Gear Reviews
GEAR REVIEW: Giant Electron Xenon Light
We are now entering the best time of the year in Las Vegas in regard to weather. The blistering heat of July, August and early September is now fading to a distant memory. Today was a picture-perfect example as I woke to a clear and crisp 54 degrees. By the time I got on my bike at the end of the day, just before sunset, the temperature was peaking at 72 degrees. This is our two-week fall and as close as we’ll get to that incredible San Diego climate before the temps start falling by the end of the month and we enter our version of winter.
The only downside of this great weather is that the sun sets earlier and more riding and running will be done in the dark. Running in the dark is one of my favorite pastimes. Cycling in the dark, however, I’m not so crazy about. I do my best to light myself up like a Christmas tree so the booger-eating, latte-drinking, cell-phone gabbing Las Vegas motorists I share the road with will see that I’m out there with them.
After mistiming a ride earlier this year where I was caught in the dark with no blinkie thingies and not a streetlight for miles, I thought to myself, “Self. This is not so smart.” Cars were zipping by me at 60 m.p.h. and the shoulder was only two feet wide and was covered in rumble strips.
The next day I went to the closest bike shop and picked up an inexpensive front light for my bike, the Giant Electron Xenon. I liked that the batteries were re-chargeable and that it had a quick-release handlebar mount.
First, after several attempts at re-charging the original batteries and having them not take a charge, I gave up and put in four standard AA-Duracells. With the light finally working, I clipped it on the handlebars and took the unit out for its first…and last…ride.
It sucks.
It’s like a taking a weak flashlight and encasing it in a coffee filter. What little light this unit puts out is shotgunned in front of the bike. The Xenon allegedly has a high beam and low beam which really just means weak (high beam) and weaker (low beam).
What I need is a front light system that has a sharper focus and puts out a bit more wattage. Any suggestions?
Find your edge and dance upon it.
hak
Discussion
3 comments for “GEAR REVIEW: Giant Electron Xenon Light”
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Hak,
I’m not really up on the latest in lighting, but did work in a bike shop for 12 years and still have some contacts in the industry. What kind of $ are you looking to spend and how will you use it - to be seen by cars, or to actually see where you are going in the dark at speed?
Kevin
Kevin,
At this point, I’m more interested in seeing in the dark at speed and want to keep the lighting system under $75 if possible. I have a couple blinkies I put on my tool bag under my seat and on my helmet.
Let me make a call and see what I can find out. I still get stuff at cost and may be able to pick something up for you and ship it out - I can ship from work so it’s easy for me.
I’ll let you know what I find out tomorrow.