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review
Radial Blaze rear lightAt road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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- Appalling
Radial's Blaze 0.5W rear light has one LED, one button, two AAA batteries and two modes: blink, and constant. As such it's about as basic a light as you'll find. It does what it does extremely well though, and for eight quid (and it's a pound off at the moment) you can't really go wrong.
The light is a two-piece design with the translucent lens clipping on to the black base; you prise the two apart with a coin to fit the batteries. There's a rubber seal between the two. On some cheap lights this is a flimsy O-ring that's easily displaced, but the radial uses a sturdy gasket held in place by the case clips. The single button on the bottom has a well-engineered rubber cover too, and the whole thing is waterproof to the point of being submersible. I've not had any issues with water getting in, and there's been some weather these last few weeks, I can tell you.
Buy this online here
The Blaze has a clip on the back that'll attach it to a belt or a bag loop, and also to the supplied bracket – a standard plastic band and bolt affair. It's not as easy to swap between bikes as a rubber O-ring but it's perfectly serviceable and strong enough for the job.
Click the button once and the single 0.5W LED will flash three times a second, press it again and it'll stay on. The lens focuses the light such that it's quite a narrow beam for full brightness but the light is still visible from a good range of angles and also from the side.
It's plenty bright enough as a city light and I've used it on its own out on the lanes at night too. If I were venturing onto busier roads after dark, or I wanted a light for daytime visibility, I wouldn't choose the Blaze, but that's not really what it's designed for.
>> Got a great rear light? Tell us about it here
Overall the performance is good and the price great. It's simple to use, waterproof, durable and can be mounted to bags, clothing or bikes. The only downside is the supplied batteries: you could probably make a better one yourself by jabbing some coins into a lemon, and you'll soon need to replace them. But a decent pair of AAA cells in there should last a long time, especially on flashing.
Verdict
A good rear light at a bargain price
road.cc test report
Make and model: Radial Blaze 0.5W Rear Light
Size tested: n/a
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?
Ensuring you are visible and safe at night is essential for any cyclist. The Blaze Rear 0.5 Watt Bike Light is the ideal solution for remaining visible when riding. This light utilises a 0.5 watt Hi-Power LED through its highly efficient optic design, making sure you are visible when cycling at night.
With both constant and flashing modes this light is ideal for the cycling enthusiast. With simple mount installation the Blaze rear light can be easily attached or removed in seconds. The light can also be easily clipped to clothing or a bag for increased visibility.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
Features:
0.5 Watt Super Bright LED rear light
Constant / Flashing modes
Easy to remove and attach
Water resistant
Specification:
Size: 70 x 32 x 36.5 mm
Weight: 33.5 gram (without battery)
Run time: 18 hrs (Constant) / 36 hrs (Flashing)
Battery: LR-03 (AAA) x 2(provided)
Colour: Black
Rate the light for quality of construction:
8/10
Well made for a cheap light.
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
10/10
There's one button and it works.
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
7/10
Basic but simple.
Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
9/10
No issues with water getting in, seal is large and doesn't move out of position.
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
5/10
The batteries it comes with are rubbish but good batteries should last fine.
Rate the light for performance:
8/10
It's a good rear light for after dark.
Rate the light for durability:
9/10
Not much to go wrong, and nothing has.
Rate the light for weight, if applicable:
9/10
Nice and light.
Rate the light for value:
10/10
Not many decent rear lights are cheaper.
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well. Simple to fit and use.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
Cheap, bright.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
Supplied batteries are poor.
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 score
It's a good rear light at a great price.
About the tester
Age: 43 Height: 189cm Weight: 92kg
I usually ride: whatever I'm testing... My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR, Kinesis Aithein
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track
Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.
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Add new comment
5 comments
Have got a few of these. Great to clip to bags / collars for extra visibility. Rock solid lights.
Yes Smart 0.5 watt is very bright and this looks very similar.
At that price I'd get a couple of lights. Rather two cheap lights than one expensive one. You never know when the lights broken or fallen off. That said lights are more reliable. Now than they used to be.
How many lumens of light does 0.5W make? Is this really visible at night?
Dunno Ross, but I have a half-watt Smart light and it's plenty visible.
Love it. There's no reason on earth why the handful of components required for a rear light should cost more than a couple of quid. This leaves a bit for manufacturers' profit, some for delivery and a slice for the retailer.
I've had a Lezyne break just out of warranty and a Blackburn fall to pieces in a similar time-frame so I no longer believe that quality always shines through.