Sigma Buster 1600 Headlight with handlebar mount

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?

The Sigma Buster 1600 is aimed at mountain bikers, gravel bike trail riders and road riders. The Buster 1600 "ensures fun and safety on the trails" says Sigma.

Sigma's UK distributor Oxford Products says: "With 1600 lumens and smart features, the BUSTER 1600 front light ensures fun and safety on the trails. Two high-quality LEDs in combination with an innovative double lens produce a uniform light pattern that shines 205 metres.

"Six light modes allow light intensity to be adjusted as required for up to 50 hours of riding enjoyment. The memory function on the front light saves the last mode used for the next time its switched on. If travelling for a longer period of time, the BUSTER 1600 can be recharged during operation using the USB-C quick-charging function."

I thought the four solid light levels were well chosen to ride pretty much anything, based on over 25 years of night riding mountain and road bikes.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

The light weighs 197g without a bracket, and up to 237g including the heaviest option of the handlebar bracket choices. It could alternatively be used on a helmet too, using the helmet kit version. It is capable of being charged from a 3A USB-C cable, as well as a standard 1A source. It can be charged from an external battery pack while still operating, too. Battery life is between 1hr 45mins through to 50hrs depending on the level chosen. However with the 1hr 45min mode, do remember that at the 20% battery level the light will lower the lumen levels to give another couple of hours of Low or Eco level light.

Oxford Products lists these 'Key Features':

* Maximum light output: 1600 lumens

* Beam range: 205 m

* Six light modes: High (= 1600 lm), Mid (= 1000 lm), Low (= 500 lm), Eco (= 150 lm), Night flashing (= 800/400 lm) Day flashing (= 200 lm)

* Burn time: = 1.75 h in High mode, = 2.8 h in Mid mode, = 6.8 h in Low mode, = 18 h in Eco mode, = 5 h in Night flashing mode, = 50 h in Day flashing mode

* Charge time: 3 h

* 360° 3D adjustable screw bracket incl. quick release

* Switch on protection (double click for ON)

* Splash resistant in accordance with IPX4

* Light Guide for excellent side visibility

* Tool-free mounting

* Integrated USB-C charge function

* Five-stage battery/charge indicator

* Charging possible during operation

* Osram LED

* Also available with helmet mount

It feels solid and well built in the hand. The underneath and sides are a metal heatsink, and the rest of the body is made from plastic. The port cover could be more substantial but works fine.

Although the single button operation is straightforward, there can be a lot of clicking to access different levels of lighting. The indicators for the light mode and battery levels, however, are very good. The twin LEDs provide a well-lit central section, with good peripheral illumination.

The clamping system feels really solid. The rounded section of the inner spacer allows the light to be adjusted left and right as well as the standard up and down of most clamps. This allowed me to get the throw from the light exactly where I wanted it. The clamp will allow fitting to 22.2mm, 25.4mm, 31.8mm and 35mm bar diameters. I also tried it with my classic bike with a 26.0mm bar and it fitted easily, and on a classic 26.4mm Cinelli bar it also worked, just. Once on it was solid. The quick release tab allowed easy removal of the light from the bracket, and it felt solid when connected.

The shower-resistant IPX4 rating had no issues with a freezing cold shower that I was out in. The port bung fits well and kept the water out, but I've used ones that felt more secure.

I ran the light on the 1,600-lumen setting and achieved the 1hr 45min life expected; I also tried the 1,000lm mode and its 2hr 50min life was easily met. Once the red battery light is illuminated (<20% battery left) there was another 2 hours+ of Low and Eco light in the tank. This is in addition to the 1.75 and 2.8hr run-times mentioned.

Once down to the final 5% of battery life (flashing red on the indicator), it took 1 1/2 hours to recharge fully. This was using a 2A usb source with the included 3A red USB cable. A standard 1A source took 3 1/2 hours. The five battery indicators on the body of the light were excellent and you always knew where you were in regard to battery life.

The beam from the Buster 1600 is excellent. It has a great central beam with very good peripheral vision. The colour is spot on too, and allowed details to be picked out clearly.

I was able to ride fast road sections in complete darkness using the 500lm mode with confidence. Then moving to the 1,000lm setting it was fantastic. On the road 1,600lm is overkill, really, but on trails it was great for faster or tricky descents, and I would simply revert to a lower setting for slower/more straightforward linking sections.

It feels well made, and there were no issues during testing.

At 197g for the light, or 237g including the bracket, it's a very reasonable weight for a bar-mounted light considering the power and functionality available, but it was too heavy when fitted to my helmet; I didn't like the sensation of my helmet being moved around.

Considering the power and battery life available from this light for £109.99, it is really impressive. With nearly seven hours' battery life on the 500lm setting, and over two days from the day flashing mode, it offers a lot for the money.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

At £109.99 you get a lot of light for the money, though it does have some strong rivals, such as the Giant Recon HL 1800, offering an extra 200 lumens for a tenner more. The bar mount and battery life let it down a little compared with the Sigma, but it's close.

The Ravemen LR1600 USB Rechargeable Curved Lens Front Light also offers decent competition to the Buster 1600, albeit with slightly shorter battery life, and Dave criticised its battery state indication and the odd gaps between modes. It's powerful, though, and has a good beam shape, for just a fiver more than the Sigma.

If you don't think you'll need such high output levels, the Magicshine Evo 1300 has a top mode of 1,300 lumens. Josh thought it was excellent, and it costs just £79.99.

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The 1,600lm mode is really impressive (if possibly overkill) on the road, easily as bright as a car headlight. I generally found that the 500lm setting gave plenty of light to ride fast on dark (minimal ambient light) country lanes. The 1,000lm setting was also excellent. I'd happily use the 500lm and 1,000lm as my sole dipped beam/high beam options. I felt confident with the two flashing modes too, used during the day. The Eco mode of 150lm is fine to ride with too, primarily for well-lit urban environments, or as a get-you-home emergency level of lighting.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

The illumination on the road was excellent. The throw and spread of the light up the road made it easy to see obstacles and potholes clearly. The 500lm setting was really usable, and the 1,000lm mode fantastic.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

I had two issues with the Buster 1600. The first was the power/mode selecting button not lighting up. Although it isn't meant to light up it does mean that you have to feel around for the button to change modes in the dark. It is below the mode indicator lights and above the battery charge lights, but it isn't as easy to find as it could be, especially using winter gloves.

The other issue is toggling through many modes to get to the next setting you might want. For example, if you're on the 500lm setting and want more light, you have to click four or five times to get to 1,600lm or 1,000lm, while passing through two flashing modes. There are four additional profiles available to you to stop having to click though all six modes. However, the option that I'd really like isn't available. A close set of High (1,600lm), Low (500lm) then Night Flashing is the closest profile that I could get to what I'd really want – and you still have to pass through a flashing mode. You are able to select just the four solid light options as a Profile 2 which don't have the flashing options, but it still means a few clicks to get to where you may want.

Use this box to explain your overall score

I think this is a very good light that gives excellent illumination, but it's controlled by a rather average interface – so overall I'm going for 7/good. If you solely use one mode and leave it alone, the quality of light is excellent and I'd fully recommend it. If you want to change modes fairly regularly, though, it can be rather annoying, as the button isn't lit up and you might have to click through unwanted modes. Even choosing a different profile didn't solve this issue for me. The indicator for battery life and mode is good, though. As for using it as a helmet light, I'd say it's bit heavy at around 200g; an Exposure Joystick at around 100g is a much better option, albeit more expensive.