• @solrize
    2•11 months ago

    Thanks for the review. Price stated in the review is $54 (21700 battery), $39 (18650 battery). Is the difference only the bundled battery, or are there separate models of the light? I.e. your sample had a 21700 and a spacer, but is there also a smaller 18650-only model? $15 extra to change the bundled cell is steep.

    I wonder if some scotch tape or sandpaper roughing could shape the beam enough to not interfere with oncoming traffic.

    Did you check that the lumen stepdowns were from temperature sensors rather than timers? Was the test done with fan cooling, to simulate using the light on a moving bike?

    Overall I agree with your assessment that this light is affordable but kind of meh. I’ve been using a Fenix BC21 (18650 powered, works with both protected and unprotected cells) for some years. The UI is a bit annoying but other than that, the light is nice.

    • Zak ReviewsOP
      2•11 months ago

      @solrize I think the only difference is the battery, though it may be that the taillight reliably comes with the 21700 package and not the others.

      I tried testing with fan cooling. It’s definitely timed stepdowns.It barely even gets warm when riding a bike with it.

      And thanks for reminding me to add the confusing UI to the downsides for the B2.

      • @solrize
        1•11 months ago

        Thanks. Stepdowns on a flashlight are somewhat understandable but on a bike light they are silly. Sounds like the light is made to impress people when you first turn it on. I think a car headlamp is usually around 500 lumens so I wouldn’t want a bike light to be any brighter than that. A motorcycle headlamp is probably dimmer than a car’s, so the Wuben’s 365lm sustained medium output sounds reasonable. I’d want the CCT to be a lot lower though, like a tungsten bulb. I’ve never liked blue-cast LED headlamps on cars.

        I’d be interested to know if there are bike lights you particularly recommend. This one doesn’t seem to be it ;).

        • Zak ReviewsOP
          2•11 months ago

          @solrize To be clear, the B2 isn’t a bad option if you have $40 to spend on a bike light. What’s disappointing is most of the things I’d like to change would not increase the manufacturing cost.

          I think I’d really like an Acebeam BK10, though a quick look didn’t turn up a runtime graph for one. I imagine it’s cool white too, but the XHP35 HI was offered in warm, and the Nichia B35AR might be a viable swap.

          The Fenix BC30 v2.0 also looks pretty good aside from the SST-40s. High-CRI SFT40s are coming soon and would be a good swap.