Review of Blackburn System X6 Bicycle Lights

Blackburn System X6 Bicycle Lights
By: Blackburn Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 3
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Excellent lights

On: 2007-01-20

The charge lsat a long time. Even when charge gets low the system goes into power save mood(dims). This allows you to get to where you are going with still enough light to still safely see your path.

Good but battery life way shorter than claimed

On: 2006-12-17

The system consists of luxeon LED based lamps (one wide-angle; one narrow beam) which perform a good job of seeing and being seen at night. The batteries last a reasonable time between charges but far short of the claimed specs.

During day time, I tend to use the wide-angle beam in flashing mode as an extra precaution of being "invisible" to the less-observant road user.

One nice feature at night where very dark is there is very little back-scatter (a problem with many other headlights - in the dark, this often dazzles the rider especially when leaning forward).

The instructions are OK although the drawings in places are too small & cluttered.

The lights fix to the handlebars well and the battery unit afixes well to the frame (I use a bottle cage to ensure it is secure - this works very well with the velcro strap holding it in). For the price paid, it would have been nice to have a few cable ties provided with the set but this is a minor quirk. The cables are a good length and an extension is provided also - thus providing a lot of flexibility in locating the lights and battery.

The dimmer switch works well although this is only provided with the X6 not X3. Since this is optional, it means one has to use the button on the lamps for on/of and flash which is a minor pain as this makes the use of the lights inverted very fiddly (I gave up on that one). A combined control that controls both lights separately and completely would be a great improvement.

The battery pack charges up quickly, has good connectors that look weather-proof, and does not need to be disconnected from the lights in order to charge up.

The minus side. The claimed battery life per charge is complete fabrication. The spec is 3.5hrs - 20hrs; inside is a chart showing 5hrs at full beam (both lights) to 12hrs on 25%. In reality, if I use full beam, the battery pack will indicate <30% capacity within 45 minutes and <15% capacity in about an extra 30 mins (whereby it drops the light intensity) Even running on dimmed, the battery lasts nowhere near 5 hours. (And yes, I have done the reccomended full charge/discarge cycle).

A big concern with the battery is that it is a sealed unit (warranty void if opened), using NiMh cells which have a finite life. Blackburn do not mention any replacement/repair options other than this being outside their warranty. It would be a pain to have a dead $200 product for lack of $20 in NiMh cells.

Good but battery life way shorter than claimed

On: 2006-12-16

The system consists of luxeon LED based lamps (one wide-angle; one narrow beam) which perform a good job of seeing and being seen at night. The batteries last a reasonable time between charges but far short of the claimed specs.

During day time, I tend to use the wide-angle beam in flashing mode as an extra precaution of being "invisible" to the less-observant road user.

One nice feature at night where very dark is there is very little back-scatter (a problem with many other headlights - in the dark, this often dazzles the rider especially when leaning forward).

The instructions are OK although the drawings in places are too small & cluttered.

The lights fix to the handlebars well and the battery unit afixes well to the frame (I use a bottle cage to ensure it is secure - this works very well with the velcro strap holding it in). For the price paid, it would have been nice to have a few cable ties provided with the set but this is a minor quirk. The cables are a good length and an extension is provided also - thus providing a lot of flexibility in locating the lights and battery.

The dimmer switch works well although this is only provided with the X6 not X3. Since this is optional, it means one has to use the button on the lamps for on/of and flash which is a minor pain as this makes the use of the lights inverted very fiddly (I gave up on that one). A combined control that controls both lights separately and completely would be a great improvement.

The battery pack charges up quickly, has good connectors that look weather-proof, and does not need to be disconnected from the lights in order to charge up.

The minus side. The claimed battery life per charge is complete fabrication. The spec is 3.5hrs - 20hrs; inside is a chart showing 5hrs at full beam (both lights) to 12hrs on 25%. In reality, if I use full beam, the battery pack will indicate <30% capacity within 45 minutes and <15% capacity in about an extra 30 mins (whereby it drops the light intensity) Even running on dimmed, the battery lasts nowhere near 5 hours. (And yes, I have done the reccomended full charge/discarge cycle).

A big concern with the battery is that it is a sealed unit (warranty void if opened), using NiMh cells which have a finite life. Blackburn do not mention any replacement/repair options other than this being outside their warranty. It would be a pain to have a dead $200 product for lack of $20 in NiMh cells.

I like this light and I use it everyday & night

On: 2006-11-03

I really like this set-up. I am giving it 5-stars based on price, performance & durablity. I ride to work everyday. Its about 8 miles each way plus a 10 minute ride on the light rail. Much of my commute is on a busy trail. During daylight I use the flashing mode and more than one person has told me its just too bright. People really see the flashing lights during the day. They didnt always see me before. At night I have plenty of light to see by. One of the lamps is a spot and it lights the road/trail in front of me while the wide angle lamp lets me things off to the side. This system is much brighter than my 15 hallogen system, last longer (I have never run out of juice) and is lighter. Also being LED it is less likely to burn out a bulb and if I did burn out one, well I have a second one.

I am writting this review after owning the product for over 6-months. It was money well spent. I feel much safer these days. This product is also very well built. Mine has survived on BAD crash with just a few nicks and scratches. (Thats better than the bike or I did.)

As for future improvments. Use 5 watt LEDs instead of 3 watt. Go to Li-ion battery that is smaller and lighter but gives the same burn time. Both of these would raise the cost but I would pay the extra to get it.

I like this light and I use it everyday & night

On: 2006-11-02

I really like this set-up. I am giving it 5-stars based on price, performance & durablity. I ride to work everyday. Its about 8 miles each way plus a 10 minute ride on the light rail. Much of my commute is on a busy trail. During daylight I use the flashing mode and more than one person has told me its just too bright. People really see the flashing lights during the day. They didnt always see me before. At night I have plenty of light to see by. One of the lamps is a spot and it lights the road/trail in front of me while the wide angle lamp lets me things off to the side. This system is much brighter than my 15 hallogen system, last longer (I have never run out of juice) and is lighter. Also being LED it is less likely to burn out a bulb and if I did burn out one, well I have a second one.

I am writting this review after owning the product for over 6-months. It was money well spent. I feel much safer these days. This product is also very well built. Mine has survived on BAD crash with just a few nicks and scratches. (Thats better than the bike or I did.)

As for future improvments. Use 5 watt LEDs instead of 3 watt. Go to Li-ion battery that is smaller and lighter but gives the same burn time. Both of these would raise the cost but I would pay the extra to get it.