Magicshine 1400
#1
Thread Starter
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,926
Likes: 987
From: New Zealand
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Trek Marlin 6, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Magicshine 1400

Ye olde magicshine with two XPEs stuck on the sides and more sensible controls.
Specs quoted from geoman:
1,400 lumens (manufacturer rated) at highest setting
4 Lighting modes; Short Mode, Far Mode, High (all), and Stepless
Stepless programming. Choose from 5% to 100% power output using the Command Control Button
Lighted Command Control Button with 4 level LED battery level indicator and backlight: Green = 100% charge, Blue = 75% charge, Yellow = 50% charge, Red = 25% charge
250 hour run-time on lowest setting, between 2 and 3 hours on highest setting
~3 hours run-time on highest setting (conditions vary, run-times vary too)
SSCP7 and Cree XP-E LED's - durable, up to 50,000 hour lifespan. 3 LED emitters, total.
T6 aircraft aluminum enclosure - anodized
Battery: Li-ion (4) 18650 in a highly durable enclosure with Magicshine branded neoprene mounting cover - velcro attachments
Circuitry: Digital regulated li-ion
Cable: Approximately .75 meter in length - perfect for stowing the battery on the top bar, behind the seat, or in your jersey pocket or Camelback
Warranty: 90 days - manufacturer
Origin: China
Weights:
3 LED Lighthead, Command Control Button, all cabling: 226g
Four cell 18650 battery pack w/cover: 360g
https://www.thesingletrackstore.com/s...&product_id=67
https://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...roducts_id=161
#2
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Crap! Already time to upgrade? LOL
It would be nice if the two side light can be set as blink mode while the center remain as constant on with a little bit of sideway lumination. (if it is not yet implemented). I think that can draw more attention from car.
It would be nice if the two side light can be set as blink mode while the center remain as constant on with a little bit of sideway lumination. (if it is not yet implemented). I think that can draw more attention from car.
#3
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I got their email on that yesterday.
IMO they're missing the point. I don't want more lumens, I want the lumens more sensibly used. As far as I'm concerned, until they get a fairly powerful light with a PROPER ROAD BEAM PATTERN, they still have work to do.
Unfortunately they probably won't do this because they don't seem to be big into actually making custom optics; they're still just taking flashlight optics and machining an aluminum case around them.
Honestly, I have a MagicShine and though I'll use it until it dies, I've gone back to flashlights as my recommendation to others. MagicShine will have to get a light with a road beam pattern to shift me back.
IMO they're missing the point. I don't want more lumens, I want the lumens more sensibly used. As far as I'm concerned, until they get a fairly powerful light with a PROPER ROAD BEAM PATTERN, they still have work to do.
Unfortunately they probably won't do this because they don't seem to be big into actually making custom optics; they're still just taking flashlight optics and machining an aluminum case around them.
Honestly, I have a MagicShine and though I'll use it until it dies, I've gone back to flashlights as my recommendation to others. MagicShine will have to get a light with a road beam pattern to shift me back.
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#5
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
What timing, I took my second ride with my Magicshine this morning, and found out they've already got something newer/better/fancier out. I haven't even needed to recharge the battery yet from use.
#6
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
That's debatable. Personally I think the original light is absolutely bright enough already for road use. For trail riding, more might be nice, I don't know; never been trail riding.
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#7
mutant...
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: bell gardens, ca
Bikes: skinny benny single speed/fixed gear, fuji carbon fiber road bike...
how do the magicshine's compare to say, the triple led nightrider light...
i ask cause i just got one... and i love it... i know it was twice as much cash, but the beam pattern and lumens is really impressive...
i ask cause i just got one... and i love it... i know it was twice as much cash, but the beam pattern and lumens is really impressive...
#8
Older than dirt
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,342
Likes: 3
From: Winchester, VA
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
From a quality standpoint the Niterider beats the Magicshine. The Magicshine is all about lumens vs pricepoint IMHO. Nice light, worth the $ but you'll have the Niterider long after the Magicshine is in the trash I'll bet.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 960
Likes: 80
Bottom line: my personal experience is that my Magicshine has been more reliable than my Niterider.
Last edited by hopperja; 03-19-10 at 11:38 PM.
#10
mutant...
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: bell gardens, ca
Bikes: skinny benny single speed/fixed gear, fuji carbon fiber road bike...
the only complain i have with my niterider is the plug that connects to the battery is uber sensitive...
but other than that no problems yet... i'm going to get a magicshine too... i don't feel like shelling out $250 for another light...
but other than that no problems yet... i'm going to get a magicshine too... i don't feel like shelling out $250 for another light...
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Bikes: Moots Mooto-X among others
Keep an eye out.
Geo
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GeoManGear
We Ride!
We Offer the Best Prices in North America...
GeoManGear
We Ride!
- Garmin EDGE, Sigma, others...
- LUPINE, AIRBIKE, MAGICSHINE, & SIGMA Lights
We Offer the Best Prices in North America...
#13
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
and a quick comparison with the Dinotte tells us what?
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#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Bikes: Moots Mooto-X among others
Let's just say that we all agree the Dinotte is the "standard" for comparison of tail lights...
More later... We're still defining specifications for this light. But look for battery compatibility between Magicshines. "Y" cable anyone?
Geo
More later... We're still defining specifications for this light. But look for battery compatibility between Magicshines. "Y" cable anyone?
Geo
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GeoManGear
We Ride!
We Offer the Best Prices in North America...
GeoManGear
We Ride!
- Garmin EDGE, Sigma, others...
- LUPINE, AIRBIKE, MAGICSHINE, & SIGMA Lights
We Offer the Best Prices in North America...
#15
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Is that a hint we could run a front and rear light off the same battery?
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,049
Likes: 11
From: La Verne CA
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
The best part of the MS lights is the fact that the battery pack are 4-18650 cells which can be easily replaced with a little work and cost around 20-30.00.. You go with Niterider and your battery dies, you end up parting with 150.00 + for a new battery..
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,049
Likes: 11
From: La Verne CA
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
Obviously I will get a little less runtime, but having an extra battery pack would be useful for the summer night riding..
#18
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I'll be happy to see this. In fact if the price is right, I'd like to buy two. I've been kind of thinking about buying a 400R but I'd rather have two lights mounted farther apart than one light with two heads mounted together.
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#20
#21
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 31
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
They don't seem to be aware or care about commuters - the MS is bright no doubt. But it *is* annoying/glaring for people on the other end of the light. There's no need for this. This is why cars headlights are biased. I hope they listen to feedback here - this was my same complaint about the dinotte 200L.
I would not care to pay double the MS price right now if it could have an option for optics that were designed for on road use. That claimed 900 lumens could be much better used lighting up road surface instead of annoying oncoming cyclists/cars.
#22
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
+1
They don't seem to be aware or care about commuters - the MS is bright no doubt. But it *is* annoying/glaring for people on the other end of the light. There's no need for this. This is why cars headlights are biased. I hope they listen to feedback here - this was my same complaint about the dinotte 200L.
I would not care to pay double the MS price right now if it could have an option for optics that were designed for on road use. That claimed 900 lumens could be much better used lighting up road surface instead of annoying oncoming cyclists/cars.
They don't seem to be aware or care about commuters - the MS is bright no doubt. But it *is* annoying/glaring for people on the other end of the light. There's no need for this. This is why cars headlights are biased. I hope they listen to feedback here - this was my same complaint about the dinotte 200L.
I would not care to pay double the MS price right now if it could have an option for optics that were designed for on road use. That claimed 900 lumens could be much better used lighting up road surface instead of annoying oncoming cyclists/cars.
In your experience, what light (available today) best fits what you describe, i.e., high-powered light with proper beam pattern for road/commuting, not glaring for people on the receiving end, and reasonably priced?
#23
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 31
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
This is the concern I have regarding most high-powered lights when used for commuting, and beam shots posted on various websites can be deceiving.
In your experience, what light (available today) best fits what you describe, i.e., high-powered light with proper beam pattern for road/commuting, not glaring for people on the receiving end, and reasonably priced?
In your experience, what light (available today) best fits what you describe, i.e., high-powered light with proper beam pattern for road/commuting, not glaring for people on the receiving end, and reasonably priced?
I just fix bikes for a living.
#24
+1
They don't seem to be aware or care about commuters - the MS is bright no doubt. But it *is* annoying/glaring for people on the other end of the light. There's no need for this. This is why cars headlights are biased. I hope they listen to feedback here - this was my same complaint about the dinotte 200L.
I would not care to pay double the MS price right now if it could have an option for optics that were designed for on road use. That claimed 900 lumens could be much better used lighting up road surface instead of annoying oncoming cyclists/cars.
They don't seem to be aware or care about commuters - the MS is bright no doubt. But it *is* annoying/glaring for people on the other end of the light. There's no need for this. This is why cars headlights are biased. I hope they listen to feedback here - this was my same complaint about the dinotte 200L.
I would not care to pay double the MS price right now if it could have an option for optics that were designed for on road use. That claimed 900 lumens could be much better used lighting up road surface instead of annoying oncoming cyclists/cars.
The difference between the lux and the lumen is that the lux takes into account the area over which the luminous flux is spread. A flux of 1,000 lumens, concentrated into an area of one square metre, lights up that square metre with an illuminance of 1,000 lux. However, the same 1,000 lumens, spread out over ten square metres, produces a dimmer illuminance of only 100 lux.
#25
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Look at B&M lights, like the IQ Fly. Or anything sold in Germany - by law, bike lights in Germany are required to have proper beam cutoffs.
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