Customer Reviews

CygoLite Trion 600: Triple LED Bike Light with Internal Li-Ion Battery

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This light is very bright. For comparison, using Osram's web site(manufacturer of Sylvania head lamps) rates their halogen automobile headlights at 700 to 1000 lumens (low beam). Cygolite rates this light at 600 lumens. Subjectively, this bike light seems to shine further and much whiter than automobile headlights when cars pass me. I really like the much more consistant and whiter characteristics of the LED light than a conventional light (halogen car light for example). I use this item for commuting. Although I have not used it for off-road, I think that it would provide excellent illumination for that purpose also. The light has four power output settings. The third setting is more than adequate for my use. I should also note that this is a very much a driving light (versus a lower powered 'see me' light). I use it handle bar mounted. This light can be used as a 'see me' light, but I use a separate helmet mounted 'see me' light in flash mode for that purpose.

Pluses (7):
Very white light
Very bright light
No need for a separate battery pack (one can be added if desired for extra run time)... small over-all size compared to separate component systems
Li-ion battery (less weight and better durability)
Well designed/easy to use switches (visually show power settings and remaining battery charge)
Safety - it is great to see and be seen... it is hard for vehicles to ignore you with this on... you will also do a lot less 'feeling' the road surface because you will be seeing the road surface.
USA made

Minuses (3); To be honest, I rate a $300 light more harshly than I would a $50 light (I think that I should able to expect more from a more expensive light). This is an excellent light, but - excluding the first minus - there are two areas that could be improved to make it even better:
Price: $300 is a lot to pay for a bike light... my original commuter bike that I used for many years cost $150.
Battery capacity (let's face it, all batteries have significantly reduced effectiveness in cold weather): especially if you use this in cold weather (I notice this especially at 10F or less), the run time is significantly shortened. At low temperatures, light may only last 45 to 60 minutes at 2 to 3 power setting. During normal temperatures, I have no complaints about the run times. It would be ideal if the battery capacity was increased slightly.
Small complaint (fixable design flaw): light housing mounting screw would frequently come loose while I was riding (I was retightening it every one to two rides...). I do not readjust the light once it is mounted, so this shouldn't happen (and I obviously didn't want to over-tighten it and strip the threads). I solved this problem by applying a light duty thread lock glue (Locktite; do NOT use the type that has to be heated to remove the screw). Problem solved. Manufacturer should apply a thread compound at the factory to prevent the light from potentially bouncing off the pavement.

In conclusion, this is a great light. I highly recommend it with the two slight disadvantages listed (and the cost of course). If it were possible, I would give it a 4.5 star rating.

Because LEDs consume roughly 1/8 the power (of a conventional bulb), bulbs tend to last for the life of the product, very little energy is wasted as heat and have a much whiter light, I look for LEDs to eventually become the new lighting standard. As they are beginning to be used for vehicle, trailer and bus tail and marker lights and are starting to replace incondescent and CFL (compact fluorescent) for business and residential applications, I look for them to eventually replace vehicle headlights, etc. They are that much better than anything else currently available. It will just take a little more time for some of the applications to be refined and - more importantly - for the American public to get used to the idea that something new is better and cheaper (over the life of the product) than the old even though they will have to outlay significantly more money upfront (I could easily turn this into how use of LED lighting and biking could significantly reduce our dependance on fossil fuels, but I'll leave that for a different time and place). Buy a high output LED bike light... even though your pocket will be lighter, you will not regret it.

This was the replacment for my $600 Nitefider Moab, it died after two years. This may do the same but I was ready for a change. I really like no wires, no extra battery pack. It is tough also, I have dropped it at 20 mph on the pavement thought I would have wasted $300 but it worked fine, still does. I do endurance riding and night rides this is good for about 3 hours. For a all nighter you need a couple more. The Moab charge lasted 11 hours, this about 3. I would recommend it. My wife gets mad everytime I buy a new bike part, they are expensive. Better than drinking, smoking and yelling at the kids.

I'm using this light to ride the local coastside trail at night in pitch black conditions on a mountain bike - the light is plenty to fully illuminate the trail and surrounding area in front of the bicycle. It seems to be almost as bright as my car headlights. I haven't had any issues thus far. This light also works as the best flashlight you've ever used when it is off of the bicycle!

As advestised, this light has the ouput of an HID, but is fully contained. I own (2) Nightrider HID lights (blowtorch) and can verify the output is just as good if not better. Being an LED there is no flickering over bumps. The robust design proved itself one evening while I was attempting to adjust the angle on the bars and managed to pop it off the mount altogether at 20+ mph. The light hit the pavement hard, spun and came to a rest after a few dozen feet with only a few scratches. I run the light on medium settings for my morning commute and have had no issues with battery life. Total time is about 1.75 hours daily. Great light for a decent price given the lumens and one piece design. Highly recommended for seeing and being seen.

This light is incredibly bright, too bright for oncoming cyclists on a bike trail in fact, and very, very rugged, have taken a number of spills and clattered across the street with no apparent problems. I use it constantly in the rain without any issues, either. I love the "self-contained" design, and that it easily holds a charge for full-powered use for my two way commute of 40 minutes each way.

The bad news is the mounting bracket for the handlebars. First, when on the handlebars, the center of gravity of the light sits way forward of the bracket, meaning that whenever you go over a bump or jar the light, it has a tendency to drift down. I tried various remedies, including tightening the mounting thumbscrew with pliers, but I finally fixed the problem by wrapping the handlebars with a strip of doublestick carpet tape. I've used it for several months now without any slippage.

The second issue was that the bolt holding the bracket to the light has a tendency to loosen, causing the light to drift from side to side. Taking a cue form other online advice, I used a bolt adhesive to set the bolt, which worked fine until I tried to remove the bolt. It was so tight that I actually broke the bond between the inner mounting of the bolt and the light housing, causing it to be "permanently" loose, and also unremovable.

The reason I was trying to remove the mounting bracket was because the tab that secures the light portion of the mounting bracket to the handlebar portion had broke off through normal use (almost daily for one year). I emailed Cygolite's tech support and they were kind enough to send me a new one, no charge.

Having no choice, I am currently using the old mounting bracket and securing the light with a loop of shock cord, which is actually working fine.

My advice to new users:
1) This is a great and convenient light.
2) Secure the handlebar portion of the mounting bracket to the handlebar with a strip of doublestick carpet tape.
3) Don't use bolt adhesive on the bolt that secures the mounting bracket to the light itself. I'm guessing that small piece of the same carpet tape would do a great job between the mounting bracket and the light, solving this issue.
4) You may have to replace the mounting bracket eventually.

This is possibly the brightest self-contained bike light you can buy (meaning the battery is part of the light housing, not in an external pack). I got this light to replace my NiteRider MiNewt.250 Cordless Light because I wanted something brighter.

Pros:
* Very bright (600 lumens, or 2.4x the light output of Niterider's MiNewt 250, the next-brightest self-contained light I could find)
* Good beam spread; the 3 LEDs work in tandem to provide lighting that stretches 180 degrees around you but still projects far in front of you
* Battery meter on the unit
* Handlebar mount is well-designed and sturdy, but quick-release mechanism (see below) is not so nice
* Can accept an additional external battery pack (sold separately)

Cons:
* Heavy
* Quick-release lever is small and slightly painful to use. It takes a bit of force to clip the light on and off
* Throw (distance) of the light is barely further than the MiNewt 250. The Trion 600's OVERALL brightness is much greater, but it's spread out towards the sides more and not focused into a point. This is great for seeing right in front of and beside you, but not further ahead on the road.
* Charging port rubber seal is flimsy and prone to opening on its own
* There is no charge indicator

I bought the Cygolight Trion 600 to replace a halogen light that has a maximum output of 25W. I could out run the halogen beam after hitting 25 mph. I haven't had that problem with Trion. In most cases, I can typically run the Trion on the mid-high or even the mid-low. The beam is great for both frontal and peripheral night vision. I really like the blinking battery life indicator. You always have a good idea of remaing battery time. The quick charger is great. Not strapping an external battery pack to my bike is a major plus too. My only complaint would be that the bar clip tends to slip if you encounter bumps. Overall, I'm very happy with the purchase.

October 2010-After using the Trion for two months, I only grow to like it more. I fixed the bar clip slipping on the handle bar by cutting a small piece of bar tape and placing it underneath the clip before tightening. Excellent light!

October 2011- I have now used the Trion for over a year. My opinion remains the same, excellent light!!!

I commute in San Jose, which is fairly well lit. This light allows me to see in between street lights, and I've never out ridden the light (~25 mph). It has multiple brightness settings, but I just keep it in on the brightest setting, 600 lumens, during the evening and at a flashing setting for the daytime. The light is sturdy and unlike the cheaper Planet Bike Blaze lights the housing probably won't ever break at the mount.

This Cygolite bike light is beyond great. This light output is amazing. The rapid charger is nice and the over charge safety is a plus too so you dont burn out the battery. All the different light levels and light options is another plus. And the flashing display to show you how much battery life you have left is priceless! Its not too bulky and really lite. I have older lights with the battery bag and this is a huge step forward by having a self contained battery without sacrificing light output! I am very happy with this light and glad I purchased it! A+++

I love this light. No more worrying about cables and batteries. Lasts a long long time and is super bright. Nothing else to say. Get one.