Cygolite 720 Test

All Cygolite Expilion models look the same on the outside

After a long while of checking out lighting needs vs various models, cost and ease of rando use, I finally latched onto a good deal! Wanting a short range bright light with various modes, replaceable battery and able to recharge on the go... this was it. Just right for the shortie rando  night ride. $79 at my door.  This newest model includes the Cree L2 LED bulb & better beam profile.

Here is some of the hype from Cygolite:
Performance 
- Powerful 720 lumen output
- Cree XM-L2 LED
- Enhanced Cycling Optics™ (ECO) widens your field of vision and increases your visual profile
- Water resistant design for all riding conditions
- 1:15 ~ 9 hr run time

Technology and Safety

Unboxed 720 model (zoom to see details)

- 8 lighting modes:
       Bicycle: Boost - High - Medium - Low - SteadyPulse™, Special: Day Flash - Walking - SOS
- SteadyPulse™ alerts night time motorists with pulses while constantly lighting your path
- Day Flash enhances rider visibility in peak daylight
- Swappable Li-ion battery stick (spare batteries available)
- USB rechargeable via USB cable or wall outlet charger (included)
- Built-in battery low and charging indicators
- 2nd generation Locktite™ tool-free handlebar mount securely clamps to 22 to 32mm diameter handlebars

Box includes:
    Expilion headunit, battery stick, USB wall charger, USB charging cable, Locktite™ tool-free handlebar mount

Super scientific static test at home!

Upon careful review I noticed models 600 to 850 had the same case, battery and bulb/lens. Amazingly the run times in each mode were the SAME! Only the lumen output was different! Mmmmm. That means that the inner chip is set up differently for each model. I wonder if you could open it up and set the chip yourself? Make the 720model a 850? Mmmmm?

I was opting for the 850 model but they ran a bit more expensive and couldn't find a deal on the complete package. I'm sure in the near future the price will come down. I recommend getting the 850 model if the price is right for you!

I did set up a static test bed of the run times. Medium was stated to run 3 hours... it ran 3 hr. 30 min before the warning blinkie comes on. (Giving you another 15 minutes before dark!) These suckers get hot just sitting there, so I put on a fan to mimic bike travel.

At the 3 hr. 30 minute mark blinking light I plugged in my USB Garmin Battery Pak (4-rechargable 1.2V). The light kept running another 1 hour 30 minutes until the warning blinkie started. The big advantage on the Cygolite vs others (Niterider) is that you can use a USB additional battery source while the light is running. Super nice. Same battery pak connection as the Garmin Edge bike computers use.

Big PLUS for me was removable battery

Comes with a great HB mount. I still need to work up an alternate mount for my HB bag situation.

I'm sure in the near future, Cygolite will come out with another new model, brighter, cheaper and more features to keep up with the ever changing market. But for now, I'll just burn up the #720!


-randorides