Aussie firm Knog’s high-end “minilights” have been available in a variety of guises for a few years now and are known for their combination of neat looks and integrated elastic attachment courtesy of a moulded silicon rubber casing with loop and hook.
With 50 lumen front and 30 lumen rear LEDs, Boomer is the most powerful of these Knog lights. We found the front just about adequate in constant mode for slow, careful riding in twilight on unlit streets although obviously this is not recommended. It has a silicon rubber casing with integrated loop that goes over a hook in its turn integrated into the internal hard plastic body. The LED lens is incorporated into the body, which sits mostly inside the rubber casing, the tight fit going a long way to keeping out moisture.
Two AAA batteries are further enclosed for protection within the body and the design is rightly claimed to be water-resistant as compared to “waterproof”, which, as wristwatch afficionados will know, is not a particularly useful term. For sure, our test Boomers have yet to let in any water even used in near-torrential rain.
The rear light is designed to be attached to a vertical tube such as seat post or, where the stays permit, frame seat tube. The part containing the batteries sits below the strap and may foul the frame’s seat post unless mounted high enough to clear it. This may pose problems with small frames or with large, low-hanging saddle packs. Otherwise, attachment is quick, easy secure and easily reversed when the bike is left unattended.
The front happily fits handlebars of any diameter and the strap/loop can be wrapped around the outside of brake and gear cables as required.
Both lights use a central push button for on/off functions which include four operational modes: constant, strobe flash, fast flash and random flash. The lights can be turned off in any mode. We found that the front light button was a little over-sensitive and would occasionally switch mode over bumps but are assured by Knog that this is a problem since resolved on production samples.
The Boomer is available in a choice of black, light blue, pink, red, translucent and white colours with a front/rear twin pack at £45.99 in black or white only. The silicon rubber is easily dirtied but most types of soiling with the possible exception of grey brake sludge are easily removed. Our white samples still look good after a month of regular use.
Weight per light is 53g, battery life is 80 hours in flashing mode and two AAA cells are included.
Knog Boomer Battery mini light, front £24.99; rear £22.99
