Knog Blinder Mini Chippy Twinpack

Tell us what the light set 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?

Knog says that the Blinder MINI Chippy front and rear lights, featuring Chips on Board technology to give a panel of light, boast surface mounted LEDs offering 20/11 lumens (front/rear) to get you seen from over (800m) away. The Chippy comes with an integrated reflector face for added safety. Tool-less attachment securely connects both rear and front lights to handlebars and posts of 22–32+mm, they are designed to fit both standard and oversize handlebars and aero style seatposts. The size and weight of the lights are their most appealing features- a combined weight of 36g and only 31x31x14mm. The Chippy is designed for 'peloton' use according to Knog; the wide angle (120 degrees) offered by the Chippy is ideal for lighting the space around you when riding close to others. However, they do come from the 'be seen' range so don't be fooled into thinking that the front light is sufficient on its own for group riding, it isn't!

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

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: 46x43x30mm

Weight: 15g

Materials: UV-Resistant Industrial grade silicone, Polycarbonate Housing, Optical grade PMMA Lens, Hard-Anodised aluminium fascia.

USB Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery (USB). This saves using about 600 AAA Alkaline batteries during the light's lifetime.

LEDs: Efficient LEDs designed to provide maximum brightness level for up to 90% of the battery burn time for each mode. Rather than LED brightness deteriorating during your ride

Battery: Rechargeable Lithium polymer battery via integrated USB plug.

Peak brightness: Front: 20 Lumens, Rear: 11 Lumens

5 Light modes: 1. Steady, 2. Strobe Flash, 3. Fading Flash, 4. Lightning Flash, 5. Eco Flash.

Run-time: Blinder MINI front models last 1.8-2.5 hours in Steady mode, 3.5-4 hours in Strobe Flash, 3-3.8 hours in Fading Flash, 3.5 hours in Lightning Flash and 10-11.5 hours in Eco Flash.

Blinder MINI rear models last 1.8-2.2 hours in Steady mode, 3.5 hours in Strobe Flash, 3-3.2 hours in Fading Flash, 3-4.5 hours in Lightning Flash, 10.5-11 hours in Eco Flash.

100% Waterproof: The Blinder MINI is IP67 Tested and 100% waterproof against all elements

Beam angles (degrees): 20° (Dot), 90° (Niner), 120° (Chippy)

Bar Diameters: Fits bars / posts 22-32mm+ and aero.

Both lights are identical in design. The fully sealed units have the USB integrated into the light and different sized silicone straps (two front, three rear) can be interchanged depending on bar/post diameter. Although the charging strip is integrated it is somewhat exposed – it does not tuck away or have any kind of protective cover.

The lights are straightforward: prolonged press to switch on and one click to change between modes. A little faffy with thick gloves as the button is so small, but not impossible.

The lights are, as would be expected, mini- ideal if you have gadgets or clamps cluttering your front bar or limited seatpost at the rear, though anything too bulky would obscure the beam as the Chippy sits plush to the tubing.

Both lights use the same clamping system. Select the correct sized silicone strap and fix it to the light! This is the worst part but necessarily fiddly to ensure a secure attachment. Once you have the strap attached you are unlikely to want to be changing it very often anyway. They are easy to take on and off if you want to remove them when you leave the bike.

Excellent – even in a bucket of water! After a rainy commute I would remove the light to simply dry off the USB attachment. Knog also claims that they are dustproof, which isn't surprising as the casing is seamless. If they let you down on this front it's worth noting that Knog offers a two-year warranty.

Not a huge battery life in comparison to many lights on the market but they can be recharged without cables, which is handy.

The rear light is sufficient on its own to warn other road users of your presence. The front gives a good strong light and wide beam – you'll be seen, but it's not bright enough to highlight potential small hazards in the road surface. The front light is great for lighting the peripheries if riding with others. The low battery warning light is poorly positioned, and doesn't come on early enough.

The USB plug position looks susceptible to wear and tear, but Knog claims it is designed to withstand the elements, and offers a two-year warranty.

A combined weight of 36g won't hold you back.

Extremely handy set of lights for a decent price; both sufficiently bright on their own at night for a street-lit commute. The front doubles up as a super secondary light for evening winter training rides with a group, so all in all, good value.

Tell us how the lights performed overall when used for their designed purpose

The front light didn't quite have the punch I would have hoped for from a light claiming to be for 'peloton' use. Its wide beam was great for lighting the peripheries though. The striking rear light is ideal.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the lights

Integrated cable-free USB charging.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the lights

The front light's wide beam feature is hindered if you have a gadget extending off your bars. The low battery warning light.

Use this box to explain your score

These are fully waterproof, easy to use lights that do a good job of making sure you can be seen from front and rear, and are hard to beat in terms of convenience and simplicity. I would score them an 8, but run-times aren't the longest, and the low battery warning isn't very well designed.