Review: Extreme Laser Tail R light by Extreme Lights

[Tubehunter]

Just got some of these delivered for myself and the better half.

http://www.extremelights.co.za/shop/rechargeable-5-led-laser-tail-light/

 

Did the EFT payment late on Thursday which meant bank clearance probably only Monday(different banks) and sitting with me today. Chose the RAM courier option with all the SAPO issues of late. Met my expectation of delivery.

 

 

Opened the box and was very pleasantly surprised. Paid 345 South African ronds for each with a 70bucks RAM courier charge on top, it seemed very reasonable for what I imagined would be middle of the road lighting for early morning and late afternoon rides. The quality of the kit is far better than I imagined! I have been hunting for a set of tail lights that illuminate a lane border on the road behind me for some time and really glad I decided on these! Surprisingly light for device of this size, which is just as impressive! Brightness in broad daylight is way cool too. Should be near epic when it's dark and matters most!

 

 

Have plugged it in to charge and will test it later and use it for motivation to get out of bed early enough to use tomorrow morning. Super stoked that the box included both a plug in wall charger and a USB cable charger! USB gets to stay at the office whilst the wall charger can go home so I can charge the light at both sites! (I do the odd commute from time to time)

 

Here's what's in the box!

 

 

So this is day 1. Charge time on first charge was roughly 2 hours and we'll see how much ride time that turns out to be in real use. So far I am excited with the purchase and eager to use this piece of kit. Will report back on battery life. Good job Hannes! More than satisfied at this point!

 

Anyone else got some of these? How are they holding up for you?

 

 

 

 

[Pure Savage]

Just got some of these delivered for myself and the better half.

http://www.extremelights.co.za/shop/rechargeable-5-led-laser-tail-light/

 

Did the EFT payment late on Thursday which meant bank clearance probably only Monday(different banks) and sitting with me today. Chose the RAM courier option with all the SAPO issues of late. Met my expectation of delivery.

 

IMG-20141125-00023.jpg

 

Opened the box and was very pleasantly surprised. Paid 345 South African ronds for each with a 70bucks RAM courier charge on top, it seemed very reasonable for what I imagined would be middle of the road lighting for early morning and late afternoon rides. The quality of the kit is far better than I imagined! I have been hunting for a set of tail lights that illuminate a lane border on the road behind me for some time and really glad I decided on these! Surprisingly light for device of this size, which is just as impressive! Brightness in broad daylight is way cool too. Should be near epic when it's dark and matters most!

 

IMG-20141125-00025.jpg

 

Have plugged it in to charge and will test it later and use it for motivation to get out of bed early enough to use tomorrow morning. Super stoked that the box included both a plug in wall charger and a USB cable charger! USB gets to stay at the office whilst the wall charger can go home so I can charge the light at both sites! (I do the odd commute from time to time)

 

Here's what's in the box!

 

IMG-20141125-00026.jpg

 

So this is day 1. Charge time on first charge was roughly 2 hours and we'll see how much ride time that turns out to be in real use. So far I am excited with the purchase and eager to use this piece of kit. Will report back on battery life. Good job Hannes! More than satisfied at this point!

 

Anyone else got some of these? How are they holding up for you?

To get up early enough to ride in the dark will be close to 4:30!!

[renburg]

From the rider's perspective, the bike lane beams are impressive however I am not so sure whether the same applies from the perspective of the driver of the motor vehicle.

[Tubehunter]

To get up early enough to ride in the dark will be close to 4:30!!

 

Eishhh, tell me about it! Might have to go to bed before supper tonight so that I can ride in the dark tomorrow morning... But come March next year, they will be worth their weight in gold!

[lechatnoir]

I have one, and the battery life's impressive. Can manage a couple of two or three hour rides on a single charge. i like the different modes - all on, all flashing or sequential flashing. I use sequential flashing, and that may explain the battery duration.

 

I question the value of the bike lanes, as the lasers aren't super strong, so the lines are quite faint unless it's black as midnight.

 

The collar that fits on the seat post is far to big for my bike (standard I think) so had to shim it with a few loops of inner tube.

 

I dropped it once, and the red lens popped off. I was afraid I'd broken it, but it snapped back on and no harm done. I may look at something to mitigate that happening in future (like not dropping it maybe)

[dirtypot]

I may look at something to mitigate that happening in future (like not dropping it maybe)

 

Good plan!  

 

 

I go on regular 4am rides, and I've looked at these in the past.  I'd be keen to see what it's like at night as I'm after something very bright.

[Tubehunter]

I have one, and the battery life's impressive. Can manage a couple of two or three hour rides on a single charge. i like the different modes - all on, all flashing or sequential flashing. I use sequential flashing, and that may explain the battery duration.

 

I question the value of the bike lanes, as the lasers aren't super strong, so the lines are quite faint unless it's black as midnight.

 

The collar that fits on the seat post is far to big for my bike (standard I think) so had to shim it with a few loops of inner tube.

 

I dropped it once, and the red lens popped off. I was afraid I'd broken it, but it snapped back on and no harm done. I may look at something to mitigate that happening in future (like not dropping it maybe)

 

Schweeeet so roughly 6 hours of riding before the recharge. I prefer the flashing mode myself and ride with at least 4 lights if I can get them all charged for the ride. 2 front and 2 back so that I have a back up on both sides whilst out riding. (Yes I look like a moving Christmas tree..)

[Broker]

I have a set of these:

 

Pro's:  Battery life

            Brightness of LED's

 

Con's: Lazer beam not effective from a motorist point of vie

           Can only mount on round seatpost. No option available for oval seatposts and not effective at all if not mount fairly high up and in centre of bike

 

Overall they are great lights. And the service from Extreme are excellent. They replaced mine when the one lazer beam stopped working

[V12man]

I ride one of these from Hannes - one of his first batch - usually I don't put the lasers on anymore (I prefere the battery life without them) but I do think motorists give more room with the laser lane indicators on.

 

My only issue is that lately (after more than a year of use) the on/off buttons seem to need to be held in a while to take effect.

 

What I would like to see is the ability to run these off my main headlight battery - in addition to using the built in battery - so as to have some backup on a ride - because there is no low battery indicator - which would also be useful.

[PieterJvR]

I also have one of these, not bought from extreme lights but from bradlights - but it is exactly the same light.  I have had it for more than a year, and must agree with a lot of the comments already made - the battery life is excellent, mine lasts at least 6-8 hours before I have to recharge.  The lights are very bright and visibility is good when on either of the flashing modes (according to a friend that drove behind me one day in his car  ) .

 

I can't comment on the lane lights as I have only used them during critical mass rides, and then I generally look like a Christmas tree in any case 

[Tubehunter]

I ride one of these from Hannes - one of his first batch - usually I don't put the lasers on anymore (I prefere the battery life without them) but I do think motorists give more room with the laser lane indicators on.

 

My only issue is that lately (after more than a year of use) the on/off buttons seem to need to be held in a while to take effect.

 

What I would like to see is the ability to run these off my main headlight battery - in addition to using the built in battery - so as to have some backup on a ride - because there is no low battery indicator - which would also be useful.

 

Indeed it would be useful to run this off the battery compartment. My main front light is also an Extreme Light. Got it with the groupon special year before last I think...  The hook up feature to that pack would be cool. Although I do have another battery source that could take the USB cable and simply use that to power\charge the light whilst riding. Will the light have all it's functions whilst it is charging though?? (Need to test this when I charge it next)

[V12man]

Will the light have all it's functions whilst it is charging though?? (Need to test this when I charge it next)

My one works while charging just fine.... I have left it on before while charging....

[Tubehunter]

To get up early enough to ride in the dark will be close to 4:30!!

 

:devil:  Woke up just before 4 and was out on the road at 4:30...

 

Lights worked awesome! They're very bright and it's noticeable that traffic seems to give you a wider berth!

[mulmi]

:devil: Woke up just before 4 and was out on the road at 4:30...

 

Lights worked awesome! They're very bright and it's noticeable that traffic seems to give you a wider berth!

I think this must be my xmas present. To me; with lots of love, me.

[Tubehunter]

I think this must be my xmas present. To me; with lots of love, me.

 

No way, mine were the exact same present....