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Bontrager gets brighter w/ Flare RT, Ion 200 RT, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights

riding near Menton/France 2018 Trek Emonda ALR pic by ©kramon
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If you’re still not using daytime running lights while out on the road, it’s probably time to start. According to an ongoing research partnership between Trek and Clemson University, the use of daytime running lights are linked to a 33% reduction in accidents between cyclists and cars. Not to mention that a flashing rear light apparently makes a cyclist a whopping 270% more recognizable to drivers. With numbers like that, it’s pretty motivating to slap a light on your bike before you head out the door. And to make that process easier, Bontrager has unveiled a new line of RT Daytime Running Lights with more power in a smaller form, plus a number of cool features.

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights
pic by ©kramon

Flare RT

Representing an update to the popular Flare R, the new Flare RT is 36% smaller, 30% more powerful, and has 20% more battery life. Additionally, there is a new USB charging port that features better IPX7 waterproofing, a built in light sensor to adjust the lumens based on the ambient light conditions, a lock mode to keep it in the preferred setting, and Blendr integration to fit on products like the new Bontrager Circuit MIPS, or the new Trek Madone seatpost. Additional features include a specific interruptive flash pattern with a maximum 90 lumen pop to get drivers’ attention, and ANT+ compatibility to allow control with your Garmin, GPS, etc.

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights

The light integration on the Bontrager Circuit is actually pretty interesting, as the Blendr mounts are magnetically attached to the helmet. That means you can attach any Flare light to the mounts, then snap them on or off the helmet using the built in magnets. As long as the lights are small like the Flare series, the magnets firmly hold the lights in place, but should you crash, they’ll easily pop off to prevent injury from snagging on an object during the crash.

pic by ©kramon

Weighing in at just 33g, the Flare RT alone runs $59.99.

Flare RT Specs

  • Specifically designed focus, flash, and range for ultimate daytime visibility Interruptive flash pattern produces up to 90 Lumens for ultimate daytime visibility
  • Integrated light sensor auto-adjusts brightness to your environment
  • Connect with Garmin® and Bontrager ANT+ devices for always on, battery status, and control
  • Flash modes: 90LM-6hrs, 45LM-12hrs, 5LM-15hrs Steady modes: 25LM-4.5hrs, 5LM-13.5hrs
  • Confidently ride through wet conditions with an updated USB port and IPX7 waterproof rating
  • Battery save mode provides 30 minutes of additional runtime when battery life reaches 5%
  • Includes Flare RT, front Quick Connect bracket, and mini USB charging cable

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights
tech-photoshoot
2018 Trek Emonda ALR & Madone
pic by ©kramon

Ion 200 RT

To match the Flare RT, the Ion 200 RT includes all of the same features, just in a compact 32g package with 200 lumens of light for the front. Both lights are said to be visible from 2km away and have been optimized for daytime use. You can buy the Ion 200 RT for $59.99 each, or you can get a Flare RT/Ion 200 RT package for $114.99.

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights

Ion 200 RT Specs

  • Specifically designed focus, flash, and range for ultimate daytime visibility
  • Flare RT provides ultimate visibility for any road, city, or path
  • Ion 200 RT provides 200 Lumens of visibility via high-power CREE LED bulbs
  • Integrated light sensor auto-adjusts brightness to your environment
  • Connect with Garmin® and Bontrager ANT+ devices for always on, battery status, and wireless control
  • Easily attaches to your handlebars, helmet, or bike mount
  • Includes Ion 200 RT, Flare RT, Quick Connect Mounts, and mini USB charging cable

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights

Ion Pro RT

The third addition to the line up is the Ion Pro RT. While the other two are definitely “to be seen” lights, this one has “to see with” kind of power. Featuring 1300 lumens of maximum power out of the Cree LED, the light comes in at 183g for $99.99. You can also buy it as a package with the Flare RT for $154.99.

Bontrager gets brighter with new Flare, Ion 200, & Ion Pro RT Daytime Running Lights

Ion Pro RT Specs

  • Ion Pro RT provides a powerful beam that lights up the full width of any road or trail
  • Flare RT provides ultimate visibility for any road, city, or path
  • Connect with Garmin® and Bontrager ANT+ devices for always on, battery status, and wireless control
  • Specifically designed focus, flash, and range flash patterns for daytime visibility for up to 2km
  • Double-click on switch eliminates accidental operation and battery depletion during transport
  • Easily attaches to your handlebars, helmet, or bike mount
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Patrick
Patrick
6 years ago

Should the specs include bothersome details like lumens and runtime (per setting) for the Ions? Otherwise, good coverage.

boom
boom
6 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

Flare RT:
Flash modes: 90LM-6hrs, 45LM-12hrs, 5LM-15hrs Steady modes: 25LM-4.5hrs, 5LM-13.5hrs
Ion 200:
200LM-1.5hrs, 100LM-3hrs,5LM-14.5hrs, Night Flash-30hrs, Day Flash-12hrs
Ion Pro RT:
1300LM-1.5hrs, 800LM-3hrs, 400LM-6hrs, night flash-26hrs, day flash 22hrs

huges84
huges84
6 years ago

I can verify that the current version of these lights in daytime flash mode are amazingly bright and incredibly effective in grabbing people’s attention. I have had many instances of drivers crossing my path that were looking the other way or not really paying attention and I could see their head snap to my attention as they catch the flashing from the corner of their eye. In fact I run the flash mode day or night, never steady mode, because the extra safety of the super bright flashing is so important for being noticed from further away. I consider these lights more important than wearing a helmet, because any collision with a car is not likely to end well, helmet or not.

The flare has tons of battery life in flash mode. The current ion however has too short battery life in flash mode (about 4 hours vs claimed 10). I highly recommend getting the ion pro for the extra battery life.

John
John
6 years ago
Reply to  huges84

Do we know how many lumens the Ion Pro pumps out in the 22 hr daylight flash mode?

Bob
Bob
6 years ago

Is there a rule of thumb to compare lumen with lux? 10:1?

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Nope. You need to know the angle(s) of the light cone or the area illuminated at a known distance. From that you can calculate an average lux (lumens/m^2), but it’s better to sample illuminance (units= lux) at different points across the diameter of the illuminated area.

In practical terms, there’s no way to come up with a rule of thumb given how design (or lack thereof) of lights and their components–light source, reflector, lens–varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model. Some companies actually invest in real optical engineering while others, well, don’t do as much.

Eli
Eli
6 years ago

Know how they will compare to the See Sense ACE? https://seesense.cc/products/see-sense-ace-front-and-rear-set

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