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review

Moon Comet-X Pro Rear Light

7
£30.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Capable compact light with good presence and generally practical settings
Weight: 
46g

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 Comet-X Pro is an extremely powerful and surprisingly tuneable rear light.

It uses COB (chips on board) technology, meaning a whopping 30 diodes can share the same space, resulting in a brighter effect. A CNC machined aluminium heat sink ensures they lead long and productive lives.

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The lithium polymer battery is reckoned to last 500 charge cycles and, like most USB lights, it meets IPX4 standard for water resistance. On paper at least you stand a sporting chance of getting four winters' hard use out of it.

The Comet-X boasts seven distinctive modes to cater for most scenarios. These are selected via a positive rubberised switch, which requires a reassuring definite two-second press before it comes to life and two deliberate prods to run through the settings. It's a little tricky to locate in winter-weight gloves, but becomes intuitive after a while and certainly no worse than several similar designs I've been testing recently, including the similar Cateye Rapid X (review to come).

The highest constant setting produces a sensible 40 lumens, which is quite bright enough for most nights. When mounted vertically and used as my sole rear light, friends reckoned they could spot me from 225 metres, along the lanes.

A 77-degree spot certainly helps, but despite the low lens profile, 270-degree bleed offers a decent cloak of light. No stealth moments when entering the flow of traffic from concealed junctions at rush hour. I'm also inclined to suggest it encourages drivers to give a slightly wider berth when passing. That said, it wasn't quite broad enough to serve as the only source of lighting on a tagalong or trailer.

Unfortunately, a run time of 1hr 22mins (1:30 quoted) isn't overly impressive. Lower (25 and 15-lumen) constant modes are brighter than their numbers suggest, but again, 2:02 and 5:23 are best described as middling.

Redemption came in the guise of flashing. The most extrovert 40-lumens has returned 7:24 (7:30 quoted) from a full charge, and we're talking visibility to 350 metres or so on a clear night.

Its intermittent pulsing counterpart bought another 2:15 and is very eye-catching mounted atop a helmet or messenger bag. The faster flash felt more comfortable around town as my only source of rear lighting, although suburban commuters will probably find the 20-lumen flash more than adequate, and it's proved ridiculously frugal – 15:08.

Running blinkies in the daytime has increasingly become the norm. The Comet-X's daytime flash is 80 lumens but literally sips power: 18:41 in the real world against the 19 quoted. On the one hand, 80 lumens is great on a misty morning but otherwise it's too aggressive.

> Read our guide to the best reflective clothing and accessories

Fed from the mains, charge times are 2hrs; bank on another 15mins or so from PCs or tablets.

As for attaching, Moon has taken the O ring route, which offers secure tenure, although a bracket is included too so the Comet-X Pro can cadge a lift on either the saddle rails or rider/luggage.

Ultimately, there is a lot to like about the Comet-X Pro, especially if you want a sleek, high power unit. However, while there is a weight penalty, there are cheaper and arguably more usable models such as Nite Rider's four-mode Solas 30

Verdict

Capable compact light with good presence and generally practical settings

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Moon Comet-X Pro

Size tested: n/a

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?

Moon says: "The new Comet X Pro has been designed for everyday use, with an integrated high output COB LED."

I would broadly agree.

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

* 1 pce 30 chip high output COB LED

* CNC aluminium heat sink

* Auto safe mode

* Mode memory function

* Rechargeable lithium polymer battery 3.7v 300 mAh

* 7 modes

* Low battery charging and fully charged indicator

* Auto fully charged cut off

* Side visibility

* Water resistant IPX4

* 270 degree total beam angle

* 77 degree spot angle

* Daytime flash mode 80 lumen output / 19 hours runtime

* Includes universal bracket, saddle rail and belt clip bracket

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Seems well made and reasonably protected from the elements.

Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
7/10

Rubber switch a little tricky to begin with, but choosing modes quickly becomes intuitive. Memory function also takes the faff out of finding your favourite.

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

Choice of mounting options, including saddle rail and clothing clip, are definite pluses. Butterfly clamp and O ring tie offer reliable, slip-free tenure, even when tackling poorly surfaced dirt roads.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
7/10

IPX4 is pretty standard and ours has resisted heavy rain and blasts from the garden hose.

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

Quick charging and accurate run times.

Rate the light for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the light for durability:
 
7/10

Heat sink bodes well for diode longevity and unit seems well made.

Rate the light for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the light for value:
 
7/10

Competitive for this level of performance.

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

Overall, the Comet-X Pro is another extremely bright light with settings for most contexts and sensible run times. The 270-degree arc also seemed to encourage wider passing distances from other traffic. Its highest 40-lumen constant mode is very impressive but not the most practical because of its short run time.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

Good choice of settings, high quality light, even in the lower modes, and sensible charge times.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Run times in constant 40-lumen mode.

Did you enjoy using the light? Yes

Would you consider buying the light? Possibly

Would you recommend the light to a friend? One to consider if they needed a really bright rear light.

Use this box to explain your score

Reasonably priced given the output and range of settings, but the 40-lumen constant setting's short run time means it's of limited use.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 1m 81cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Rough stuff tourer based around 4130 Univega mountain bike frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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3 comments

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bendertherobot | 7 years ago
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JoSkinya | 7 years ago
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I second the comment above, I had the previous model and they were great for weight, fit, brightness etc until both failed at the same time due to water ingress in a rain shower (despite manuf's claim they are waterproof).  The manufacturer refused to replace as they failed out of warranty, despite being a clear design flaw on the ingress protection, so I was left to replace at my own cost.  Replaced with Lezyne Strip drive units instead and pretty pleased so far!

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hawkinspeter | 7 years ago
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Interesting, though I'm curious as to how it compares to the previous Comet model. I've had a couple of the older model Comet for a few years and am very happy with the brightness/weight/form factor but I suspect they'll break at some point or not keep as much charge.

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