2016 Lights Shootout

The Lupine Wilma 7 light head is compact.

The Lupine Wilma 7 light head is compact (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: Lupine Wilma 7

The Lupine Wilma 7 remains as one of our top picks as the most useable exotic light in the market today.

It is incredibly bright and lightweight with a 3100+ measured Lumen output and weighing in at only 392 grams. This light is ideal for helmet or bar use, by itself or in tandem with another light. Run time is good at 1:45 and 3:20 at a bright 1600 Lumens.

Claimed Lumens: 3200 LumensMtbr Lux: 305
Measured Lumens: 3134 LumensMounted weight: 392 grams
Lumens per $: 5.10 LumensCategory: Headlight
Lumens per gram: 7.99 LumensPrice: $615 ($575 with normal battery)
Run time on high: 1:45 HoursRating:
5 Flamin' Chili Peppers
5 Chilis-out-of-5
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • New Bluetooth remote is a great addition
  • Light can get hot and will step down in brightness
  • Impressive 26 degree, even beam pattern
  • This much light should have a wider beam
  • Best Lumens per gram rating and still a good value
  • $595 is too pricey for most
  • 3:20 hours run time at 1600 Lumens or 1:45 hours at 3200
  • Lupine quality and reputation. In 10 years, you can still be using this light
  • Vast selection of battery options

Full Review: Lupine Wilma 7

A Bluetooth remote and Smartphone App have been added to the Wilma at no extra cost and they add to the useability of this light.

A plethora of battery options are available if the user has other needs. These Smartcore batteries by Lupine have a fuel gauge indicator and they charge up in about two hours.

Such versatility allows the light to be run on the bars or on the helmet. It can run by itself, with a Piko 4 on the helmet or with a Betty R 14 on the bar.

Lupine Wilma 7 packaging protects the light during transport.

Lupine Wilma 7 packaging protects the light during transport.​

If you live in a warm climate though, this light likes a lot of airflow to keep operating at maximum brightness. Otherwise the fancy temperature management system will step down the light brightness until you get up to speed again.

Continue to page 2 for more on the Lupine Wilma 7, the beam pattern and Lumen measurement »

Lupine Wilma 7 batteries and included remote.

Lupine Wilma 7 batteries and included remote (click to enlarge).​

As this light gets brighter, we always wish for a broader beam pattern. 26 degrees is good but there's enough light here to widen it even more.

Lupine Wilma 7 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 »

Lupine Wilma 7 Lumen Measurement

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens

This light measured 3134 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 3200 Lumens. The Lumen-hour graph shows how the light performs over the first three minutes of its battery cycle. Compare all Lumen Tests here »

The Lupine Wilma 7 battery indicates charge level.

The Lupine Wilma 7 battery indicates charge level (click to enlarge).​

Bluetooth Remote

That functionality is enough for most but Lupine added Bluetooth remote functionality. The remote is wireless so it is particularly easy to adjust or turn off the light specially when its mounted on the helmet. It is extremely fast with Bluetooth technology and it can control another Lupine light simultaneously with the same switch (up to five). How cool is that to turn your bar and helmet light on and off with one button. You can dim both your lights easily when climbing or when coming upon another rider.

The App shows the current health of the light given the existing airflow and ambient temperature.

The App shows the current health of the light given the existing airflow and ambient temperature.​

Smartphone App

Another remarkable feature is the Lupine Smartphone App that is free for new Lupine owners to use. Why you might ask does a light need an App? Configurability, Control and Monitoring.

The most useful asset of the App is configuring the lights and its available light modes. Want five levels of light or two? No longer will you have to play Morse Code with your light switch to configure the light. Also, you can have infinite light adjustment with the App slider bar if you want ultimate control of the light while riding.

And finally, monitoring the status of the light's temperature and output is useful in understanding if your light is getting enough airflow. Lupine lights and other sophisticated temp controlled lights throttle down output when the light gets too hot. Using the App lets you determine if this is occurring in your local rides and make some adjustments like purchasing the optional heat sink for example.

For more information visit www.lupinenorthamerica.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