Just in time for the already lengthening nights is Hope’s Vision 1 led light unit.
The Yorkshire firm is renowned for its disc brakes and super reliable hubs. In recent years, however, they’ve branched out into wheels, pedals, stems and lights among other beautifully-machined bicycle jewellery.
The Vision 1 has a single LED from American firm CREE, with a claimed output of 215 lumens, so modest by today’s standards (compare and contrast with Hope’s 1000-lumen R4, for example). Hope claim sufficient output to see by on lit roads, and to be seen with: one for round town duties, then, rather than rural expeditions. We’ll also be pressing it into service as a helmet light, or as a secondary/back-up light on nighttime cyclo-cross missions.
As might be expected from a company that numbers former Rolls Royce aerospace engineers among its staff, the Vision 1 has an attractively finished anodized aluminium body, with knurled end caps at either end to house the batteries and LED respectively. The body is available in an array of colours.
Also included in the box is a quick release handlebar mounting with rubber grommets to size either 28.6mm or 31.8mm clamps; a Velcro helmet mount, and a lanyard that threads through the back of the lamp, of benefit we’d imagine in the event of a crash or helmet strike, or if you want to use the Vision 1 as an emergency torch.
Hope claim sufficient output to see by on lit roads, and to be seen with: a light for round town duties, then, rather than rural expeditions
It has three static modes and one flashing. With Hope’s own batteries, the Barnoldswick firm claims anywhere between three to 24 hours when used with the static modes, or up to 35 hours with flashing. It is worth noting that these figures will be in ideal conditions, and battery performance can drop off in colder temperatures. We’ll be putting all to the test in the weeks ahead.
The Vision 1 takes four regular AA batteries, and weighs 130 grams without. We’ve been sent the stand alone unit for test, but the Vision 1 is available also as a set, supplied with a fast charger and four rechargeable 2500mAh NiMH AA batteries. When the Vision 1 detects low battery levels, it drops to the lowest output to ensure you get home – a well considered feature from the men at Barnoldswick.
While we mourn the loss of summer evenings, a good light set up will keep us rolling into the winter training schedule.
Check back soon to find out if the Hope Vision 1 fits the bill.
Price: £99 (£119 with interchangable batteries and charger)
Colour: red, blue, black, gold
Website: Hope Technology
