Specialized Flux Expert headlight
 

I had been using a Cygolite Dash light to supplement my Luxos U dyno headlight with it's flash function and as a high beam when needed. The dash worked fairly well, but being a flashlight type light it does have some shortcomings in regards to beam shape, near field hot spot, and glare.

I won't go into a full description as an excellent one can be found here, REVIEW: Specialized Flux Expert Bicycle Headlight - Photo Intensive, but rather general impressions in real world commuting duty.

I installed it in a few minutes under less than ideal low light conditions being cold and wet in a park shelter. The only tool needed was the supplied hex wrench.
I didn't actually use it much as I wanted to give it a full charge first, but the mount proved to be rock solid on the 30 mile ride home that included several miles of unpaved trail, and rough roads.

With a full charge I took it on a 6 mile test ride on the local rural MUT . I also took the opportunity to compare it side by side with the Luxos U and Cygolite Dash. Even in the dark and rainy conditions it only took a few minutes to get the feel for the remote switch and cycle through all the functions. Its very intuitive, and clearly was engineered by people who actually ride.


All observations were made in a dark area with minimal ambient light, and fairly heavy steady rain.

The Flux on low power-low beam, the Luxos is about the same brightness with a bit wider spread with sharper cutoff that throws a little further, the Cygolite on its highest setting is a bit brighter right in front of the bike, but the beam is narrower with a shorter throw.

The Flux on low power-high beam, it throws as far as the Luxos, is a little brighter than the Cygolite, and throws light higher like a true high beam rather than just being brighter. It doesn't throw light way up in the trees like the Cygolite, but moves the cutoff up to about 10 feet above the low beam cutoff.

The Flux on high power-low beam puts out more light than either of the other two and would be passable as a motorcycle headlight.

The Flux on high power-high beam is comparable to an average automotive high beam.

On both high, and low power-low beam the glare is actually a little less than the Luxos, probably because the Fluxes lens is wide and narrow where as the Luxos has a fairly tall and wide lens.

On both high, and low power-high beam the glare is rather intense, not as "hot' a glare as the Cygolite, but spreads the glare wider.

At $275 its darn expensive, but the quality and function is there. Without a doubt its a true, dual beam "headlight" and I haven't seen another light that can match it in that respect.

It looks like the upcoming week will be wet, which will put the light to the test.

Had a chance to check out 2 of the 3 flash modes in overcast daylight,

The slow flash, which is basically a slow fade between high and low beam, is rather visible in daylight but doesn't scream "I'm here". It works well in the dark without being obnoxious to the user and others like an normal flash.

The regular flash is a normal on-off flash rather than a "strobe". its very visible and attention getting.

I couldn't check out the "light horn", which is a burst strobe flash, by myself, but observing it in the dark while riding leads me to believe it must be very attention grabbing.

One minor disappointment is that unlike the Luxos U, the light must be on to flash the "light horn".

I loved the idea, but found the remote confusing, seemed like it could use a few more buttons...

I took a few minutes to figure it out as I usually do better with analog too, but then the 2 buttons make sense, and work efficiently.

Turn it on using the button on the light, and it comes on in the last mode used.

Say it was high power-low beam,
The big button turns the high power-high beam on, or off with each push.
1st click on the small function button selects low power- low beam, big button turns low power-high beam on and off.
2nd click on small button selects fade modulation, big button switches between high, and low power.
3rd click on small button selects flash mode, big button switches between high, and low power.
4th click on small button brings it back to the high power mode.

Fast click of the big button in any mode, or power level flashes the "light horn".

Slow click of the big button in any mode, or power level jumps to high power-high beam.
I takes 3 or less clicks of the small button to select any mode, and one click of big button to select high beam/power once in desired mode.

I find it quicker and more convenient than the Cygolite that one to take their hand off the bar, and 6 clicks to go from high to low.

$275 is a non-starter for me. And I'd still need a helmet light.

That's a surprise considering the uncompromised attention to detail that you put into your Lynskey.

After a week of daily commuting use I must say the Flux has exceeded all expectations.

I find it very convenient and useful that one may access both power level high and low beams with one button push without having to cycle through them. The high power high beam at 1200 lumens is pretty much overkill for my needs, like a cars high beam its too much to use in the presence of others, and more than is needed elsewhere.
The high power low beam addresses my commutes trouble spot, a 3/4 mile decent down a 12% winding 2 lane arterial that's just outside the city limits, and sees little maintenance. Under most conditions the Luxos is sufficient, but in the wet the glare off the wet pavement from oncoming cars would wash it out, making debris hard to see at speed.
The low power high beam on the rolling, winding MUT that follows allows me to pick up the pace a bit, and on the rare occasion I encounter someone else, the handlebar switch allows me to dip the beam instantly.

The low power flash function seems to be just right for daytime use, its not obnoxious and overpowering like the strobe on my Cygolite or Cateye. The modulating function is usable on both power levels in the dark like the Cygolites steady flash, perhaps even more so, but I still prefer to not use it after dark.

Since the Flux will function with an external power source, I purchased a 15600mAh usb powerpack, which in theory extends the run time from the claimed 1.45 to 6 hours on the internal battery, to 6.9 to 20.8 hours on steady, and up to 80 hours on flash.

If I had to choose between the Flux and the Luxos I would still choose dyno power over battery, but fortunately I don't have to make that choice. As far as battery lights go, its a light in a league all of its own since Phillips no longer makes the Activeride light. IMO it makes all other battery lights obsolete, a total game changer, and a real shame its price will limit its appeal.

That sounds like what the L&M Urban series has. A pulse like mode. Judging by driver's reactions, I find it as effective as a flashing light---getting their attention without "screaming" at them. I like it. Don't know about night usage, I only use it during the day.

I also only use steady modes in the dark, but I did try it on the very dark rural MUT near home just to see what its like. Its not a "flicker" or "pulse" added to the main beam, its basically a alternating fade between high and low beam similar to what some motorcycles have.

Wow. That design looks incredible and I love the remote that comes with it. The only drawback I can see is that I very often swap bikes throughout the week and would like an easier mounting style.
Overall I love the looks and that remote is awesome. But I already bought my cateye 1600, so it is too late! Hopefully I am happy with it, if not, I know where to go!

In looking at the photos in the CPF review, the beam looks similar in width and length to my Cyo premium. I'm just surprised that it took so long for another battery light to do that. But the price is really steep, you could get both a dyno wheel and the Cyo for that price (or Luxos if you buy from Eur).

The mount and remote are available separately if one wants to use it on multiple bikes. Once setup, it goes on and off with a push of a button on the mount, and the remote plug.
I was actually settled on the L&M Taz 1200, but seeing it was a letdown. In all fairness its $100 less, and not a fair comparison.

I also have a Cyo premium plus, and they are surprisingly similar in pattern. The main differences are the Flux is much brighter, the cutoff is a little softer, and the biggie is it has a real high beam.