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.