I bought the newer Hotshot Micro because even though it used the same 2watt LED as the original Hotshot;
the new optics made the beam wider/more intense:
Cygolite Micro(l)- Original Hotshot(r) by
1nterceptor, on Flickr
Cygolite Micro(l)-Original Hotshot(r) Facing by
1nterceptor, on Flickr
Hotshot Micro(l) - Cygolite Original(r)Wall by
1nterceptor, on Flickr
I also got the Pro 80; but don't have the original Hotshot anymore for a comparison.
Originally Posted by
Biker395
FYI, some of the newer Cygolite tail lights have a wider beam than before. According to their website (with regard to the Hotshot Pro 80):
"Extra wide beam Enhanced Cycling Optics efficiently scatters the beam to maximize your visual presence."
I have the Hotshot Pro 80, and the beam really is quite a bit broader than before and much broader than the Planet Bike tail light it replaced. I dunno why they don't spec out how broad for comparison purposes with other lights ... they should.
I'd also say this ... having a broader beam in the horizontal direction is great, but having a broader beam in the vertical direction is something to avoid. That was brought home to me last weekend, as I rode behind my buddy with his Cygolite Hotshot 50. When properly aimed, the beam was reasonable when I was immediately behind him, but if I was 50 feet or so behind him, it was near blinding. A light without that narrower vertical beamwidth characteristic would be problematic for people riding in groups.