2016 Lights Shootout

The Sigma Buster 600 sports angular lines.

The Sigma Buster 600 sports angular lines (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: Sigma Buster 600

Sigma from Germany makes simple solutions for lighting opportunities primarily for commuting, but this Sigma Buster 600 has enough power for trail use. Put one on the bar or helmet or one of each and you're good to go.

It's a 600 Lumen light for $90 and we appreciate the good value. It scores near the head of the pack with a 6.66 Lumen per dollar delivered so it delivers good, reliable value to the consumer. The self-contained light is well made and fairly robust.

It's not the smallest flashlight around, but all that surface area means it can cool itself efficiently with minimal airflow or warm ambient temperatures.

Claimed Lumens: 600 LumensMtbr Lux: 59
Measured Lumens: 599 LumensMounted weight: 149 grams
Lumens per $: 6.66 LumensCategory: Headlight
Lumens per gram: 4.02 LumensPrice: $90
Run time on high: 5:00 HoursRating:
4.5 Flamin' Chili Peppers
4.5 Chilis-out-of-5
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • Honest Lumen output
  • A little bit big for the output
  • $90 price delivers good value
  • No side lighting for commuting
  • Claimed 5-hour run time is just incredibly high
  • Not a quick release strap mount.

Full Review: Sigma Buster 600

Construction is solid and this light delivers good value for $90.

Heat sinking is fairly generous for a 600 Lumen light.

Heat sinking is fairly generous for a 600 Lumen light (click to enlarge).​

The beam pattern is fairly even with no hotspots. It's very good for commuting, but for trail riding it's best mounted on the helmet since it is not very wide.

Continue to page 2 for the beam pattern and Lumen measurement »

Switch is conspicuous and easy to operate.

Switch is conspicuous and easy to operate (click to enlarge).​

The great thing about this light is its honest and stable output. Since there is enough heat sinking, it's able to maintain its maximum output even without too much airflow.

Sigma Buster 600 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 »

Sigma Buster 600

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens

This light measured 599 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 600 Lumens. The Lumen-hour graph shows how the light performs over the first three minutes of its battery cycle. Compare all Lumen Tests here »

We wished there was a helmet mount and/or a quick release strap to attach to all handlebar sizes easily. But it's a tool-free mount and one can use helmet mount 'bar simulators' from other manufacturers.

The Mount adds 28 grams to the equation.

The Mount adds 28 grams to the equation (click to enlarge).​

This light is a basic, reliable light from Sigma of Germany and it's surprisingly useable for commuting or for the trail.

Run time of five hours on high is outrageously high, but we like that.

For more information visit www.sigma-lighting.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.