RSP RX480 front light

As its name suggests, the RSP RX480 is a 480 lumen light aimed at commuters or chain gangers who want tuneable economy but with enough bite for semi rural stuff. On balance it largely succeeds but the claimed run times are a little optimistic, and the light output a little wanting on unlit roads. Zero to hero charging takes about seven hours.

Prised from the packaging, its cuboid design has a pleasantly familiar allure and feels reassuringly stocky given composite construction. This has weathered the usual everyday wear 'n' tear very stoically, though a nasty tangle with terra firma or submersion could well prove fatal. The internals are pretty standard: a lithium-ion battery, traffic light battery indicator built into the switch, four perky diodes, reflector and collimator lens.

Given oversized 31.8 diameters are increasingly default, its mounting bracket hasn't kept pace, showing obvious, almost comedic signs of indigestion and inducing unwelcome faff when locking in the street. Mercifully, the lamp clicks cleanly in situ and there's been no hint of impending ejection over inclement surfaces.

A positive centre mounted switch is easily engaged wearing winter weight gloves. Subsequent prods course sequentially through four modes: low, medium, high and flashing. Accidental power ups are a moot point but selection on the fly, when cruising into the sticks for example proved an acquired art.

Programming low as default makes sense since power to frugality ratios seem optimal in sub/urban contexts, casting sufficient navigational light for 17/18mph canters though favours blinking companions, especially around dusk given the side slits are distinctly mute.

Experience suggests a benchmark of 500-plus lumens when slipping outside of city limits. Unleashing the full 480 while crossing these borders casts a surprisingly effective, albeit bluish beam. The colour hinders rider perception, especially in the shadows and makes the light feel distinctly underpowered as conditions turn rural, not to mention wet.

Raleigh reckon you'll get six hours in full beam, so imagine my surprise when the battery indicator started winking within two hours on my first ride. The indicator gives plenty of warning but subsequent trips failed to improve on 4 hours 25 minutes. That's still pretty commendable, especially if you're toggling down through built up sections. Less impressive was the rubberised port cover that bailed between second and third outings, leaving internals vulnerable to ingress and mounting hardware that turns orange at the mere suggestion of drizzle.

Verdict

Not a bad everyday lamp but a little underpowered for navigating the sticks at speed.

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