Cycliq Fly12

The Cycliq Fly12 is a really well thought out and practical light/camera combo. The brightness of the light is good, the camera records well and uploading footage is also nice and easy. Charging it could be easier, though, or at least quicker.

I have been using Cycliq's Fly6 for a couple of years and was excited to test out this front facing version, the Fly12.

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The basis of the device is that it is both a 400-lumen front light and a 1080p camera. It is certainly larger than most other front lights I have used in the past, but markedly smaller than a light and camera on their own. So, how did it fare?

In terms of lighting, the Fly12 pumps out 400 lumens in a number of different sequences, including flashing, solid, intermittent and off. It works really well and even in the videos you can see the light bouncing off signs that are pretty far off. It works in all conditions and I found myself using it both in the dark and during the day as added visibility.

The second important element is, naturally, the camera, which I found to be really good. The video quality is strong, it picks up sound well, including conversations with those around me, and – most importantly – it keeps a steady picture rather than bouncing around all over the place.

As with the Fly6, my favourite feature is that, unlike most cameras, you don't need to worry about wiping the memory because it works on a constant loop. It means that once it has run out of space on the 16GB memory card, it simply deletes the last video and keeps working in that cyclical fashion. If you are in an incident, it automatically saves the 15 minutes before and after. This is done when the unit is turned over 45 degrees, triggering the system to save the footage if you are knocked off.

The lack of movement in the picture comes from the mount, which is similar to those used by GoPro. The Fly12 comes with two, one that goes around the handlebar and the other that can be used in a Garmin mount. It can also be used either above or below the bar, which is a nice touch. I used it both ways, but preferred it underneath simply because the unit is quite large and bar space is at a premium. It worked perfectly well in both positions. The only negative of having it beneath the bar is that you cannot see the indicator light to show when battery levels are low, although that being said, it gives you an audible indicator of the level with four beeps, one for every 25 per cent of battery life left.

One thing I particularly like about the Fly12 is that it doesn't look like a camera, something I really appreciate. You can get some snarky looks from people if you have a GoPro stuck on your helmet, but this gets rid of that issue.

As for battery levels, it's one of my bug bears. Not in that it runs out quickly – I believe Cycliq when it says the Fly12 has a 10-hour battery life, it seems relatively accurate – but in the time it takes to charge. I like to charge my USB lights on my computer at work, but with this I can charge it for hours and it won't be full unless I charge it from the plug overnight. It isn't a huge thing, but something to be aware of.

Uploading videos is simple and can be done in a couple of ways. You can put it onto the computer either by removing the MicroSD card or plugging it in with the supplied USB lead, and it can also be done through the app, by connecting your phone to the unit through WiFi. Getting it connected is simple and is done through one of the two buttons at the rear of the light. You can then edit in app, add tramlines and there's a neat Strava integration to overlay Strava stats onto the video. I found that the Strava integration worked well, but I struggled a little with the tramlines, which was a little frustrating. It can also be connected via Bluetooth to make changes to the settings on the unit.

It worked in all conditions and I used it while riding through floods on EU referendum day in London without it impacting at all. This is due to the innovative use of nano technology from Cycliq; it keeps out the water well and I didn't have any issues, even in some of the wettest conditions I have ridden in.

The unit also has a nifty security feature that tells you if your bike has been moved, as long as it is connected to your phone. It means you can turn your back on your bike during a coffee stop without getting paranoid about it being stolen; or at least you'll know if someone attempts it...

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Its RRP of £249 sounds expensive, but when you break it down and look at getting a good quality camera and light, it seems like a good deal. It's hard to compare it directly with anything else, simply because there is nothing similar currently on the market.

Overall, I really liked using the Fly12. It brings together a very good quality camera and bright light in a well-made package. Perhaps it could charge more easily and perhaps the editing on the app could be smoother, but these are minor issues in what is an innovative and well-thought-out product.

Verdict

A good product that works well as both a light and a camera – an innovative solution