You always give outstanding reviews irrespective of what you’re reviewing, certainly detailed to the tenth degree, would love if you ever think of purchasing a Mini P handle bar , as you probably already know the original P handle bar when used had a shorter stem to allow for the hight of the handle bars, so after market came up with the mini P version to accommodate for the longer stems , the people I’ve seen riding with them have been very complimentary and wished they changed sooner, so it would be nice to get your opinion if you ever decide to review it. Take care cousins across the pond.
@@2Bikes4Adventure nobody better to look at a product than you guys , unbelievable how in-depth you go , always a pleasure watching your videos, take care you two.
That’s great! Thanks for your prompt contact! Your reviews are exceptionally well made, and to the point! Great I can review some details! Thanks! Pedro Borges
You make some very good points. Before watching I had opted for the Brompton because of the included bracket; however, this fails to provide any up and down adjustment (the bracket can be bent, of course).
It's all about the ever important mounting bracket with Brompton parts. If you really want to make best use of the limited and valuable space on a Brompton, their gear usually works best unless your hack can also provide optimal light beam angle.
My Brompton 500LM developed cracks by the LED. I have never dropped it. The next light I bought is the Nite Rider Lumina OLED1200. It has a metal heat sink and so far, no cracks. The cracks happened about 6 months after installing it.
Usually avoiding riding at night, but for rare cases I use head mounted spotlights: it's not attached to a handlebar, so it's not shaking, it's following your point of view (you can turn head up/down/left/right), it can be used outside the bike and keep your hands free to install the tent for example. Often you can choose a light temperature - warmer or colder, as you like, lenses for long and short distance, some models have both. The head mount can be detached for using in hands or wearing by the clip on a pocket or a strap of a backpack. But I've never tried to use it with a helmet, as I ride most time out of tarmac so I don;t use one - don't know if it will fit well on a helmet.
We have been known to use helmet mounted lights on occasion ( a Fenix and a Streamtlight ). Note that in some countries, they do not meet minimum legal requirement for riding in the dark (both front and rear lights needing to be fixed on the bicycle). They do provide excellent additional/directional illumination however (and quite practical off the bike as well).
i have the cateye AMPP 400, which I just mount on the handlebars. Cost is only around £20 (GBP) and it's bright enough for dark lanes and is also a good 'be seen' light in flashing mode. I think the run times are longer than the AMPP 500.
An AMPP400 at 20GBP is excellent value for money. It has the same battery capacity as the AMPP500 (2200mAh), but slightly less lumen, translating in longer runtime (2.0h vs 1.5h according to Cateye)
Thanks for another great video! Brompton sells its light for how much? A $100 light made of plastic, with micro USB and light distribution worthy of only the cheapest lights? Some of other lights you reviewed are not better in many regards like why app for everything even bike light! I recently got myself an Aliexpress light. The brand is Offbondage (silly name I know but it also comes with other branding) but the light is so good, costing only £9 ($13). It's made of aluminium, USB C and 4800mAh cell inside. Good light pattern with top of beam cut out, like on German approved STVzO lights and some red side markers.
I got a Trigo mounting bracket and the Cat Eye version of the Brompton light. The mounting bracket is great. The light itself is ok but the battery life is rather short and for the micro-USB I carry a small adapter so I can charge it with my regular USB-C cable (+ adapter usb-c=>micro-usb).
Nice video, however one of the major traits I look for in a light is not discussed. It would be nice to know how easily repairable these lights are. Can you buy a battery alone? Can you easily replace it?
As mentioned in the video, the ALLTY 1500S as a replaceable battery ($50), a characteristic that is seldomly found in rechargeable bicycle front light.
Only a single light (the Magic Shine) has the mounting point at the center of gravity. I will never understand how engineers can engineer the mounting point of a heavy object (which is used in a shaky environment) (=many bike paths) anywhere else but the center of gravity. But they do it all the time, especially with bicycle lights...
Having a set of spare (rechargeable) AA/AAA batteries while touring brings peace of mind. It took us a while to leave our AA powered GPS and bike lights behind and jump on the USB rechargeable band wagon. Still regret it some times (especially when the battery dies while riding).
Thanks. V helpful. Best thing I did was to put a Son dynamo coupled with an Edelux 2 front light. Yes, expensive but excellent when riding on unlit roads. Thanks again
I've been waiting for this video since you mentioned it in the last one, thank you! I have the Brompton AMPP500, and have generally liked it but the Ravemen model looks like a significant step up. I don't particularly care about the longer life of the LR1600 (I don't ride for more than 45 minutes at night), but the brighter output and better beam pattern (at 2:45) are compelling, as is USB-C charging. The blinding beam pattern of the Magicshine model unfortunately immediately excludes it from my consideration. Can one mount either of these alternative lights on the fork mount included with the Brompton AMPP500, if one were interested in switching/upgrading? Or must one purchase something like the linked Rockbros front light bracket? Thank you as always for another thoughtful, deep, and interesting video.
Unfortunately, there is no direct compatibility with the Cateye/Brompton bracket. Some hack would be required. The easiest could be to upgrade to a more powerful Cateye (ex.: AMPP800 or AMPP1100) and keep your existing bracket. Not sure the beam pattern would be different, but it would certainly be stronger.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for your reply. Staying within the CatEye AMPP family does sound like the easiest. Mounting the Brompton AMPP500 bracket on the fork / front fender was a bit of a pain, so it'd be nice to re-use that mount. I'm disappointed that CatEye continues using the aging and orientation specific micro USB connector across their product lines. It's another cable to keep track of and squint at when charging. As the days are getting longer maybe I'll stick with what I have for now and see what options look like next fall.
Your reviews are great, technical, and useful - thank you! But they are too fast! I was trying to see the differences times and characteristics, but could not follow your descriptions nor the graphics! Please slow down the overall pace of the information! I stopped the video, rewinded several times, but even them it was difficult! But thanks anyway!
Hi Peter, if you find any video on UA-cam too fast to digest, there are two features which can be very helpful -- the first is to turn on the closed captioning, by clicking on the "CC" button. Pam and Gilbert have taken the time to provide English captions, though UA-cam also offers an "auto-generated" feature that attempts to offer captions based on speech to text processing. You can choose between captions by clicking on the settings icon. The second feature is to click on the settings icon and adjust the playback speed. It defaults to "normal", but you can both slow and speed up playback speed here in small increments. I'd suggest starting with 0.75 playback speed. I hope those suggestions help!
We wanted to keep to video below 8 minutes thus avoiding additional mid-video ads. We could put some of the graphics on our Facebook page if you think this would help.
Hi - just sent a comment asking your opinion about where to travel with a Brompton - In reviewing the question, I saw how burdensome it could be to answer it, -- I'm sorry! So, to make a simpler question, that would be: Of all your trips, which one (s) you would like to repeat? To return? That would be o great help! Thanks!
Funny you should ask, we were thinking of doing a video on this exact subject. Our “Where to go next” video (ua-cam.com/video/CUkxr6wtlOo/v-deo.html ) briefly described our planning process. As for where we would like to return, South Korea would likely be on top of the list. The 4 Rivers Trail (ua-cam.com/video/C9ZUwmaU0rM/v-deo.html ) is a great ride and this country has many similar trails waiting to be explored. Stay tuned for an eventual video on our Top 5 Brompton Touring Destinations.
Runtime graph and beam patterns available on our Facebook page: facebook.com/2bikes4adventure
You always give outstanding reviews irrespective of what you’re reviewing, certainly detailed to the tenth degree, would love if you ever think of purchasing a Mini P handle bar , as you probably already know the original P handle bar when used had a shorter stem to allow for the hight of the handle bars, so after market came up with the mini P version to accommodate for the longer stems , the people I’ve seen riding with them have been very complimentary and wished they changed sooner, so it would be nice to get your opinion if you ever decide to review it. Take care cousins across the pond.
Thanks for the suggestion, we will look into it.
@@2Bikes4Adventure nobody better to look at a product than you guys , unbelievable how in-depth you go , always a pleasure watching your videos, take care you two.
That’s great! Thanks for your prompt contact! Your reviews are exceptionally well made, and to the point! Great I can review some details! Thanks! Pedro Borges
Data now available on our Facebook page
Splendid presentation, thank you ! I prefer headlights from Busch & Müller… (I have a Son generator).
Dynamos/generators could be a good subject for a follow-up video.
You make some very good points. Before watching I had opted for the Brompton because of the included bracket; however, this fails to provide any up and down adjustment (the bracket can be bent, of course).
It's all about the ever important mounting bracket with Brompton parts. If you really want to make best use of the limited and valuable space on a Brompton, their gear usually works best unless your hack can also provide optimal light beam angle.
My Brompton 500LM developed cracks by the LED. I have never dropped it. The next light I bought is the Nite Rider Lumina OLED1200. It has a metal heat sink and so far, no cracks. The cracks happened about 6 months after installing it.
Same with me
Usually avoiding riding at night, but for rare cases I use head mounted spotlights: it's not attached to a handlebar, so it's not shaking, it's following your point of view (you can turn head up/down/left/right), it can be used outside the bike and keep your hands free to install the tent for example. Often you can choose a light temperature - warmer or colder, as you like, lenses for long and short distance, some models have both. The head mount can be detached for using in hands or wearing by the clip on a pocket or a strap of a backpack.
But I've never tried to use it with a helmet, as I ride most time out of tarmac so I don;t use one - don't know if it will fit well on a helmet.
We have been known to use helmet mounted lights on occasion ( a Fenix and a Streamtlight ).
Note that in some countries, they do not meet minimum legal requirement for riding in the dark (both front and rear lights needing to be fixed on the bicycle). They do provide excellent additional/directional illumination however (and quite practical off the bike as well).
i have the cateye AMPP 400, which I just mount on the handlebars. Cost is only around £20 (GBP) and it's bright enough for dark lanes and is also a good 'be seen' light in flashing mode. I think the run times are longer than the AMPP 500.
An AMPP400 at 20GBP is excellent value for money.
It has the same battery capacity as the AMPP500 (2200mAh), but slightly less lumen, translating in longer runtime (2.0h vs 1.5h according to Cateye)
Would rather take the extra half hour from the 400 than the extra oomph of the 500 tbh
Agree. 100 more lumens doesn’t make much of a difference, 30 minutes more illumination does
Thanks for another great video!
Brompton sells its light for how much? A $100 light made of plastic, with micro USB and light distribution worthy of only the cheapest lights? Some of other lights you reviewed are not better in many regards like why app for everything even bike light!
I recently got myself an Aliexpress light. The brand is Offbondage (silly name I know but it also comes with other branding) but the light is so good, costing only £9 ($13).
It's made of aluminium, USB C and 4800mAh cell inside. Good light pattern with top of beam cut out, like on German approved STVzO lights and some red side markers.
Brilliant review, as always.
I got a Trigo mounting bracket and the Cat Eye version of the Brompton light. The mounting bracket is great. The light itself is ok but the battery life is rather short and for the micro-USB I carry a small adapter so I can charge it with my regular USB-C cable (+ adapter usb-c=>micro-usb).
Nice video, however one of the major traits I look for in a light is not discussed. It would be nice to know how easily repairable these lights are. Can you buy a battery alone? Can you easily replace it?
As mentioned in the video, the ALLTY 1500S as a replaceable battery ($50), a characteristic that is seldomly found in rechargeable bicycle front light.
Only a single light (the Magic Shine) has the mounting point at the center of gravity.
I will never understand how engineers can engineer the mounting point of a heavy object (which is used in a shaky environment) (=many bike paths) anywhere else but the center of gravity. But they do it all the time, especially with bicycle lights...
You raise an excellent point concerning the mounting point vs CG.
That tiny cable is hilarious 😂
And micro Usb adds insult to injury.
Personally I still run a battery powered light with rechargeable AA/AAA batteries.
Having a set of spare (rechargeable) AA/AAA batteries while touring brings peace of mind.
It took us a while to leave our AA powered GPS and bike lights behind and jump on the USB rechargeable band wagon. Still regret it some times (especially when the battery dies while riding).
Thanks. V helpful. Best thing I did was to put a Son dynamo coupled with an Edelux 2 front light. Yes, expensive but excellent when riding on unlit roads. Thanks again
and it is always there and ready when you need it.
Yes. Used also during daytime thanks again.
I've been waiting for this video since you mentioned it in the last one, thank you! I have the Brompton AMPP500, and have generally liked it but the Ravemen model looks like a significant step up. I don't particularly care about the longer life of the LR1600 (I don't ride for more than 45 minutes at night), but the brighter output and better beam pattern (at 2:45) are compelling, as is USB-C charging. The blinding beam pattern of the Magicshine model unfortunately immediately excludes it from my consideration. Can one mount either of these alternative lights on the fork mount included with the Brompton AMPP500, if one were interested in switching/upgrading? Or must one purchase something like the linked Rockbros front light bracket? Thank you as always for another thoughtful, deep, and interesting video.
Unfortunately, there is no direct compatibility with the Cateye/Brompton bracket. Some hack would be required.
The easiest could be to upgrade to a more powerful Cateye (ex.: AMPP800 or AMPP1100) and keep your existing bracket. Not sure the beam pattern would be different, but it would certainly be stronger.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for your reply. Staying within the CatEye AMPP family does sound like the easiest. Mounting the Brompton AMPP500 bracket on the fork / front fender was a bit of a pain, so it'd be nice to re-use that mount. I'm disappointed that CatEye continues using the aging and orientation specific micro USB connector across their product lines. It's another cable to keep track of and squint at when charging. As the days are getting longer maybe I'll stick with what I have for now and see what options look like next fall.
Micro-USB for $100?! That's a hard sell.
One could say it's a $40 light + 10$ bracket + $50 Brompton Logo
Great video 👍
Sadly, the discount code doesn’t work on the UK store
Your reviews are great, technical, and useful - thank you! But they are too fast! I was trying to see the differences times and characteristics, but could not follow your descriptions nor the graphics! Please slow down the overall pace of the information! I stopped the video, rewinded several times, but even them it was difficult! But thanks anyway!
Hi Peter, if you find any video on UA-cam too fast to digest, there are two features which can be very helpful -- the first is to turn on the closed captioning, by clicking on the "CC" button. Pam and Gilbert have taken the time to provide English captions, though UA-cam also offers an "auto-generated" feature that attempts to offer captions based on speech to text processing. You can choose between captions by clicking on the settings icon. The second feature is to click on the settings icon and adjust the playback speed. It defaults to "normal", but you can both slow and speed up playback speed here in small increments. I'd suggest starting with 0.75 playback speed. I hope those suggestions help!
We wanted to keep to video below 8 minutes thus avoiding additional mid-video ads. We could put some of the graphics on our Facebook page if you think this would help.
Hi - just sent a comment asking your opinion about where to travel with a Brompton - In reviewing the question, I saw how burdensome it could be to answer it, -- I'm sorry! So, to make a simpler question, that would be: Of all your trips, which one (s) you would like to repeat? To return? That would be o great help! Thanks!
Funny you should ask, we were thinking of doing a video on this exact subject.
Our “Where to go next” video (ua-cam.com/video/CUkxr6wtlOo/v-deo.html ) briefly described our planning process. As for where we would like to return, South Korea would likely be on top of the list. The 4 Rivers Trail (ua-cam.com/video/C9ZUwmaU0rM/v-deo.html ) is a great ride and this country has many similar trails waiting to be explored.
Stay tuned for an eventual video on our Top 5 Brompton Touring Destinations.
Could you do reviews of other magicshine lights? Specifically monster 8000s and monteeer 12000?
If we occasion presents itself, we will be happy to.
Totally NOT worth it.. just buying for the name! the purpose of a light is just see and be seen, I'd just buy a good waterproof bike lite;