Front lights

Fischer led-koplamp 100 lux

The Fischer LED headlight offers 100 lux and is described as a large light. It is made for seeing and being seen in traffic.

What you get

LED front light
100 lux

Why a good front light?

In daylight a light is mostly there to be seen. A flash mode of 100 to 400 lumens stands out from a long way off. In the dark the light must also illuminate the road, and different figures apply.

The lumen figure is a first guide. For lit city streets 100 to 300 lumens is usually enough. For unlit roads you need 400 to 800 lumens. For gravel or MTB in the woods, 800 to 2,000 lumens is common. More is not always better: the beam should be wide and sharply cut off so you do not dazzle oncoming traffic.

Run time depends on the mode. Makers often quote far more on low than on high: 3 to 6 hours at full power and 20 to 60 hours on a low setting is typical. Look at the run time in the mode you will actually ride in.

Look at the mounting, charging (USB-C is handy) and waterproofing too, and at a road-legal beam if you ride on public roads. Rules on colour, beam and flash differ by country, so check what applies where you ride.

Lumens and run time

A guide to which brightness suits which use. Run times are at the highest setting.

Use	Lumens (approx.)	Run time at full power	Beam	Suits
Being seen	100 to 300	Usually 2 to 6 h, far more on low	Wide, daytime	City and commuting
Unlit road	400 to 800	Usually 2 to 5 h	Sharp cut-off, long reach	Winter training
Gravel and woods	800 to 1,500	Usually 1.5 to 4 h	Wide and deep	Off-road night rides
MTB downhill	1,500 to 2,500 or more	Usually 1 to 3 h	Very wide	Technical trails in the dark

Quoted lumens and run times are manufacturer figures. On a lower setting the light lasts much longer.

Choose it if

You ride at dusk or on lit roads.
You want a clear front light for the road.
You ride at dusk or in the dark and want to see well.
You want a daytime flash mode to be noticed more easily.

Choose something else if

For dark forests or unlit trails you need more lumens.
You only ride well-lit city streets: a simple light is enough.
You ride in a country with strict rules: check what is allowed on public roads.

How to use a front light

Charge it
Charge the light fully before you leave. On long rides carry a power bank or a spare light.
Mount it firmly
Fit the light to your handlebar or helmet with the supplied bracket. Tighten it so it does not slip.
Aim the beam
Aim it at the road a few metres ahead and never at oncoming eyes. Check this against a wall.
Choose the right mode
Use the highest mode in the dark or downhill and a lower mode to save battery.

Good to know

Mounting, battery and run time are not in the title.
Lux measures illumination at distance and is different from lumens.
Keep the lens and contacts clean and dry.
Check the legal requirements for colour, beam and flash on public roads.
Cold shortens the run time of lithium batteries.
Recharge the light regularly, even if you rarely use it.

What you get

Why a good front light?

Lumens and run time

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to use a front light

Charge it

Mount it firmly

Aim the beam

Choose the right mode

Good to know

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