Cateye EL-700RC Triple Shot Rechargeable LED Bicycle Headlight Review

Overall technology:

This light uses old LED technology which make it shine only 130 lumen and the NiMH battery make it weigh over 800 grams (1.5 lbs) total.

Attaching to your bike:

The system it uses to attach to the frame is cumbersome and not very reliable. The size of the battery gets in the way of the water bottle.

The light mount quick release doesn't work well.

Vendor of this light and CatEye:

I didn't do enough research before purchasing it because CatEye doesn't use lumen in their advertising for obvious reasons. Their rating of 20000 candlepower is meaningless.

To return it, this vendor charges 20% restocking fee which is ridiculously high especially if you buy a high price item such as this.

How does it compare?

To compare its brightness I took it with me on a tour of specialized bike stores and REI and shined it along the lights in those stores (TriNewt, various cyglites). At REI all lights were brighter including a 90 dollars Cygolite with just one LED!

Trail Performance:

On the trail it performs OK and since your eyes are dark adapted, it shines just enough light to see the path ahead. Battery lasted 4 hours but it dimmed very noticeably after 3 hours.

Basic features missing on this light are flashing modes and low beam modes.

Battery and charging:

The battery charging system and the battery are designed poorly and the first charge is going to be very idiotic with indicator lights not showing anything appropriate. Subsequent charges seem to work OK but you have to watch it charge and unplug it when its done or the battery will be damaged as the charger is not a smart charger.

Final Thoughts:

What I really want is the Cygolite TridenX for only 60 dollars more but can't justify either taking a 30+ dollar loss on this light or buying another 230 dollar light.

UPDATE: I decided to mod this light with newer LEDs (~240 lumen max each - original about 80 at 1 Amp), a new driver (1 Amp with potentiometer so that I can change brightness), new reflector optics and now it's finally bright with a nice throw. It cost me around 65 dollars for the parts and now I have a 700 lumen light which is more than 3 times brighter than before and using about the same amount of power (slightly more if cranked up to 1 Amp).

Now that I know the inner workings of this light I have to say this:
- Engineering of the product is mediocre. Brittle bolts break when turned.
- Poor product support where upgrades should be easy and done at factory every year so that they don't advertise outdated products as new.
- Designing the product with an adjustable driver.
- Using AA NiMH battery cells is really cutting corners that don't need to be cut.

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Product Description:
3 high-power LEDS with Opticube lens. Single bright setting with 3.3 hour run time. Intelligent 3-hour charger. Handlebar mount. Tough die-cast aluminum body is virtually indestructible. Locking cable connectors to prevent blackouts. 710 grams (25.0 oz) light, battery and mount.

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Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight Review

This light is almost bright enough to use as a single source for night riding, although I wouldn't advise it.It's best use is for when you want to be seen at night, because the blinking mode really is quite bright. In the regular non-blinking mode, it has a tightly focused beam with a bit more diffusion than previous models, so you'll see the beam and a bit of what surrounds the main focus area of the beam, and it seems to have more power than previous models too.But, in my opinion, it isn't strong enough or bright enough to light a large enough area ahead for safe night riding.

I use it in addition to the Topeak Moonshine Commuter light.Using both systems together, I get a really nice centrally lit area and a well lit larger area that greatly adds to my ability to see objects ahead.In addition, by using two light systems, I have a backup if one goes out.(I have a 13 mile night commute and I can tell you it isn't fun to do it in the dark.)

The light comes with an easily installed mounting bracket and the light is easy to attach and detach from the bracket.It is the same mounting system used by the previous models so if you have the old bracket you can use it to switch the light between two bikes.Also, it requires 4 AA batteries but they seem to last a long time.

So, the light is great for being seen, just don't expect it to be good enough as a sole source of light for safe riding at night.I really like this light when used in combination with a second system or for short night rides of maybe 1 or 2 miles.But for longer rides at night or frequent night commutes, I'd suggest you get a more powerful system.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cateye HL-EL520 LED Bicycle Headlight

Product Description:
Fifty percent brighter than Cateye's HL-EL510 model, this extra-bright one-LED white headlight generates 1,200 candlepower thanks to Cateye's OptiCube technology that optimizes lens and reflector brightness. The headlight also can be set on high or low beam. It runs on four AA batteries. Other features include side visibility and a tool-free mounting bracket.
About Cateye
Founded in 1946 in Osaka, Japan, CatEye is the leading manufacturer of cycle computers, lights, and reflectors to cyclists in the world. In 1964, CatEye was the first in the industry to create a flashing lamp for bicycles, followed by their first battery headlamp in 1982, and the very first bicycle head lamp using white LEDs in 2001. The company's Opticube lens and reflectors make the brightest and most efficient LED headlights. while their LD500 remains the only rear safety light that can meet the rigorous CPSC standards for reflectivity.

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Cateye TL-LD1100 LED Bicycle Tail and Safety Light (Red) Review

I purchased the Cateye TL-LD1000 at my LBS. It was an impulse buy when I was taking home a new bike. The light appeared impressive in the packaging---big with LOTS of LEDs, so I thought it would compare favorably with the lights I used on my other bike(that frame was at the manufacturer being repainted after being hit by a truck)---the Planet Bike Superflash.

The Cateye light is a capable taillight. It's well made, and offers side visibility. However, it is not nearly as bright as the Superflash, which is cheaper, to boot. The Cateye light is larger than the Superflash, heavier than the Superflash, and eats batteries at a greater rate than the Superflash. My LD-1000 has been relegated to use on my town bike, which is only ridden in well-lighted neighborhoods at night.

So, if you need a taillight which will give you confidence at night----buy the DiNotte taillight. It's quite expensive($150+) but it puts out 140 lumens---which is brighter than most HEADLIGHTS. If the DiNotte is out of your price range, buy the Superflash. Buy several. If you are set on buying the Cateye, you won't be disappointed. It's a good light. But there are better options.

Also, the blurb in the item description is not accurate. Cateye's HL-EL530 is not anywhere near the brightest LED headlight on the market. It may be the brightest for under a hundred bucks, but it's not close to the Niterider MiNewt or TriNewt, the DiNotte headlights, the Light and Motion headlights, or especially the lights from Lupine. Those are all much more expensive, but is lighting REALLY where you want to pinch pennies? It amazes me when I see guys on 5 thousand dollar Madones riding at night with three dollar blinkies and Cateye headlights. Meanwhile, I ride a Gunnar with a DiNotte 600L.:-)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cateye TL-LD1100 LED Bicycle Tail and Safety Light (Red)

Product Description:
Featuring 10 red LEDs, this tail light is bright enough to be visible even during daylight and has two LEDs on each side to provide bright side visibility for extra safety. The light also incorporates Cateye's OptiCube technology, which was developed for headlights, to optimize brightness. Each row of LEDs is independently controlled by a side-mounted switch and offers four different modes, for a total of 16 combinations. Three of the modes are flashing to attract extra attention from motorists. The light mounts easily on any seat post from 18 to 44 mm in diameter. A clothing clip is also included.
About Cateye
Founded in 1946 in Osaka, Japan, CatEye is the leading manufacturer of cycle computers, lights, and reflectors to cyclists in the world. In 1964, CatEye was the first in the industry to create a flashing lamp for bicycles, followed by their first battery headlamp in 1982, and the very first bicycle head lamp using white LEDs in 2001. The company's Opticube lens and reflectors make the brightest and most efficient LED headlights. while their LD500 remains the only rear safety light that can meet the rigorous CPSC standards for reflectivity.

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Cateye HL-EL530 LED Bicycle Headlight Review

I bike to and from work most days and bought this light for those dark nights when I work late. While it is brighter than a lot of other choices out there it definitely doesn't turn a dark road into a well-lit one.
The biggest flaw with this light is that it puts out a very, very bright center spot and a fairly weak corona around this small spot. When biking along the corona simply doesn't give you enough visibility to see an object in the road with a lot of time to avoid it.
Thankfully I bike somewhere that has enough ambient light from street lights that I don't have a lot of dark spots to worry about, but if that isn't you, spend more money to get a more powerful light.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cateye HL-EL530 LED Bicycle Headlight

Product Description:
Fifty percent brighter than Cateye's HL-EL500 model, this extra-bright one-LED white headlight generates 1,500 candlepower thanks to Cateye's OptiCube technology that optimizes lens and reflector brightness. It runs on four AA batteries and produces 90 hours of run time. Other features include side visibility and a tool-free mounting bracket.
About Cateye
Founded in 1946 in Osaka, Japan, CatEye is the leading manufacturer of cycle computers, lights, and reflectors to cyclists in the world. In 1964, CatEye was the first in the industry to create a flashing lamp for bicycles, followed by their first battery headlamp in 1982, and the very first bicycle head lamp using white LEDs in 2001. The company's Opticube lens and reflectors make the brightest and most efficient LED headlights. while their LD500 remains the only rear safety light that can meet the rigorous CPSC standards for reflectivity.

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Cateye TL-LD130 LED Bicycle Tail and Safety Light (Red) Review

Very high quality, with 3 modes of LED flashing pattern, easy to mount, comes with plastic strip to grip the bars tightly, easy to be taken off, can be mounted on a bar or (it also comes with a clip) that you can clip on anything.
Light module itself can be remove alone for battery change or other purpose.

Most importantly, it comes with batteries!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cateye TL-LD130 LED Bicycle Tail and Safety Light (Red)

Product Description:
Cat Eye LD130 Taillights feature 3 LEDs that last up to 150 hours of run time.*Up to 150 hours of run time*Includes batteries*Includes Flex-Tight bracket that fit up to 32mm diameter seatposts. Item Specifications; Weight:56g; Battery:2 AAA; Bulb:3 LED; Run Time:150;

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Cateye HL-EL135 LED Bicycle Headlight Review

I have had one of these for about a year now, riding with and using it at least three times a week. The battery life is looooooooooong. Really economical. It was probably a good 6 months before I changed out the batteries, and that was only because I was paranoid. The center of the beam is small, and there is not a lot of radial light outside of it, but it does go out far enough ahead of you to see what's in front of you with plenty of reaction time. In city streets this thing is perfect. If you have to go in pitch darkness it probably won't be enough. However, for the price and the quality, it's worth getting two. They are small enough that they don't take up much room on your handle bars; I have two of them on mine. I will warn you though, the clip where it locks into the frame broke on one of mine from taking it on and off too much. I was able to rig with no problem.
Pros: Long battery life. Definitely visible to other drivers.
Cons: Locking mechanism broke on one, not bright enough for pitch dark.

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Product Description:
Cat Eye EL135 Headlight White LED Light White Body BE SAFE - BE SEEN! Includes all batteries, 320 hrs battery life maximum (flashing mode), 80 hour runtime in steady mode Three superbright, white LEDs. Batteries Included. 80 candlepowe.r 80 hours runtime in constant mode, 320 hours in flashing mode. OptiCube lights use superbright, long-running, white LED technology. Tool-free Flex-Tight mount is secure; fits all bar diameters.

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