2012 Bike Lights Shootout – Backyard Beam Pattern Photos

Here are the backyard beam patterns for all the lights in our 2012 shootout. They are separated by Flashlight Lights, Commuter Lights, and High End Lights.

We photographed the lights in the same location setting with the same camera settings. The photos were taken in the back yard that is approximately 25 yards long. These photos feature many objects and a distinct background to analyze detail and beam pattern.

The camera settings we used are the following:

Camera: Canon PowerShot G9
Setting: Full manual
ISO: 100
Exposure: 4 seconds
Aperture: F4.0
Focus: Manual
White Balance: Daylight

Visit the 2012 Bike Lights Shootout -Trail Beam Pattern Comparison Page »

Flashlight Lights

: Cateye Nano Shot
250 Claimed Lumens
$100.00

: Cygolite Expilion 350
350 Claimed Lumens
$110.00

: Exposure Lights Diablo
975 Claimed Lumens
$300.00

: Exposure Lights Joystick
325 Claimed Lumens
$220.00

: Exposure Lights MaxxD
1285 Claimed Lumens
$500.00

: Exposure Lights Six Pack
1925 Claimed Lumens
$600.00

: Exposure Lights Toro
975 Claimed Lumens
$400.00

: JetLites F-1
550 Claimed Lumens
$179.00

: Lezyne Mini Drive
150 Claimed Lumens
$70.00

: Lezyne Power Drive
300 Claimed Lumens
$90.00

: Lezyne Super Drive
450 Claimed Lumens
$110.00

: Light and Motion Urban 500
500 Claimed Lumens
$160.00

: Lupine Piko TL Max
750 Claimed Lumens
$400.00

: Lupine Piko TL Mini
550 Claimed Lumens
$n/a

: Lupine Wilma TL
1200/1300/1500 Claimed Lumens
$549.00

: Niterider Minewt 600
600 Claimed Lumens
$150.00

: Philips SafeRide
400 Claimed Lumens
$200.00

: Serfas True 500
500 Claimed Lumens
$150.00

Commuter Lights »

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froze says:

October 6, 2012 at 6:19 am

I purchased the Phillips Saferide after reviewing the comparisons here on MTBR and I am very glad I did. I’ve compared this light in real life to several friends lights who paid quite a bit more for theirs, and all of us were surprised that the Phillips was actually the brightest. Not only was the Phillips the brightest but it more side illumination then theirs. The MTBR photos are sort of misleading in that just because the light tested shows tree tops lit up real well and thus has the appearance of being brighter when in actual road test the light casts a flat beam that is brighter at longer distances then those that cast the round shaped beams that light up trees. My friends and I all noticed that beam effect, that effect was remarked by a friend that likened it to a motorcycle or car head light pattern. If you study the beam comparison here on MTBR closely and notice the intensity of the brightness of the wood fence behind the swing set and on the grass in front of the swing set you see what I’m talking about. None of the tested lights have as much light on the grass as the Phillips, and that’s what you need…the beam to light up the road not the trees.