Review of Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight

Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight
By: Cateye
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Good Visibility, poor design

On: 2008-05-01

Installing batteries is a PIA and it seems like the light will break when doing so, has interal plastic delicates and esp. if dropping it.

Clamp is always coming loose unless made really tight, again afraid it will break.

Easy to hit the "on" button by accident and not know the light is on during the daytime.

Have to hold the button down for like 10 seconds for it to go off.

TOO BIG!

OTOH Nice LED beam and battery life.

OK folks you would think the container and clamp design would be a no brainer. But no... why?!?! Do they make it like junk so it will break and you will have to buy a new one?!?!?!?!?

John

Great Example of Poor Design

On: 2008-03-11

This is what i would call an excellent example of poor design. Everything from trying to install batteries to just trying to turn the light off, is really frustrating. Trying to twist the top on after installing the batteries is close to impossible and after its twisted on there the seal is not quite right. I always wonder if the batteries are going to fly outta there if i hit a bumb to hard. The weak little clamp that is included constantly moves so be prepared for lots of one handed riding as youll be re-adjusting the light upon every install. The beam of the light seems like a pinpoint thats really bright far away however everything thats near you is dim (not super useful). And now for my favorite part of the light, turning it off. To turn the light off, one needs to hold the button for what seems like eternity for it to finally shut off, however it will easily turn on while its in your backpack as the button is extruded--this is a great feature for draining your batteries--way to go cat-eye! thanks for wasting my 30 bucks.

Great light for 'being seen' at night. Not so great for 'seeing'.

On: 2007-12-02

This light is almost bright enough to use as a single source for night riding, although I wouldnt advise it. Its best use is for when you want to be seen at night, because the blinking mode really is quite bright. In the regular non-blinking mode, it has a tightly focused beam with a bit more diffusion than previous models, so youll see the beam and a bit of what surrounds the main focus area of the beam, and it seems to have more power than previous models too. But, in my opinion, it isnt strong enough or bright enough to light a large enough area ahead for safe night riding.

I use it in addition to the Topeak Moonshine Commuter light. Using both systems together, I get a really nice centrally lit area and a well lit larger area that greatly adds to my ability to see objects ahead. In addition, by using two light systems, I have a backup if one goes out. (I have a 13 mile night commute and I can tell you it isnt fun to do it in the dark.)

The light comes with an easily installed mounting bracket and the light is easy to attach and detach from the bracket. It is the same mounting system used by the previous models so if you have the old bracket you can use it to switch the light between two bikes. Also, it requires 4 AA batteries but they seem to last a long time.

So, the light is great for being seen, just dont expect it to be good enough as a sole source of light for safe riding at night. I really like this light when used in combination with a second system or for short night rides of maybe 1 or 2 miles. But for longer rides at night or frequent night commutes, Id suggest you get a more powerful system.

Great light for 'being seen' at night. Not so great for 'seeing'.

On: 2007-12-01

This light is almost bright enough to use as a single source for night riding, although I wouldnt advise it. Its best use is for when you want to be seen at night, because the blinking mode really is quite bright. In the regular non-blinking mode, it has a tightly focused beam with a bit more diffusion than previous models, so youll see the beam and a bit of what surrounds the main focus area of the beam, and it seems to have more power than previous models too. But, in my opinion, it isnt strong enough or bright enough to light a large enough area ahead for safe night riding.

I use it in addition to the Topeak Moonshine Commuter light. Using both systems together, I get a really nice centrally lit area and a well lit larger area that greatly adds to my ability to see objects ahead. In addition, by using two light systems, I have a backup if one goes out. (I have a 13 mile night commute and I can tell you it isnt fun to do it in the dark.)

The light comes with an easily installed mounting bracket and the light is easy to attach and detach from the bracket. It is the same mounting system used by the previous models so if you have the old bracket you can use it to switch the light between two bikes. Also, it requires 4 AA batteries but they seem to last a long time.

So, the light is great for being seen, just dont expect it to be good enough as a sole source of light for safe riding at night. I really like this light when used in combination with a second system or for short night rides of maybe 1 or 2 miles. But for longer rides at night or frequent night commutes, Id suggest you get a more powerful system.