
User submitted reviews
Review by EdR
Using this for commuting and visibility improvement on road bike rides. There is a lot to like about this light. It is bright. The kind of bright where people turn to look at you but not so bright that cars get PO'd with you. Also: rather than a seizure-inducing strobe mode it has a pulse mode that is attention getting but not offensive. The beam really throws forward which is important for seeing at a reasonable speed. Since I ride a couple of bikes it is nice to be able to easily move the light between bikes.
A few things to be aware of:
Recharge time takes more than 2 hours...more like 4-6
The usb charging port is a smaller connector than everything else I own. Had to take another cable to work to enable charging at my desk in addition to the one I have at home.
The side lights are a nice touch. Totally independent in brightness to the main light. Be sure to place the light so that nothing obstructs to either side.
It just feels solid.
Review by Anonymous
I bought this light for commuting on unlit bike paths and lit roads. The brightest bright works great on the darkest of roads, but normally, even on the unlit bike path I use the medium or low steady settings and I can see great. The pulse setting is great for being seen without blinding oncoming cyclists or causing seizures like some of the crazy bright strobes. I also like the charge indicator on the back so there's a pretty good warning when you're close to running out of juice. The only slight drawback is the light is kinda slow to charge-a few hrs plugged into the wall to go from blinking red (almost empty) to orange, and maybe another hour to get into the green. But I think that's just a feature of this type of battery and can't really be helped as it's powering a pretty bright light!
Review by richgfcst
Light is good, the onchange switch is difficult.
Too much pressure and too much time to adjust the light while riding. When trail riding, I like to lower my light intensity as a curtesy towards an on-coming rider. The switch is not responsive enough. In my opinion it requiring too much pressure and too much time for onoff function to work safely.
Review by Every day commuter
I had this light for 6 months and its plastic mount button broke off. It was not subjected to excessive force. Poor quality light
Review by JC
I enjoy the light, nothing I dislike about its performance.
Review by Al Trammell
Charges easily. Easy to remove from bike or charge on the bike. I have given thee as gifts as well. Great price in BTD.
Review by Richard
not much to dislike. well built and gives good vision in the dark
Review by Anonymous
The only thing I don't like it's that the tab that fits into the USB port broke off the first time I used it. Doesn't really matter I guess. Great light. Lastly full strength about an hour . Really bright enough for road. Looks good on the bar. Good price from btd. I'm glad I have it.
Review by Tony E
Wish it had a bit longer battery life then 60 mins at full brightness but will just have to pedal faster for now..
Review by Andrew R.
Use for commuting Easy to charge, plenty of light, but had a failure. One morning I left for work and when I arrived the light was gone. I didn't notice that it had come off somewhere along the way. The mount was still on the handlebar, but the light was gone. There is a locking thumbscrew that will keep the light from popping out of the quick release mount, but nowhere in the instructions is this explained. There is something about it on the Light & Motion website, but it's really buried and hard to find.
Review by Anonymous
Great light at a great price. Bright on the trail. But, i have the light on my helmet and have to unscrew the pin from the strap to remove the light to charge after each ride. Also, the cover for the usb port has already popped out of the light fixture which is a critical component to keep the dirt out of port.
Review by Desert Rider
I sometimes return after sunset.
Review by Soaper
Dusk and dark riding is no longer an issue for visibility. This light makes me visible and guides the way with a very effective lighting of the road surface ahead.
Review by Anonymous
Darkness has descended upon New England, and a good light is a necessity for trail riding in the afternoon and the daily commute. I bought this light on sale for a ridiculous price, so it could be half as good and still a great value. The light has worked well on the road and trails, and has been put to the abuse test by my 14 year old son mountain biking all fall in the dark on our beautiful, rocky, root-filled trails. The only quality I cannot address is longevity, since I have only had it for a few weeks.
Review by Anonymous
Used this for my first ever trail ride in the dark the other night. I've run in the woods with less lighting so I wasn't prepared for the shadows that freaked me out at first but my trail in front of me was lit up. It's very light and I barely noticed it on my helmet after a few minutes and it definitely did its job. I also have to get used to that branches won't just slide off my helmet anymore with that mount. I'm saving up for a more powerful one to go on my handlebars from light and motion.
Review by Anonymous
This light projects an intense narrow beam and illuminates very well. It is well made. The light is bright enough to illuminate even small objects 15 feet in front of you. I highly recommend this for cycling along completely unlit roads and bike paths.
Review by Ed
I like a number of things about this light, ok on a few and a couple don't work for me. I needed more light and this light is bright. It is even a little bright on low. I really like the side lights. They make me feel more visible on the beam. I had problems with the light staying on my spot. It kept rolling back horizontal which put my spot too far back. I like that I can bump it easily left or right it curves though. The race mode is cool, but it wasn't in the instructions and I struggled with it in a group night ride. I had to play with it the next day in daylight off the bike to figure out what was going on and how to get it in and not in race mode. The killer for me was that it interferes with my Cat Eye micro wireless computer. My interval training rides are typically done early morning when I need the light but I also manage my pace with my computer. I played with location but any time I get within 6 inches my speed reading goes to 0. I know it is not right because at zero I usually fall over an I wasn't falling over. It's fine for a night group ride when I don't use the computer as much, but even in this situation it keeps rolling up and shooting my beam out past the guy I'm drafting. The charging is easy and the plug cover falls off so I'll loose it eventually. I like the brightness, size and USB charging. I read one review where they thought the pulsing, instead of flashing, was too subtle. I have to agree. I like it at night but do not feel like it catches your eye enough during the day.
I had to either get a different light or a different computer. I like that computer. It's simple, effective, and installed. I'm going to add a lanyard to the light because it has a spot for it which is a plus, then throw it in my camping box. I think it will do a great job camping.
Review by P. Bernard
Love this small lightweight headlamp even on the lowest setting it's plenty bright to see down the trail. Convenient USB charger cord and a fast recovery charge, nice too !
Review by Alvin
To arrive at the more safe bike paths, I always have to ride on the streets. I always ride in the day time, never in the dark. With the Urban on pulse mode, I've noticed that vehicle drivers more readily notice me, and are much more respectful in allowing me space or the right of way. I believe the really dangerous drivers such as those that are distracted by talking on the cell phone, and the very senior people with vision issues are much more likely to actually see me when I have the Urban light on. Although I never take any driver for granted, I do feel more safe with the light.
Review by Evy
The light and motion urban 650 light is great for being seen on the bike, and being able to see during dusk, shade or dark. It helps be more visible and improve safety on the road.