November 30th, 2009 by 
Francois
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page | Mtbr Lights Reviews | Mtbr Lights Forum
Magicshine MJ-808 – $85.00
| Light | Price | Claimed Lux | Runtime | Battery Type | Light head weight | Battery Weight | Installed Weight | Lux per gram | Lux per dollar |
| Majicshine MJ-808 |
$85 | 900 | 3:00 Hours | Lithium | 110 grams | 202 g | 312 g | .12 | .44 |
Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.
Description:
The Magicshine MJ-808 is a virtual copy of our favorite light last year, the Lupine Tesla 4. It features the Seoul P7 emmitter with a large reflector mounted on the bar or the helmet with a rubber loop band. It has a small battery that can power the system for three hours and it all comes in a convenient box.
Light Head close ups:
Mounting:
Mounting to the handlebar is done with a simple rubber loop band. Two sizes are included for regular and oversized bars. This type of mount cannot be aimed left/right. On the helmet, an optional mount that simulates a handlebar pipe is installed on the vents with straps
Light Meter Measurements:
On our Lux meter, this measured in at 37 Lux. It’s a bright light but this indicates that the brightness claims of 900 lumens is exaggerated.
Strengths:
- cheap price of $85
- good design and beam pattern based on the Lupine Tesla
- good lightweight package and bright beam pattern
Weaknesses:
- construction can be inconsistent
- light output and color can vary
- 5 light modes are unnecessary and the 6th mode which is off should not be there
- Indicator light on switch is on all the time when battery is plugged in
Bottom Line:
The bottom line here is the price. It’s got a few warts here and there but for $85, all is forgiven and this light will have many fans.
Beam Pattern Photos:
Magicshine MJ-808
Beam Pattern rollover and side by side comparison page available here.
Value Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
Read or write reviews:
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page | Mtbr Lights Reviews | Mtbr Lights Forum
December 1st, 2009 at 5:18 am
Small…simple and perfect one. My friend gift me on my last birthday.very impressive product and too happy to have it.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:05 am
I got mine from thesingletrackstore.com, brighter than my HID, way cheaper. For the amount I ride at night, it can’t be beat.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:57 am
I actually like the fact that I can turn it off at the button instead of having unhook a wire. That way if I am riding at dusk I don’t have to stop and fiddle with something, just push a button!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Francis,
I measured the current drain of the green LED while plugged in and it’s about 6 mA. Compare that to 1300 mA when the light is on in high mode. Leaving the light plugged in for a couple days is not going to significantly drain the battery.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:53 am
>>I actually like the fact that I can turn it off at the button instead of having unhook a wire. That way if I am riding at dusk I don’t have to stop and fiddle with something, just push a button!
To turn it off, all you need it to do is press the button for two seconds. This light functions that way like most other lights. So the Off Mode while switching light levels is unnecessary.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:41 am
I really hate having to cycle through both the SOS mode and the off setting in order to change intensities. If you’re running on low power to save battery and want to switch to high power for a descent, you need to turn off your light for a few seconds while you fiddle with the button. Still an awesome product for the price, but I could do without that little quirk.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 am
Great for the money! Would buy this light again or a second if I needed it!
4-rides – no issues.
Con: having to go through modes from low to high for descents /technical (includes off!). (who slows down to go to high mode?) Dangerous. But – forgiven for price!
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Hows this thing work as a helmet only light? Is having one as a bar light still a good idea, or not really necessary?
December 21st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
like the 2010 shootout videos on youtube, better than beamshoots,
can you consider getting a lumicycle led sys3 or led sys4 or both uses cree r2
clamed lumen output 850lm sys3 1120lm sys4 beams come in 6 degree & 13 degree
i am interested to find out how honest they are, and what the lux is,
i have led sys3 with 6.6 li-ion battery, it is the biggest one, i have the spot,
so far i am very happy and pleased with it good wight, strong well made design
have used in rain -3 snow bissard, and has been reliable, run time very good,
did i mention no, output compared to others, seems very good for 850lm but have heard this light is more like, 750lm – 800lm
company is in uk,
and have only made lights, been going for over 10yr, have made halogen, hid, how led,
http://www.lumicycle.com
http://www.lumicycle.co.uk
http://www.bikelighting.com.au/ for reveiw,
http://www.muddymoles.org.uk
thanks,
david,
March 29th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
[...] Edit: Mountain Bike Review has now posted a review of the MagicShine light. See it here: MagicShine Pro Review [...]
March 29th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
[...] Update: I just discovered that later in the same month that I ordered my Magicshine light Mountain Bike Review (mtbr.com) did a nice review of it. You can see the review here. [...]
May 30th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Can’t agree more with what that guy said, it will ultimately bring more people into MTBing and that can only be good for the industry as a whole.
Its just like anything else not many people can start off with the best kit you have to work your way up there.
I to have had a few different lights edison 5 tesla they have all broken down and its expensive when they cost £500,00 or £250,00 so i may just buy one of these as a back up light as i have already said there are some issues with reliability with lupine lights so the more expensive is not always the best.