What do the lumen numbers of your headlight mean? For Kryptonite, those ‘numbers mean nothing.’ It’s not that they feel that brighter lights won’t help you see better, but rather it’s more important to measure the light that’s actually beneficial to the rider rather than wasted lumens that may blind oncoming traffic or other riders.
LUX or Lumens?
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a light company focus on LUX rather than lumens, but in the U.S., lumens still seem to reign supreme – at least in terms of marketing. What’s the difference? Well, lumens are measured at the light source telling you exactly how much light the source is emitting. LUX on the other hand measures the illumination on the surface of an object at a specific distance from the light. Technically, you could have a 10,000 lumen light, but if the beam pattern doesn’t focus that light on what you need to see (like the road), the light would be less useful than a lower lumen light with a better beam pattern.
Beam me up
Speaking of beam pattern, the Incite range uses uniquely shaped or double lenses to cast a wide swath of light with precise distribution. Instead of a super bright hot spot with a dim surrounding, the Incite lights have been designed to evenly illuminate what’s in front of you without blinding oncoming traffic.
Incite X8
At the top of the range, the Incite X8 offers a light that provides 80 LUX with a unique lens shape and ports for side visibility.
The top of the light features an LCD display that will provide you information like remaining run time, time, light mode, a battery capacity indicator, and a temperature warning if the light gets too hot. There are also backlit buttons for easy operation at night.
The USB rechargeable battery will provide up to 24hrs of burn time on the lowest setting while providing 3 hrs on High Steady. Six different light modes use different LED segments to provide varying light effects including pulsing, flashing, and steady. Finally, a Snap Tight bracket includes a quick release for the light that leaves the bracket for quick on and off to protect the light from theft. Available only in the U.S., the Incite X8 will sell for $144.95.
Incite X6
A step down from the X8, the Incite X6 drops to 60 LUX but is still packed with features.
A smaller LCD display shows battery run time, while four small red LEDs indicate the current light mode. A double lens on the front of the round light helps provide the wider beam pattern of the Incite range, and there’s even an auto light sensor that measures ambient brightness to adjust the light mode automatically. Like the X8 there are ports for side illumination, and a compact bracket with a quick release function.
The USB rechargeable battery will provide up to 30hr of run time no the lowest setting, and 3hrs at high steady, and seven different light modes. The X6 is priced at $74.95.
Incite X3
Last but not least, the new Incite X3 follows the same naming structure to provide up to 30 LUX out of a similarly shaped package to the X6. This time, to cut costs the light does not have an LCD screen but keeps the small LED strip to indicate battery capacity. It still has a double lens for broad beam distribution and side ports for side visibility.
Again, the light is USB rechargeable and offers up to 24hrs of run time for the lowest setting or 4 hrs on high steady with five light modes. All of the Incite lights offer IPX4 waterproofing, and the X3 will sell for $54.95.
Incite XBR & XR
Just as important as the front light (maybe more so), the rear light is an important tool to keep you seen and safe while out on the road. To go along with the Incite front lights, there are two Incite rear lights – the Incite XBR & XR.
The biggest difference between the two? The XBR has an integrated Brake Light function where braking motion activates an additional LED to let others know you’re slowing down. The built-in acceleration sensor will turn on the extra LED when your speed is reduced by more than 1.6 m/s (5.76km/hr or 3.58 mph). This brake light is three times brighter than the normal output in steady mode.
USB rechargeable, the light includes a red LED indicator to let you know if the battery capacity is under 25%. Run times are up to 36hr in the lowest flash setting, or 10hrs on high steady with brake light function. The XBR will sell for $39.95.
The XR on the other hand uses a similar shape but with a lower LUX rating and no brake light function. Without the two brake light modes, there are 5 total, and run-time ranges from 20-36hrs depending on the setting. Both tail lights include a new bracket that allows the light to be rotated 180°. The XR is priced at $27.95.
Package Deals
In addition to purchasing front and rear lights separately, Kryptonite will sell three different front+ rear packages. The X8 + XBR will sell for $164.95, the X6 + XBR will sell for $99.95, and the X3 + XR will sell for $74.95. There will also be a helmet mount for $14.99 and a rear rack mount for $9.99.
All of the lights are available now.
