Magicshine MJ-890 front light

Magicshine have built up a loyal following in the last few years with their low budget Cree-bay specials. They've since started selling direct from a UK base, which is where this MJ-890 light comes from.

The MJ-890 is modestly priced commuter light kicking out a claimed 160 lumens. It looks very similar to the Moon Meteor that I tested (and liked) last year, with a small flat body containing a single LED, a USB port at the back, a button on the top and all mounted on a silicone strap.

The electronics are rather more basic, with just three modes (high, low and flash). I like that kind of simplicity, especially in a commuter light, although the settings do that infuriating thing of cycling through Off, which is an offence that should have the designers d-locked to a Sheffield stand and beaten with soiled chamois pads.

My time with the 890 didn't start well. The bracket is made from a rather brittle-feeling plastic and the nubbin that the strap hooks over is very small and snapped off the very first time I tried to fit the light. I've tested any number of lights with similar mounts and had no problems, so it can't just be because I'm a ham-fisted yeti (shut it, Ed). Magicshine offer a 12 month no-quibble warranty on their lights and the replacement unit has been fine so far.

The MJ-890 is sold as a commuter light, so convenience takes precedence over power. It's very small, doesn't take up much space on the bars and only takes a few seconds to remove. It's light too and would make an ideal helmet light, if you can figure out how to mount it. The only downside is that the bracket doesn't allow any lateral movement. Charging is via a silicone shielded USB port on the back.

The top button, which doubles as a battery indicator, is large and quite easy to operate. I found that the low setting was more than enough for lit roads and paths, with the high setting being reserved for unlit lanes. I've never yet found a use for the flash setting on any light, but I guess that it may be useful in urban areas.

The beam isn't hugely powerful, but it has a decent spread of light and enough depth to keep up a decent pace. It's certainly pretty impressive for a light at this price. To forestall any muttering below the line, no, it isn't a German style beam pattern that cuts off below driver eye-level. Yes, it would be nice if it was. No, it isn't a problem, provided you angle the light correctly. Alles klar? Sehr gut.

Run time can be a tricky beast to pin down sometimes. I tried the old 'switch it on and leave it' test but the light steps down as the battery drains, so it's not easy to give precise figures. Magicshine claim 3 hours on full power which seems about right and I noticed that the light stayed on, with *just* enough glow to be seen by, for much longer. That's a reasonable runtime for a commuter light, especially if you eke it out with judicious use of the low setting.

I really liked this light, it's a measure of how far lights have come in recent years that you can get something this good for modest money (cheapest online at time of writing - just over £30). Best of all is that it 'fits into any pocket, including a top shirt pocket', which is the best bit of marketing nonsense I've ever read.

The light comparator

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Verdict

No frills, but a very good basic light.