Knog Blinder Road 3 400

The Knog Blinder Road 3 400 is a relatively small (53 x 30 x 75mm) and low weight (105g) front light with, as the name suggests, a 400-lumen output. Its low bulk, light weight and yet powerful output make it perfect for commuting and shorter unlit lane rides.

Packed into a single, self-contained, fully waterproof aluminium head unit, the Blinder Road 3 400 features two 'LumiLed' white LED bulbs, one with a narrow beam and the other a wide beam. It offers 11 different modes – narrow, wide and dual bulb settings, all with options of low, medium or high, and two flashing modes should cover all your lighting needs. The only negative is a lack of side visibility due to the lamps being slightly sunk into the unit.

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Two buttons at the rear, above the top part of the clamp, control the light modes. The left hand button controls the lamp combinations and flashing mode, while the one on the right controls the brightness. Each button has a small light next to it, one (left) displaying battery life, the other (right) the brightness setting.

The light attaches to the bar with a silicone strap (two sizes are provided) which hinges via a metal clasp; this clicks and holds nicely in place with the help of a small top-mounted magnet. The bottom strap is replaceable, and a helmet mount is also provided.

The closure system performs well, holding firm on the bumpiest of roads, and the simple clasp means you can remove the light easily and quickly when leaving your bike or swapping it onto another. The pliable silicone strap also lets you adjust the angle of the light easily while on the move.

An integrated waterproof USB plug is nestled at the back of the unit, in between the straps, and is easy to flip out when charging is required.

Charging via a computer USB port can sometimes be tricky without using the short extension cable. Because the USB plug is located in between the straps, it has to be angled at its furthest open point so the straps don't get in the way; this then angles the whole light down so it won't slot into a laptop side port without raising the computer. It's only a slight inconvenience, really, and one I was happy to suffer in return for the light's low bulk and weight.

Full charging took 4.5 hours via laptop USB port. The charge indicator light next to the left hand function toggle button changes from red to green when fully charged, and vice versa as a warning while in use.

The Blinder 3 400 is more than capable of lighting up the darkest of country lanes, but the trade-off for the compact unit and low weight is shorter battery life. Run time on its highest, dual beam setting is only an hour and a half, but I did find that the dual beam on the medium setting, which lasts 2.5 hours, was sufficient for any unlit roads. Needless to say, if you need to be out riding in the dark on unlit roads for longer, this light isn't the one for you.

If you're riding on lit roads, using a single wide or narrow beam will significantly improve run times, and the eco flash mode will give you nine hours.

In use, the only real problem I had with the Blinder 400 was that the two toggle buttons are a bit 'form over function'. They're small and sit almost flush in the head unit, which is fine if you're wearing thin gloves, but in really thick, more bulky winter gloves they're hard to locate.

> Check out our guide to the best front lights and our beam comparison engine here

The Blinder 3 400 has been my main commuting light for the last four months, used five days a week for the 16-mile return trip that consists of 11 miles of unlit country lanes and 5 miles of city riding, with street lights to help. It's perfect for this type of trip, its wide range of modes coming to the fore. Its all-round performance has been brilliant and offers really good value for money. I'm more than happy to continue using it into British summer time and beyond!

Verdict

High performing, light, well constructed, and highly dependable – and bright enough for the darkest country lanes