http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/22848.jpg
What do you guys think? The entire unit w/battery is the size of a HID lamp head and weighs 315 grams.

It's got 3 seoul emitters. The run times at 720/480/240 lumens are 3/10/24 hours. (240 lumens for 24 straight hours!!). Most 13 watt HID's are ~675 lumens.

Manufacturer's link:

http://www.use1.com/exposure/products/enduro_maxx/index.php

Looks nice but 300 pounds! Is there a USA distributor? Right now, I'd lean towards Ay-up and Nightlightning for high power LED alternatives. Aussie and NZ exchange rates are much more favorable.

I don't need a workhorse for commuting anymore but something long running for night and weekend tooling around w/o worrying about having to charge batteries too often is good.
Price aside, it seems like there's nothing else out there that packs so much light and runtime into such a small self contained package. It's like, the size of a dinotte light w/o the battery pack.

Geoman Gear is supposed to be carrying them sometime in the near future. They usually have the best prices around.

http://www.geomangear.com/

EDIT: I just contacted GeoMan and contrary to what they told me three weeks ago, they will not be carrying USE lights.....

It does look nice. I couldn't find beamshots of this model but their previous Enduro Turbo can be found here:

http://gearreview.com/2007_led_lights.php#HPSC

(scroll down to about the middle of the page).

http://gearreview.com/images/led2007/beam/Exposure%20Enduro%20Turbo.jpg

The Maxx should resemble this but should be brighter (3 vs 2 LEDs).

Sweet, i think the 3 newer led's pack 2x more light than the old one.

If it came to the US priced at about $450, it would be a no-brainer.

If it came to the US priced at about $450, it would be a no-brainer.

MSRP is $450.

http://www.exposurelightsusa.com/

MSRP is $450.

http://www.exposurelightsusa.com/

Well, I think we have a new LED headlight champion. The runtimes at medium and low are unbelievable for a unit that small.

Impressive!! I wonder which Li-Ion batteries it uses...

I don't need a workhorse for commuting anymore but something long running for night and weekend tooling around w/o worrying about having to charge batteries too often is good.
Price aside, it seems like there's nothing else out there that packs so much light and runtime into such a small self contained package. It's like, the size of a dinotte light w/o the battery pack.

Actually it looks about the size of the Planet Bike Alias HID... Which is about the size of a Red Bull drink. The 600L is much smaller, and the 200L is minuscule

I sure love the convenience of my Alias HID for commuting. It's quick mount/dismount is invaluable.

Is LED and battery technology advancing as rapidly as computer technology does/did?

Is LED and battery technology advancing as rapidly as computer technology does/did?

LEDs yes, batteries no.

for $450 that looks like a top choice. 750 lumens is a ton of light. I am a huge Dinotte fan, but I would have really considered this if I were buying today. Dinotte has 600 lumens for $400

Impressive!! I wonder which Li-Ion batteries it uses...

Probably not much better than you could buy yourself from places like batteryspace.com. The long runtime is primarily due to the high efficiency LEDs (ie Seoul P4s) and possibly the dimming circuit they've come up with.

Now that I think about it, there's not really a dimming scheme. Each LED puts out 240 lumens, so the power settings simply correspond to how many are turned on.

Edit: Now that I think about it again, I bet there is a dimming scheme. One LED at full power could not possibly last 24hr. Their 1-LED Jostick Maxx model only runs 3hrs at full power (240 lumens), but 24hrs on low (which I bet is 80 lumens). LEDs are much more efficient when dimmed.

Now that I think about it, there's not really a dimming scheme. Each LED puts out 240 lumens, so the power settings simply correspond to how many are turned on.

Edit: Now that I think about it again, I bet there is a dimming scheme. One LED at full power could not possibly last 24hr. Their 1-LED Jostick Maxx model only runs 3hrs at full power (240 lumens), but 24hrs on low (which I bet is 80 lumens). LEDs are much more efficient when dimmed.

Yep, if you check out the output vs. current charts for any of these LEDs, you'll see that is true.

Hint: Rally for a group buy discount! :)

I wished they had a 4-5th mode with walking/fixing/survival-mode set at say 50-80lm and a strobe/flash mode.

Edit: Ok it has a flash mode. Just RTFA :P

for $450 that looks like a top choice. 750 lumens is a ton of light. I am a huge Dinotte fan, but I would have really considered this if I were buying today. Dinotte has 600 lumens for $400

Lumens output per dollar isn't the only qualifier. There is also differences being that the Dinotte offers 2 battery packs for a total run time of 7 hours at Max, versus the 3 of the USE.

Also an issue may be carrying all that weight of the head unit on the handle bars. As much as I love my HID Alias for commuting, I often worry about it falling off the bars while hopping curbs or when hitting big washboard roads in the winter, or off roading for that matter, due to the weight of unit on the bars. That's the primary reason I went to a component system for off roading and for extended road rides. Hpwever the USe may be mor esecure with the Aluminum clamp.

That said, it looks to be a killer light for anybody looking for an integrated solution. At the limited time price of $450. I would jump on one if I didn't have all the lights I needed :D I do like integrated systems!

Lumens output per dollar isn't the only qualifier. There is also differences being that the Dinotte offers 2 battery packs for a total run time of 7 hours at Max, versus the 3 of the USE.

That said, it looks to be a killer light for anybody looking for an integrated solution. At the limited time price of $450. I would jump on one if I didn't have all the lights I needed :D I do like integrated systems!

I was thinking the same thing. I have about that much money in two lights, one of which I have had a whole year so you know how ancient it is technology wise. But I have to use what I have.

Hint: Rally for a group buy discount! :)

I wished they had a 4-5th mode with walking/fixing/survival-mode set at say 50-80lm and a strobe/flash mode.

Edit: Ok it has a flash mode. Just RTFA :P

hay, why not. who is on point?

The weight is actually 235 grams for the unit, not 280. The l&m lamp head, which I consider pretty light is about 180 by itself. So the extra 55 grams on my handlebars aren't an issue. And they also offer an external battery pack which basically doubles the battery life to 6/20/and 48 hours (sorry VIP... time to open up your wallet :p). The company says that the light actually dims, the 3 LED's are always on.
The measurements make it the same size as the cateye EL200 light and just about the same weight too.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/images/products/Lights/CATLT4096.jpg

The weight is actually 235 grams for the unit, not 280. The l&m lamp head, which I consider pretty light is about 180 by itself. So the extra 55 grams on my handlebars aren't an issue. And they also offer an external battery pack which basically doubles the battery life to 6/20/and 48 hours (sorry VIP... time to open up your wallet :p). The company says that the light actually dims, the 3 LED's are always on.
The measurements make it the same size as the cateye EL200 light and just about the same weight too.


I'm Good..... :D

-XLS Extreme, 14 hours (4 packs) 1200 lumens for nighttime daylight power,
-Alias HID, 6 hours (2 packs) for daily commuting
-200L, 4hours (2packs), 200 lumens for Daytime running and road rides in the early evening.
-140L, 4 hours (1 pack) bringing up the rear
-Whole host of Blinky, cluster and single LED's to tack all over the bikes :lol:


However I would like to add something like the USE Joystick, Fenix or similar just to have something else to play with :)



BTW, that is a KILLER price on your L&M Arc. Anybody in need of a lighting system, wanting to spend $200, should talk to Slvoid first!

I'm curious what the battery voltage and Ah is on the USE unit.

I'm wondering if there is a way to make your own battery and shove in there as a spare. While a self contained unit is clean looking one of the major downfalls I can see if they propritary battery inside and changing it later when it dies out. You'll be paying a lot if the battery is messed up later. With a external battery you can buy another battery from places like BatterySpace and you're good to go again on the cheap.

BTW, that is a KILLER price on your L&M Arc. Anybody in need of a lighting system, wanting to spend $200, should talk to Slvoid first!

Slvoid is selling his lighting system for $200? A L&M Arc? I'm interested!! please pm me!

I'm curious what the battery voltage and Ah is on the USE unit.

I'm wondering if there is a way to make your own battery and shove in there as a spare. While a self contained unit is clean looking one of the major downfalls I can see if they propritary battery inside and changing it later when it dies out. You'll be paying a lot if the battery is messed up later. With a external battery you can buy another battery from places like BatterySpace and you're good to go again on the cheap.

I think that's covered too. Cause if the battery dies, it can run off an external power source, so it just becomes a standard light with an external battery pack. It has to come apart right? I mean, they can't just weld it shut.

Slvoid is selling his lighting system for $200? A L&M Arc? I'm interested!! please pm me!

Sorry.. that sold in like, 2 days. With free overnight shipping too cause I shipped it at work. :p

Sorry.. that sold in like, 2 days. With free overnight shipping too cause I shipped it at work. :p

:/

Actually it looks about the size of the Planet Bike Alias HID... Which is about the size of a Red Bull drink. The 600L is much smaller, and the 200L is minuscule

I sure love the convenience of my Alias HID for commuting. It's quick mount/dismount is invaluable.

I just checked and it's larger than the 200L but only a few mm larger than the 600L. :)
Must...resist....

I just checked and it's larger than the 200L but only a few mm larger than the 600L. :)
Must...resist....

No.... don't resist, just do it :)


The USE is said to be 46mm x 106mm (diameter x length)

The HID Alias is 47mm x 150mm

The 600L is 40mm x 65mm

The 200L is 28mm x 55mm

Ah but it's 150 grams lighter than the alias, runs longer, and is brighter and more versatile! Ha!

Ah but it's 150 grams lighter than the alias, runs longer, and is brighter and more versatile! Ha!

The XLS Extreme Kicks the USE, is way more versatile of a system, plus I have 7 hours worth of run time.... Your point being? :D

The Alias does the job very well, plus I have 2 batteries already for it, for +6 hours of runtime, and it's paid for. So I'm not punting it any time soon.

My XLS Extreme is just for fun.

Ha, yourself ;)

Ah ha, not lighter and self contained though. :p

I gotta keep the sleek uncluttered look of my track bike sleek.

My wallet is hurting...

Ah ha, not lighter and self contained though. :p

I gotta keep the sleek uncluttered look of my track bike sleek.

My wallet is hurting...

Well I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally I think the Use is a bit on the ugly side, aesthetics and all, so any sleekness it has is taken away for it's homely design. The Alias is much better looking, and works just as well, even if not as bright, it's bright enough.

I think the Dual XLS Extreme looks wicked! Putting out 1200 lumens with a decent run time requires getting battery weight off the bars. Regardless, whats it matter what I have or use....

Like I said, just do it :)

I'll post a report. :)

I'll post a report. :)

Nice! Like I said before it looks to be a killer system..

Wow, as bright as my HID but for $450 I could have bought two of my HIDs
(725+725 lumen = 1450 lumen) and each runs for over four hours and have
50 bucks left over for a nice dinner somewhere.

BUT, you cannot deny the increasing excellence of led lights like this. I really
want to see if it lives up to its claims or if it's actually dimmer than stated.

I could always get a Trailtech 30 watt for 1850 lumens for $309 or $254 if I
just want to buy the light to use with my existing battery setup.

Ok so the bottom line here is what.... ? Has anyone been using any of the USE lights ? I really would be interested in what you think. I don't care about the cost so much as the products performance. I don't want anything hanging like a battery pack. I have an off road bike already set up for that and I just want a clean long running road setup.

A long time ago the early USE lights were tested in a comparison test by Cycling plus magazine. I think they were earlier models and are not on the market now. But, the magazine testers had the typical LED bicycle light makers claim problem. If you jam a light meter up to the lens it will read the claimed amount of lumens but the beam for riding was lousy. Some of the USE lights have been compared to other lights in some of the beam comparison shots posted on the forums. I think the links are on the first page of the "light selection guide" thread. I will try and post the link here shortly. The results were not too hot.

Edit: Cycling plus has now (2007) rated them as the best. Things change in just a year.

http://www.use1.com/exposure/

Ok so the bottom line here is what.... ? Has anyone been using any of the USE lights ? I really would be interested in what you think. I don't care about the cost so much as the products performance. I don't want anything hanging like a battery pack. I have an off road bike already set up for that and I just want a clean long running road setup.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=357881

Is it in yet?

Is it in yet?

I dunno, I might have to step up...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362739

I just got this. It's good. Don't have any beam shots yet, but on my ride in the mid-peninsula foothills, works like a champ. I have to dial it down to the middle (480 lumens) setting with oncoming traffic. Blasted down ~ 25-30mph on the descents no problem.

The battery-pack free design is what has sold me on this. Coupled w/ my 2 L2D Fenix lights, just under 1200 lumens if needed.

2 gripes however:

1. The light is nice and focused, however, my old halogen 10W bulb had a nice side spill that allowed you to see the light from the side (good for commuting). This lighting system is only effective head-on.

2. The button is a little firm and finicky. Annoying when you have to cycle through the 3 lighting modes during a ride.

I think that's covered too. Cause if the battery dies, it can run off an external power source, so it just becomes a standard light with an external battery pack. It has to come apart right? I mean, they can't just weld it shut.

If the internal battery is at less than 50% charge when the piggyback battery is attached, the high beam is not available for use. I got that out of the manual on-line at their website.

I dunno, I might have to step up...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362739

I thought you wanted something sleek...? :lol:


Strap'em on!

^^^^^^^^^^

Strap em on and point them at Rhode Island. Then Saskatoon.





I dunno, I might have to step up...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362739