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Moon LX760

8
£89.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Impressive output and burn times from a quality light and it's very easy to use too
Weight: 
116g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Moon LX760  is a versatile USB rechargeable front light, ideal for both the urban commuter and if you're travelling the country lanes in complete darkness. Plenty of modes and a nifty little remote control are just some of the highlights.

Using a single Cree XM-L2 (U2) LED, the Moon has a maximum claimed output of 760 lumens, as the name suggests. That's plenty of punch for such a small package. It's not just about power figures, though, as the Moon uses that light very well thanks to a decent beam spread.

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In use, you have a bright centre spot which is 17 degrees wide according to Moon's website, with the rest of the light being spread at 84 degrees. The spot is slightly greater in width than it is in height, so even though there is some light spread upwards it's not massively bright and I never had any issues with dazzling oncoming traffic.

A tool-free fitting handlebar clamp (it's tightened by a thrumbscrew) means you can tweak the beam on-the-fly to get the positioning spot on. The clamp is certainly very solid and secure, even if it does look a little on the clunky, agricultural side – to my mind it's definitely an improvement over the rubber o-rings seen on some competitors.

Moon LX-760 High power USB rechargeable light - back.jpg

Going back to the modes, the 760-lumen setting is what Moon calls Overdrive, and the LX760 will pump it out for just under two hours; Moon claims 2:20, but I never quite achieved that. Below that you get another six modes, all of which are very sensible drops in power to make the light usable in any conditions to preserve battery life.

The 530-lumen High mode is the one I used most as it was perfect for riding on main roads and the lanes as long as your mph is kept to the high teens, low 20s. Anything quicker than that and you need to knock it up to Overdrive.

Standard and Low modes come next with 340 and 150 lumens respectively, with the latter lasting for over 15 hours. It's more of a 'be seen by' light rather than a 'see where you're going' one.

The 380-lumen Strobe and Flashing modes certainly get you seen in the light pollution of many urban streets, although the Strobe can be a little antisocial. I didn't keep it on too long if I was stuck behind the same car for a while.

You also get an SOS mode should you find yourself in trouble and need to attract someone's attention.

You can select each mode either by the backlit button on top of the unit, or by the included remote control. The remote makes things a lot easier as you can set it up so you don't have to move your hands from the bar. It's connected by a cable that plugs into the USB charging slot, although it can be a bit of a faff if you have to plug it in in the dark.

Each differing mode has its own colour on the backlit button so you know exactly where you are, and it'll start flashing red when the battery is on its last legs. From flat, a full charge will take up to four hours depending on how you are getting the juice in, wall socket or USB on your computer.

> Check out our guide to the best front lights and our beam comparison engine here

Riding in the rain, the Moon LX760 showed no issues with water ingress even without the remote plugged in. It is in fact a very well built light, even if it does look a little dated compared with the likes of Exposure or Hope's machined aluminium bodies.

Overall, the Moon LX760 is a really capable light. I'd say its only real issue is that it lacks enough brightness for really high speed riding in the lanes and on descents, although the beam pattern makes up for some of that loss. Otherwise, it's an impressive performer, and really easy to set up with horizontal adjustability and that thumbscrew bracket.

At £89.99 it's right on the money for this style of light, and the fact that you can currently get it online for about £25 less than that makes it a bit of a bargain.

Verdict

Impressive output and burn times from a quality light and it's very easy to use too

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Moon LX760

Size tested: 760 lumens

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

As a 760 lumen light with integrated battery it's a confident commuter light and one that can be used for main road riding at a decent pace. It just lacks the real punch for high speed blasting through the lanes.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

1 pc CREE XM-L2 (U2) high brightness LED

CNC aluminium heat sink casing

USB remote control system

PANASONIC lithium ion battery (3.6V 3200 mAh)

2A rapid charge system

Over heat protection system

7 modes: Over drive / High / Standard / Low / Flashing / Strobe / SOS

Quick release handlebar mount (fits 22-31.8mm)

Quick release helmet mount

Low battery, charging and fully charged indicator

Mode status indicator

Automatic fully charged cut-off system

High precision optical lens

Side visibility

Magnetic battery cover design

Quick release battery design

Water resistant usb port

Water resistant (IPX 4)

Size: 110 x 29.5 x 30 mm

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Well put together for the price but it would be nice to see an aluminium body, like some of its competitors, rather than plastic.

Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
8/10

Very simple to set up and use. Coloured indicator for various modes and battery life are well defined.

Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
7/10

A bit agricultural compared to some but very secure. Helmet bracket holds the light unit in place well.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
9/10

No issues at all out in the rain or getting a battering from a power shower.

Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
7/10

A little shorter than quoted, about 20 mins less on the Overdrive mode, but the battery indicator was spot on. Charge time was a little over 4 hours which is short enough to fit into the working day if you're a commuter.

Rate the light for performance:
 
8/10

A slightly better beam pattern for road use than the Exposure Sirius recently tested, although the Moon does still splay quite a bit of light upwards. Width is pretty good too. The included remote control makes changing modes an absolute doddle.

Rate the light for durability:
 
8/10

Impressive so far, though it does have a slightly cheap plastic feel to the entire unit.

Rate the light for weight:
 
8/10

You don't notice the 116g on your bar or helmet.

Rate the light for value:
 
5/10

I think the value when considering the quality and performance of the light is pretty much on par with its competitors.

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A good all-rounder that would make a great commuter light.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

The remote control.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Slightly short burn times.

Did you enjoy using the light? Yes

Would you consider buying the light? It's a strong contender.

Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Overall the Moon LX760 offers a decent beam pattern and brightness for the majority of riding conditions, with sensible burn times. The cost reflects the build quality and level of technology within the light, which means it sits well alongside its competition, though the whole unit just feels like it could do with a bit more refinement in terms of the plastic body and chunky bracket. It doesn't affect the overall performance though.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Mason Definition

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

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TypeVertigo | 7 years ago
1 like

How long did the battery last on the 530-lumen setting you used most Stu?

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