Magicshine MJ-858 front light

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?

Magicshine say a lot:

The 2015 model Magicshine MJ-858 is the best new Magicshine product we've seen for a few years. Lightweight, enhanced cooling, compact design but with a fabulous 1000 lumens beam, the low price makes this a light that's hard to ignore.

Dimensions

If you haven't got much bar space left, have a look at the MJ-858. With a diameter of 3.2cm and length 4.5cm this is a diminutive light that stores away easily into pockets or small bags without a problem. Total weight is 147gm including the battery bag.

Mounting

The tried and tested Magicshine 'O' ring mounting system continues to win plaudits for its robustness as well as ease and speed of use. With a choice of two 'O' rings for different size bars, mounting this light is easy to do within seconds. It's clean and easy, ideal for commuters.

Battery

The standard battery is a 4 X 18650 cell 4.4Ah battery. With a fully sealed plastic cover and rubber straps to enable you to fix the battery to your bike without the need for a battery bag, it offers excellent protection against the elements.

Design

This is a barrel shaped design, black T6 Aluminium alloy. The inner case has cooling fins along it's length while the outer shell offers further cooling ensures a cool touch to the hand.

In Use

The MJ-858 continues the Magicshine reputation for ease of use. The single click switch at the rear of the light controls both on/ff and beam functions and it really is simple to use. Clicking the switch brings on in turn high beam, low beam and flash modes. The rear switch has 5 colour modes to warn of reducing battery power. Green, blue yellow red and finally flashing red (<5%) give adequate warning of impending power loss.

Run Time

The MJ-858 will run for 3.5 hours on full brightness with it's 4.4Ah battery, you can easily extend this by reducing the output. However if run time is parramount to your requirements, then just upgrade to the bigger 6.6Ah battery to get well over 5 hours run time on full power.

Beam

The MJ-858 uses a single CREE XM-L2 LED. It packs a punchy beam of 1000 lumens, comparable to the MJ-808E. However we tested both lights together and the MJ-858 has a brighter beam with significantly less halo effect than the MJ-808E. The brightness is evident in the beam spread which offers more of a flood beam than the MJ808E although in our judgement, beam length was similar.

Warranty

The factory offers a 12 month warranty on the light head, 180 days on the battery. However Bonita likes to do things a little bit differently and as exclusive UK distributor for this model, she is offering a 12 month warranty on all components, including the battery. Another reason to buy from Magicshine UK.

This is pretty comprehensive. I'd say it was well aimed at all winter riding, but commuters probably get the best out of it, on rural roads and urban streets. I didn't notice the 'yellow' battery indicator light on my head unit.

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

This is a simple two-part light, with a small head unit and battery pack. Output of the light is 1000 lumens on full beam which lasts a bit under four hours.

The head unit is black anodised aluminium, with a cage around the heatsink so that you can handle it reasonably safely with it on.

It is very easy to install, use and maintain (charge). Simple controls even with cold, padded fingers.

I have used the rubber O-ring construction on a number of lights now and found it to be reliable.

No problems at all with waterproofing. The light is very small so there is little splash on the lens itself, and there have been no odd moments where water has entered the head unit or the battery pack.

Recharging takes about 5-6 hours from red-flash indicator to full charge. On full power the head unit lasts about 3.5h, but that is also supplying charge to the rear light as well.

The spread and throw of the beam are excellent given the size of the unit, and the light is a white tone (not much blue or yellow in the beam). The run time at full power is quite impressive.

There has been no signs of any of the light unit losing performance in use through both heavy wet weather and freezing cold.

It is small and very light – I would expect the battery pack to weigh much more than the head unit!

I'm very impressed that the suppliers can offer this model for around 30% less than the predecessor MJ-808. Given the UK supplier, output, battery life, and that it is supplied with a higher capacity battery, I think £60 is excellent value.

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

Extremely well. The light is consistent, easy to use even with thick gloves on, and provides an excellent output.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

The quality of the beam – when descending Wiltshire's finest potholed roads I had more confidence with the throw and spread of the light.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

There is little to dislike. I'd prefer an orange light indicator and always prefer lights that don't mean I have to go through 'off' to get to 'full power', but I feel like I'm being unfair.