Bright, brighter, helmet lamp: visibility on dark trails
27.9.2019
Translation: machine translated
Co-author: Daniel Feucht
With a powerful helmet light, you can tackle the race against the dusk in a relaxed manner and still go for a spin on your mountain bike after work. Brightness alone is not everything.
First published on 06 November 2018One thing first: don't be dazzled by the sheer light intensity. All lights with more than 1500 lumens are suitable for fast trail rides, as long as they can illuminate the path not only far but also wide. In addition to the light intensity, you should consider the following criteria
- Battery life: An important point if you are planning longer tours. What use are 8000 lumens if you suddenly find yourself in the dark? If you are travelling for more than two hours, your battery should have a capacity of at least 3300 milliampere hours (mAh) .
- Mounting: Some models can be attached to the helmet together with the battery and do not require a rucksack. With others, you have to stow the battery separately. Installation on the handlebars is an option for all the lights presented, but for some models you will need to buy the corresponding bracket separately.
- Weight: Do you not mind a few extra grams and a battery in your rucksack? Or is it important to you to be as light as possible at the expense of battery life? The key here is to find the right compromise for you.
- Operation: Is a simple switch and the default light modes enough for you or do you want a remote control and additional configuration options?
- IP certification: Some models only have basic protection against foreign bodies and splash water (IP44), others offer the all-round carefree package and are dust and waterproof to IP68.
Unibody lights: For light trails and light on the handlebars
If you are mainly travelling on forest tracks and light trails, lights with up to 1000 lumens are sufficient. Unibody models, which integrate the lamp head and battery in one housing, are ideal for such purposes. If you enjoy night riding and need more power at some point, they are the ideal addition to a more powerful helmet light when mounted on the handlebars.
The 145 gram Sigma Buster 700 has four light modes and shines up to 100 metres with 700 lumens. In power mode, it lasts for around two hours. Helmet and handlebar mounts are included in the scope of delivery.
With a maximum of 1000 lumens, the Knog PWR Trail brings light into the dark. You can also use the battery as a power bank and replace it with another from the PWR series if required - the products in the modular system are compatible. The 5000 mAh will last you two hours at full power. The ModeMaker app allows you to customise the light to suit your needs.
Helmet lights for beginners: Bright enough for every trail
If you only go on the occasional night ride, the slightly cheaper models with up to 2000 lumens are worthwhile. In this price range, you will have to do without some features such as remote control or integrated rear lights. They are also often a little heavier, but there are exceptions in the entry-level range: the BBB Scope 1500 is even a particularly light helmet light with a total weight of 255 grams (lamp head and battery).
Two XML CREE LEDs in a waterproof aluminium housing illuminate the trail with up to 1500 lumens. The lamp has no remote control and four non-modifiable light modes (super, high, standard, low). On the highest light level, its battery lasts up to one and a half hours.
If you want more features, the Sigma Buster HL is worth a closer look. You can control its seven light modes via a Bluetooth remote control, but you can't modify them either. With 2000 lumens and three LEDs, it shines up to 200 metres and is protected against splash water in accordance with IP44.
The Buster HL weighs a little more. The battery (344 grams / 6400 mAh) with charge status indicator cannot be mounted on the helmet and must be stowed separately. However, it lasts for two and a half hours in high-power mode and you can also use it as a power bank.
Helmet lights for advanced riders: Configurable and lightweight
You don't want compromises, just the best? Welcome to the high-performance class. Models with more than 2000 lumens are not absolutely necessary, their luminosity is a luxury. However, thanks to their low weight and additional features such as configurable light modes, they not only offer you more lumens, but also more options.
The Magicshine MJ906B is small, its lamp head weighs 92 grams and with 3200 lumens, it provides ample illumination for trails. You can connect your mobile via Bluetooth, adjust the light to your preferences and group the modes for different environmental conditions. The 5200 mAh battery weighs 287 grams and can also be used as a power bank when the light is switched on. When the light is at full power, the MJ906B lasts for around two hours and 20 minutes on the highest level.
If 3200 lumens seem excessive to you, the Lupine Piko R, the test winner of various MTB magazines, offers a good mix of (light) weight and luminosity. Its two XM-L2 LEDs "only" provide 1800 lumens, but the 180 gram system on the helmet is hardly noticeable. The Smartcore battery indicates the charge status via five LEDs and also serves as a rear light.
Of course, this lightweight does not light up forever: with 3300 mAh, you have enough juice for one hour and 15 minutes at the highest level. However, full power is rarely necessary. You can operate the Piko R at any time with a Bluetooth remote control on the handlebars and have the option of customising the light modes for your purposes via an app. As it is dust and waterproof to IP68, you won't have any problems even in adverse conditions.
The further development of this classic is the Blika R with 2100 lumens. In addition to the two main headlights, it has a third spotlight that you can switch on as a high beam. It is designed to illuminate the centre even better and increase the range to up to 290 metres.
The Blika is not just a headlight. It also has a green, red and white diffuse light. This allows you to create the right lighting mood not only when biking, but also in other outdoor situations. For example, when fishing, mountaineering or camping. Like the Piko, you can also control the Blika via app or remote control. Our colleague Daniel Feucht was out and about with the Blika R and, in addition to the detailed practical test, also has some general tips for you if you want to tackle trails in the dark.
Tips for night riding:
- Stay on official trails.
- Add a powerful handlebar light to your helmet light. This means you always have lighting power on the trail, no matter how you move your head.
- Take a rear light with you for riding on the road.
- Save your battery until the fun begins. Dim your helmet light or switch it off completely and use a small light such as the Knog Frog Strob for the uphill section.
- Always charge your battery to 100% before a tour.
- If it is cold outside, this weakens the battery. It's better to pack it in your rucksack in cold weather.
- Adapt your riding style to the conditions. Night riding harbours many dangers, even if you know the trails.
- Always think about wildlife. They are most active at dusk. Be respectful.
- First get used to the dark before you set off on the trail.
- Don't experiment: It's better to only ride trails you know, because you'll quickly whizz past signposts in the dark. You should also not attempt your first ride on an S3 trail in the dark.
- Ride with colleagues. This offers additional safety and is more fun than pedalling paranoid through the dark forest. -
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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