy. I set it at very low for gravel path grind, then a bit higher for climb trail single track. Then having the choice to go slightly higher yet for rooty tech climbs (but not full power) is nice.

I used the standard mount for my helmet, just attached some soft velcro to the base, and the mating velcro to my helmet. Worked well. You can remove and replace the head strap very easily to switch between biking and head lamp mode.

Didn't really test run time much. It was a 1.5hr ride, 1/3 at low-ish level, 1/3 a bit higher, and 1/3 at full. No issues.

So I'll be buying a second one for the bar, and ditching my China lights. It'll be great to stop relying on heavy yet crap quality brick packs. I've traditionally carried a spare with me, which ends up being 3 packs on hand at a time. Carrying a couple little spares for the Lynx is basically nothing in comparison. Not dealing with any wires is a huge plus too. A pair of Lynx will also mean the Mrs will have a nice head lamp for skate skiing this year as well.

That’s awesome! Cheers

Posted by: mammal
So I'll be buying a second one for the bar, and ditching my China lights. It'll be great to stop relying on heavy yet crap quality brick packs. I've traditionally carried a spare with me, which ends up being 3 packs on hand at a time. Carrying a couple little spares for the Lynx is basically nothing in comparison. A pair of Lynx will also mean the Mrs will have a nice head lamp for skate skiing this year as well.

Well that's a solid endorsement, thanks for posting the review.     Any downsides you see using this on a commuter bike as well, bar mounted and pointed down to avoid blinding the world?

Posted by: ceebee

Well that's a solid endorsement, thanks for posting the review.     Any downsides you see using this on a commuter bike as well, bar mounted and pointed down to avoid blinding the world?

It has a pretty broad beam, so that could be a factor. But I see the adjustable low-beam intensity being a good feature for choosing exactly how much light you want/need for commuting.

Just following up on my OP. I ended up buying a Gemini Duo 2200 for my helmet and buying a fresh battery for my older Dinotte XML-4 for my bar. 

Gemini

The small/light form factor of the head unit is great for helmet use. I put the battery in my jacket pocket which keeps the weight off my head and keeps it warm in colder temps. It's got a bar mounted wireless remote which makes adjusting power levels easy on the fly. Getting 2hrs of life out of it seems to be no problem even in ~4 deg C weather with lower power on the climbs and max power on the descents.

Dinotte

The XML-4 is a 10 year old "obsolete" head unit, but it still impresses the heck out of me with its beam pattern, light temperature and brightness. Previously I had one on the bar and one on my helmet. That was a ton of light, but the helmet application was not ideal as it's a relatively heavy head unit. A bigger issue is my batteries stopped being reliable as the aged. With a fresh battery and just sticking with a bar mount application I'm back in love with this light. It has an easy to use power button so I can adjust brightness on the fly and getting light for a 2hr night ride is no problem again. I'm glad I didn't give up on these older lights. I plan to keep them in action for quite a few more years.

Combo

I wasn't sure how these lights would mix, but it's like they were made to work together. The brightness levels and light temperatures are such that they blend so I can't tell one light from the other. For faster forest singletrack they are pretty much perfect insofar as I am not thinking about my lights at all or wanting anything different. The light beams cover the trail fully. The Gemini puts light far enough around the corner I can ride confidently and the Dinotte covers the trail in front of my bars. 

I'll circle back with a few comments about beam pattern later. I've only used these lights together and riding with faster people so no time to faff around doing tests.

I bought the Duo 2200 about four years ago then my wife got me the Titan 4000 for Xmas that same year. A little pricy but combined they been great. And the batteries are both still going strong. 1.5 - 2 hour rides at -10 with plenty of battery left. I do try to remember to put them them on the lowest setting when I’m climbing.

Lynx OGT just released a new light specifically designed for activities like night riding. 

https://www.lynxogt.com/product-page/ixea-headlamp

"It uses 4 high end Cree LEDs and a large lens to create a combination of a wide 130 degree flood beam and far-reaching spot beam simultaniously"

Posted by: Zowsch

Lynx OGT just released a new light specifically designed for activities like night riding.

https://www.lynxogt.com/product-page/ixea-headlamp

"It uses 4 high end Cree LEDs and a large lens to create a combination of a wide 130 degree flood beam and far-reaching spot beam simultaniously"

I saw that a couple days after receiving my second Raven Double. Although it's got 4 LEDs and a wider spread, I find it's interesting that it claims a lower lumen rating than the Raven Double, and the same run time. Just speculation, this leads me to believe that the advantage of the Otus is a wider spread, while having slightly less light intensity.

After a few night rides on the Raven Double, I know for sure that I don't need a wider spread, it's more than adequate. The raven double has a bit of a brighter spot in the middle, but fades nicely to a consistent peripheral spread. Perhaps the advantage of the Otus is that it has a really big spread with even intensity throughout. If so, that could make a superior bar light, while the spot on the Raven Double could be better for the head lamp (depending on preference).

For the record, I'm still really happy with the performance of these lights. They're not nuclear-blast bright like some of the mega units, but it's ample light with 2 lamps, and so convenient.

Posted by: Zowsch

Lynx OGT just released a new light specifically designed for activities like night riding. 

https://www.lynxogt.com/product-page/ixea-headlamp

"It uses 4 high end Cree LEDs and a large lens to create a combination of a wide 130 degree flood beam and far-reaching spot beam simultaniously"

I just ordered one of these new lights from Dylan. I plan to run it on my helmet.  Will report back once I have tried it out.

Anyone run a lynx got unit and outbound for comparison.

I need a new light for fatbiking/night riding.

Currently have a cateye 800 but I want a bar light as well.

Would you go with an outbound, a otus or a raven double?

Posted by: tashi

What's the hot option for a helmet mount light this year folks?

I'm likely moving my Seca 2000 to the bars, looking for something at least as bright and as lightweight as possible for the helmet. External battery pack preferred.

Seca Enduro 2500! :)

Posted by: Ripbro

Anyone run a lynx got unit and outbound for comparison.

I need a new light for fatbiking/night riding.

Currently have a cateye 800 but I want a bar light as well.

Would you go with an outbound, a otus or a raven double?

I've got an Outbound Trail EVO, an older Glow Worm X2,  and a Lynx Otus.  The Otus is a lovely headlamp, but not nearly as good for bike use IMHO.  The EVO has a much more useable beam pattern and the X2 has better throw.  I typically run both the EVO on the bars and the X2 on the helmet.

Thanks for the comparison:)