2016 Lights Shootout

The Knog Blinder ARC 640 from Australia has some of the best construction and materials found in lights today.

The Knog Blinder ARC 640 from Australia has some of the best construction and materials found in lights today (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: Knog Blinder ARC 640

Knog is more of a commuter light company, but this Blinder ARC 640 is their most powerful light and good enough for trail riding. Put one on the helmet or one on the bar and helmet and you're good to go.

Our key observation is that these lights were designed with quality and style. These lights have the look and feel of an Apple product, as rubber and metal are molded together to create a very slick device. A metal front for heat dissipation is integrated with a rubberized back for good grip and ergonomics.

Claimed Lumens: 640 LumensMtbr Lux: 62
Measured Lumens: 630 LumensMounted weight: 152 grams
Lumens per $: 5.25 LumensCategory: Headlight
Lumens per gram: 4.14 LumensPrice: $120
Run time on high: 1:40 HoursRating:
4.5 Flamin' Chili Peppers
4.5 Chilis-out-of-5
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • Quality of materials and construction is excellent
  • Not one of the brighter lights for the price
  • Built in USB plug with optional wire is a nice feature
  • Light switch is tiny and bit hard to activate with gloves on
  • Quick release clasp is good

Full Review: Knog Blinder ARC 640

Good surfaces are found in this light with an aluminum heat sinking front and rubberized rear for a secure grip. The USB charging is a small plug that folds out of the light. This makes it very convenient for plugging into a laptop as no wires are needed. When plugging into a USB adapter, an optional wire is included in case there are space issues near the plug. The integrated USB plug was designed by Knog to withstand moisture.

The liight switch is not very big, but indicator lights determine what mode its in.

The liight switch is not very big, but indicator lights determine what mode its in (click to enlarge).​

Another innovation, is the clamp integrates a rubber mold and strap with a metal locking cam mechanism. The rubber accommodates the 26.8 and 31.8 bar and the locking cam gives it a quick release mechanism.

Finally, the switch is a nice affair, with a recessed switch with nice tactile feel. It is recessed to avoid accidental turn-on, but it has good action to give the user good feedback. There is an indicator light above the switch that lets the user know what mode the light is in.

Continue to page 2 for more on the Knog Blinder ARC 640, the beam pattern and Lumen measurement »

The USB plug is built in and it tucks neatly behind the light. It is water sealed when in the stored position.

The USB plug is built in and it tucks neatly behind the light. It is water sealed when in the stored position (click to enlarge).​

At the end of the day, the beam pattern is good too. It is an honest output that matches up to claims and it is a shaped beam that is not a simple circle. Great care was taken with the optics to give a wide, rectangular beam.

Knog Blinder Arc 640 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 »

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens

This light measured 630 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 640 Lumens. Compare all Lumen Tests here »

Weight of 152 grams is right in the middle of the pack for this output level.

Weight of 152 grams is right in the middle of the pack for this output level (click to enlarge).​

If high power is not your goal, you won't be disappointed with this Knog light or other Knog offerings. Use one or two for the trail and you're set.

For more information visit usd.knog.com.au.

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.