Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight

by Cateye

Product Features

• Extra-bight 1-LED headlight produces 1,200 candlepower
• OptiCube technology for optimal lens/reflector brightness
• High/low beam; side visibility
• Features a tool-free mounting bracket
• Uses four AA batteries

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Fifty percent brighter than Cateye's HL-EL510 model, this extra-bright one-LED white headlight generates 1,200 candlepower thanks to Cateye's OptiCube technology that optimizes lens and reflector brightness. The headlight also can be set on high or low beam. It runs on four AA batteries. Other features include side visibility and a tool-free mounting bracket.

About Cateye
Founded in 1946 in Osaka, Japan, CatEye is the leading manufacturer of cycle computers, lights, and reflectors to cyclists in the world. In 1964, CatEye was the first in the industry to create a flashing lamp for bicycles, followed by their first battery headlamp in 1982, and the very first bicycle head lamp using white LEDs in 2001. The company's Opticube lens and reflectors make the brightest and most efficient LED headlights. while their LD500 remains the only rear safety light that can meet the rigorous CPSC standards for reflectivity.

Product Description

NEW 1 LED combined with Opticube technology with over 1200 candlepower! This light is tiny, but it cranks out more than 1,200 candlepower - plenty for casual riding or getting home from work.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000R6Q9QG
• Item model number: HL-EL520
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,663 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great light for 'being seen' at night. Not so great for 'seeing'., December 1, 2007

By 

CD (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight (Sports)

This light is almost bright enough to use as a single source for night riding, although I wouldn't advise it. It's 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 you'll 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 isn't 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 isn't 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 don't 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, I'd suggest you get a more powerful system.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Visibility, poor design, May 1, 2008

By 

John Rose - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight (Sports)

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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great Example of Poor Design, March 10, 2008

By 

Jason Yingling (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight (Sports)

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 it's 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 you'll 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.