Cygolite Expilion 350 Front Bike Light?

[trippyho]

Hi All,

I'm currently in the market to buy a front bike light for training and commuting in the dark (Early mornings and in the evenings) and i'm looking for something that will allow me to see in the dark at speeds of around 28-30km+ per hour. I'm looking at the Cygolite Expilion 350 http://www.pushys.com.au/cygolite-expilion-350-front-handlebar-light.html but not sure how bright it is. Has anyone got any experience with this light and how bright is 350 lumens exactly?

If you guys can give me some thoughts or opinions it would be greatly appreciated, keeping in mind my budget is only around $100.

Thanks

[Crowella]

I have the Cygolite Expilion 250 and I find it is decent enough for 28-30km but pushing it is not advised. My assumption is the 350 will be better so you will probably be able to go quicker, safer.

The Cygolites have a narrowish light spread which is probably it's only downfall. It's bright, they do last 10 hours (on med/low/flash) as they mention and the rechargable battery is nifty

At $100, that is a great deal too. I paid about $115 for the 250.

[Hux]

Awesome light for the money.

I bought one for my wifes bike and I have Ay Up's.

The 350 is almost as bright and far less of a PITA with no external battery pack.

[waramatt]

My willpower to resist accessorising is pathetic. Saw this thread so went to Pushys, registered and bought the 350. Already have the Expilion 250 and it's great so this should be greatER.

Thanks for the tip.

[trippyho]

Based on what you guys have said, i've ordered the light. Will let you guys know what I think in the next coming few days. Cheers

[waramatt]

Based on what you guys have said, i've ordered the light. Will let you guys know what I think in the next coming few days. Cheers

+1

I will provide a review of the 350 compared with performance of the 250...

[ray]

Based on what you guys have said, i've ordered the light. Will let you guys know what I think in the next coming few days. Cheers

+1

I will provide a review of the 350 compared with performance of the 250...

+1 I originally got the 250 last year but after I saw the 400 released I sold it to a mate and got the 400. Great light been using it for my commutes to and from work and early morning rides. The 400 includes the helmet mount but I have only used it on the handlebar. That said, I'm looking at the Lupine Pico TLs......

[DCP]

I run the Cygolite 410 on my roadie, bought from ebay for $108 delivered. My brother tried to convince me to go Ay Up, but I couldn't justify the extra $.
More than capable on the boost setting at 30+km/h on the dark unlit paths up here.
Why oh why did I wait so long to buy one
I suffered with a 4xAA Cateye for a year before getting the Expilion.

[MikeyD360]

+1
I have the Expillion 250 and find it great as a "be seen light" on blinky mode, and fanstastic as a "see where you are going" light on high beam. With 2 other light settings to boot - it is the only light you really need for road cycling.
The 350 can only be better and for $99 it's a no brainer. I am considering an upgrade

[Crowella]

Actually, I'm getting tempted to as well

[Red Rider]

Based on what you guys have said, i've ordered the light. Will let you guys know what I think in the next coming few days. Cheers

Similar here, I just ordered the Expelion 400 for $114 posted. Looks just as good as the Ay-Up and much easier to use/install.

[blkmcs]

Based on what you guys have said, i've ordered the light. Will let you guys know what I think in the next coming few days. Cheers

Another one here, you guys should be on commission.

[trippyho]

Another one here, you guys should be on commission.

Hahaha yeah, you guys should mention me to Pushys on your cart checkout so I can get some sort of store credit / commission LOL

My willpower to resist accessorising is pathetic. Saw this thread so went to Pushys, registered and bought the 350. Already have the Expilion 250 and it's great so this should be greatER. Thanks for the tip.

By the way have you got yours yet Waramatt? I'm hoping I get mine today.

[holmesy]

hey guys - where are the reviews? daylight savings is going to end soon, so I'm looking....

[AndrewBurns]

Yes I'm interested too, bikes.com.au has the 350 for $99, my 120 lumen Aldi light is pretty marginal when riding along the cycleway at 30+kph before the sun comes up :S

[waramatt]

I've been using the Cygolite Expilion 350 for a few weeks now. I've already been using a 250 for about a year. Yeah - it is a fair bit brighter than the 250. I happily ride at night with it at speeds of 25-30. It does have a narrow beam but a friend of mine bought the Moon X-Power 300 and we've ridden side by side comparing his 300 Lumens to my 250 (before the new 350). His light beam is much broader but we agreed the Expilion offers better lighting where you need it most - right in front of you.

I'm happy with the 350.

[bollo]

have to give the cygolite 330 turbo a good rap been riding at night with it & it's way bright enough & has a wide enough beam to see everything in your path

[Red Rider]

Yes I'm interested too, bikes.com.au has the 350 for $99, my 120 lumen Aldi light is pretty marginal when riding along the cycleway at 30+kph before the sun comes up :S

I'd say the difference between the two is night and day (boom-tish). I have the Cygolite Expilion 400, there is what I assume is the '350' setting (as that setting has the same burn time as the 350).
Here's a good representation of the light at '350' setting from my average camera, it's a little bit brighter than the photo makes out:

And at booster (400) setting:

[trippyho]

Used it this morning in the dark and WOW! I am very impressed. The light is brighter than I thought even when going in excess of 40+ kms (probably not recommended in the dark LOL) as it allowed me to anticipate what's coming up ahead.

It's very bright with the boost setting, only con I can think of is that the light beam could be wider. But apart from that I am very happy with the purchase.

For the price of $99 you can't go wrong. Highly recommend the light...

[fatdudeonabike]

Bring a thread waaaay back from the dead rather than creating a new one...
9 months after this thread 'ended', I'd be curious for some further views on this light.

I'm looking to spend under 100 on something that I can use as a flashing "be seen" light, as well a good, bright "be able to see" light.
Would you recommend this one?
Wiggle are recommending Cateye (they don't stock Cygolite), but after an afternoon on the phones to LBS's, this seems the best bang for buck.

[Matt_Matt]

Bring a thread waaaay back from the dead rather than creating a new one...
9 months after this thread 'ended', I'd be curious for some further views on this light.

I'm looking to spend under 100 on something that I can use as a flashing "be seen" light, as well a good, bright "be able to see" light.
Would you recommend this one?
Wiggle are recommending Cateye (they don't stock Cygolite), but after an afternoon on the phones to LBS's, this seems the best bang for buck.

Lezyne Super Drive .... or the Super Drive XL

Bang for Buck !!!

[Red Rider]

No problems after a year of use. Very handy.

[jzr]

I'm looking to spend under 100 on something that I can use as a flashing "be seen" light, as well a good, bright "be able to see" light.

I'm in the same boat right now and have been doing a bit of research.

I am drawn to the new Cygolite Expillion 600. Good reviews. You can compare the 350 and 600 beams in this light shoot-out: http://www.modernbike.com/light-compari ... leshotplus

The 600 and 700 are the new series that have a feature which gives a solid light for you to see but at the same time emitting a flashing light outwards for people to see you from more angles (apparently).

At the moment, it can be had for $99 USD from Amazon + shipping but landed it will be marginally over $100 with exchange rate etc. Shouldn't be more than $115-120 AUD.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... dition=new

Note that not all of the vendors ship overseas but there is one called 'Bicycle Outfitters' in that list who do - this is the way I am thinking of heading. This light can't be had anywhere near this price in AUS at the moment.

[Big_Red]

Jzr, thanks for the heads up about that lights comparison and the Amazon retailer that ships to here - i'm looking at supplementing my cygolite expilion 250 after it run out of puff at the end of a 3.5 hr nite ride and the 600 or 700 looks like it offers the best output for the cost. Just for the record, i paid $100 for the 250 about a year ago and it is still going strong, although realistically, 3 hrs on high is its limit. Being the same shape as the 250, i'll be able to pop it on the bike and the minister for finance would be none the wiser too.

On another tack, i've used my expilion 250 for 30 min during a torrential thunderstorm while clearing leaves from a roof gutter so i can vouch that it is well and truely water resistant.

[fatdudeonabike]

Thanks for the info guys.
The Cygolite Turbo 740 that I was initially looking at must be on clearance to make way for those new models.
After my LBS was holding my one for 85 bucks, I had to ring them up today and cancel it - I did even better than that!

http://www.pushys.com.au/cygolite-turbo-740-front-handlebar-light.html

This has been marked down to $99, but it's part of their Boxing Day clearance sale, which has 40% off everything.
So all up this light cost me 60 bucks. It was so much cheaper than I'd budgeted for, I got myself a Tioga one-eye light that I'm led to believe can go on the back of my helmet, reduced from $25 down to $4, as well as a cheap Tioga 5 led front light that I can use as a flashing light alongside the headlight, or can be used as a back up in desperate circumstances. This was reduced from 30 bucks to 10, and there was 40% off that too.
So I'm waiting on a a duel eye rear light - but I got the headlight, rear helmet light and back up headlight/flashing light for 70 bucks. Stoked.