California-based Lezyne revamped their LED bike lights range last year with the promise of higher outputs and more battery life – and the Macro Drive 800XL front light is the most affordable of the four lamps in the flagship Performance range.
It replaces the Macro Drive 600 XL – a 2016 RCUK 100 inductee – and, needless to say, bumps the output up to a hefty 800 lumens. Lezyne have kept the price in check, though, with only a £5 increase to £64.99 over last year’s model.
So for an extra fiver, you get the same bomb-proof aluminium casing, a low weight of 140g (plus the silicone strap mount) and an extra 200 lumens on the main beam. That puts the Macro Drive firmly in see-by territory, despite its relatively compact size, so if you need a versatile light for both commuting on urban roads and riding on unlit lanes, this is one for you.
Lezyne have become a household name when it comes to bike lights, thanks in no small part to their mantra of giving smaller components the same attention to detail as you would expect a bike brand to commit to their flagship products.
What this means is you get a light housed in a sleek, machined aluminium body, with first-class optics, side visibility, a durable but easy-to use-mount, and plenty of modes.
Those seven modes start with the 15-lumen Femto setting, which promises 63 hours burn time and a 15-lumen output, and rise all the way to the Overdrive setting – with the full 800 lumens for one hour and forty minutes. Wherever you’re riding, you’ll find a setting to help you stay seen on the road.
For most regular commutes, the Economy, Flash and Pulse modes will be more-than sufficient, with the battery life offering potentially a week’s worth of riding before you need to worry about charging. And if said commute features any dark, unlit roads you have the added back-up of an impressively bright main beam.
Mode memory cuts the faff of having to find your desired setting each time you power up the light, while charging comes via a USB cable – both pretty standard features for a decent bike light these days, but always welcome nonetheless.
There is something for everyone in Lezyne’s 20-strong bike light range but the Macro Drive 800 XL hits the sweet spot between price and all-round performance.
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