Review of Blackburn Voyager 3.3 Bicycle Headlight and Mars 1.0 Taillight Combo Pack

Blackburn Voyager 3.3 Bicycle Headlight and Mars 1.0 Taillight Combo Pack
By: Blackburn Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 8
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Cheap mounting system = major problems

On: 2009-10-16

Ive had these lights for two weeks and have used them maybe 4 times. For a cheap set of bike lights, I am impressed with the quality. The headlight puts out enough light to safely bike up to maybe 15 mph. Its definitely NOT good enough to actually use as a road cycling headlight, but its better than I was expecting. The headlight has a solid beam mode and a strobe mode. The tail light has a solid beam, strobe, and alternating mode. Each run off of three LEDs. The headlight takes 4 AAA batteries (based on reading the specs--I didnt actually open it to check) and the tail light takes 2 AAA batteries. All batteries are included. I have not had them long enough to estimate the actual battery life.

Now for the bad part. The mounting system is terrible! I could tell it was going to be a problem before I even put it on my bike and I was right. Its made entirely of plastic, except for a rubber strip to protect the paint on your bike, and works by sliding the light into place along a small rail platform. To release the light, you push down on a cheap plastic lever that pulls a connected cheap piece of plastic out of a notch on the light. Two problems with this system: (1) the lever will almost certainly snap at some point--as a mechanical engineer, I would bet money on it, and (2) it is difficult to tell when the light is actually secured in the holder. On my second ride, I hit a small bump going 20mph and !surprise! the headlight popped off and landed roughly on the road, breaking a piece of plastic on the inside that holds the front of the light in place and secures the connection between the LEDs and the batteries. Although the light somehow still works, I had to put tape all the way around the headlight to keep the front attached. I apparently didnt snap the light completely into the holder. Being that you will obviously have the light pointed in a downward angle to illuminate the ground in front of you and that the light slides in from the front, the light will slide forward out of the holder as soon as the connection is loose. Even if you were extremely careful and made sure it was thoroughly snapped in, I believe that the plastic in the mount would wear down over time and loosen the connection.

If you plan is simply to put the light on and leave it there, this is a great set of lights. If youre going to be putting them on and taking them off frequently, expect to run in to some serious problems with the mounting system.

Pros:
-Headlight looks and feels like its good quality
-Can actually be used to see at night at slower speeds (as opposed to simply making you more visible to cars)
-Multiple modes
-Not expensive
-Actually comes with batteries

Cons:
-Horrible mounting system (not an issue if leaving the lights on the bike at all times)

Excellent Light Set

On: 2009-09-22

This is a excellent light set for the price. easy to install and operate. Light is very bright and the best part is it comes with batteries installed. How can you beat that - buy it, get it, install it and use it!

Secure mount, bright lights. Great for the money.

On: 2009-09-21

See and be seen. Quality, value and a lifetime warranty. You cant beat that!

What I love most about these lights is the mounting system. Its quick, easy, and secure. Its also pretty easy to remove/reattach the lights for parking.

The tail light is great. Couldnt ask for anything more. The headlight is plenty bright for what need. Naturally it isnt going to act like car headlights, but it really does help. If there are streetlights, you probably wont be able to really see the headlights path, but if you actually NEED to see at night, it definitely pulls through.

A +

On: 2009-08-17

As I already commented on the two star review, this light is rock solid. Dropped it down the concrete stairs ( by accident, off course ) and not a scratch. So I decided to leave a review. Also, the light throws very nice round and long beam, and also illuminates path on both sides of your front wheel.

good for the cost

On: 2009-07-10

These were a gift when I needed a rear light for visibility on my early A.M. rides. They have done the job well for 6 mo. So far, so good . Maybe Ill get to try out the lifetime warranty someday.

Cheap

On: 2009-06-26

Cheap plastics, in this case, you get what you pay for. Its a slick application with cheap materials. The headlight can twist off the quick disconnect mount if you hit it wrong with your elbow.

I dropped the headlight once and the casing broke rendering the headlight useless.

Its also not very bright, but I was using it in an urban area primarily for visibility(ie making sure motorists see me), not being able to see the road.

Couldn't Ask For More

On: 2009-02-26

These lights are everything you need for night riding. The headlamp actually diverts light on the sides - so you can see not only what is ahead of you, but you see the road on each side of your tires as well. Batteries are changed easily and take a long while before they die out. After four months I havent been hit yet, so the taillight must be doing its job!