Night Lights

[infernox]

Ola peeps

 

Just posting my review on some light, seeing as night riding has become a reality due to late working and the need to increase my skills.

 

First up:

****Serfas sl-400****

 

Small size and light in weight, comes with three AAA batteries to power the powerful 8 led light.

 

ITs square and comes with a easy to use (no tools) and easily adjustable mounting bracket.

Strange enough, after fitting the bracket and the light on it, its beam was perfectl infront of me. (i use richley bars)

 

It uses a quick release button for an easy way to secure to the bike and to remove when done, in the beginning this is a bit tight untill you get the hang of removing and fitting.

 

Beam quality is one of the best i have seen in terms of night riding. Leds usually give a solid white dot of light, yet this has a softer edge, allowing you to see more of the track without loosing clarity on wher exactly you are going.

It has two modes, the first of which is bright offering +-10 hours of light. WArning within this mode you could roast any living creatures which might venture into your path, before hitting them. This is apparently close to 700 candle power.

The second mode s a dim switch which offers longer burn time (up to 24 hours), but the difference is very small in the brightness. In the beginning i actually battled to see the difference in modes.

 

One thing this light offers is a status led on the top of the unit, allowing you to easily see in which mode you are and whether the batteries are in good condition.

 

Ease of use: the light swivels so you can adjust the light to look anywhere in a 360 degree arch and adjustment is fast and precice.

 

Recommended retail is: (this is a guess, i got mine as a gift) R150-250

 

****Knog Frog****

Now these are awesome little lights.

Batteres (cr3023) included and installed from the get go, these single led lights offer from 160-320 hours of lighting.

 

Two modes exist, the first which is a solid light, and is very bright and actually enough to see the track your riding on.

the second is a flashing mode which is bright and easy to see from a distance.

 

mounting is easy as it comes in a silicone casing, much like a folded rubber band and easily wraps around anything. up and down adjustment is made easily by just rotating the light on whatever you got it.

 

I used the white frog on a ride, without my SL400 and i could se the road easily, so i would rate this as a good beginner light and a fantastic "take me home light" (it also allows motorists to see you better when flashing and coupled with a headlight).

 

i use the red frog in my seat stem and it allows me to be seen for miles fron the back.

 

Suggested retails for this is R80-90

[MichH]

Please clarify infernox, are you talking about a light to see the road by, or a light to travel technical singletrack by? Beeeg difference!

[dirtrider]

These are lights to be seen Michh .

[infernox]

Sorry, im a off roader. although both tyres of light, i imaging would wourk well on road cycles. the knog frog is small and light and easy to install, thus making it a great light which allows drivers of cars etc to see you.

the serfas is a monster f a light, small and light yet enough power to blind a raging buffalo.
i must say when i ride on the tar/road parts of my regular trail and the single track, the lights perform without batting a eyelid and shine correctly and effeciantly to right where i want them.

[infernox]

the serfas is to see and the frogs to be seen.

[GoLefty!!]

With the Serfas, I guess the question is how much can you see.

We typically can see about 100m down the road with ours and about 40m across. BMW's stop at intersections for us...

 

W don't use Serfas..

[TitusTi]

Hey Lefty, be nice to the new people!

[Hendrik Petoors]

Lefty they are talking about MTB's NOT YOUR BMW TOURING BIKE....hou op om so gromgat te wees!!!!!!!

[GoLefty!!]

Ooops, Serfas are great lights...

 

 

Just not for Night MTB..

 

 

 

 

[MintSauce]

Infernox....don't take offence. If you ever see GoLefty's lights you'll understand.....they truely are f_en ridiculously bright! I want a pair badly!

 

 

 

 

[GoLefty!!]

ridiculously Bright??!

 

Ok if you call lighting up the trail for 150m of visibility ridiculous then so be it.

I call it essential

 

I'd like to the see the tree well before it hit it

[Hendrik Petoors]

I heard rumours that his lights are 110 watt Cibie Bi-Oscar Rally lights he stole from a works WRC Subaru Imprezza. I also heard he complained that the generator is way too heavy to tow and he hopes they will bring out a Titanium and Carbon Fibre Gennie soon!!!! Tee heee Hendrik Petoors2007-06-25 08:22:13

[GoLefty!!]

and Devesh PAtel is still wondering how he got those extra brake cooling ducts..

 

I chune you it's true ek se

[infernox]

dude, no problems here.

i just dont ride until midnight, so i dont need to purchase lights for a large sum of money, i get by with my serfas and can spend the rest of my money on things like new mavic rims

[AndreZA]

By the way guys, this is a "review" thread and not a discussion thread. Infernox gave a review on a product and it should be left there. Use or don't use it or review your own lights in another thread.

 

 

[ewep]

infernox, nice review.  Agree on the knogs, even though I only use it in flash mode.