For many riders, CatEye is a company that simply makes reliable, ‘never-leave-home-without’ cycle lights. And, of course, all those riders are perfectly correct. 

But as a brand, CatEye has a lot going on behind the scenes that makes it way more interesting and, we’d argue, significantly more technologically capable than your typical bike light manufacturer. So we’ve put together 10 fun facts about CatEye that reveal the true power behind the beam. 

1. 70+ years in operation

Look, we’re not saying your own CatEye light is going to work non-stop for more than seven decades – it’ll need recharging, if nothing else! But CatEye has been trading for more than 70 years. Try finding another bike light company that can beat that.

The business started way back in 1948 and has been family owned since 1954. In that time, it has seen countless other big-talking new bike light brands come and go, along with the so-called ‘revolutionary’ tech they often purport to offer. But while those fly-by-night lights have faded, CatEye is still here, shining the way. 

CatEye LED rear lights
CatEye: bringing LED lighting technology to the masses (Image Credit: Cateye)

2. LED trailblazer

CatEye doesn’t try to blind customers with big promises of new novelties, but it is as committed to innovation as anybody else, especially as a world leader in lens and reflector technology. 

Historically, CatEye also created the first flashing lamp for bicycles in 1964 and then, in 2001, the brand developed the very first cycle head lamp that used white LEDs. 

Proving its bright concepts aren’t restricted to cycle lighting, CatEye launched its first bike computer way back in 1981 and was among the first companies to integrate altimeter, heart rate, and cadence technology into cycle computers. 

3. No bull lighting claims

As a Japanese company founded on the key tenets of reliability, safety and comfort, CatEye’s innovation never comes at the expense of quality. And that focus on quality extends to all areas, not least light power and longevity. 

While other brands might push the limits of truthfulness when it comes to their product’s performance, tests show that CatEye lights tend to illuminate at their declared power for longer than other makes. 

And there’s no dodgy claims going on here. Some brands use a flash light standard to increase beam power when initially switched on but the power of the beam then quickly drops. With CatEye, the stated performance is what you actually get.

4. So reliable, they come with a five-year warranty

It’s not only in stated lighting power where CatEye’s trusted quality can be found. Pop open any CatEye product and you will find top-notch componentry throughout.

Most CatEye lights use USB-C fast charging along with high-capacity batteries, high-quality circuit boards and market-leading levels of quality control. Unlike many other light brands, CatEye even has its own manufacturing facilities in Japan and China. 

In fact, so sure is CatEye of its quality control that this year it is rolling out a five-year warranty on all its light products. Which leads us onto…

CatEye Ampp2200
Powerful enough even for roadies: CatEye's awesome AMPP2200 (Image Credit: Cateye)

5. 99.9%+ reliability

Once bought, (almost) never returned. CatEye has one of the lowest return rates of any brand in cycle lighting. According to CatEye’s UK distributor – Zyro – the amount of CatEye products that come back from customers is an incredible 0.07%. 

When you consider the sheer number of light units that CatEye sells as the UK’s longstanding number one bike light brand across all channels, that 99.9% non-return rate is something to marvel at.

6. Ready for roadies

Of course, CatEye is an obvious pick for cycle commuters and riders who use their bikes for active transport. But there’s no discrimination at CatEye – even roadies are welcome! 

In fact, there’s a number of reasons why CatEye should be especially on the radar of those who use their bikes for more demanding pursuits. CatEye’s new high-performance models, such as the AMPP 2200 goes up to a dazzling 2200 lumens, meaning it’s perfect for fast, long-distance road riding or even gravel adventures. And the fact CatEye products also come in lightweight, compact packages makes them even more enticing for riders with high demands. 

CatEye Nano lights
CatEye Nanos: proving great things can come in small packages (Image Credit: Cateye)

7. Same tech, same benefits, different sizes

We talked earlier about CatEye’s commitment to innovation, particularly when it comes to lenses. One prime example is CatEye’s OptiCube technology, which allows you to get great performance without needing maximum output. That then extends battery life significantly, meaning you can enjoy the ride for longer. (In Enduro mode, the AMPP2200 provides a whopping 12 hours of continuous lighting.) 

That clever lens technology doesn’t only appear in CatEye’s most powerful light; its smaller offerings benefit, too. A perfect example – and another ideal road riding product, released earlier this year – is the CatEye NANO60 rear light.

Despite being super compact, lightweight and ‘only’ putting out 60 lumens of lighting power, thanks to OptiCube lens technology, the NANO60’s beam pattern can be seen up to a kilometre away. On flashing mode, it’ll run for up to 60 hours, and it’ll fit on all seatpost sizes and shapes, or it can even be used as wearable. Great things truly can come in small packages.

8. Good reflections

CatEye’s lens technology isn’t confined to bike lights: CatEye is among the world’s top reflector manufacturersfor highway and traffic purposes through CatEye’s Highways Safety Division. 

This expertise in reflectors and lenses, gained in environments away from your typical cycling requirements, gives the company a unique advantage over other brands when it comes to maximising beam performance.

CatEye Reflectors
Right back atcha! CatEye is a global leader in reflectors (Image Credit: Cateye)

9. The genius of the H34 mount

If you think light mounts might aren’t the most exciting thing in the world, then you haven’t really had a good look at CatEye. The unique design of the brand’s proprietary H34 mount means that it will go round oval-shaped handlebars easily, offering yet another positive for the Lycra brigade.

The H34 mount is ultra-secure, ultra-stable and doesn’t wobble. It offers a small amount of adjustability so you can position the beam exactly where you want laterally. The light itself can be quickly and easily removed with a reassuring snap. And it’s compatible with a wide range of CatEye lights, from the smallest to the biggest. 

10. It’s not (just) about the night

The final big positive we’ve got for road riders, and other cyclists too, is the fact that CatEye really understands daytime safety. Most CatEye front and rear lights offer dedicated daytime modes, such as ‘Daytime HyperConstant’ or ‘Daytime HyperFlash’.

For example, the NANO60 and its companion front light – the NANO F – are perfect for daytime safety. The NANO F is 100 lumens and it’ll do up to 65 hours on its most efficient flash mode, meaning you’ll be seen for days.

There are also perfect options for riders who like to go out with friends, too. CatEye’s ViZ range of rear lights might go up to an eye-catching 450 lumens but they feature a dedicated ‘Group Ride’ mode with a more subdued light pulse. That means you won’t blind the rider behind, but you will remain seen even if you’re bringing up the rear of the pack. As if.

For more information about CatEye’s range, visit cateyecycling.co.uk