Commuting - Cat Eye EL-400 reviews?

Anyone using the Cat Eye Compact Opticube?

I had been using the EL-200 Opticube with some success, until this week when the rain got the best of it. It looks like they've made the EL-400 waterproof to 50 meters, which would certainly be good enough for my purposes. Is the EL-400 as bright as the EL-200?

I use it as a helmet mount in tandem with my EL 300 (big % LED jobbie-doo) it works well in that application but I wouldn't reccomend it as your ONLY light. 3 AAA batteries just aren't enough for a main light even if it is an Opticube

Thanks Raiyn.
So it sounds like, with 3 AAAs, it's not quite as bright as the EL 200. I'm not planning on using it as a headlight per se, but rather 1) as an attention getter, and 2)as a spare to my bigger lights. Anyone else try it?

I didn't know they made a 400, I thought the "brightest" was their 300. I have a 300 and I'm using it as a back up to my main light, it's bright but not bright enough to use as a main light just like Raiyn said.

The little El-400 is great.
Been using 2 as helmet mounted lights to back up my HID on night rides just to illuminate the path around switch backs and tight flowing singletrack.
Works great and fairly bright for it's size.
EL300 is brighter though but it can't be helmet mounted so...

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to get one.

One of the UK cycle mags tested it's waterproofness by frightening the fish in a goldfish pond and it seemed okay...

How well does it focus?

How easy is it to attach to a helmet?

Thanks.

I know spring is a long time away but:

Quote:

"Improved bike lights were visible all around the show. But
the most interesting one we found won't actually be on the
market till the spring. Made by Cateye, it's small and looks
unassuming with just one LED, but it puts out a
mind-boggling 1,000 candlepower. That's 600 more than
Cateye's current big seller, the 5-LED EL-300. Dubbed the
Power Opticube, the new light reportedly will burn for 30
hours on 4 AA batteries. It's expected to sell for $45-$50."

Courtesy of Ed Pavelka from roadbikerider.com

EL300 is brighter though but it can't be helmet mounted so...

Actually, the EL300 can be helmet mounted. Turn it upside down and it can be easily velcro'd to your helmet. I recommend adding a wrap around strip of velcro through the helmet vent holes. It makes a very good helmet light. I used one all of last winter with no problems or water leaks.

I know spring is a long time away but:

Quote:

"Improved bike lights were visible all around the show. But
the most interesting one we found won't actually be on the
market till the spring. Made by Cateye, it's small and looks
unassuming with just one LED, but it puts out a
mind-boggling 1,000 candlepower. That's 600 more than
Cateye's current big seller, the 5-LED EL-300. Dubbed the
Power Opticube, the new light reportedly will burn for 30
hours on 4 AA batteries. It's expected to sell for $45-$50."

Courtesy of Ed Pavelka from roadbikerider.com
Suhweet!

I find the EL-300 fine for commuting under street lighting or for riding in total dark (at leisurely speed), but it is inadequate when the route switches between street lighting and dark paths, as my eyes cant adjust fast enough to the change in light levels.

I really like mine. The batts last a long time. i really get noticed when it's on strobe and i can quickley mount it almost anywhere i want. (huh, huh, he said "mount it")
sorry couldent resist.

CD

I was looking at the EL 400 for my sole front light, but after reading some of these comments I am unsure. This is my first experience with commuting in the dark this year, and am shopping for lights right now (I already have a rear red blinky from planetbike). What would you recommend for someone looking for a single light, with not alot of money to spend ($40-50 max?)

I just ordered the EternaLight Ergo Marine from Technology Associates. Last week they ran a special for refurbished models for $29.99. They are still only $34.50 refurbished ($54.99 new -- available for same price from Hammacher Schlemmer catalogue). Comes with lithium batteries. I plan on mounting this water-resistant light to the front of my helmet with plastic cable ties or velcro. Same price range as the Cateye EL400 Opticube.

http://www.techass.com/el/elm3m/elm3m.php

I was looking at the EL 400 for my sole front light, but after reading some of these comments I am unsure. This is my first experience with commuting in the dark this year, and am shopping for lights right now (I already have a rear red blinky from planetbike). What would you recommend for someone looking for a single light, with not alot of money to spend ($40-50 max?)

Franklen, LED lights in general don't provide that much useable light for seeing your way. They work well for visibility on already well lit streets. I wouldn't recommend any LED light to use for commuting in dark areas unless you aren't going that fast. I use my LED lights for spares, and for extra visibility only. The advantage of LEDs are the long battery life, and cool color they provide. Look for a rechargable light system if you want a light that you can see your way with.

I have 4 ethernaLights. They are very good for letting others see you, but do not illuminate very far in front of your bike. I think of them as being more of a safety light than a head light. This said, they are great lights!

What would you recommend for someone looking for a single light, with not alot of money to spend ($40-50 max?)

If you are riding on the road, read on. If you ride offroad, the typical MR-11 beam is better suited for that.


I know I will be the dissident voice, but I'll shoot anyway.

I would recommend a good generator, such as those from Peter White Cycles (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com) (NB: I'm just a satisfied customer).

A bottle generator such as the Dymotec with the associated Lumotec plain headlight would total less than $50. It's only 3 W, but the optics of the light are such that all the light is thrown on the road where you need it and where others need it to see you. Contrary to AXA or Union generators (those I have seen anyway), the light has some surge protection, so it atteins full brightness at around 10-12 km/h, yet doesn't blow off when you go faster.
The bottle generator, however, has some resistance (but Dymotec and especially the S6 is less than a cheap generator), some noise (not a problem in traffic, but would be a nuisance on quiet roads), and it may slip in rain or especially snow.

For about $100 if you build your own wheel (Sheldon has full instruction, you just need the patience), you could go for a Shimano Nexus NX-30 dynohub and the same headlight. Then you get lighting that's always there, never dead, silent, with minimal friction and no noise.

Regards,

For about $100 if you build your own wheel (Sheldon has full instruction, you just need the patience), you could go for a Shimano Nexus NX-30 dynohub and the same headlight. Then you get lighting that's always there, never dead, silent, with minimal friction and no noise.

I believe the SON dynohub has even less drag, but is also a lot more expensive.

--J

A bottle generator such as the Dymotec with the associated Lumotec plain headlight would total less than $50. It's only 3 W, but the optics of the light are such that all the light is thrown on the road where you need it and where others need it to see you. Contrary to AXA or Union generators (those I have seen anyway), the light has some surge protection, so it atteins full brightness at around 10-12 km/h, yet doesn't blow off when you go faster.
The bottle generator, however, has some resistance (but Dymotec and especially the S6 is less than a cheap generator), some noise (not a problem in traffic, but would be a nuisance on quiet roads), and it may slip in rain or especially snow.

Regards,

I like the looks and price of the dymotec, but am worried about snow performance as I have read that a couple times now. Are we talking major wet snows that coat everything, (which may only happen a handful of times if were lucky), or are we talking any significant amount of snow that falls?

Also since the bottle mounts external, is it easily removable for theft/vandals issues? And do the lights retain a charge when you come to a stop?

So I went ahead and bought the EL-400 last night. The little guy is pretty impressive. It's got a nice focused beam pattern, and pretty good projection. The switch is electronic and it easy to operate. The mount is such that it can put just about anywhere; helmet, handlebars, hand, ect. It certainly wont "blind" anyone on the road, but I'm sure I'll be seen well with it. I'll post a road test of it tomorrow evening after using it.
Regards,
Mike

I like my Opticube, it's mounted on my helmet, great attention getter, it is NOT a headlight. It's only safe at 6mph or less on terrain you know like the back of your hand. It's also good for seeing your cyclometer, etc. I think it is rediculously priced.

>>>I like my Opticube, it's mounted on my helmet, great attention getter, it is NOT a headlight<<<

The only thing good about the Opticube is the light. Putting the batteries inside is like solving the Rubics cube. To make matters worse, the light kills batteries real quick if you don't remove them. I really hate the straps that go around the handlebar as you have to spend major time adjusting it.

Other than the light, the whole device was poorly engineered.

I like my Opticube 400. It casts an egg shaped spot of light about 12 feet in front of my bike that is bright enough for my riding buddy to see where he is going. It is not like the light from a HID unit but is nice for the occasional side street with poor overhead lighting. If the road was rough I would want something brighter but for the price and since it uses such cheap batteries I am happy with it. I bought mine at my LBS for $35 but have seen them around for $30.

tom o.

I know spring is a long time away but:

Quote:

"Improved bike lights were visible all around the show. But
the most interesting one we found won't actually be on the
market till the spring. Made by Cateye, it's small and looks
unassuming with just one LED, but it puts out a
mind-boggling 1,000 candlepower. That's 600 more than
Cateye's current big seller, the 5-LED EL-300. Dubbed the
Power Opticube, the new light reportedly will burn for 30
hours on 4 AA batteries. It's expected to sell for $45-$50."

Courtesy of Ed Pavelka from roadbikerider.com

Sounds like Cateye will be using a Luxeon Star LED. That would be really cool.

Sp@eder

I had the EL300 opticube for about 45 days and I will admit it was the brightest self contained (4AAbats) light I ever used-BUT, the light was only a spot about a foot in diameter with no scatter. I took the light back and traded it for a Cygo Metro dual beam unit for only about $12 more. The Metro on flood or spot completely overpowered the EL300, plus the Metro flood is about 8 feet across so now I can see the sides of the road. I much perfer the Metro over the EL300 for commuting or lit streets or pitch black bike path I ride on and never have to worry about over riding the light like I had with the EL300.