Shimano LP-R600 headlight review

It bites.

Shimano makes this headlight to go with their new front generator hubs.

$40+

complaints:

1: no swivel in the mount. doesn't allow for handle bars with any
bend.

2: the clamp. It comes with 2 sizes and a spacer for different diameter
handlebars. The clamp is attached via a phillips screw that is not
easily accessed. Don't know why they couldn't copy the more
traditional mount like cateye or specialized. There is no option for a
bracket to mount on the front of a rack, fender or under the brake or
stem bolt. The spacer is slick. Easier to use than the typical strips
of rubber you get with many other handlebar mount accessories. But a 2
cent part is no reason to buy this light.

3: the beam. Imagine a two year old scribbling on the walls with a
crayon. that's what the beam looks like. It's all over the place. Way
too wide to light up the roadway. The top to bottom angle is way too
wide.

4: the incidental light. For some reason shimano added a white LED at
the top of the headlight. it's always on and iluminates the top of the
headlight. The main switch only turns off the main headlight, not the
LED.

5: the lens. Too much exposure at the top results in light shining in
my eyes. This extra light shining in your eyes makes it harder to see
in the dark.

Don't buy one of these lights. There are better lights that will work
with the shimano generator hubs.

Rick

On 8 Aug 2006 08:31:56 -0700, "
wrote:

It bites.

Shimano makes this headlight to go with their new front generator hubs.

$40+

complaints:

1: no swivel in the mount. doesn't allow for handle bars with any
bend.

2: the clamp. It comes with 2 sizes and a spacer for different diameter
handlebars. The clamp is attached via a phillips screw that is not
easily accessed. Don't know why they couldn't copy the more
traditional mount like cateye or specialized. There is no option for a
bracket to mount on the front of a rack, fender or under the brake or
stem bolt. The spacer is slick. Easier to use than the typical strips
of rubber you get with many other handlebar mount accessories. But a 2
cent part is no reason to buy this light.

3: the beam. Imagine a two year old scribbling on the walls with a
crayon. that's what the beam looks like. It's all over the place. Way
too wide to light up the roadway. The top to bottom angle is way too
wide.

4: the incidental light. For some reason shimano added a white LED at
the top of the headlight. it's always on and iluminates the top of the
headlight. The main switch only turns off the main headlight, not the
LED.

5: the lens. Too much exposure at the top results in light shining in
my eyes. This extra light shining in your eyes makes it harder to see
in the dark.

Shimano is not the only one with this flaw. What are these light
designers thinking? On a dark path or trail this light leakage
completely destroys night vision.


Don't buy one of these lights. There are better lights that will work
with the shimano generator hubs.

Rick

wrote:
It bites.

Shimano makes this headlight to go with their new front generator hubs.

snipped a tale of lighting woe

Don't buy one of these lights. There are better lights that will work
with the shimano generator hubs.

Sucky. I started using the new Shimano dynohub last fall. I picked up
the Lumotec Senso Oval, which has been a good light. I looked at the
Shimano lights, but the place I ordered the hub from didn't carry them,
and I didn't see any reason to go out of my way to get one. I'm glad I
didn't.

--
Dane Buson -
A billion here, a billion there -- pretty soon it adds up to real money.
-- Sen. Everett Dirksen, on the U.S. defense budget

So, is the Lumotec Senso Oval the best replacement?

The Solidlight 1230D looks tempting (if not pricey) but with CREE LEDs
on the market now, I'm wodering is there a product that utilises these
or is it worth waiting for something better to come along?


--
flyingdutch