The Magicshine Seemee 180 is a high power rear light with impressive output and – when the braking function is tamed – reasonable run-times, especially in the flashing modes.
There's quite a bit of technology crammed into the Seemee series, with the lens employing vertical and horizontal diodes, which are apparently designed to project light most effectively, and using Chip on Cord (COC) technology. It's all fed by a lithium ion battery reckoned good for 500 charge cycles (which should be at least two relatively heavy years' use), sealed within a sturdy composite shell.
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The 260-degree peripheral claim looks a bit dubious until you scrutinise the shroud, which is translucent, allowing the light to bleed through.
It's rated to IPX6 waterproofing, which means it will resist jets of pressurised water, so should take even Britain's most inclement weather in its stride. The micro USB port plug is a superior fit to most, too, without being fiddly.
The top-mounted switch is reasonably positive yet easily commanded in full-finger winter-weight gloves. It incorporates a slightly crude though effective enough charge/battery life indicator.
Modes
There are seven modes – technically eight, if we're counting the smart function that automatically switches between day and night modes, which is rather neat.
Three constant: Low (27 lumens), Medium (63 lumens) and High (125 lumens). All four flashing modes are 125 lumens but sequentially different.
As for the smart day and night modes, these range from 3-125 lumens and 9-125 lumens respectively, as chosen by the light's ambient sensor.
The brake light function can be switched on and off by depressing the switch for five seconds when powering up.
Thoughtfully, the system has an auto kickdown, which engages once reserves tumble to 5% and theoretically buys you 20 minutes before the unit powers down completely and needs charging.
Charging takes two hours through the mains, longer through laptop ports and other devices. It registers green when fully juiced, defaults to red when you're at 20%, and flashes red furiously when you're at the critical phase. I would have preferred an amber for more insightful feedback, but there we are.
Mount
This is a mini Garmin type head and is designed to accommodate both aero and standard diameters. I've had no issues with seatposts between 26.6 and 31.8mm or seatstays.
I tend to remove lights and brackets when locking bikes in the street, but the head unit releases and refits easily with a half turn.
This family of lights also has a saddle rail bracket, although these weren't included with our samples.
Output/run-times
As the numbers suggest, this is a very bright light. The daylight mode is very obvious, much like its Seemee 200 sibling, and visible from a very similar distance from behind – half a mile or so. Ours seemed faithful to the cited 3-18hrs in certain contexts, but expect it to vary, given the system's self-regulating tendencies and autumn/winter's variable light.
Its peripheral punch doesn't match that of some, but I've had no 'stealth' issues from the side.
> 6 tips for cycling at night
As regards the braking function, as you might expect this is designed to emit a more intense beam when you are slowing – including on a long climb – and it can be very thirsty. For example, I've had a mere 80 minutes from a full charge using the Comet flash (cited run-time is 3hrs 30mins without the brake light on).
Comet itself is incredibly bright – friends reckoned they could spot me from 400 metres on very murky mornings – but I'd say Flash is the most extrovert setting; anecdotally, following riders and drivers suggested they'd picked me out from 400 or 500 metres on pitch black roads.
Frugality is another definite draw of Flash – cited as being 10 hours. Real world (once I'd disengaged the braking function) it seems within a few minutes of that – 9hrs 54mins is the closest I've got. It's too aggressive for town, where I've tended to dip to the 'smart' mode, handing control to the light's sensors, or gone for the low steady, which is 27 lumens. It should go without saying that this is probably the best option for group rides, unless you're doing a turn at the back.
> Buyer’s Guide: 18 of the best rear lights for cycling
Using the smart sensor also eats into run-times – I've come close to the night setting's 3 hours, which may well be enough for a long commute or training ride, but you'll need to be disciplined on the charging front.
Interactive is another great choice for longer training runs, or endurance rides, although ours seemed to manage 5hrs 40mins and then slipped into the 27-lumen kickdown flash, buying a final 20 minutes. Even that is bright – and perfectly adequate along pitch black roads when seatstay or helmet mounted.
Value
In common with its siblings, at £31.99 the 180 offers a fair amount for moderate money.
Fabric's £29.99 FLR30 rear light is cheaper but less powerful (although I'd generally agree that 30 lumens is adequate for most situations) – crucially, though, Fabric seems to have got the braking function sussed.
Lezyne's KTV Pro Alert Drive (full review to come) also has a braking function, for £30, but its maximum output is 75 lumens. Its brighter Zecto Alert Drive and Strip Alert Drive siblings are both £40, and neither matches the Seemee 180 for output.
Summary
I'm really liking the Seemee range and the 180 is no exception. I'm not overly taken with the braking function, which seems too sensitive and ruinous to run-times – especially if you are living in hilly regions, or tackling lumpy lanes – but its tuneability means it's a practical option for endurance rides along unlit roads.
Verdict
Powerful rear light with generally sensible modes, but the brake light function is thirsty and over-sensitive
Make and model: Magicshine Seemee 180
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?
Magicshine says, 'The Seemee 180 is a powerful bike tail light for road, urban, and mountain bikers, with wide-angle visibility, low power flash mode, and a brake sensor, on brake the flash output is 180 lumens.'
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
Magicshine lists:
180 lumens max, 125 lumens consistent, 260 degrees wide visibility, visible from more than 2 miles away
Brake Sensor: 180-lumen brake light that lasts 3 seconds, also triggers sleep mode after 5 minutes of inaction
Ambient Light Sensor: Auto adjusts light mode and output depending on ambient conditions(only in smart mode)
Low power mode: Power saving flash mode triggered at 5% battery and lasts 20 min
Memory function: Saves the last mode used when the light was turned off
3 brightness modes and 4 flash modes(double press to change modes, single press to cycle options)
1.5 – 18 hours runtime depending on the mode
36 g in weight
USB rechargeable(battery non-replaceable)
Seat post mount and saddle rail mount
IPX6 Waterproof
Rate the light for quality of construction:
7/10
Well made and feels solid.
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
7/10
Broadly intuitive, once you have become acquainted with how to switch the braking function on/off.
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
7/10
Very solid and versatile.
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
8/10
Very well sealed. Ours hasn't missed a bit through some very heavy rain and being doused in dodgy water along back roads.
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
7/10
All told, quick to charge and run-times have been in line with those cited.
Rate the light for performance:
7/10
Output is very impressive, run-times are very reasonable too. However, the braking function is way too sensitive, triggered by washboard tarmac and long climbs.
Rate the light for durability:
7/10
Unit feels solid and no obvious weak spots to date.
Rate the light for weight:
5/10
Its 50g wouldn't faze me, especially given the output, but it's heavier than some strip-light designs.
Rate the light for value:
7/10
Compares well with similar. A high spec and good performing package for the money.
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall performance has been impressive, especially (but not exclusively) along long sections of unlit roads, with sufficient tuneability for town and group riding. I can see the advantage of a more intense 'braking' function, especially attached to a trailer/tagalong, but the present system is too sensitive and, in its present guise, only suitable for shorter distance rides.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
Great output, good build and generally usable modes.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
Braking function too sensitive, ultimately draining the battery too quickly.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
In common with its siblings, the 180 is good value. Fabric's FLR30 is £29.99 and less powerful, but seems to have the braking function sussed. Lezyne's KTV Pro Alert Drive also has a braking function, for £30, but a max 75 lumens, while its higher output siblings, the Zecto Alert and Strip Alert Drive, are both £40 (and neither as bright as the Seemee 180).
Did you enjoy using the light? Yes
Would you consider buying the light? Possibly
Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes, with certain provisos.
Use this box to explain your overall score
Braking function needs revising, but otherwise this is a very capable rear light at a good price.
Age: 47 Height: 1m 81cm Weight: 70kg
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
Didn't know the Silver Machine bit!...
Not in some dialects of English, eg Scottish. But it's a glide in most forms of English
It's the little round thing on the side of the shears, it has a prong in the middle.
Probably had 35s also but the combination of 28 M+ (with tube) and the random wheels on the old tourer was often tear-inducing - and I (had) fairly...
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Have a good night, Andy. Two nights at Street? Plans for Sunday?
Cybertruck
It's not like the BBC don't know what term to use when they think it matters not to imply that there's nobody to blame.
Is this with the same wheels etc? 3mph seems wild to me when manufacturers are talking about a handful of watts at best.
Brought to you by Logan's Run? Or Brave New World (for a few extra years)?