So, how's the performance. Well my first ride was a bit of a let down, but then my ride partners seemed to have enough light power each to glare a passing space station making my light seem what insignificant, but I couldn't let first impressions stick. Once out on my own the light performed well and proved very easy to use. My personal preference for a helmet mounted light in technical sections meant that the bar mounted 1303 took a little getting used to, but a helmet mount is available if this is your preference too. The beam is very evenly spread (at about a 20o angle) with no distortion in the middle of the field from the different lens used for the central LED. The central LED lens projects light up to 70m down the trail which is very good compared to similar LED lights and is reassuring on faster road and downhill sections.
I found myself using the medium setting for the majority of the time; perhaps it's just drilled into me now to switch to a lower setting to save power, so I never once ran out of battery power during the testing period. It should be ample for most races and extra batteries can be purchased for £42 if required, which could be useful for longer races.
All in all, this is a very well designed and manufactured light, made in the UK and backup service seems to be top notch from the word on the web. When reviewing a light it can be easier sometimes to think of the things that I find annoying and would want to change, but in this case I really can't find anything I would do that with. There are other lights on the market that are better (brighter or longer run time) but they can be up to double the price, so at this price point this is hard to beat.
Solid Lights are made in the UK and sold direct through their website at www.solidlights.co.uk
For more details please visit: http://www.solidlights.co.uk   Page 4 of 4
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