With the shortest day on the horizon, the Moon X-Power 600 is the latest light to arrive at RoadCyclingUK for review this winter.
Twelve models make up Moon’s range of high powered, USB rechargeable X-Power lights, of which three, the X-Power 700, 600 and 400, share the torch-style design seen here.
The X-Power 600 has a maximum output of 600 lumens – the clue is in the name – and that takes it in to ‘see by’ territory. That light comes via one Cree XM-L LED and Moon promise a ‘widely dispersed’ beam pattern with a 100 degree (or 24-metre) visibility angle at 10 metres. Side visibility comes by way of a small window on either side of the unit.
The light offers seven modes – overdrive, high, standard, low, flashing, strobe and SOS – with claimed run times ranging from two hours for the 600-lumen overdrive mode to six hours and 20 minutes for the strobe setting.
The light is powered by a ‘quick release’ lithium ion battery which requires installation out of the box, though in reality it’s as easy as slotting the battery into the back of the unit and using a coin to lock it into place. Moon say the light is water resistant and first impressions suggest the battery pack has a decent seal when locked, but we’ll have to subject that to some ‘real world testing’ (riding in the rain) to see if that’s the case.
The battery can be charged using a mains charger or direct from your computer via micro USB (both supplied). The port is located on the underside of the light and is protected by a rubber bung.
Click the button on the top of the unit to access any of the four steady modes (overdrive is the default mode when you turn the light on), or double click the button to access the three flashing modes. You can also switch between the two cycles with a double click, or hold the button down to turn the light off. It also doubles as a battery life indicator, showing blue, green, red and flashing red to represent 100-75, 75-50, 50-25 and 25-0 per cent charge respectively.
Moon supply the X-Power 600 with a helmet and handlebar mount, and the latter uses a thumb screw to clamp onto the bar. We’ve attached the light to the RCUK winter bike ready to head out into the darkness but had to remove the mount’s rubber lining to get it to fit over the 31.8mm handlebar, so what effect this has on the light’s stability remains to be seen. Check back soon for a full review.
