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review

Chilli Technology LED Cycle Helmet/Backpack Light

8
£19.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Bright attention grabber for riding in the dark, with loads of fitting options
Weight: 
55g

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Chilli Technology's Universal Helmet/Rucksack light is designed to be used as a backup accessory to complement your main rear light. It's flexible, bright, easy to fit and cheaper than its main rival.

If you ride in traffic you need something to be attention grabbing so that you don't just blend in to the sea of urban light spill. Positioning a light high up on your body is always a good option so it sits above the level of car lights; this is just what the Chilli Technology LED is intended for.

It uses two LEDs, one either end which are switched on and off independently of each other. In flashing mode they blink three times per second and unless you can nail starting both of them at the same time it will create a kind of strobing pattern as they flash slightly out of sync. I like this as it makes it more noticeable.

In this mode the CR2032 batteries (one at each end) will last for a claimed 100 hours. I got 97.5 but the commute has seen some recent freezing temperatures as low as -7 °C which are never a battery's best friend. The light does start to dim as the batteries get close to their expiration time so it'd be worth replacing them within say 80 hours or so.

Fitting is easy. Simple stretchy straps loop round whatever you are attaching to and are held in place with a hook. You can dial in the angle of the fit by a screw mounted adjuster. Once fitted it stays put.

The light body itself is very flexible, it'll bend right back on itself so there are no worries about compatibility with any helmet or rucksacks. It'll also fit on frames or seatposts too so versatility isn't an issue.

As far as brightness is concerned it's on par with its main rival the Fibre Flare meaning it's visible from a decent distance (300m in the Fibre Flare review) in the dark but not powerful enough to be seen in daylight. Curved round the back of a helmet you easily get 180° of visibility plus the fact the light reflects up and down as well as behind means any surface close magnifies the coverage.

Chilli Technology claim the light is weatherproof and I'm happy to give that a big thumbs up. Loads of seriously wet weather commuting has caused no issues whatsoever being attached to a rucksack and it's also taken a pummeling from a power shower. Even being submerged for an hour has caused no ill effects.

Overall it's a useful addition to your main lights and one that is certainly attention grabbing for urban riding. It's robust and easy to fit with long burn times as well. The SRP of £19.99 is favourable compared to the tenner more expensive Fibre Flare too and the only disadvantage I can see is that the Chilli Technology uses the more expensive CR2032 batteries rather than AA's. That's best dealt with by buying in bulk on line rather than from Tesco.

Verdict

Bright attention grabber for riding in the dark with loads of fitting options

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Chilli Technology LED Cycle Helmet/Backpack Light

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product 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?

It's a back up light for use on pretty much anything really but mostly targeted at helmets or rucksacks. By putting the light source up high it gives you extra visibility in busy traffic.

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

2 LED's

Solid or Flash (3x per second) modes

Easy mount by silicone straps

Up to 100 hour battery life

2x CR2032 batteries

Weatherproof

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

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

It's a simple to use and fit light which I felt was very visible in traffic. The decent battery life and exceptional ability to keep out the elements is very impressive.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The weatherproofness.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Challenged by little LED flashers on price.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Impressive performance both in terms of light and against the elements means it's a better prospect than the similar Fibre Flare which costs 33% more on rrp.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: Kinesis T2  My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

 

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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5 comments

Avatar
bobinski | 9 years ago
0 likes

These are still available in the bogof deal. I have had 2 fibre flares fail. The first due to the barrey compartment contacts becoming corroded. The second simply snapped while in my bag. Perhaps someone sat on it. These seem a bit more flexible so will give them a try.

Avatar
bendip | 9 years ago
0 likes

I've got a old rear flasher attached to my commuting helmet with cable ties..might give these a go..apparently still buy one get one free..plus p&p

http://goo.gl/DgE8EF

Avatar
ellcheepo | 9 years ago
0 likes

I have 2 of these for Chill tech and they are great have only used 1 so far as I was luck enough to buy them on the BOGOF deal they did last year. It works well and people I have ridden with have all wanted one as they find it's not to bright to blind the rider behind but is visible enough to work and be noticed.

Avatar
McDuff73 | 9 years ago
0 likes

got a fibre flare in this setup it works fine

Avatar
dotdash | 9 years ago
0 likes

I paid £23 for the USB chargeable Fibre Flare, which is great. These are very visible.

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