Lights are a hot topic…we’ve posted quite a few new models and a review recently, with more coming. (Just search “light” and you’ll see what we mean). Here’s another one:
CygoLite has just upgraded their offerings with entirely new OSP (On Site Programmable) lights for mountain biking and commuting that let you customize the settings at any time.
OSP gives you control over brightness levels and flash rates from the buttons on the unit. On their top-of-the-line Centauri 1000 (above), it comes with four preset brightness levels and four blinking modes already programmed, from which you can tweak ’til your little heart’s content. Supposing you’re the type to leave well enough alone, the Centauri looks to be a pretty solid unit straight out of the box with two quad-chip LED lights that pump out over 1000 lumens.
Jump past the break for beam comparisons, pricing, specs and all that jazz for this and two more models…
The Centauri 1000 comes with a helmet and bar mount, an aluminum alloy body and a system weight of just 425g. The Li-ion battery is pretty small (below) and claims 2.75 hours of runtime on high adn up to 12 hours on the lowest setting.
Full Specs:
- Two Quad-chip High-Brightness LEDs
- Over 1000 lumen LED output
- OSP technology to program brightness on-the-fly
- 4 Bicycle modes (Hi, Med Hi, Med Low, Low)
- 4 Special modes (Fast flash, Slow flash, Walking, SOS)
- Light setting & battery level indicators
- Compact Li-Ion battery pack
- 425 gram total weight
- Handlebar and Helmet mounts included
- MSRP: $449.95
The CygoLite MityCross was updated mid-year and is a smaller, lighter version of the Centauri with many of the same features. It also has the OSP, dual LED beam and comes in at just 240g. Two versions are available, the 320 and 400, with 320 lumens and 400 lumens respectively. The button on top doubles as a battery life indicator, changing colors to let you know how much juice you’ve got left.
Comparison photos are from CygoLite, not our own photography. The housing is weatherproof which, combined with the small size, makes them a great year-round commuter as well as a solid budget trail light for mountain biking.
The small battery clips easily to your stem or helmet using the included mounts (the 400 includes both mounts, 320 is bar only). Full specs:
- Compact Dual Beam design
- 400 or 320 lumen LED output
- OSP (On-Site Programmable) Smart technology
- 6 modes (3 brightness / 3 special)
- 3.5 ~ 17 hour run time
- Crossfire technology for expanded field of vision
- Complete weatherproof construction
- High Brightness LED technology
- Light setting / battery level indicators
- Palm sized Li-Ion stem mount battery
- Smart & Rapid charger
- 320: Handlebar mount only
- 400: Handlebar and Helmet mounts
- Only 240 grams
- $249.95 (400), $199.95 (320)
ALso introduced this summer, the ExpiliOn commuter lights pack a host of features into an all-in-one unit. It comes in either 180 or 250 lumen versions, with both offering four standard light outputs (high, medium, low and flash) plus two alternative modes (walking, SOS).
Like the MityCross, the ExpiliOn has an indicator light behind the button that keeps you abreast of remaining power (left). It uses a replaceable Li-ion battery that can either be charged inside the light by plugging it into a USB socket or removed and placed in the included wall charger.
The 250 comes with both bar and helmet mounts, the 180 includes only a bar mount. With only a $30 price difference, it’s worth upgrading for the add’l mount and brighter bulbs. Full specs:
- One Piece Design
- Rechargeable Quick Release Li-Ion battery
- USB charging
- 250 lm LED output
- 4 Bicycle modes / 2 Special modes
- Integrated low battery and battery charging indicators
- 130 gram weight
- Handlebar and Helmet mounts
- $139.95 (250), $109.95 (180)
