2016 Lights Shootout

The Ion 700 RT is now  $160 but is controllable by a very powerful optional remote.

The Ion 700 RT is now $160 but is controllable by a very powerful optional remote (click to enlarge).​

Editor's Note: This article is part of Mtbr and RoadBikeReview's 2016 Bike Lights Shootout. See the 2016 Mtbr Headlights Index and the RoadBikeReview Commuter Lights Index.

The Lowdown: Bontrager Ion 700 RT

Two years ago, Bontrager floored us with the introduction of the Ion 700 for $100. It was an extremely compact and well-constructed light that was better than the competition, yet cheaper by $20-$40.

This year, the light is the same with just slightly better output. The big news is the light can now be part of a nice remote-controlled system (usually headlight and tail light) with many possibilities. It is certainly one of the best remotes we've seen as lights can be controlled by one remote. And all lights can be turned on/off with one button. Turn signals are a possibility as well.

But the competition has caught up now with brighter lights and the price of the Ion 700 has gone up $20 to $120. This remote model is $160 and that doesn't include the $60 remote.

Claimed Lumens: 700 LumensMtbr Lux: 69
Measured Lumens: 706 LumensMounted weight: 119 grams
Lumens per $: 4.41 LumensCategory: Headlight
Lumens per gram: 5.93 LumensPrice: $160
Run time on high: 1:45 HoursRating:
4 Flamin' Chili Peppers
4 Chilis-out-of-5
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • Impressive and flexible remote
  • $60 remote not included
  • Lumen output now matches claims
  • Price on the Ion 700 actually went up to $120
  • Construction is top notch
  • No new options in the Bontrager headlight line
  • Good side lighting
  • No helmet mount included

Full Review: Bontrager Ion 700 RT

The Ion 700 was a great light a couple years ago, as it had the best form factor and price.

Today though, it's stumbled a bit with price increases and is basically the same light. The remote is a good addition but it's not a killer app for mountain biking. For commuting, it is a good option when part of a system. That can get very pricey though with a $60 remote and a $80 tail light to start with. We have no doubts though that Bontrager is about to introduce many more sophisticated light products in the near future.

The available remote is an engineering marvel as each light can be controlled separately with 4 independent buttons. Or the center button can control all at once.

The available remote is an engineering marvel as each light can be controlled separately with 4 independent buttons. Or the center button can control all at once (click to enlarge).​

As it stands, this is still a very useable light because of its nice beam pattern and tiny form factor. It's ideal for commuting but certainly powerful enough for trail riding. Use two of them on your bar and helmet, powered by one remote and that would be dandy.

We'd rather recommend the $120 version though without the remote. This $160 light needs another $60 to use the remote capability. This remote version of the Ion is fascinating technology, but it has more utility in the commuting arena and not as much on the trail, since tail lights and signal lights are more practical for city use.

Continue to page 2 for more on the Bontrager Ion 700 RT, beam pattern and Lumen measurement »

Bontrager Ion 700 RT Beam Pattern

Beam Pattern Photo

We photographed the lights in the same location setting with the same camera settings. The photo was taken in the back yard that is approximately 25 yards long. The backyard beam pattern allows you to gauge the throw and the width of the light. Compare all Beam Patterns here »

Bontrager Ion 700 RT

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens

This light measured 706 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 700 Lumens. The Lumen-hour graph below shows how the light performs over the first three minutes of its battery cycle. Compare all Lumen Tests here »

This light indeed has a nice beam pattern and the output is now 706 lumens which matches its 700 lumen claims. Weight is still a mind-blowing 119 grams making it a very modular light where the rider can use more than one to dial in the brightness.

The Ion 700 RT can be part of an elaborate light setup (up to 4) controlled by one remote.

The Ion 700 RT can be part of an elaborate light setup (up to 4) controlled by one remote (click to enlarge).​

Due to the small form factor and lack of any cooling fins, the light can heat up when used in warm conditions or on rides with a lot of stops. But the temperature management of the Ion 700 is sophisticated enough as it steps down in brightness when it heats up. It also ramps back up as airflow is achieved to cool the light.

For more information visit www.bontrager.com.

This article is part of Mtbr and RoadBikeReview's 2016 Bike Lights Shootout. See the 2016 Mtbr Headlights Index and the RoadBikeReview Commuter Lights Index.