MTBR will be posting their 2013 Lights Shootout this weekend. Here's the announcement . They now have an integrating sphere to get accurate lumen ratings on each light.

They will have comparable backyard photos for each light.

More lumens can make a big difference. I find I use my 1000 lumen light on high in the city, to compete with the car headlights and moving from well-lit to dark sections of the road. In the country, I usually run it on half power--the full power beam lights up the road nearby too much, affecting my night vision.

5 years ago, my 200 lumen light was much brighter than most of the other lights on our group rides. 2 years ago, the Magicshine (500 actual lumens, not 1000) lights became the standard. Now 1000+ lights are starting to show up on the rides.

I would get at least a 600-700 lumen light if I was buying one now.

From the 2012 shootout:

300 lumens:


700 lumens:


1000 lumens, wide angle beam:


2600 lumens