Product review - Solar Storm twin XML bike light
supersonic
Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
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.
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.
0
Posts
I much prefer having mine mounted to my helmet rather than the bars.
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
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
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.
Fun: Yeti SB66
Road: Litespeed C1, Cannondale Supersix Evo, Cervelo R5
Trainer: Bianchi via Nirone
Hack: GT hardtail with Schwalbe City Jets
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
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
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.
I've had a few evening rides cut short lately on the MTB so need something more than my 501b torches.
Scandal
Felt Roadie
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.
I have another on test soon - the 9 LED version! WTS.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
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.
Scandal
Felt Roadie
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200959831751? ... 1439.l2649
£15.99 + £1.99 P&P and that's a UK seller.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Generatio ... 2591f84f0b
My Cannondale Trail SL - SOLD
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
...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?
jeez :roll:
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.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
Nice review, i'm in the market for an upgrade to my original magicshine units
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
So yeah, feel free to he start them!
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
@Bigmitch_racing
2010 Specialized Tricross (commuter)
2014 Whyte T129-S
2016 Specialized Tarmac Ultegra Di2
Big Mitch - YouTube
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!!