The Xeccon Link 600 front light is powerful enough for riding on unlit roads, with decent battery life, easy mounting, and simple operation. It also has a clever mode that automatically adjusts output so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic.
- Pros: Easy to mount in a variety of places, powerful enough for most situations
- Cons: A bit bulky, long charging time
It's a dual-LED USB-powered light that, as the name suggests, boasts a maximum output of 600 lumens, which is more than adequate for most situations. I used it without a problem on unlit country roads, though I would probably want something with a little more power for trail or gravel riding.
The light has four modes: constant high and low, a very quick strobe, and automatic. The first three are simple enough, while automatic is of particular interest, adjusting the output based on lighting conditions.
It's designed to stop you dazzling oncoming drivers or cyclists by reducing the light output then increasing it once they've passed. It certainly seems to work, with a noticeable lag when going from lighter conditions to darker, and could be a real boon, particularly on cycle paths.
Connecting the light to the bike is done through a really simple mount, which is essentially a plastic bracket held in place on the bar with a laddered rubber band. The light itself is on the bulky side, coming in at 80mm long and 53mm wide, but despite its size the mount manages to keep the light in place securely. You can also remove the light unit quickly without the mount itself, pressing a button on the side of the mount which lets you slide the light unit off. The mount can also rotate 360 degrees, which means the light can be mounted in a variety of positions.
Working the light is slightly more complex than some, with three different press patterns to get to different modes. The high, medium and automatic modes are simply toggled through by pressing the single button, but getting to strobe requires a three-second push, which seems a bit more complex than it needs to be. It would be simpler to just include it within the single press cycle.
Turning the light on and off is done by holding the button down for two seconds.
As ever, battery life is dependent on which mode you are using. I found that low tended to last 7-8 hours, not the 10 hours claimed, while automatic was slightly less and high would run out after about 2 hours. That isn't too bad in terms of holding charge, but certainly not the best I've found in similar-powered lights.
> Buyer's Guide: The best front lights for cycling
Charging is via a Micro-USB cable which plugs into a slot in the rear of the light, and it takes quite a while to charge, around 5 hours. Xeccon has also included a battery indicator within the button: green for okay, red when the light needs charging.
An RRP of £43.99 is pretty good for a 600-lumen light, although if you shop around you can find it for less. The NiteRider Swift 500 is £8 cheaper, but also 100 lumens less powerful, while the Kryptonite Street F500 (full review to come) is £1 more than the Xeccon.
Overall, I'd say the Xeccon is a pretty good light, with a couple of niggles. It pumps out a decent amount of light, the run-times are adequate for most uses, and the mounting is really good, but it does take quite a time to charge and it's fairly large on the handlebar.
Verdict
A good light at a decent price that pumps out enough lumens for most riding situations
Make and model: Xeccon Link 600 front light
Tell us what the light 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 commuter light with an automatic adjustment setting and decent lumen output. The automatic sensor seems to work well and it pumps out enough light for most riding situations.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
From Xeccon:
LED: 2*Cree XP-G2 LED
Max Output: 600 Lumens
Run Time: 2-10 Hours
Mode: Low - High - Light Sensor
OFF Mode (Hold 2 seconds) / Strobe Mode (Hold 3 seconds)
Material: Zinc Alloy + Plastic
Micro USB Rechargeable
Battery: 1000mAh Internal Rechargeable Battery
Charging Time: 5 Hours
Waterproof Level: Water Resistant
Weight (w/ Battery): 103g
Dimensions: 80(L)x53(W)x31(H)mm
Rate the light for quality of construction:
8/10
Seems like a well-made light and still working after a couple of drops and use in heavy rain.
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
7/10
It isn't too complicated, although it would be good to include the strobe option within the single press cycle.
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
9/10
Really good clamping system, holding the light securely and allowing a variety of mounting options.
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
8/10
No complaints. I used it in torrential rain without any adverse consequences.
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
6/10
It holds its charge for a decent amount of time for reasonable-length commutes, but it would be nice to a have a shorter charge time than 5 hours.
Rate the light for performance:
7/10
Pumps out a decent amount of light for most riding situations, relatively easy to use, and doesn't need to be charged too frequently.
Rate the light for durability:
8/10
Dropped it a couple of times (the joys of reviewing the light alongside lobster claw gloves) and didn't leave a mark on it.
Rate the light for weight:
6/10
It's fairly heavy, but not likely to do too much damage on a climb.
Rate the light for value:
7/10
This is a good price for a well-made 600-lumen light, even better if you can find it cheaper online.
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well. It does everything it needs to, pumping out enough light for most situations, easy to mount, and simple to use.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
The mounting system is simple but effective and allows for a diverse range of options.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
Charging time is a bit long, and I'd like a simpler way to get to the strobe option.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The NiteRider Swift 500 comes in at £8 cheaper, but also 100 lumens less powerful, as does the Kryptonite Street F500 at £1 more.
Did you enjoy using the light? Yes
Would you consider buying the light? Yes
Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
It's a robust, well-made and bright enough light for most situations, at a price that doesn't break the bank.
Age: 29 Height: 6 ft Weight:
I usually ride: Cinelli Gazzetta My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking
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