We love this light. First look at it and it has the best form factor and feel of all the self-contained lights we've seen this year. It just feels like quality and it is so small and light at 80 grams. CatEye, based in Japan has come to reaffirm their commitment and leadership in the bike lights market the Nano Shot is a sign of good things to come. The form factor is smart as it is short and flat so it sits nicely on top of the handlebars much like a bike computer. Also, it slips conveniently into your pocket for a handy flashlight.
We turned it on and just hoped it would produce good light. And indeed it did! It has a nice beam pattern that is more horizontal than round. It has a bit of a spot and slight halo around it. It is no torch but for the size and weight, this will make an excellent commuter light. It's about as bright as an Exposure Joystick but at less than half the price and better form factor.
Specifications:
2013 Lights from CatEye
Mounting:
Handlebar mounting is done with the standard Cateye light mount. It is threaded strap style that is tightened by a wheel that can be turned by hand. This allows for a tool-free mount that can handle any sized handlebar. This mount has performed admirably for most CatEye bike computers so it should work fine for the Nano Shot.
Related Links
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page »
2012 Bike Lights Shootout »
Backyard Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Trail Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Light Meter Measurements »
Mtbr Lights Reviews »
Mtbr Lights Forum »
MTBR Light Meter Measurements:
This light measured 20 lux ont the MTBR Lux setup. In a laboratory environment with an integrating sphere, it measured at 209 actual lumens. This is excellent output for such a small light and is very close to its 250 lumen claims. It's light output is basically on par with the more expensive Exposure Joystick which claims 325 lumens.
MTBR Actual Lumens and Lumen Hours Measurements:
Mtbr spent several days in a light laboratory facility and utilized ad $30k integrating sphere to measure some lights. The procedure is described in the video below. This is very revealing as most lights claim a certain 'Lumen Output' without actually measuring the actual lumen output. We are able to measure actual lumen output with this setup and the measurement for the Cateye Nano Shot is 209 lumens at the peak output.
Another excellent data point is the lumen-hour graph below. It shows exactly how the light behaves over its whole run time. A flat graph is good as it means the light output is constant over the its run and the user gets the same light outpu in hour one as in minute one of the light. It also shows how long the actual run time lasts under 'high' mode. The area inside the graph can be described as the total output of the light for one full battery charge.
[youtube width="610" height="343" align="left"]httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GjVClavYuU&hd=1
Light Meter Charts and Comparison Table »
Strengths:
This is a nice surprise for CatEye. Light output, form factor and price make this one of our favorite commuter lights for 2012
Beam Pattern Photos:
Backyard Beam Pattern Comparison Page »
Trail Beam Pattern Comparison Page »
Value Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Overall Rating:
4.75 out of 5 Stars
Related Links
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page »
2012 Bike Lights Shootout »
Backyard Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Trail Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Light Meter Measurements »
Mtbr Lights Reviews »
Mtbr Lights Forum »
We turned it on and just hoped it would produce good light. And indeed it did! It has a nice beam pattern that is more horizontal than round. It has a bit of a spot and slight halo around it. It is no torch but for the size and weight, this will make an excellent commuter light. It's about as bright as an Exposure Joystick but at less than half the price and better form factor.
Specifications:
- Price: $100.00
- Claimed Lumens: 250 Lumens
- Light Head Weight: 80 grams
- Installed Weight: 100 grams
- Run Time: 1.5 hours
- Measured MTBR Lux: 20 Lux
- Measured Lumens: 208 Lumens
2013 Lights from CatEye
Mounting:
Handlebar mounting is done with the standard Cateye light mount. It is threaded strap style that is tightened by a wheel that can be turned by hand. This allows for a tool-free mount that can handle any sized handlebar. This mount has performed admirably for most CatEye bike computers so it should work fine for the Nano Shot.
Related Links
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page »
2012 Bike Lights Shootout »
Backyard Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Trail Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Light Meter Measurements »
Mtbr Lights Reviews »
Mtbr Lights Forum »
MTBR Light Meter Measurements:
This light measured 20 lux ont the MTBR Lux setup. In a laboratory environment with an integrating sphere, it measured at 209 actual lumens. This is excellent output for such a small light and is very close to its 250 lumen claims. It's light output is basically on par with the more expensive Exposure Joystick which claims 325 lumens.
MTBR Actual Lumens and Lumen Hours Measurements:
Mtbr spent several days in a light laboratory facility and utilized ad $30k integrating sphere to measure some lights. The procedure is described in the video below. This is very revealing as most lights claim a certain 'Lumen Output' without actually measuring the actual lumen output. We are able to measure actual lumen output with this setup and the measurement for the Cateye Nano Shot is 209 lumens at the peak output.
Another excellent data point is the lumen-hour graph below. It shows exactly how the light behaves over its whole run time. A flat graph is good as it means the light output is constant over the its run and the user gets the same light outpu in hour one as in minute one of the light. It also shows how long the actual run time lasts under 'high' mode. The area inside the graph can be described as the total output of the light for one full battery charge.
[youtube width="610" height="343" align="left"]httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GjVClavYuU&hd=1
Light Meter Charts and Comparison Table »
Strengths:
- Very small form factor
- Excellent materials and construction
- Solid, adjustable mount
- Very good output and beam pattern
- Good value at $100
- Perfect commuter light
- Not quite enough light for trail riding.
This is a nice surprise for CatEye. Light output, form factor and price make this one of our favorite commuter lights for 2012
Beam Pattern Photos:
Backyard Beam Pattern Comparison Page »
Trail Beam Pattern Comparison Page »
Value Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Overall Rating:
4.75 out of 5 Stars
Related Links
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page »
2012 Bike Lights Shootout »
Backyard Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Trail Beam Pattern Comparisons »
Light Meter Measurements »
Mtbr Lights Reviews »
Mtbr Lights Forum »