The Infini Mini Luxo rear light is described as being ‘a classy way to keep yourself seen in low-light conditions”. On the plus side, it’s brighter than the size would imply and quite captivating by thimble-type standards, but unless you’re particularly pushed for space there are more effective blinkies for less money.
- Pros: Well made, bright, decent run-times
- Cons: Expensive
The Mini Luxo is very well made, with a CNC machined aluminium alloy body housing diode, circuitry and lithium polymer battery. The lens is broad, relatively flat and doubles as an on/off switch. Combining lens and switch minimises moving parts and keeps things simple when wearing thick winter gloves. It requires a definite press before coming to life.
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There’s no memory function, but since there are only three modes I wasn’t that fussed. Those three modes are flashing, constant and pulse, and the Mini Luxo has proved markedly brighter than I was expecting in pretty much every setting.
As a daylight flash it can’t compare with, say, Bontrager’s Flare R City light, but it’s quite apparent on gloomy afternoons. At dusk and beyond, approaching riders suggested it was visible from around 100 metres along open roads, nearer 70-80m around town, which is reasonable.
It’s a similar story in the steady mode thanks to the surprisingly potent diode. I’ve run it alongside two other flashing lights (15 lumens apiece) and it seems slightly brighter.
Flashing and pulsing have a slight edge when darkness proper falls, though again, 115/110m seems to be an average along unlit roads, 70/80m through town.
Run-times and charging
Run-times are reasonable: 2 hours in steady, 4:47 flashing, 5:33 pulsing. Charging takes 2 hours from the mains; bargain on another 15 minutes or so when it’s supping from your laptop port. It’ll go from flashing red to blank, signifying it’s fully juiced.
Charging is via an android pattern charge port hidden behind the screw-on back. This, aside from being sleek, offers decent protection from the elements. Suffice to say, I’ve felt no inclination to add a blob of silicone grease, and it’s passed my garden hose test with flying colours and not missed a beat when seatstay-mounted and belted along some waterlogged backroads.
Mounting
The mount – a familiar silicone strap and sculpted rubber pad – provides secure, finish-friendly tenure and works well with the full zodiac from skinny steel seatstays through to oversized seatposts.
Conclusion
Relative to size, the Mini Luxo is well made and more potent than I was expecting. At £26 it is comparable with similar designs such as the Lucas KOTR R15 (and the F40 front – you can read my review here), but there are scores of compact models representing better value.
> Buyer’s Guide: 14 of the best rear lights for cycling
Bontrager’s Flare R City mentioned above, Moon’s Gemini and Cateye’s Rapid Micro Rear are a few that spring to mind. Indeed, you can buy the Gemini as a front and rear package for £32.
Verdict
Robust and more potent than its size would imply, but pricey compared with the alternatives
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Infini Mini Luxo Rear Light
Size tested: 15 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?
Infini says: “The Mini-Luxo is a classy way to keep yourself seen in low light conditions
Single LED housed within aluminum outer case
Main body unscrews from back plate to reveal USB port for recharging
Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery
Flashing, Constant and Pulse modes
Push button lens is easy to operate, even with winter gloves
Supplied with mount”
I’d say it’s competitively priced by thimble type design standards and brighter than I was expecting. However, it’s expensive given the level of performance and different designs offering more light for less money.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
CNC machined aluminium housings, screw down port cover, 3 modes, combined lens and switch, lithium polymer battery, single LED.
Well made, using decent quality materials.
Lens cum switch means it’s very easy to engage and operate, even in heavyweight winter gloves.
Looped straps are secure and gentle on finishes.
As I’d expect from a screw down design. No problem with wet roads, rain and occasional blasts from the garden hose.
2hrs charge time; 2hrs steady, 4hrs 47 flashing, 5hrs 33 pulsing.
Brighter and more captivating than I was expecting.
Seems well made, no obvious weak spots noted.
Competitive alongside similar types, but relatively pricey compared with other options.
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall and as a contingency/tertiary light, the Mini Luxo is well made and relatively bright. Integrating lens and switch is great from a design perspective, and charge times are swift too, but it feels relatively poor value and less practical alongside other compact lights such as Bontrager’s Flare R City or Cateye’s Rapid Micro rear.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
Nicely finished, simple to use and brighter than I was expecting.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
Poor value for money when compared with other options.
Did you enjoy using the light? Yes
Would you consider buying the light? No
Would you recommend the light to a friend? Probably not.
Use this box to explain your score
It’s a simple contingency light that is aesthetically pleasing and user friendly, and better than most of the “thimble” models I’ve used to date, but it’s poor value compared with higher power models with 180-degree lozenge shaped lenses, which keeps the overall score down.
About the tester
Age: 44
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
1 thought on “Infini Mini Luxo Rear Light”
Looks to be exactly the same
Looks to be exactly the same design as my own-brand Evans one. As you say, it’s brighter than you’d think, the flash certainly gets driver’s attention. The only downside is the rubber pad part of the mount (that sits on the back of the light) is not glued on, and tends to come off when charging, so could get lost (hasn’t happened yet).
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