Just 2 nites rides: Blackburn X6 vs Led Lenser B7

[Yellow Zebra]

Recently bought Blackburn X6 from a fellow Hubber, for night riding.

 

Used it once (so far!); here are my thoughts:

I got the light for a very good price (Less than R800), the lights are great quality, the battery is a (relatively) weak point. Used it on a 1h30 min night ride, went up the mountain with just one beam on (flood) and then came back down the mountain with both flood AND spot on - battery lasted no problem, (as it should have) and I was very comfortable on my first ride keeping us with some fastish riders using these lights.

 

I guess what I'm alluding to is it IS possible to get started with nite-rides with 2cnd hand/budget lights, while assesing what lights I will get around to buying once I know my Lumen from my Lux!

 

There are plenty of negative reports on this Systems battery (NiMh - later upgrades were Li-ion), yet it 'did th ejob', at a great price!

 

After just one ride, I returned the battery charger to the importers/agents, since while it was properly charging the battery but making a 'clicking' noise that concerned me.

 

Having no lights to ride with after just one ride, I purchased the new LEd-Lenser hand held torch, from Cape Union Mart (plenty of 'buzz' around these torches on the Web).

Cost was R499, it uses 4x AAA batteries, and it gives 230m 'reach', 2 hours on high beam, and 200 Lumens (stated, not measured).

I clipped it on to my handlebars, since the B7 comes ready with a cheapish (but effective, but ugly!) handlebar mount.

What I DID like versus the Blackburn was the lack of sepeprate battery pack and wiring, just slip the torch into the holder and ride!

 

Another very nice feature was focussing the beam from wide-angle, to spot, and back to wide-angle; simply slide the 'collar' at the front in or out, to change the beam pattern - super easy.

 

I rode up and down the mountain with it no problem, loved the beam adjustment, found there was enough light, and the torch was SOLID in it's mount. I could take the torch out of it's mount to help a fellow rider untangle a branch from his rear mech.

 

I really did enjoy the lack of wires, and the torch could be dimmed back to 70% with a click of the on/off button.

 

It does not come with a helmet mount, but I have an idea how to fabricate it...

 

Conclusion: I do like the all-in-one solution that a h/bar mounted torch offers, and the fact that the torch can be used off the bike/around the bike far easier than the Blackburns could. It might make a great helmet-light, to back-up the Blackburns, and I love the fact that no battery pack and wiring needs to be messed with.

 

It uses a Cree LED (don't know which one), all-in-all, a super little torch!

[walkerr]

Also been looking at this little light - I use one of their bigger lights for camping and it's brilliant

 

Any feedback/comments on battery life from extended use?