New Cateye SL 110 Loop Lights

UKScooby

Anyone else seen / bought the new SL 110 loop light.

I bought the other day as a backup set, but decided to actually fit to my helmet - the things we need to do to try and stay alive.

Not best please at the minute. Firstly the 'press' on top of the toggle snapped off as soon as a tried adjusting the length - clearly not up to scratch (I work in plastics - correct material - wrong design - too weak).

The biggest problem through is the lights - they start for about 30 seconds in either constant or flashing mode - then go out.

Anyone else had any experience ?

The same can't be said of my new TL 1100 main rear light - excellent.

grahamcp

From what you say, they sound like complete rubbish and if I were you I'd send them back and get a refund.

I had a Cateye Single Shot Plus for the last two years. Bracket design a load of rubbish (common problem) so I've just sent that back and will be buying something that isn't a cateye to replace.

UKScooby

Silly things

Just in the middle of starting to email the UK distributor when I thought - what if I take out the batteries and pop them back in ?

Hey presto. The lights start to work correctly

Didn't say anything about that in the next to none existent instructions. And still doesn't account for the design issues on the clip.

alfablue

UKScooby wrote:

Silly things

Just in the middle of starting to email the UK distributor when I thought - what if I take out the batteries and pop them back in ?

If you get any help from them (Zyro) I will be absolutely amazed - I always check who is the distributor now after their atrocious (non) handling of a Cateye warranty issue. Now I won't buy any product they distribute, or if I "have" to, I'll get it from Wiggle.

Saw those lights in the LBS - it said "try me" and I couldn't even turn it on!

UKScooby

That's the other design issue in my opinion - too hard to turn on. Yes, you don't want to turn on accidentally - but someone like my wife with poor hands wouldn't manager at all.

The switch is almost a pressure point - nothing sticking out. The problem though is probably the plastic housing. Its quite rigid, a softer material would be available - but at extra cost !!

Now they are on though they a damn bright.

brokenbetty

UKScooby wrote:

The biggest problem through is the lights - they start for about 30 seconds in either constant or flashing mode - then go out..

I just bought one of these today as my main light has lousy side visibility.

The 30 second thing is demo mode - they are set up like that so the batteries don't drain in the shop. You should have got a little card that explains how to switch it into normal mode - the guy in the shop did it for me when I paid (I guess they've had to explain it to a lot of disgruntled customers!)

Anyway, sounds like removing the battery did it for you, but if anyone else has the same problem, to switch off demo mode you hold the on switch down for about 30 secs, until you get a sequence of about 5 quick flashes.

Liz

kevbh

wish I had read this before buying one. Bought mine at Evans and nothing was mentioned about the demo mode. Just been knocked off today as unknown to me the rear light had switched off 20 seconds after setting off. when I say knocked off I wasn't actually hit as the car swerved at the last minuete when he spotted the reflective strip on my jacket but as I also panicked and swerved, I hit the dyke to my left and fell into the road on my right. the car stopped to see if I was ok but I was amazed when he asked if I was ok. Got a sore wrist and a nice chunk out of my Carbon frame. Any thoughts?

UKScooby

Sorry to hear of the prang - and glad that you are more or less intact. Its bad enough during daylight when people try and take you out.
As pointed out earlier there were yellow labels in with the lights mentioning the demo mode. I thought I had followed those instructions - but failed clearly. The only way I seemed to clear the problem was by taking out the batteries. Cateye would rely on that label.
As stated in my earlier post I actually have these one my helmet to supplement the lower lights. I am now finding them very bright and when past the teething issues highlighted I would now say they do their job. I have them in flash mode and in particular notice the front one which lights up the road signs as you go past them.
For a true brilliant rear light I would recommend the TL-LD 1100 rear light. Two rows of 5 LEDS running off 2AA batteries. You can use one or both rows, flashing, scrolling and constant. Its just getting back to the point to turn them off that takes a few pushes. And everyone sees you - so I'm told.
You're OK - that's what counts. Bit like me writing the car off as I forgot to fasten the bonnet !

cougie

Lucky you're ok - you cant rely on just one light at the rear though - anything can fail. I always have 2 - at least.