Blackburn DayBlazer 400 front light

The Blackburn Dayblazer 400 is the baby of the range. It's bijoux enough for clutter-phobic bars, and although 400 lumens are top whack, and run-times aren't particularly generous in the lower 200-lumen setting, the strobing and flashing modes have ample presence and reasonable economy, which might appeal to urban riders.

• Pros: Inexpensive, compact, decent flashing/strobing modes
• Cons: Short run-times in constant settings

Materials/specification

The Dayblazer 400 uses TIR optics that project a combination of spot and flood beam, providing light to navigate and be seen by. It has a composite body and cowling, but build quality is reassuringly solid and it complies with IP67 for waterproofing, meaning it can endure immersion in a metre of water, for 30 minutes. Suffice to say it has passed my bucket and hosepipe torture tests with flying colours.

> Find your nearest dealer here

It also conforms to ANSI FL1 standards, which test output and accuracy of claims, including run-times. To my surprise, it also complies with the 1 metre drop test.

Unlike its bigger relations, the 400 is fuelled by a lithium polymer battery. This charges in around three hours via a super-convenient Micro USB cable. Mains refuelling will shave 20 minutes or so from this. Either way, the integrated 'fuel gauge' battery life indicator will turn green when it's good to go.

Modes/output

There are four modes in total: Blitz is 400 lumens, Low 200, pulsing and strobing are 200 apiece.

Using the full 400 lumens unleashes a very pure, accurate hybrid beam. After dusk, the spot provides ample detail for navigating better-lit semi-rural sections at a steady 17mph. In such settings, oncoming traffic dipped their headlights at around 25 metres, maybe less.

In a pinch, there's just enough bite for canal towpath cut-throughs, and I've also found it handy for darker suburban stretches where I've been able to maintain a steady 23mph with ample warning of upcoming/potential hazards.

It's overpowered for town perhaps, but not overbearing in slow-moving, congested traffic should you forget to switch down. However, I've only managed to get 58 minutes from a full charge; okay, that's just 2 minutes short of those cited, so acceptable, but it's only really suitable for short runs.

Low will last for almost 90 minutes, and is about right for the concrete jungle, the lens projecting a wide arc of very pure light that proved most beneficial at roundabouts and junctions.

However, since the main consideration in these contexts is being seen, I've found the pulsing mode more effective. The gentle strobe is very subtle and bright enough to navigate the outskirts of town, with other traffic tending to note me earlier than its steady counterpart – around 25 metres compared with 15 metres.

Run-times are also more realistic for commuting, or on those occasions where you've been enjoying some extended late summer evening playtimes on the best bike. Ours returned 5 hours 57 minutes from a full charge, which although not jaw-dropping is very practical for shorter/middle distance commuting.

It has sufficient punch for daytime too: other traffic seemed to take notice from 40 metres along open roads, 20-25m around town.

> Buyer's Guide: The best 2018 front lights for cycling

Strobe is very distinctive and reminded me of lightning and is extremely conspicuous. We're talking a good 150 metres along country roads, 90 or so through built-up areas; I've found this mode and the light's modest proportions a very welcome complement to dynamo lamps. Run-times are cited as 10 hours and it's returned 9 hours 56 minutes from a full charge, which is refreshingly frugal.

Switch/indicator

The centre-mounted switch is intuitive to use, even in gloved hands, and very positive, so unintentional engagement is highly unlikely.

The integrated battery life indicator gives a clear visual account at the point of selection, so despite the lack of auto 'idiot' kick down, being plunged into darkness should be a rare event. Green indicates you have between full and 75%, orange 75-25%, red less than 25%, and at around the 10% marker it will pulse intermittently. At this point, bargain on 15 minutes before it powers down – useful as a failsafe, particularly when helmet-mounted, but here's when an auto kick down would come into its own.

Mounting hardware

There are two choices: bar or GoPro type helmet mount. Switching between them is simply a matter of unscrewing one from the lamp body and threading the other in place. The swivelling design means whipping it on/off the bar is quick and hassle-free. Ours has fitted standard and oversized bars/extensions with ease. If you're going the helmet route, it might be worth checking compatibility first.

Conclusion

Allowing for the modest run-times in steady modes, the Dayblazer 400 represents very good value for money.

If you're seeking a compact, tuneable and inexpensive model, this will serve you well. If you want to navigate unlit semi-rural/rural roads with regularity, you should look to something more powerful, with run-times to suit.

Verdict

Versatile and compact light that suits suburban/urban riding, though run-times aren't generous on higher steady settings