Customer Reviews

Planet Bike Blaze 2Watt LED Headlight

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I first heard various rumors about this light's pending appearance on the market, I was *really* worried someone was pulling my leg, because the specs read like a dream come true: a compact, self-contained, quick-release headlight that could throw a beam bright enough to truly see *by*, rivaling some batteries-go-somewhere-else units, using merely a pair of garden-variety AA alkalines (I have a *much* better alternative to those, which I'll get to shortly), and coming in at well under a hundred bucks. My local dealer not only confirmed the 2-watt light's existence, but said he could order one for me if I'd like. (*Would* I!)

I've been using the light a good deal for the better part of two weeks, and it does the business. It's the same size as the 1-watt version, save for its jet-black finish. Like all the Planet Bike lights I've bought, build quality is great, the now-renowned quick-release mounting system remains unchanged, which is a good thing, because (1) it's fantastic as it is, IMO, and (2) it allows quick interchange between two of my bikes, one using Planet Bike's Beamer 5 (itself an excellent urban light). You can purchase the quick-release mounts separately, allowing the moving of one light between several bikes quickly and easily.

Short of extreme, high-speed, off-road night-patrol rides, you're not likely to "over-drive" this headlight, allowing for safer road cycling on streets and roads. I don't have to try and remember the surface irregularities when rolling fairly quickly down a particular side street or path I don't often travel; the light offers a reliable heads-up, reducing the need for sudden evasive maneuvers (and pretty much eliminated the possibility of a snakebite flat, dented rim, or worse).

But perhaps the real surprise is the SuperFlash function: if you think PB's SuperFlash taillight is an amazing performer (and it is), you simply *need* to check this headlight out. When using the SuperFlash function at dusk (it's been recommended by some that you do *not* use this function after dark, where it might be potentially blinding), on more than one occasion I've actually had motorists *pull over* to the side. Never experienced that before. I'm definitely a believer in "safety in candlepower."

Battery life appears to be more or less as advertised. But here's a hot tip: forget loading this up with alkalines. Do your wallet (and, as a nice coincidence, the planet at large) a favor, and buy a Sanyo Eneloop battery-and-charger kit, which comes with four rechargeable AA batteries and battery charger. What makes these rechargeables different from other is that, once charged, Eneloop batteries retain 85% percent of their charge for upwards of a year. In other words, their discharge rate is about as good as typical store-bought alkalines. No more "surprises" when you reach to switch on your light which you haven't used in three weeks. You can trust these batteries the same way you trust alkalines, except that when these run down, you recharge them rather than chuck them. They make a great match with a headlight like this, which understandably uses up a pair of batteries somewhat faster than lower-powered lights.

So, we have a winner here: a true high-powered headlight that's as easy to live with as most any other self-contained bike light, and priced well within the means of many more cyclers than wildly-expensive, multi-piece lighting systems. If you're the sort for whom a high-speed downhill run in the woods is a big part of your "balanced" riding repertoire, you might need one of the pricier HID numbers for your ride (good luck with that!). Otherwise, the Blaze 2Watt is likely all the light you could ask for. (By the way, it obviously makes a killer flashlight when needed.)

This is my first foray into lighting for my bike.

I got this light specifically to be able to ride a rails to trails trail near my house in the early mornings. Had it mounted and on the bike within a minute of opening the box. The first ride was at 4:15 a.m. under a mostly moonless sky through my neighborhood and then onto the trail.

This light is more than adequate for cruising around and/or commuter biking. On the trail I found the beam to be narrow, but with enough spill to illuminate the wide trail sufficiently. The trail is all dirt with some minor bumps and ruts - mount and light didn't slip or move around at all. There is an appreciable difference between the brightness on high and low settings. I kept mine on low because I felt I had a little better vision to the sides without the real bright spot. I don't really have a need for the strobe, but it will definitely get you noticed.

I could see a racer overdriving this light, but it worked well for me at approx 10-15 mph on a familiar, wide trail. This works perfectly for what I wanted it for. I would look at other lights for night riding on tight singletrack or fast downhill descents, although this might be a nice helmet mounted light (perhaps a little bulky)to complement a bar mounted system. Planet Bike does sell a helmet mount accessory.

I do like that it runs on 2 AA batteries. I can always have backup power supply in my pack or pocket.

This is a good light at a great price. I'm glad I found it.

UPDATE 11/25/11: Have had and used this light over a year now. Still working fine, but I've gotten much faster and found I needed a brighter light. This is particularly true for riding "real" mountain bike trails, not just forest roads and wide bike paths. Am now using the light for a commuter light and a backup light only. Initial review stands - good light at great price. Excellent value for casual riders and commuters.

Remarkable little thing. I've been using those toy 2 C battery lights for years and this 2W LED light is wonderful. For those older riders who just want to cruise around and get some exercise in the cooler summer evenings this is the perfect light. Reaction time is adequate at 15mph and under. If you are a serious cyclist and putting down 18 to 22mph in the dark you will need the brighter heavier lights.

Very Bright. took me a while to find a way to compare it with other lights since it does not list its candlepower or lumen output. I found some reviews of the 1 watt version ([...]) that said it was around 70 lumen (~880 candlepower). There was a good review of the 2 watt version but no lumen output listed. If we assume its twice as bright it puts it at about 1760 candlepower. Cateye still has brighter lights, but not by a lot, and based on the info about the planet bike company (based in US, and supports bike community with profits) I believe they are worth supporting.

I got this light with high anticipations. I spent the extra money to get this 2 watt unit after reading the reviews. The bottom line is its not enough light for me.... I have realized that i need a lot of light to ride at night. Objects in the road come up to fast for me to safely use this light in the darkness. however, riding to work with street light around the superflash is excellent.

I have to bite the bullet and get a much more expensive unit.

I initially bought the Blaze 1Watt which seemed fine but I gave it to a friend who lives in the city and rides without a light. Having tested the light there I realized it was fine for being seen - particularly when flashing - or seeing the roadway in dark stretches. I live in a small town, though, and want to ride the country roads at night now that the days are shorter. And while the 2Watt alone was sufficient to see by, the narrow beam proved awkward when making turns, as it pointed slightly away from my direction of travel.

Simple answer: I bought another and have both mounted on my handlebars slightly left/right & near/far. This is an economical approach to reasonable visibility, the next step up costing several hundreds of dollars (if I lived in a warmer climate I would invest in brighter lighting, but my east coast winter riding is likely to be limited). The lights only seem dim when cars pass. I use rechargeable batteries; the LED's last forever on a charge. And even though I turn the lights off on dark stretches of road - for the aesthetics, you know - I would not have been able to ride at night without them.

The mounting bracket is indeed awkward. Despite adjustments I have had to add rubber bands to help secure the lights in place (around the light and the peculiar "locking" handle which does not seem to lock). This has stopped the lights from flopping on trails and bumpy roads.

A great light for the price, but without two you will be moderating your speed too often.

As a commuter it's convenient to have a light that's self contained (easy to take with when leaving the bike)and one that uses AAs (easy to have backup power with you). This light meets those criteria and has a great "superflash" mode for drawing driver's attention, but you'll want more light output if you have demanding riding conditions, (riding unlit trails on moonless nights). For use on lighted city streets this is all you'll need.

I got this headlight along with "Planet Bike 3044 Blaze 1-Watt LED Headlight" which is $16.25 cheaper! The 1W one has twice the battery life and it looks just as bright. My husband actually thinks that the 1W one is brighter than the 2W one. That said, it is a good headlight - it feels well built, but I just don't think it is worth the extra $16.

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Recently I noticed that the light is dimmer when rechargeable batteries are used. NiMH batteries are inherently lower voltage than standard alkaline batteries, although they have much higher energy density. A well designed circuit should be able to boost the voltage to the optimal level for the LED, apparently that is not the case in this product. The same observation is true for 3044 model as well.

Incredibly bright. I commute on several stretches of road with absolutely no lighting, and this baby lights up the street like a much more expensive or bulky headlight. The mount seems pretty decent quality, and attaches firmly. If you're worried about battery life, go with some rechargeable AAs. The only cons I can see thus far are the glossy finish (the model shown appears to be matte finish), silver band separating the lens from the battery compartment (also not pictured) and ridiculous decals preventing anyone from taking it seriously at first glance. Buy hey, thats cosmetic. Functionally, it's impressive.

If you want to know what it really looks like, view the product website. [...]

<Update: after about 50 uses, the front 1/3, which you remove to replace the batteries, no longer attaches firmly to the rest of the light (the grey band you see in the photo). Overall I still like the light, however this loose fit bothers me.>

This light already has many good reviews, but I do have a few different items of note.

I wish Planet Bike threw in a helmet mount. It would have cost them all of 50 cents probably. I like being able point my head towards the drivers of cars about to enter my path to let them know I am there, rather than being limited to wherever my handlebars are pointed. I also enjoy not having to attach/detach it every single day. It may turn out to be too heavy, but I wish I did not have to goto planet bike's website to spend $10 to find out.

The flash pattern is one very bright flash followed by 4 or 5 dim flashes every second. This is good. It is very visible without being quite so blinding or hard on battery life as solely bright flashes would have been.

There is a small rubber sleeve to keep it in place better and the increments for adjustment are fixed, but very close together so it is highly likely that you can get a perfect fit.