Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Blackburn X6 Light System

Does anyone have any experience with this system? I've read nothing but bad reviews on the net, but I've got a chance to get a deal on one, and was wondering if anyone here had any input.

Thanks in advance.

My buddy purchased one recently because he got a good deal. The mount broke after a couple of rides but Blackburn came through with their usual great service and sent him a replacement immediately.

He likes it very well. I am not sure what experience he has with other lights. I just started riding with him recently so I do not know him that well. My other riding buddies indicated that he had started riding again this past year so I do not know the extent of his night riding experience either.

But he is an engineer and is analytical and would probably criticize it heavily if it were not giving him good service. Tipp Cyclery in Tipp City, OH is owned by an engineer and he picks and chooses what brands he carries in every product line. All the products that I have purchased from him have been high quality. He carries the Blackburn lights. But I stayed away for the same reason as you - I read the bad reviews also.

But as I said, Blackburn stands behind all their products. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your post, dekindy!

I figured that someone must like them. I'm mostly interested in the battery life, and the performance of the light itself. I've read that the battery only holds a charge for a fraction of the time that Blackburn advertizes. I'm trying to find a light that will get me through a 24 hour event, specifically, the Saratoga Challenge. It would be a road event, and it's a course that I'm familiar with, so I'm hoping that I could ride with the light dimmed somewhat. Besides that, it would just be for night-time training rides around my normal riding area, on roads that I'm very familiar with. But if the battery on the X6 only lasts for a few hours, even if just barely bright enough to see with, it wouldn't be much good to me.

The Blackburn uses older Luxon led's and is only 80 lumens per light head. they've taken some heat for a strange shaped, bulky battery as well.

might I suggest:
http://www.niterider.com/prod_minewtx2dual.shtml
excellent reviews recently, nearly twice as bright.

Thanks for your post, dekindy!

I figured that someone must like them. I'm mostly interested in the battery life, and the performance of the light itself. I've read that the battery only holds a charge for a fraction of the time that Blackburn advertizes. I'm trying to find a light that will get me through a 24 hour event, specifically, the Saratoga Challenge. It would be a road event, and it's a course that I'm familiar with, so I'm hoping that I could ride with the light dimmed somewhat. Besides that, it would just be for night-time training rides around my normal riding area, on roads that I'm very familiar with. But if the battery on the X6 only lasts for a few hours, even if just barely bright enough to see with, it wouldn't be much good to me.

He may have commented on runtime but I don't remember specifically. I will e-mail him and give you his answer.

He may have commented on runtime but I don't remember specifically. I will e-mail him and give you his answer.

He has only used it on low for our 2 hour evening rides so he can't give you any feedback regarding max runtime on low.

He has only used it on low for our 2 hour evening rides so he can't give you any feedback regarding max runtime on low.

Thanks for checking.

Thanks for your post, dekindy!

I figured that someone must like them. I'm mostly interested in the battery life, and the performance of the light itself. I've read that the battery only holds a charge for a fraction of the time that Blackburn advertizes. I'm trying to find a light that will get me through a 24 hour event, specifically, the Saratoga Challenge. It would be a road event, and it's a course that I'm familiar with, so I'm hoping that I could ride with the light dimmed somewhat. Besides that, it would just be for night-time training rides around my normal riding area, on roads that I'm very familiar with. But if the battery on the X6 only lasts for a few hours, even if just barely bright enough to see with, it wouldn't be much good to me.

I found (HERE (http://gearreview.com/2006_led_lights.php)) that the run time isn't as good as claimed. They kick down at just over 2 hours on high.