Product review - Solar Storm twin XML bike light

supersonic

http://www.dx.com/p/y-002-2-x-cree-xm-l ... supersonic

The first thing you notice is the no frills packaging - it comes loose in a plain cardboard box, no instructions, just a collection of parts. Not that you need instructions, it's not exactly nuclear physics trying to get the thing to work. A simple O ring (two sizes are included) secure the head unit to the bars, a well sealed battery pack velcros to your frame, clip the wires together and you're off. And charging is a similar affair, simply unplug the wires and swap them into the supplied charger (though you will need a plug adapter in the uk).

And what a head unit! The diminutive size comes as bit of a shock, it really is tiny! But it looks to be well made, it being machined from aluminium with pronounced cooling fins and some effective looking sealing around the back panel. A three stage run time meter sits alongside the power switch which toggles between four modes, high, medium, low and a fast strobe. Inside are two CREE XM-L2 T6 LED emitters and, whilst not the very latest in the range, are still high powered and efficient units. Using two in this arrangement for the claimed 1200 lumens, rather than driving one really hard, has theoretical runtime and further efficiency advantages.

But all this means nothing if it doesn't perform, so once fully charged (it takes about 4 hours) it was strapped to the bike and thrown into the dark wilderness... At first the output seemed slightly underwhelming. After using a cheap generic single CREE XML T6 for a few weeks, the twin Solar Storm did not seem as bright at all, and it certainly doesn't have the outright punch. But the reasons soon became obvious - rather than having a piercing central spot and fainter peripheral, the beam spread is much more uniform. To most people this a more useful spread of light, and it soon became apparent on the trail when you realise you can simply see much more of the trail. With no halos nor beam artifacts the whole results is very pleasing on the eye, further enhanced by the mount which stayed rock solid throughout the testing period. A bit of rain caused no problems, but the unit runs very, very hot at full whack. This is one light you are going to have to keep moving with (or turn down when stopped) as those sort of temps cannot be good for the LEDs. Runtime wasn't as good as claimed - somewhere near two hours, but that's fair going and extra battery packs are easily available. The power meter jumps quick from full to empty too, so be on your guard when the first green LED goes out. Also these power LEDs slowly drain the battery, so is wise to disconnect when not in use.

So far the unit has been reliable, but further testing and an internal examination of the heat sinking is in order to see how it will perform in the long run. But let's cut to the chase though. This thing is twenty two quid delivered!. Compare that to other similarly specced lights and you'll wonder just how do they do it?

VERDICT: For the money nothing comes close. Runtime could be a little better, and if you want more of a spot look elsewhere, but this is splitting hairs - for 99% of us the performance of this light is all you'll ever need.

9/10

Beam shots to follow.

punkatron1

Excellent write up supersonic. I have one of these too and its brilliant. I've used it in driving rain on a few winters nights and there were no problems with water ingress. Agreed that it goes from full to empty quickly, but i'm getting 3 hours out of it so not really a problem. A true bargain.

nick-gti

I too have one of these lights as do two of my mates I'm very happy with it. I did find on mine that the light can read its empty (one flashing LED) but if you unplugged it for 20 seconds and plugged it back in the battery level returned to two lit LED's which was more realistic considering it was fully charged and only had an hours use.

I much prefer having mine mounted to my helmet rather than the bars.

ricardo_smooth

I've one of these too. great VFM and spare batteries are cheap enough too

JMcP92

How is the mounting on this light if you don't mind my asking?
I had a similar cheap-ish bike light off Amazon not long ago, and it worked fine but the light body disconnected from the mounting, essentially meaning it would only work at a very certain position, which as is to be predicted, it didn't stay there with MTB-ing, making for some very dark sketchy sections :P

In short, mounting seem solid and reliable? Tempted to get one now

ricardo_smooth

Yes it's solid and reliable

supersonic

So far so good, as it has been with others of similar ilk. I'm going to get more extensive testing done and keep this thread updated. But honestly... at that price... get one. Get three!

brucie45

Well I don't normally ride in the dark due to having no lights and I have never wanted to get some due to cost and getting a decent set with good VFM. After seeing your review and recommendation I have ordered some today. Cheer SuperSonic

JodyP

Bought one of these at Christmas and it really is a great light, especially for the money. Decided to buy a hope quick release mount bracket which works a treat.

Chunkers1980

Can anyone provide a direct link to this exact light - I'm not sure which it is - I'd like to get the one as reviewed to be safe. Thanks

paulbox

I have a couple of similar lights, one of which came from DX and they have been awesome.

But after hearing a few stories I've always been a bit worried about the batteries overheating when being charged. This means that I won't leave them charging overnight or when I'm out. Any thoughts on this SS?

One other thought, a bit left field... I feel that these amazing lights have actually taken away some of the fun of night-riding. I.e. they are so good that it's almost like riding in daylight.

Paul.

JodyP

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Can anyone provide a direct link to this exact light - I'm not sure which it is - I'd like to get the one as reviewed to be safe. Thanks

This is which one I bought. Paid a little extra as it was from a UK supplier and it was the U2 version. Supersonic put a link to the light he reviewed on the first post.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SolarStorm-Ho ... 99b5ee9984

Angus Young

Looks like astonishing value. Must be made by children.

The Northern Monkey

Are the lights not too close together to give a decent/consistent flood?

Similar to on a car, I find it best to have the torches on my bars as far away from each other as possible (ie at either end of the bars) to give a really good flood of light across the whole the trail.

ricardo_smooth

They work well is all I know. I have one of these in huge bars and a different light on my helmet

mcnultycop

How is the light performing in the longer term (appreciating nights have been getting lighter since the original review was posted)?

I've had a few evening rides cut short lately on the MTB so need something more than my 501b torches.

rockmonkeysc

I have one of these.
It's ok. Run time isn't great, 2 hours max but used as a second light for technical sections and turned off for climbs and fire roads it's ideal.
The charger can get quite hot, I wouldn't leave it on overnight or while I'm out.

supersonic

As above really, more like two hours, but for the money, again - unbeatable.

I have another on test soon - the 9 LED version! WTS.

rockmonkeysc

Lights have come down in price massively over the last five years.
In 2010 I bought a 180 lumen Light and Motion Stella for £200 it's still going great and the 5 hour battery life is brilliant but the battery is more than twice the size and weight of these Solar Storm twin lights and not in the same league for brightness.

mcnultycop

2 hours is plenty for me on a post work evening ride. I'll look into one come payday (depending on the 9 LED review)..

supersonic

A tenth the output, should be longer! but yes, the march forwards with tech and price is staggering. Except for the crap tech we don't need.

rockmonkeysc

I bought my Solar Storm on ebay direct from China. Cost me £30 but took four months to arrive! I got a refund after two months and forgot about it.

Craig24

Is this the newer version of the light? Claims to be, with new "Waterproof battery with silicon Jacket from UniqueFire"


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Generatio ... 2591f84f0b

supersonic

So many slight variations - no doubt prices are coming down fast.

FishFish

supersonic wrote:

http://www.dx.com/p/y-002-2-x-cree-xm-l2-t6-1200lm-4-mode-white-bicycle-light-black-silver-4-x-18650-259653#.Uw_-YuOSxvk?utm_source=bike&utm_medium=review&utm_campaign=supersonic

it's not exactly nuclear physics trying to get the thing to work.

...actually it is. The generation of electrical current does depend in part on an atomic nucleus.

but your review is good - is this the one that a company canvassed this site for reviewers?

supersonic

I'll keep an eye on those electrons and charge transfer ;-)

Yes, they asked for product reviewers, and a few of the people that replied were chosen. Is unpaid - but something I've enjoyed doing as a rider, rather than an out and out tester.

itboffin

I think there's generally a lack of rider kit reviews on this forum, I tried to kick a thread off a few years back but as is usually the case over on the darkside of the forum it went rapidly OT

Nice review, i'm in the market for an upgrade to my original magicshine units

supersonic

I'm all for more reviews, I've started general review threads off before. If they do start to get out of hand I can always wield my secret mod hammer ;-)

So yeah, feel free to he start them!

bigmitch41

Im on my second Solarstorm now, the first lasted a year before dying (cant complain for £20) so ordered the same again without hesitation, these are brillliant little lights!

Schoie81

BigMitch41 wrote:

Im on my second Solarstorm now, the first lasted a year before dying (cant complain for £20) so ordered the same again without hesitation, these are brillliant little lights!

I'm giving them a go based on the comments in this thread!! Arrived in the post this morning - can't wait to try it out!!

Schoie81

Update on my experience.... loving this light!! Had it about 6 weeks now so can't comment on long term durability, but so far I can't fault it at all. The instructions (doesn't come with instructions, they're on the ebay page...) are vague to say the least, I'm still not really sure how long to charge the battery for but I'm working on the assumption that when the light turns green its fully charged. The indicator leds on the back of the light also seem a little but 'vague'. They're supposed to show:- 80-100% battery - 3 lights, 50-80% - 2 lights, 30-50% 1 light and once the last light starts flashing, you've got 30mins left. The first light seems to go out on mine after about 10minutes, and the second one not too long afterwards, which led me to think a full charge wasn't going to last long, but the last light goes on forever!! I rode home from work last night having forgotten to charge the battery, so was worried it might not last, but its lasted home and back again this morning. So I decided to leave it on at work and see how long it does last - I have it on the first (lowest) power mode which is plenty bright enough for me and so far I've had nearly 8 hours out of it since the last charge, and its still on!! Battery life seems great.

Light stays on bars well enough with the rubber ring fastening design and the light got me through a 30minute ride in torrential rain with no ill-effects. All in all, for less than £17 I am more than happy with this light. It is far better than the £30 light it has replaced. Would happily recommend them to anyone.