Marvel Pro 900 Lumen Light - good or bad?

[ChrisF]

I'm not trashing it. The product itself can be bought from many places as I have linked. I do a huge amount of research before buying and I looked at Marvel. CWC is well respected brand and Marvel isn't. Also why I said I would feel more reassured if it was branded CWC.

 

I am also not trashing CWC (Which I know is Hub suicide anyway). Just my 2c on a light that someone asked about and just my personal opinions about the branding thereof.

 

Some would say that negative comments about Marvel is the same suicide path ....

 

 

Though neither you nor I said anything negative about the "Marvel house brand".

 

 

 

 

Though I DO agree with you ... would instill a bit more confidence in the range of products if CWC were to attach their own name to the range. 

 

 

A philosopher might reason that if "they" (the various house brand owners) dont have enough trust in it to attach their name to it, then ....  Yet so many businesses have pulled off this business model over the decades ....

[Dexter-morgan]

I have one, had to have the battery repacked @ justbatteries in Benoni and that cost R320, so its a good deal

[RiverInTheRoad]

I have had a 2400 lumen china unit which was stolen. I bought the Marvel yesterday and used it tonight.

 

Honestly it gets the same job done as my 2400 unit. If you are going to use the light 3 times a week get a proper Lezyne or Cateye or whatever.

 

For recreational use the Marvel 900 is great and Im happy with my purchase and don't mis my fancy unit.

[duanelr]

Hi all, thanks for the comments and advice. In a dramatic turn of events I have ordered myself a headlamp from ExtremeLights at pretty much the same price as the Marvel 900 light from CWC. 

 

https://www.extremelights.co.za/collections/headlamps/products/hp3a-headlamp

 

For almost the same price I thought I'd go for the headlamp. Smaller, lighter and more versatile. Can wear it on my head, strap it to the bike and can use it in non cycling applications like camping, running. Also has red light feature. Claimed 30 hour battery life (vs 12 hour max on the marvel 900).

 

Sure it's only rated at 160 lumens (vs the original 900 lumens), but the reviews seems to suggest that this is adequate for night time riding.  Reviews also seem to say that the beam / light profile is good. Also has a 1 year warranty. Reviews also suggest after sales is very good from ExtremeLights. 

 

Needs AAA batteries instead of recharging a separate battery, this can be good or bad. We'll see. 

 

Delivery 2 to 3 days so hopefully should have it before the weekend starts. If anyone is interested I'll report back on Monday. 

 

Thanks all

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's only good for night time riding if you're gravel grinding, or want to be seen. And, the Marvel also has a head strap, afaik. 

 

For proper night time riding, you'll need a proper unit (like that marvel was)

[Shebeen]

Someone correct me if i'm wrong. It's a light straight from china branded with "Marvel" but might as well be branded CWC. Extreme lights could be made in the same factory but they offer a whole lot more than just the product.

 

I would rather go on Aliexpress and buy the exact same light than support this. (I won't buy K-way for the similar reasons  ). Better yet, go on to Alibaba, find any manufacturer, and get a sample with your own name under the pretense that you are starting your own 'brand'. Chat in some broken english and pay only shipping and have the same light with your own name or logo on it. 

 

It's just a lazy product with no local R&D or any value add. Even the logo has no thought behind it. My 2c. 

 

Edit: If you want a light straight from China buy it straight from China (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/High-Quality-Powerful-Bright-Rechargeable-LED_60699661520.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.144.15b72acfn06nTc)

 

It might not be the exact same battery, but you can see everything else matches, even the headlamp bit.

this post....sjoe wee, did Chris jnr steal your chick or something?

 

Where to start?

Go to a whole lot of effort. or just pay R320 for a light that works just fine?

 

I've bought stuff from alibaba, Dx, cwc. You will have to look pretty hard to beat this deal.

[Dieter ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

this post....sjoe wee, did Chris jnr steal your chick or something?

 

Where to start?

Go to a whole lot of effort. or just pay R320 for a light that works just fine?

 

I've bought stuff from alibaba, Dx, cwc. You will have to look pretty hard to beat this deal.

Hahaha no no, I just wanted to highlight that the exact same product can be bought elsewhere for cheaper. (Seeing that cost was such an important aspect) 

 

It is a lot more convenient to get it from CWC that's for sure! Can be a hassle dealing with some of the companies overseas    

[Dieter ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's only good for night time riding if you're gravel grinding, or want to be seen. And, the Marvel also has a head strap, afaik. 

 

For proper night time riding, you'll need a proper unit (like that marvel was)

 Yeah that won't be bright enough unfortunately 

 

A headlight is amazing paired with a handle bar light so you can see around corners in tight sections, so not all is lost!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 Yeah that won't be bright enough unfortunately 

 

A headlight is amazing paired with a handle bar light so you can see around corners in tight sections, so not all is lost!

Ja, but I'd still want something like the Marvel on my head, instead of that little thing. 

[ChrisF]

Ja, but I'd still want something like the Marvel on my head, instead of that little thing. 

 

JIP

 

Depending what the OP want it for ....

 

 

"to be seen" ... most lights take care of that.

 

"to be able to see" .... LUMENS !  and light/beam spread ....

 

 

Commuting, and often doing it in the DARK I get to use my lights often enough.  Handle bar mount is my FIRST choice - it lights up where the bike is going.  My head moves around, checking for traffic, side roads etc .... I certainly prefer a PRIMARY very bright light source to light up the road ahead of me.  Then I also have a flashing white light "to be seen".

 

 

A head mounted unit may be handy to be able to see other areas as well, but certainly not my primary concern on a commute.

 

 

(and yes a couple of tail lights as well)

[Pusher]

Hi all, thanks for the comments and advice. In a dramatic turn of events I have ordered myself a headlamp from ExtremeLights at pretty much the same price as the Marvel 900 light from CWC. 

 

https://www.extremelights.co.za/collections/headlamps/products/hp3a-headlamp

 

For almost the same price I thought I'd go for the headlamp. Smaller, lighter and more versatile. Can wear it on my head, strap it to the bike and can use it in non cycling applications like camping, running. Also has red light feature. Claimed 30 hour battery life (vs 12 hour max on the marvel 900).

 

Sure it's only rated at 160 lumens (vs the original 900 lumens), but the reviews seems to suggest that this is adequate for night time riding.  Reviews also seem to say that the beam / light profile is good. Also has a 1 year warranty. Reviews also suggest after sales is very good from ExtremeLights. 

 

Needs AAA batteries instead of recharging a separate battery, this can be good or bad. We'll see. 

 

Delivery 2 to 3 days so hopefully should have it before the weekend starts. If anyone is interested I'll report back on Monday. 

 

Thanks all

At least you can use it to braai at night!

[Neverfit]

Hi all, thanks for the comments and advice. In a dramatic turn of events I have ordered myself a headlamp from ExtremeLights at pretty much the same price as the Marvel 900 light from CWC. 

 

https://www.extremelights.co.za/collections/headlamps/products/hp3a-headlamp

 

For almost the same price I thought I'd go for the headlamp. Smaller, lighter and more versatile. Can wear it on my head, strap it to the bike and can use it in non cycling applications like camping, running. Also has red light feature. Claimed 30 hour battery life (vs 12 hour max on the marvel 900).

 

Sure it's only rated at 160 lumens (vs the original 900 lumens), but the reviews seems to suggest that this is adequate for night time riding.  Reviews also seem to say that the beam / light profile is good. Also has a 1 year warranty. Reviews also suggest after sales is very good from ExtremeLights. 

 

Needs AAA batteries instead of recharging a separate battery, this can be good or bad. We'll see. 

 

Delivery 2 to 3 days so hopefully should have it before the weekend starts. If anyone is interested I'll report back on Monday. 

 

Thanks all

Very nice head lamp and will pair well with your Marvel 900.....oh wait...

Seems you might have to place the order for a Marvel within 2-4 days.... and just tell the missus the N+1 formula is applicable to lights as well. Can never have enough batteries and lights.

Unfortunately a 160 lumen head unit will not be sufficient for trails at night. That's just asking for gravity hugs.

Bite the bullet and order the 900, with both those lights you will be very happy to go almost anywhere at night. Nothing sucks more than not seeing where you are going on a night ride.

Good luck

[Shebeen]

just remember the "you can never have too much light" argument comes from the days of homemade dichroics in plumbing fittings with lead acid gel batteries on your top tube and strapping maglites to your handlebars. It is no longer relevant with todays lights.

 

anything above 300 lumens is actually fine for singletrack nightriding*

no it really is.above that, the beam pattern becomes more of an issue than actual lumen output

 

 

[i qualify this statement by having ridden the Freedom challenge with a 50lumen Petzl Myo XP, which was considered bright then]

[GrahamS2]

just remember the "you can never have too much light" argument comes from the days of homemade dichroics in plumbing fittings with lead acid gel batteries on your top tube and strapping maglites to your handlebars. It is no longer relevant with todays lights.

 

anything above 300 lumens is actually fine for singletrack nightriding*

no it really is.above that, the beam pattern becomes more of an issue than actual lumen output

 

 

[i qualify this statement by having ridden the Freedom challenge with a 50lumen Petzl Myo XP, which was considered bright then]

I do a fair bit of night riding, both cane road and fast single track. I've found anything under 1000 lumens to be a compromise, unless you're content with taking your time. I went from a 1000 lumen unit to a 3000 lumen one, and it's been a revelation for me on the singletrack. Particularly since my night vision is not the greatest   But your comment on beam pattern is spot on!

[Martin PJ]

I have two of these lights, they are great.

 

I have bought many Aliexpress lights and gave up eventually on Aliexpress and lights. Not had success with their batteries, which all seem to be rubbish. Brand new battery not lasting one hour, sometime not even half an hour.

 

This one last three hours plus on high beam which is proper high beam.

[Mongoose!]

 

 

This one last three hours plus on high beam which is proper high beam.

 

that is quit impressive.

wonder if it is still on sale for R320 ?