What's everyone using for cheap MTB lights these days? Is it still SolarStorm X2 with Torchy batteries and charger?
The solarstorm x2 comes with a battery and charger for circa £15. When that battery dies, which tbh we seem to get 2+ winters out of them, then get the torchy battery.
Bikehut lights from Halfords for me. I've got four!
I bought a Halfords 1600 lumen thing for £50 if that's cheap enough. I didn't want any external batteries or wires flapping about. I haven't used it on a proper night ride yet but it's easily brighter than my 9 year old Exposure Diablo. Should be a good combo when I finally get out with it.
The solarstorm x2 comes with a battery and charger for circa £15. When that battery dies, which tbh we seem to get 2+ winters out of them, then get the torchy battery.
My concern about the battery was I seem to remember some units were supplied with two 18650s and two dummy cells. As for the supplied chargers, people were reporting they would get really hot. This is going back a good few years now though, so perhaps things have improved somewhat?
Bikehut lights from Halfords for me. I’ve got four!
I'll check those out, thanks!
I bought a Halfords 1600 lumen thing for £50 if that’s cheap enough. I didn’t want any external batteries or wires flapping about. I haven’t used it on a proper night ride yet but it’s easily brighter than my 9 year old Exposure Diablo. Should be a good combo when I finally get out with it.
I don't mind having the external pack and wires are easily manageable with velcro wraps (I used to have a MagicShine MJ-880) but I'll have a look at those too, cheers!
ive a solar storm x2 and a Halfords 1600 thing.
more than enough light for woodsy razzing, drifty corners and jumps in teh dark.
the 1600 thing is too heavy for a head torch for me. the x2 is a bit spotty and i prefer my 10yr old trout/teapot home build.
ive a solar storm x2 and a Halfords 1600 thing.
more than enough light for woodsy razzing, drifty corners and jumps in teh dark.
the 1600 thing is too heavy for a head torch for me. the x2 is a bit spotty and i prefer my 10yr old trout/teapot home build.
What battery and charger are you using with the X2?
I have one of those 18650 CREE Torches for mounting on my lid, although I've lost the mount so will need to get another one.
Interested to see any pics of your home build if you have any?
MTB Batteries always seem to get positive reviews. Although possibly more expensive than you're looking for. They do aftermarket batteries and chargers so if you do go for the X2 it may be worth dropping Smudge a line to get a safe charger and batteries to suit, rather than having to charge in a biscuit tin.
I've used this Chinese website for 3 lights now - one last year and two more arrived yesterday so I can take my boys out with me.
https://www.lightmalls.com/
The two I got yesterday look fine, just wondering how to mount the first one to my helmet as it's plenty light enough, all self contained and has more of a spot beam than a flood.
https://www.lightmalls.com/cycling-light-bike-front-headlight-2x-cree-xpg-led-bicycle-light-built-in-18650-battery-usb-rechargable-waterproof
They took about 10 days to arrive and are chargeable just off a USB cable.
Second the MTBbatteries recommendation - good lights, good batteries.
I used to run a solarstorm X2, I can't fault the light output and the battery lasted very well. I now have the Halfords 1600 lumen light, I much prefer the all in one design and the beam has a better spread for on the bars. The only downside is the number of functions you have to click through. I bought a cheap GoPro bar mount for a clean and secure setup.
I'm yet to find a decent cheap helmet light so I splashed out on a Joystick for that job.
[url= https://www.lightmalls.com/solarstorm-x2-2000-lumen-dual-head-bicycle-light-with-2xcree-xm-l-u2-led-4-modes-4-18650-battery ]These ones[/url] on Rickos link, can be found on Amazon or Ebay about £13, same as Solarstorm by the look of it. I've had one for years, works superbly.
I recently tried a purchase of a similarly built one piece light/battery unit (Nestling branded, claimed 2400lm) but it wasn't as bright, had a tiny spot beam, so sent it back.
God is it that time already.....where did summer go?
Halfords Bikehut 1600 thing (see above) on the bar, added a hope QR mount for a tenner, and I splashed out on a joystick on the lid. That was £170 in total, not really cheap, but the improvement over the previous solarstorm and magicshine with separate battery packs setup was well worth it. If pushed id have the bikehut and put a solarstorm x2 on the lid and that's as cheap as Id go now.
i've got some older magicshine lamps with no batteries,but new in the bx. they would be very cheap if you want to source a battery
pm me
@iainc does it right, buy a new exposure light each year, or every other year, sell on the old one. Only ever lose 20 or 30 quid, no buggering about with batteries and cables.
Used my new joystick mk14 on WHW saturday night, bloody hell it's impressive.
Ive a whole set of mtb batteries and lights in the classifieds if you're interested. Feel free to make an offer.
^^^^ as nobeer says, keep them turning over and the cost is surprisingly low !
@iainc and @Nobeerinthefridge I've just picked up an Exposure Maxx D mk12 and Diablo mk11 and just planned to use them till they were a write off and couldnt be fixed anymore. Your way sounds tempting, use them for a year or two then sell them for a little bit less than what I paid then pick up the latest version with all new features and brightness...
I reckon it works out a lot cheaper to buy new ones every 18 months and sell on the good nick ones while they are still relatively close in spec to the current model.
Four Bikehut lights:
200lm for emergency backup or getting home during dusk rides.
500lm for helmet use combined with the 1600
1000lm for road
1600lm for off-road
Outlay for an Exposure and the hassle of selling, hoping you'll get the money back, or just buy a £13 Solarstorm that lasts 3-4 years and replace it for same if/when it breaks. Hmm.
Each to their own eh.
I went to the Evolva X8's a few years ago. Self contained, good runtimes and no Exposure tax.
OOS on Amazon, sadly, but about £45-50 when they have them.
Initial outlay is the only one there that's an issue tbh Dez.
Cheap chinese lights - I've had charger wiring melt and start smoking, never again
- I've had light turn off at full pelt, that's fun!
- Battery to put somewhere, don't wear a pack, **** having it taped to frame.
None of us is right, but Exposure lights suit me, YMMV.
Bikehut 1600 is very good for bar mounting, it's not very focused though so I wouldn't use it on a helmet and you have to be really careful not to completely blind drivers! Impressed about the battery on it, although admittedly I tend to avoid using full power. It's definitely bright enough for trails but I do think it needs to be paired with a focused helmet light if it's pitch black. The default mount seems to work fine for me but a QR would be nice.
Appreciate all the replies folks! I won't be doing a lot of night riding hence not wanting to spend a great deal (and also why I sold my MJ-880), but you've all given me lots to look into. Cheers!
@Speshpaul - I've dropped you a message.
@Kryton57 - Is that the Fenix BC30?
Bought one of these a few weeks back....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081PYN1NS
Has gone up a tenner since I bought it, but still great value. It’s made by Gaciron which I understand are a ‘quality‘ Chinese make. Has a nice wide beam and a remote switch, can also charge your phone with it if you run out of battery. Paired it with an Exposure Axis helmet light and it works really well.
Edit:-There is a review of them on YouTube and they are a lot brighter than the solarstorm X3
I'm another Bikehut 1600 fanboi. Good enough for crashing over moors, through the woods and down fire roads. I also got the Hope mount and it improved it no end. Wouldn't stick it on a helmet though. There are enough modes that it can be run for ages at commuter level or a decent off road run.
I am interested in going all-in-one but simply don't believe my once a week 2hr night ride is worth spending the cash that exposure want. I'm not knocking them, my friend has an fantastic exposure 6 pack, it really is excellent. But when my now ancient solarstorm X2 & a XHP70 do pretty much a good similar job and are more adaptable (2 lights vs one bar mounted) but have battery boxes/leads that are now annoying (punctures mean I really should have an extra all-in-one torch).
A bar mounted Halford or Garciron looks great for the bars, but hows about your head? I have two http://www.mtbbritain.co.uk/mountain_bike_lights_review_led.htm l">chinese P7 SSC torches from back in the day, but I found 200g to be pretty heavy after a while, and always struggled with them bouncing around ontop of the helmet in the rough (tried loads of different mounts). What do people think are worth while head torches nowadays? (I'd love similar output to my SS x2)
@molgrips any chance you could spend a moment weighing those bike hut light & the quick dimension? As I can't find them listed anywhere
@mudmuncher, any chance of the same and do you know the battery spec on those units?
Ancient solar storm X2 with a bodged on gopro mount for my noggin and a bikehut 1000 job for the bars at present which are pretty good as a cheap helmet/bar combo.
But while I like it what I really want is something similar to the BH1000 for the bars but with fewer modes (ideally just hi/mid/low), still with an all in one form, gopro style mounting and remote switch option, ideally for the same price or less...
Lights are very consistent and reliable from random Chinese suppliers.
Batteries not so much as the cell's providence can be dodgy.
As mentioned above, something like a Solarstorm but with "branded" batteries. I've got torch the battery boy one's and they're excellent.
@zippy, that's a point, weight of helmet mounted lights, that is really the only reason I still have the solarstorm.
I tried the BH1000 on the lid and found it too heavy and fatiguing, IIRC someone or other (maybe geex?) basically called me a Pussy on the original bikehut 1600/1000 lights PSA a couple of years ago for admitting such a thing.
But machismo aside it's worth considering that once you integrate a battery a light becomes noticeably weightier and your neck might not be as strong as you think...
Anyway dug both of these out and weighed them:
Old xml bastid 112g
Solarstorm X2 with gopro mount 121g
So I reckon maybe under 130g(ish) is a reasonable weight to add to your helmet... Discuss.
Bikehut 1600 is 217g. I just weighed it.
I wear it on my head (with a solarstorm on the bars) but the consensus is that it's too heavy for that.
@z1ppy, just weighed the Gaciron and it’s 204g without the mount, dimensions 118x53x33mm. It is a 5000mAh battery (2x 2500mAh 18650 li-ion), and I did think if the batteries ever die I could replace with 2x3200mAh to give a bit more run time.
Quoted battery time is...
1600LM 1.5hrs
800LM 3hr15
400LM 4hr48
200LM 9hr35
It is very bright on 1600, so you can get away with 800 a lot of the time, the external button makes it easy to cycle through the different brightness’.
Compared to the exposure axis(1150 lumen)it is definitely a fair chunk brighter so I think the lumen rating is accurate unlike some of the real cheapo lights.
Another advantage to the x2 on the helmet is the mode sequence as it just goes low/mid/hi/off, so a quick flick of the switch and its on and then a couple of flicks if you want more light. And I don't keep it on when on the road between wooded sections so it's easier to cycle to off.
Too many modes on the bikehut lights and a separate switch for on/off means I'd be pissing about forever with it mounted on my head...
I suppose my ideal helmet light would be compact, maybe use a single LED (clever reflector/lens?) with only a couple of modes say 500/800 lumens, one big switch you can find with gloves on and still mange to be sub 140g with a built in battery...
I tried the BH1000 on the lid and found it too heavy and fatiguing, IIRC someone or other (maybe geex?) basically called me a Pussy on the original bikehut 1600/1000 lights PSA a couple of years ago for admitting such a thing.
Yeah I knew I'd left myself open to idiotic comments, but it's the honest truth and I don't want to end a ride with my neck aching. I've rode for years putting up with it, until going back to an external battery pack, so I want to avoid it in the future. I'd agree 100-120g is probably fine*, as I run a SSx2, it when you move up toward the 200g it starts to impact me.
cheers @Savoyad & @Mudmuncher for checking:
I'd found 230g online for the BL1600, was your with the mount?
I'd thought the BH1600 would be much bigger than the Gaciron, but I found the dimensions as 115mm x 34mm x 44mm. Are those batteries easily replaceable (ala this one from Torch) or would it be a disassembly job?
* and of course the Exposure Helmet light all come in at or less than 120g.. they do know what their doing.
A bar mounted Halford or Garciron looks great for the bars, but hows about your head?
I don't wear a head torch, never felt the need tbh. I can see where it would be useful but it doesn't bother me not having it.
SK with a bright enough torch you may not need two, but locally the dense undergrowth means you ride blind in some sections, until it dies back. Experience also tells me, you get a better overall depth perception, and if one unit dies mid ride, your not completely f***ed. If I could get away with one, it would be much easier though.
I’m assuming the batteries can be replaced on the gaciron as there are 4x mini torx bolts on the battery compartment.
I have to say the Exposure Axis is excellent, it’s lightweight with a great helmet mount. The key thing for me which makes it worth the extra cash over cheaper lights is the ‘tap’ feature where you can switch the brightness by tapping your helmet, you can also setup 2 or 3 of your favourite brightness settings so you don’t have to cycle through loads of settings. I don’t really want to be trying to press a small button on the top of my head riding over a bumpy rooty singletrack in the dark. Also comes with a lanyard so handy if you want to use it as a normal torch.
I have a Exposure Joystick on my helmet and I wouldn't want any more weight than that. Not because I personally have an issue with the weight itself but because I think it might stop the helmet doing its job properly. If you any sort of whiplash situation then the additional weight would likely pull the helmet away from where it should be sitting on your head. And no I couldn't do my helmet any tighter without giving myself a headache.
I had to mod the bikehut clamp to make it stiff enough to deal with the 1600 without wobbling.
I find the 500 fine for my head though. I got it higher up so it's nearly on the top of my head where it's balanced. It's heavier than the lamp only unit I used to use but not having to deal with cables more than makes up for it, for me. I am a fussy sod and I don't mind it.
@molgrips any chance of throwing the 500 on a scales, to get an idea of the weight?
I have the smallest MTB batteries light and whilst the light output isn't really enough on it's own for any fast or technical night rides (although I don't think it's intended to be in all fairness, plus, it's dead cheap!), it works pretty well as a head mounted lamp along side a bar mounted option. My bar mounted option is the older version of this Moon X-Power 950 light and at only 800 lumens, the quality of light was fantastic, as was the spread. The newer 950 can only be better and it's currently reduced to £55 on CRC. If you want more power, the bigger brother Moon X-Power 1300 is a steal at £76 on CRC at the moment. I'd pick one up without hesitation if I could justify it. Hope that helps!
Still using Fluxient U2 mini's here - two in stereo if conditions are really bad and I'm riding somewhere unfamiliar. They've been totally reliable and used as torches a lot too.
They are still giving >2 hours on full beam after 3.5 years of use. £49 each new, plus some extra for a better charger and 2 spare batteries.
Whenever I've used bike lights on my helmet the issue with weight has never really been about tiring my neck out, it's more that the weight overcomes the straps/restraint system & you either have to tighten everything up to uncomfortable levels, or over rough ground the helmet shakes all over the place.
I think some of this comes down to the light & mount design - the further the weight is held from the helmet, the worse the effect.
Those Moon lights mentioned above look like a bit of a bargain.
The 200lm is 97g
The 500lm is 144g
The 1600lm is 217g
Those are all with the GoPro/out in front light adapter, not the rubber band.
Re the weight issue - some of it comes down to where the holes are on your helmet which may dictate where you can put the light.
Re the weight issue – some of it comes down to where the holes are on your helmet which may dictate where you can put the light.
Agreed, I find it is more the balance than the actual weight.
The 200lm is 97g
The 500lm is 144g
The 1600lm is 217g
Is that just the light unit? sorry, never seen these lights. Mk14 Joystick at 1050 lumens* is 93g for info.
* I tend to not focus on this number, my mk7 Diablo has 1300lumens frinstance, but the joystick is a far better light, has a lovely piercing spot, so I use the Diablo on the bars these days.
Is that just the light unit?
They are all-in-one units.
The good thing about these (besides the price) is that the beam patterns are tailored for the output. Because you only need so much light right infront of you. The 1600 for example has a wide throw with a decent spot in the middle. But the 500 has a similar brightness in the middle but far less spread. I reckon this actually makes it better on road. The 200 is really quite a tight spot which remains quite bright; this means that you can still ride effectively with it despite there being far less light output overall.
Of course the downside is that you cannot mix and match beam patterns and light output - if you put the 1600lm on its 500lm setting then its worse than the 500 on full because the light's spread out a lot. To achieve that in an all-in-one unit you'd need either a focusable lamp or multiple LEDs with different beam patterns and the ability to selectively turn off the flood or spot ones.
SK with a bright enough torch you may not need two, but locally the dense undergrowth means you ride blind in some sections, until it dies back. Experience also tells me, you get a better overall depth perception, and if one unit dies mid ride, your not completely f***ed. If I could get away with one, it would be much easier though.
Oh yeah it's situational I get that, I just meant I was happy enough with the 1600 on it's own.
Fair comment/recommendation SQ, & cheers Molgrips for weighing them.
I thought I had the 1000lm too but I cannot for the life of me find it.. so now I'm wondering if I just thought about buying it instead of actually buying it.. I are confuse..
I've just bought the Bikehut 1600. It feels really solid. I've used a Hope QR mount, and found that a rotor bolt worked perfectly to attach it to the light!
Not used it yet, it's still charging. Think it's going to be great for committing, especially for adding a bit of off-road during the winter months.
I use a Solarstorm on the helmet, either with an extension lead to a battery in my pocket or a pack, or sometimes with a battery ziptied to the rear of the helmet, semi balancing the light unit. I can definitely feel the extra weight of the battery then!
I use a Bastid light on the bars, either with a battery strapped to the frame, or linked into the main battery on my ebike.
I have just bought an eBay 2x18650 integrated light & battery to see what that is like on the bars.
After reading Torchy the Battery Boy's blog I decided I wanted a Fluxient Elite S3, as he recommends. Instead of getting one straight away I thought I'd wait till winter.
It seems he no longer sells them, and I cannot find anywhere else that has them - are they no longer made?
Does anyone know where they can be bought? Or of a similar product? I particularly want something that is StVZO compliant.
First ride last night with my Diablo and Maxx D and came away super impressed and relieved I hadnt wasted lots of money! I was also surprised the small bracket for the Maxx D didnt move once and I did some drops and large doubles.
I've had cheap Cree stuff of eBay for several years and always found mounting battery packs annoying and the weight once both were mounted to the helmet even more annoying. Not to mention having to buy new battery packs every couple of months as theyd just give up holding charge and then have to be wary of them catching fire and burning down my house when charging.
The diablo and Maxx D were really bright, really good spread and depth of light on the Maxx D, both were super easy to fit with the added bonus of having built in batteries so no strapping battery packs to me or my frame. The tap feature on the diablo was super easy to use, thought the reflex on the Maxx D would dim it on the climbs more but I think its always learning so will dim more over time. Cant wait to more night rides now the evenings are drawing in.
Has anyone got any budget helmet light recommendations / is there a cheaper alternative to something like a Joystick?
I've previously been using an old Fenix LD20 torch but it has become increasingly unreliable, overheats and cuts out, and it isn't that bright compared to newer stuff so it's time to replace it. I've also had a cheap Cree torch (Single 18650) but that didn't last long at all.
I'd like it to be self contained with no external battery, as light as possible, as bright as possible and not cost too much (Less that £50?). Quite happy with another Fenix or similar but thought I'd ask to see if there are some better options that fit the bill?
Has anyone got any budget helmet light recommendations / is there a cheaper alternative to something like a Joystick?
I’ve previously been using an old Fenix LD20 torch but it has become increasingly unreliable, overheats and cuts out, and it isn’t that bright compared to newer stuff so it’s time to replace it. I’ve also had a cheap Cree torch (Single 18650) but that didn’t last long at all.
I’d like it to be self contained with no external battery, as light as possible, as bright as possible and not cost too much (Less that £50?). Quite happy with another Fenix or similar but thought I’d ask to see if there are some better options that fit the bill?
I had this exact requirement and ended up treating myself to an Exposure Axis, then shortly after I ordered a Chilli tech bullet cam Ive been getting adds for their lights which look pretty good.
I've no experience of their lights and the Exposure unit is lovely with a great mount and output, but I'd probably have taken punt on the £35 ish helmet light.
(The Exposure light is also over 3 times the output)
Has anyone got any budget helmet light recommendations / is there a cheaper alternative to something like a Joystick?
Bikehut
mr whippy, it might be worth just checking that the contacts on your existing units are not just tarnished if they use separate batteries. this can happen quite readily with the higher powered torches. just use scotchbrite or a kitchen scourer to clean them up if so. unless you just want new shiny. in which case exposure, and go the model up. having light and duration in reserve is a good thing.
Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I'll check out the Chilli & Bikehut ones.
I was thinking I may just be able to get some new batteries for the Fenix so I'll have a look at cleaning the connections whilst I'm at it.
And yes, if all else fails I'll get an Exposure!
I use a Moon Vortex Pro on my helmet for night riding (with a Bikehut 1600
on the bars).
Pretty compact / lighter than the previous 1850 Chinese torch thing I used before / within budget I’d have thought and you can get a cheap go pro mount for it for a fiver.
Been using mine a few years now with no issues.
Just ordered a Solarstorm X2 thanks to this thread. That can go on my helmet then I just need to try to set aside my hatred of Halfords and get the Bikehut 1600Lmn lite you all seem to be using
set aside my hatred of Halfords
Plenty of good basic stuff in there these days. Just don't have any work done.
For STVZO-style lights, these came up on a facebook ad thing..
ANyone used them?
https://www.outboundlighting.com/product/focal-series-road-edition/
Pricey, but looks good.
Not cheap, but very good, though unless you're wanting to ride fast on properly dark nights and twisty roads probably not enough better than the Ixon Core to justify the extra cost.
The Trail Edition is also nice, although I don't find the mounting as stable as Exposure lights.
