Originally Posted by
rekmeyata
Not true. Please see this:
http://reviews.mtbr.com/2012-bike-li...ttern-photos/2 now scan down to the last two rows at the bottom and the look at the first square in each of the 2 rows, the first is a pic of a 400 lumen MagicShine, the second one is a pic of the 400 lumen (on the box it says 270), note how bright the MagicShine is, it's not 400 lumens probably closer to 150 unshaped light that can barely light up the test scene, you can't see with that light well enough to be moving at the speed a bike travels, for a flashlight standing around and holding it it's fine, but not moving at the speed of a bike. Look at the nearby 100 lumen headlights, the Niterider Mako 1, Light & Motion Vis380, both are too dim to see with adequately moving at the average cyclist speed of 15 mph on a bike. I have a "100 lumen" flashlight and there is no way I would ride with that light because I would override the light.
But the OP needs to decide for himself what is comfortable for his needs to ride with, not what you or I say, he may agree with you or he may not, it's his idea of what is safe for him.
If you hang out on MTBreview.com ( As I have for years ) you know that once in a great while they mess up with the photos. The MJ 858 you refer to was never a very popular light and has no meaningful reference to any lamp that anyone here is referring to.
That said, "Why would anyone search to find the worst example of a Chinese light you can find and then categorically dismiss ALL Chinese made lights as outputting 100 lumen"? If that wasn't so sadly idiotic I would fall out of my chair laughing.
For the last 5 years or so I have been a collector of Chinese made bike lamps and torches. Everyone of the lamps/torches I own gives the output that was expected ( depending on what emitter was used ). Getting back to my original post, the Solarstorm X2 ( with dual XM-L U2 emitters ) will get you in the range of 1000-1200 lumen. A typical cheap single emitter XM-L (U2) MS clone lamp should output about 700-800 lumen ( depending on the output of the driver ). Used on a bike any Chinese lamp using an XM-L based emitter should deliver more than enough light to see while riding down the road. As long as the buyer understands the limitations of LED emitters he should get what he pays for as long as the lamp works.
( *edit; If you really want to know how bright a MJ 858 is and if it is really only 100 lumens I suggest you contact Jim at ActionLED. I believe he still sells these ( albeit probably not very many ). If he says it's only 100 lumen tell him to send me an PM over on MTB'er ).