More PWR: a bike light with a system
20.11.2018
Translation: machine translated
At knog. even everyday objects such as bicycle lights should be "unboring things". Youthful, with high design standards and a little different from the rest. I was out and about with the "PWR Road". Conclusion: lots of light, some shade and no boredom.
PWR is a whole series of products where vowels have been saved and compatibility is the O and E: batteries and lamp heads can be freely combined with each other. So if you want more power (sorry, PWR) than the 600 lumens of the road version for pitch-black routes, you can simply buy a lamp head with 1000 lumens and switch back and forth. The battery can also be used as a Pwrbank.
Elegantly and thoughtfully made
I'm a fan of knog. products and the "PWR Road" doesn't disappoint on first impressions. The matt black aluminium housing feels good and the lamp head clicks into place securely when I attach it to the battery. The whole thing results in a stylish torch that feels like it has been made from a single mould. Well, almost. The housing is interrupted by a rail on which the torch is pushed onto its holder. There is also a red button to release the lamp head from the battery. The light can be switched on and off with a quick twist of the head.
The designers have also thought about the holder. It can be attached to the top or bottom of the handlebar tube with a quick release and holds the light from the side so that it can be positioned nicely in the centre above the stem. During installation, I almost lose the mini thread for the quick release screw, but once I've successfully fiddled it together, I like the result. Putting the light on for the first time is also a bit tedious, but it holds. After turning the locking screw, nothing wobbles any more.
Experiences, illuminations
The light of the PWR Road sets the direction: straight ahead. It is barely visible when viewed from the side. Only two small cut-outs on the lens provide some visibility. However, the elliptical light cone illuminates the road in front of you superbly and is beyond reproach in terms of brightness. With a full 600 lumens, the battery runs out of juice after around two hours. If you're not riding through the blackest night, the medium brightness level will do the trick, allowing you to be on the road for four hours. There are also various flashing modes that are supposed to last up to 195 hours. I haven't tried it out, sorry. As soon as it gets dark, a static light is mandatory anyway and I don't need anything else.
I was sometimes annoyed by the light control. On the one hand, turning the light head is practical and can be done easily even with thick gloves. On the other hand, you have to turn it all the way to the stop to switch it on and off and hold this position for a few seconds, otherwise nothing happens. And if you turn it briefly, only the light mode changes. Then it flashes and you turn and turn and turn... at some point. I haven't had the final enlightenment yet, but at least I've learnt enough that the light now obeys me 95 per cent of the time.
ModeMaker doesn't like me
I wanted to make PWR Road completely subservient to me with the help of the ModeMaker app from knog. It's not available for mobile phones, but there is a beta version for Windows and Mac. You can use it to reprogramme the light modes. I would have liked to reduce the brightness of the continuous light in favour of the battery life and get rid of all the flashing lights. To do this, I installed the ModeMaker, dutifully registered and connected the lamp head to the PC using the cable supplied. It was recognised immediately. Only to disappear again without a trace at the end of the set-up process. After X failed attempts, there is now a call for help from me in an Australian mailbox. I believe in a happy ending, but if it stays like this, I'll be travelling into Advent with blink modes that are useless to me.
Addition: As soon as it was morning again in Australia, I already had an answer. Probably a problem with the network settings in the office. On the second attempt from home, I was able to configure the light without any problems.
Light kit with a future
I like the idea of being able to use products in a modular way and add to them in a meaningful way. Less stuff, more possibilities. And if the battery fails, you can easily get a new one. That's how it should be. So far, the selection is mainly limited to PWR banks and lights of different strengths, but knog. promises on the packaging that there is more to come: for example, a headlamp that can be fitted with the lamp head, a camping lantern or even a speaker that can be operated with the battery. In any case, thumbs up for the approach! And the road version alone? Apart from my app problems, it's a very well-made front light that requires a bit of feeling when operating. For me, it's worth the money.
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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