Raveman Lights: Getting Rolling

Ravemen Lights: Getting Rolling – by Guitar Ted

Lighting for night time bicycling in rural areas just keeps getting better and better. Nothing seems off the table in terms of features anymore. We have better run times, smaller form factors, and easier to use features than ever. It is also a highly competitive market in a fast changing technological space. Competing for rider’s attention has become harder and harder, but Ravemen Bike Lights has some compelling models. We thought we’d take a look at several of their models after we were introduced to the company’s range recently.

To get a sample of the range’s features and models we chose three models for the front and four models for rear tail lighting. We went for a sampling that reflects the breadth of the range, but certainly, this is not a comprehensive look at what Ravemen has to offer, so check out that link to their site above or at the end of this article for more.

What It Is: To get started, let’s first talk about the front lighting we have to check out. To keep things brief, I’ll just hit on some of the finer points of each Ravemen offering we have and link to their respective model pages. With that, here is the range-topping Ravemen PR-1600 Light. This is a feature-rich light with a ton of power on tap.

• DuaLens: The PR1600 features a dual lens set up with a “Hi-Lo beam” button, similar to an automobile. The “Low” beam is a broader, more flood-like pattern with the “High” beam punching a shaft of light up the road at the maximum 1600 rated Lumen setting. You can control the High beam from the unit itself, or from the included wireless remote switch. The Low beam has an anti-glare feature which is more friendly to oncoming vehicles.
• LED Display: The PR1600 also features an LED display which indicates how much run time is left at each setting whenever the rider selects a different light beam level.
• Wireless Remote: The PR1600’s included wireless remote runs off an included coin-sized battery and can turn on/off the unit, select between available lighting levels sequentially, and can activate the ‘High” beam with a separate button on the remote.
• Run Time Extension/Charging Port: The PR1600 can be augmented with a battery pack for extended run times via a USB cable (Battery pack not provided) and can also charge other items via USB cable. (Cables provided with the unit)

The PR1600 has varying run times depending upon how you use it. Full run time on the “Low” beam setting at maximum power is 2.5 hours/800 Lumen. The full, dual beam “High” setting is 1.4 hours at 1600 Lumen. You can choose a “Mid” setting and a “Low” setting in either Low or High beam. For Low beam the Mid setting gets you 4 hours at 400 Lumen while the Low setting gets you 7 hours at 200 Lumen. there is also an additional “ECO” seting which is 20 hours at 100 Lumen and Flash will go for 24 hours at 400 Lumen.

On the High range you get the previously mentioned 1.4 hours at 1600 Lumen, a Mid setting which is 2 hours at 800 Lumen, or Low which gets you 4 hours with both lens blazing at 400 Lumen. Whew! That’s a lot of modes!

The mount is compatible with 31.8mm and 35mm handle bar standards and features a quick release for the main unit. The unit itself is made from hard anodized aluminum for the most part with a plastic rear section. Claimed weight is 230 grams, and it feels substantial in the hand. The buttons are backlit for visibility, which is nice. The emitters are 2*CREE XM-L2’s and have a claimed lifespan of 50,000 hours. The Ravemen PR1600 costs in the neighborhood of $140.00USD depending on where you buy it with all the features listed here.

Next up we have the similar looking Ravemen PR800 which has- you guessed it- a maximum of 800 Lumen power. It features many of the same things as the PR1600 minus the LED screen and the wireless remote. Instead of the wireless remote, there is a provided wired remote switch which is a button that can turn the unit on/off, toggle sequentially between modes, and can hit the “High” setting when pressed and held. The mount is a little different and can accommodate 22.2mm bars as well as the 25.4mm and 35mm standards. (Curiously, 31.8mm is not listed, but it will work there as well.)

Run-times are listed in the HIGH range or LOW range as with the PR1600. So, starting out with the LOW range we have 2.8 hr @ 400 Lumen for “High”, 7 hours @ 200 Lumen for “Mid” and 13.5 hr @ 100 Lumen for “Low”. The ECO mode in LOW range runs at 19 hrs at 50 Lumen. Flashing mode lasts 22 hrs @ 100 Lumen. On the HIGH range you can expect both lens to throw light at the High setting for 1.5 hrs @ 800 Lumen, Mid at 5 hrs @ 400 Lumen, and Low for 11 hrs @ 200 Lumen.

The PR800 has 2*CREE XP-G2 emitters with a claimed lifespan of 50,000 hours. The unit is a similar construction to the PR1600. Price is around $90.00 USD depending upon your retailer of choice.

Next up we chose a light in Ravemen’s CR range with the CR500, a very small, compact light with Ravemen’s lens technology which provides a flood pattern with a cut-off to cut down on glare and dazzle for oncoming traffic. The CR500 also has a wired remote switch like the PR800. Run times are as follows for the CR500:

HIGH: 1.6 hrs @ 500 Lumen, MID: 3hrs @ 250 Lumen, LOW: 7.5 hrs @ 100 Lumen, ECO: 16.5 hrs @ 50 Lumen, PULSE FLASHING: 15 hrs @ 100 Lumen, and RAPID FLASH; 30 hrs @ 50 Lumen.

The CR500 has one CREE XP-G2 emitter. Price goes at about$45.00 USD.

In tail lights we got in four units. the TR20, the TR30M, the TR50, and the CL06. Ravemen tail lighting can be explored on their page for those lights here. I won’t be delving too far into the fine details on those lights, but here are a few things that we found attractive:

The TR20 weighs only 20 grams yet packs a punch. It seems like a great light to augment any brighter, more powerful unit, or as a minimalist light for those who care about lightweight. The TR30M is really different with its 360° of viewable flashing light. The TR50 is a powerful, bright unit for those seeking more light power. The curious looking CL06 is very unique with its ‘brake light’ and car sensing features. Prices range from about $15.00-$45.00 USD here.

I’ll get into each light’s finer details here as we go along with this review. Expect a breakdown of features, run times, and impressions in the future. I’ll pair up each light as a set and roll out “Quick Reviews” of those pairings with a final “At The Finish” round-up at the end. Initially my pairings are the PR1600/TR50, the PR800/TR30M, and the CR500/TR20. The unique CL06 is paired up with a light from another brand we’ve reviewed before which I owe a review to that I haven’t gotten to yet. Stay tuned for that.

So Far… The Ravemen range of front and rear lights is intriguing and some of the models have some pretty unique features promising some nice user experiences. At the asking prices, it would appear that these lights are a great value as well. Stay tuned as I get these into use and we’ll find out where Ravemen lights hit and where they miss.

For more on Ravemen Lights see their website here: http://www.ravemen.com/

Riding Gravel purchased the Ravemen lights on test and review here for a discounted price from a distributor. We are not being paid, nor bribed for this review, and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and views throughout.