Magicshine MJ-872 vs MJ-880 (vs Hope Vision 2)

springtide9

Hi All,

Now that the weather is improving slightly and it's not so cold, I currently want to start getting a few training miles in during the week, so looking at lights!

I currently have a Hope Vision 2 front light, which puts out 480 lumens (or should I say that is the spec). I used this last week and although it was fine, I could really do with a little more light TBH.

I don't want to go completely OTT on an Exposure light due to the cost, so have been looking at the cheap Chinese Magicshine lights as an alternative.

The two Magicshine lights that seem interesting are the MJ-872 and the MJ-880. Obviously I have read the specs (1600 & 2000 lumens), so appear to be roughly 3x the output of my Vision 2.

The design of the MJ-880 looks very similar to the Hope Vision 2 and obviously has more power and is more expensive. The MJ-872 seems more popular on EBay and is a reasonably amount cheaper.

The batteries also look a bit of a lump to be handing from my carbon frame, so just wondering if they could be made to fit into a water bottle? (maybe someone has done this?)

From the 'facts and figures', the MJ-880 looks on paper the better light, but the MJ-872 seems more of a bargain. Reliability appears to be pretty good, as there are a few failures mentioned on the web, but most feedback appears to be very positive.

If the opinion that they might not offer that much more than my Hope Vision 2 in terms of lighting, please say so.

Any recommendations of the two lights? Or better still, has anyone used/owned both lights?

Thanks in advance,

graham_g

I take it you mean for off-road rides? I really struggle to see how anyone would need more than a Hope Vision 2 for road riding. Besides, those magicshine lights (i've got the 872 fo ruse off-road) are unlikely to be an improvement - they spew out light to such a ridiculous degree that you have to point it right down to avoid blinding other road users; you need a focussed lens that is the equivalent of a dipped car headlight in terms of beam pattern.

springtide9

The request was for 'on the road'.

It sounds like the MJ-872 is a non starter due to the inability to focus the light properly for road use.

Most of the time the Vision 2 is ideal; but on roads with no lighting (and bad potholes), I could really do with a little more light, as at the moment, as I can see the potholes with the Vision 2, but just in time to reduce the impact rather an avoid.

Anyone know if the MJ-880 has a similar issue with the bream pattern for road use? (the MJ-816 doesn't look that much better than the MJ-872)

maddog 2

the 872 is miles brighter than the Hope Vision 2 8)

I run an old Vision 2 on my commuter and it does alright on unlit roads but the 872 is way, way brighter. Not even close. Too much for road work IMO, although you can obviously run it on medium. I don't run one myself but three of my mates do (offroad).

If you want a brighter light than the Vision2 then then the Exposure cans are good - tidy and bright and well made, if pricey. Or maybe just a good Cree/Ultrafire torch... cheaper but still punchy, if a little narrow in the beam pattern.

hopper1

You can get aftermarket diffusers for the MS lights that alter the beam pattern.
I'll try to find the link...

bendertherobot

The MJ872 is excellent. So you might wonder why I sold mine.

Only two things, the spread could be more focused, but it is very very bright.

And having to have a separate battery. I commute a lot and have 3 bikes so moving it is annoying.

It'll run for ages on 50% and 50% is enough to light your way very well.

I swapped it for an Exposure Strada which I got for £90 on ebay. Which is that little bit more focused. And a good deal I reckon. But only for me because I do more road riding than anything else and want to swap between bikes easier (I've got 2 mounts).

nferrar

As has been said - the magicshine lights are great for getting a lot of light for little money (I use an MJ872 off-road) but the beam pattern is far from ideal on-road. In a previous thread someone posted a pic of a home made cowl/shroud they'd done using a beer can, to stop the light dazzling on-coming traffic which is the only way I'd use one on-road.
The up-spec battery from the UK supplier of the MJ872 is indeed a hefty lump and I doubt would fit in a water bottle (although you could take the innards out I guess. Best bet would be to run it under the stem I think, assuming you have space.
It's still pricey but the Exposure Strada is on offer atm from CRC so worth a look (It's what I use on-road, although it could do with being a bit brighter for fast descending on unlit roads but easy enough to use your brakes a bit more ).

springtide9

Thanks for the replies. Again looks like the 872 is definitely out of the question.... the main reason for asking this question in the road thread was to understand the bream pattern for use on the road... I live in Bristol, so best not blind a load of car or bus drivers, otherwise you'll never know what will happen.

Other options I have seen @ PX (which I am assuming might be more suitable for road use) are:

Cree 900 Lumens MC-E LED B9 Bike Light Kit
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/LIC ... _light_kit

Cree 1600 Lumens XM-L T6 LED Bike Light Kit
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/LIC ... _light_kit

LUU EXTREME 2 CELL 900 Lumens Multi Function LED Light Kit
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/LIL ... _light_kit

Anyone have or have owned any of these? Sorry for all the questions... Just can't justify £220 for the Strava at the moment, so looking for a cheaper option.

springtide9

Update:
Well after reading many reviews I came to the conclusion that a lot of the cheaper lights don't have great reflectors - especially for road use.

I pondered for a while and trolled the internet, and came across the Hope Vision R4's on CRC for £212 for the Epic version (which was pretty cheap compared to other sites).... and by the time I got home CRC sent me a £10 'please come back' voucher as they obviously registered I was 'browsing' - but hadn't purchased in a while... so the R4 got ordered.

Not sure what this will be like on the road, but figured the battery/charger will probably be the same as my Vision 2 and it gets decent enough reviews, and have been pleased with my Vision 2. CRC also have the Vision 2 for £125, which seemed very good value (seen 2nd ones well for not much less on EBay)

Thanks for all your help.. even if I did buy something that wasn't recommended.