redlude97

Well part of it is the light specs appear to be underrated. It provides similar lux levels as the NR minewt 600 which also has a runtime of 90 mins on high

rfomenko

Water resistant but not waterproof:
https://lezyne.com/wdownloads/manuals...UIDE_V1_R1.pdf

The runtime is not low considering it runs on one 18650 battery. Also, the battery is standard, cheap, quickly & easily replaceable. Just ordered one from Colorado Cyclist for $110 including everything. Expecting it on Tuesday. This light is to replace my Planet Bike Blaze 2W which will be relegated to the blinky/backup duties together with my PB Superflash which was replaced earlier with Cygolite Hotshot 2W that worked out beautifully along with the Fenix L2D on the helmet. I am done with the lights for the next couple of years for sure unless they come up with something really revolutionary

Cyclist0383

The runtime on high is the same as other single cell XM-L lights. Take a look at the L&M and NiteRider in the same class for comparison. The Cygolite isn't nearly as bright as the others, so it has a longer runtime.

I spoke to Mike at Lezyne, and he told me the lights are fine for wet weather use, and the USB port is covered and on the bottom of the light.

BetweenRides

I understand this statement when comparing the light to others like it, but how come I'm able to get 2.5 hours out of a single cell XM-L T6 flashlight with seemingly more lumens? What is causing the difference?

Cyclist0383

I highly doubt that you get more lumens for 2.5 hours with a single cell XM-L light. Which Light are you talking about? I know I get about 50 minutes from a SolarForce XM-L drop-in and an AW 2600 battery.

Also, are you talking about 2.5 hours until the light shuts off, or 2.5 hours until 50%?

If you could really get 2.5 hours of honest light from a single cell XM-L all the high-end light makers would be all over it. As it is they all advertise 1.5 hours of runtime.

BetweenRides

I have two different torches:

Palight C8 Cree R5 ($16 at Manafont.com)
UltraFire C8 Cree XM-L T6 ($25 at Manafont.com)

I have done runout tests and both lights will run +2.5 hours, but you are right, that is not at full power. I would estimate the output starts to drop off at 1.75 hours, but is still usable at 2.5, pretty dim at 2.75 when I shut them off. I am using UltraFire 3100 mAh cells (at least that's what they say on the wrapping). I've been very happy with the performance of both as secondary lights. I don't know the actual measured output of these lights, but by comparison, less bright than a Strykr bar light. Hard to compare directly, as these are throwers. They make good helmet lights, even if they are a bit heavy.

Foote.mike

Hey All,

Our run times are based on different types of rides you would want to do, from that our outputs worked themselves out. Our High mode was determined to be 90 minutes because that was the shortest amount of time we could justify for a high output bike ride (it also happens to be the length of a lap on our favorite in town mountain bike ride).
Using this run time of 90 minutes, an XML, and the optical efficiency that we get, the Lumens came out to be 450. As simple as that. If we wanted it to honestly make 600 lumens (and not just overstate our outputs...) then the run times would have to go down dramatically. But as the LED efficiencies go up and battery capacities go up, we will be able to produce more lumens for the same amount of time.

As for waterproofness, they have been tested extensively under water. We don't want to certify these lights for diving (if you put waterproof on it, someone will use it as pool lighting. Not our market.) but they are definitely water resistant for rain. Just make sure to close your USB port cover.

About the UltraFire 3100mAh cells... I would be weary of high capacity quotes. We do our own battery capacity quality control in house. When choosing a battery manufacturer we had "2400mAh" batteries that tested out to 600mAh, 1400mAh, and 1800mAh.

BetweenRides, where did you get the 3100mAh battery from? I will order one up, do a discharge measurement and send you the graph. I am curious to see how they test.

-Mike

Cyclist0383

Here's an interesting read on 'high capacity' UltraFire cells.

https://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/batteries_21.html

BetweenRides

Mike and Ziemas:

I fully understand scepticism related to claimed capacity on 18650 cells. This is a common complaint. I purchased these cells through Manafont.com. From research I have done since, it seems those in the know (many on CPF or Budget Lights for instance) only trust a few brands to be what they claim to be: AW, Pila and Redilast come to mind, but I'm sure there are others.

My point was that I'm getting longer run times than those others are finding and I believe my 'cheap' lights are pretty bright. If I run across a Lezyne in a local shop, I'll try to get a beam shot comparison. I actually think the Lezyne lights look like a good investment. I wouldn't want to trust my China torches for commuting or riding as a sole light source - that's why I carry 2-3 lights on a ride (Including a very good quality bar light) and ride in groups.

Pippin

Received my SuperDrive recently and have taken it on several rides. Very impressed. Solid construction, great beam pattern and smart design. Have been using it mostly on med. in city and watershed trail riding. It wouldn't surprise me if it replaces my TriNewt on night mtb rides with a extra cell or so in my pocket.


At this point the only thing I change is to make the flash function not in the same sequence as the high, med, low. I often change the intensity during a ride, but no some much between solid and flash.

Cyclist0383

I think the confusing over runtime is how it's measured. Most people measure to 50% of initial output. For example if a torch puts out 100 lumens when output drops to 50 lumens then the runtime is calculated, even if the torch is still putting out usable light.

As for the Super Drive, here's what a poster on another forum posted about it's runtime using a Panasonic based 3100 cell.
From this you can see that runtimes are similar to your torch. It just depends on how it's measured.

(I hope all this makes sense, I'm on my first espresso and have just realized that I'm out of beans. Urgh.)

rfomenko

Received my light yesterday & took if for a spin. What can I say? A solid, quality light with a very bright uniform beam similar to a Dinotte I used to have. Only brighter. In fact, it is brighter than a 900 lumen (claimed) MTE torch I have. The Medium mode is plenty enough for city streets and the Flash mode is great for riding during the day. The High mode is good enough for high speed decents. So if you are in the market for a light, consider this one. It's well worth the price, IMHO

a1penguin

The cheap torches are ALL overrated. XM-L lights will have better throw than P7 lights. My cheap XM-L torch is way better than my cheap MTE P7 torch.

The Lezyne looks like a good choice for bike light: off the shelf (so to speak) batteries, compact size, no external battery pack, enough lumens to be useful, not an outlandish price. If it performs well in rain, it's a total winner.

The Minewt 600 cordless might be the closest competitor. MTBR forums probably has beam shots for both of those lights.

joe4702

Thanks for the info. I just ordered a Super Drive after narrowing down the choices to it and the Minewt 600. The Super Drive comes out on top due to the replaceable battery, all metal body and sleeker styling. Street price is about the same on both. Nite Rider claims 600 lumens vs 450 for the Super Drive, but the MTBR lights shoot-out data and photos shows the outputs are essentially equivalent. I appreciate Lezyne not overstating their output like other companies do. Look forward to replacing my increasingly unreliable Chinese P7 flashlight and to future new lights from Lezyne.

redlude97

One of the major complaints about the minewt is the very poorly designed handlebar mount. So all else being equal the lezyne is the better choice IMO

Watchdog

I'm interested in buying a SuperDrive for myself and a couple of mini drives for my kids. Does anyone know if they all use the same mount?

I'm assuming Mike knows, but does anyone else? i.e. in case Mike does not reply.

Cyclist0383

According to the Lezyne website they are all the same.


https://shop.lezyne.com/products/led-...ndle-bar-mount

datlas 

My MagicShine is starting to act up. I think this one is on my short list, the only concern I have is the relatively short burn time but I suppose that's to be expected with just one battery.

Thanks for updating the thread.

a1penguin

Just buy a couple of Trustfire Flames and a charger and you have hours and hours of light! Using off the shelf batteries makes the Lezyne a real winner. I'll probably buy one so I can have a legitimate rain worthy, bike designed, manufacturer supported light. I'm just waiting for a sale.

tarwheel 

The Lezyne Super Drive looks like a nicely designed option for commuting. After comparing with other brands, I opted to buy a Light & Motion Urban 500. It is a little more expensive but has some features that set it apart from the Lezyne and MiNewt 600. The mounting strap is adaptable to any bar size without changing parts. It has amber side lights for additional visibility, weighs the least, and has the most powerful beam according to MTBR. I have another L&M light (Stella 300) and have been very impressed with its quality.

Shimagnolo

Now what we need to go along with a Super Drive on the front, is a Mini Drive with a red LED for use as a tail light.

shabbis

I went with the Urban 300 mainly for the rubber mounting strap as it fits on my FSA K-Wing, but find the other features and quality to be a plus as well. Although the 500 might be better in the dark with heavy rain and lower visibility. I might have to upgrade soon.

tarwheel 

I'll post a review of the L&M Urban 500 after I've used it a few times. Still waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I am also considering getting a L&M Vis 360, maybe for a Christmas present. I am convinced that helmet lights are an important safety feature, and the Vis 360 looks like a great option -- reasonably bright front light (110 lumens), superbright tail-light, rechargeable, light weight.

https://www.bikelights.com/vis360.html

no1mad 

Can the cells be swapped out on the Urban Riders? Lezyne and Cygolite Expillion allow you swap out the cells for increased run times. I didn't see it mentioned on the Urban Rider 500 product page...

Cyclist0383

The Cygolite battery is propriety, so you're stuck using whatever they sell, and I'm sure they won't come cheap. The Lezyne can use any 18650, including high capacity flat-top cells like the Panasonic 3100. This is a huge plus for Lezyne.