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Indiglo5 Headlight Looking to Kickstart Night Rides w/ Warmer, Broader & Brighter Beams

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Indiglo5 1800 lumen bicycle head light with single LED

The Indiglo5 is a new headlamp making its way through the crowd funding scene that promises warmer, brighter light in a broad pattern that maximizes visibility in an effort to help you go faster in the dark.

They say it’s the brightest single LED headlight for bikes, possible because they’re using a larger Cree LED than the smaller XML emitter used on many bike lights available today. That lets them claim a whopping 1,800 lumens from a small, self contained package that clips onto your handlebar (and hopefully helmet).

Beyond just being bright, they designed it to have a high CRI rating, which means things will appear closer to how they do in daylight as opposed to the cold, blue-ish light some high power LED lights cast. It’s also broad, spreading the light across the road rather than sending a focused beam far in front of you. That lets you see where you need to go, not just where your handlebars are pointed.

Shine a light on the tech specs and video below…

The prototype used in the video has seen continual improvement. It uses a 5000mAH battery good for runtimes ranging from 45 minutes up to three hours with continuous output. Here’s the breakdown:

  • HI – 1200lm – 80-90min
  • MED – 600lm – 120-140min
  • LOW – 300lm – 160-180min
  • PULSE – 12hours
  • BOOST – 1800+lm – 45-60min

The pulse version has a double-bump heart rate rhythm, a subtle reminder to drivers that you’re a human being, not a speed bump.

The body is made of machined aircraft grade aluminum with a mil-spec anodizing, sealed to be weatherproof and crash proof. All of the parts are easily replaceable, and they’ll even offer a recycling program in the future if you want to trade it in or simply upgrade the internals. They’re also offering spare external batteries to boost the run times, with a second 5,000mAH battery to double them or a 10,400mAH battery to more than triple them. These connect via external wire. All are externally USB rechargeable with the included charger, and a power reserve indicator light shows what’s left in the tank.

indiglo5-1800-lumen-cycling-headlight-on-kickstarter2

Available mounts include fixed versions for both road and mountain bike bars, a dual Garmin/Indiglo light mount and a simple quick release silicone mount.

The Kickstarter campaign ends in 11 days as of this post, and the early bird deals are gone. But, you can still snag a complete set up for $155 AUD, about $100 off full retail. Check out the campaign here.

Regarding the name, we asked about possible trademark infringements with Timex, and they said they’re aware of it and will change the name if necessary. The Indiglo5 name came from the founder’s former industrial design consultancy, so they just carried it over.

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21 Comments
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Dave
Dave
9 years ago

Yet another “flashlight” style beam with hot spot. Why can’t someone “innovate” by just stealing Busch & Muller’s shaped reflector design.

wertsrider
wertsrider
9 years ago

Those mounting options look like they will be really good for mtbing. im really dissapointed with night riders new clamp offerings.

Andy
Andy
9 years ago

Kinda wish some of these lights had an ability to lock out the higher outputs since (to me) there are diminishing returns above a certain output level but the longer runtimes (at, say, 300 lumens) are what I really want and use.

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
9 years ago

@Dave Exactly. Looks like a symmetrical beam, which will get you hated by pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike, and can cause dangerous situations. Might be good for offroading.

Dietz
Dietz
9 years ago

That’s badass and I want it

Michael
9 years ago

Brighter doesn’t always mean better. This current trend to greater lumen output with disregard to useable beam pattern is nonsensical.

Elly Dee
Elly Dee
9 years ago

“a warm CRI rating of five, which resembles natural daylight”
First, Colour Rendering Index has nothing to do with “warm” or “cool”, and 5 is truly awful – as bad for seeing colours with as a yellow streetlight. Second, daylight is considered to be a “cool” white, much bluer than incandescent lights.

I also agree with the previous comments wanting a proper beam pattern for road use.

Cory
Cory
9 years ago

The CRI of this light is not 5. 5 is the model. CRI ranges from 1-100. 100 being closest to sunlight. They don’t mention any specific CRI number, though it will probably be close to 85.

Jesse Edwards
Jesse Edwards
9 years ago

Gimme a headmount for my helmet I’m down. The cables off your head is annoying. I’ve got a bar mount that is cable free, but it doesn’t have the power I like from the headmount (900)

craigsj
craigsj
9 years ago

“The CRI of this light is not 5. 5 is the model. CRI ranges from 1-100. 100 being closest to sunlight. They don’t mention any specific CRI number, though it will probably be close to 85.”

Yes, and worse yet, CRI has nothing to do with warm or cold. CRI is measure of how faithfully colors are rendered by a light source. It is unlikely that a good CRI rating (relative to typical for LED) would help in this application at all. CCT is the measure they are looking for.

MikeC
MikeC
9 years ago

I predict trouble regarding the name of this light once Timex catches wind of it…

arrowsun
arrowsun
9 years ago

This big wide exposed glass lens: not a great idea IMO, particularly for mountain biking.

Moby
Moby
9 years ago

*yawn* Why do I care about yet another Cree based light that has no real difference from an already over-saturated market? Someone please produce a high power light with a horizontal cutoff like good car headlights.

simon zappia
9 years ago

Hi All,
Simon from INDIGLO here, I’m into cycling as much as most of you and have followed bikerumor for quite a while. Asking bikerumor to post an article on us, I knew we would be exposing ourselves to the general banter that is the bikerumor comments section…
Good with the bad, it’s beneficial to receive feedback and learn more on what cyclists want and don’t want, but at the end of the day, you can’t please everyone.
The 5 is the commercialisation of a light that I developed for my own use and is perfect for my needs. The guys I ride with all wanted one and were the first to pledge on KS, so I owe it to them to get this right otherwise my life won’t be worth bugger all.
Now to respond to some of your points:

@Moby- Yawn back at ya pal, if your bored, just don’t read the article perhaps? Cree are, in my opinion the leading LED developer/manufacturer. If you are referring to the many magic shine rip offs out there, it’s one thing to claim you using a CREE emitter and another to actually supply one… even if you do, drive it efficiently with suitable optics. I feel for magic shine, and already I’m aware of bootleggers planning to copy the INDIGLO5.
@arrowsun sorry, but the 5 won’t appeal to you, but we have a smaller, less powerful light on the drawing board with a focussed beam, in fact it will have swappable optics to go from tight to broad beams.
@MikeC you might be right
@craigsj we haven’t finalised the emitter yet, but currently it’s got a CRI of 85 and somewhere btw 5000 to 3500k colour.
@Jesse Edwards we don’t have a head mount, yet, but the 5 is compatible with gopro mounts so you could utilise on of those.
@Elly Dee our reference to warm colour light is in reference relative to the poorly coloured LED lights on the market with low CRI.
@Gunnstein The 5’s primary intended function is to be used in areas where there is no street lighting and typically limited other road users… light where I ride in the Adelaide Hills or on MTB trails. When used in traffic it has modes that suit this use. Also, we have an antiglare bezel available. It’s not a commuter light.
@Andy Yep, that’s exactly what it does have, it requires the power button to be depressed for 2 seconds to activate the boost mode.
@Dave The 5 is NOT a commuter light

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

Simon

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

I’ve supported them, because they’re providing what I want. A powerful headlight, with a good mount, without an external battery. At a decent price – even better with the deal on Kickstarter.

When in Australia in the winter I ride in the hills near Melbourne and you really do need a proper headlight early in the morning in the dark. No streetlights; curvy descents at speed.
I find with my current 1000 lumen light I can pop it onto max for the tricky bits and descend with confidence. The external battery doesn’t turn me on, though, so I’ve been looking for something else.

For the rest of the year and when in my country of residence, Singapore, I just use a flashing Knog Blinder 2 for visibility as pretty much the whole country is well-lit 24/7. It does the job and doesn’t blind people (despite the name).

Moby
Moby
9 years ago

I did read the article and nothing said “worth funding” in an overcrowded market space.

But hey, good luck and all.

Jono
Jono
9 years ago

“The pulse version has a double-bump heart rate rhythm, a subtle reminder to drivers that you’re a human being, not a speed bump.”

If I’m in a situation where I might be confused with a speed bump, subtlety isn’t what I’m looking for.

mike
mike
9 years ago

I think the 1800 lumens part of the deal is the nod to unsubtle.

Spencer Iscove
Spencer Iscove
9 years ago

^5 simon zappia! I especially like your manners in a polite smackdown of the dreamstealers and nay sayers we find around every turn. Like cattle or sheep
they jump at the chance to down play any valid effort to bring a quality product
( and a green one too) into the light no pun intended). Keep marching to that
drum there are many that appreciate your efforts on our behalf.

Five Simple rules for Happiness

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
…….__O
…….\<,
….( )/ ( )
hide not your essence

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

Bright lights with too wide of a beam are dangerous to oncoming bike riders on a bike path. I Commute on a bike bath, and oncoming bike lights that are too bright are blinding. These are a hazard and likely to cause accidents.

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