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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: NOVEMBER 12th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Magicshine SeeMee 100 AD Radar Detection Tail Light
63g (complete kit) £49.99
The Magicshine See Mee 100 AD Radar Detection Tail Light produces a maximum of 100 lumens, is solidly made and with sensible modes, catering for most riding contexts. Even the lower settings are very practical, thanks to the sensored technology, which picks up approaching vehicles and kicks out a high intensity flash, so you really stand out. However, though the sensored tech is very responsive, it stays engaged for the length of time a vehicle is behind you, which can put a dent in run times. Particularly if you’re doing a lot of rush hour town riding.
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Pros: Compact, bright, generally reliable sensored tech, sensible spread of modes, quick charging, reasonable run times, auto kickdown when battery is tanking.
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Cons: Radar function can drain battery quicker in heavy traffic.
Specification
There’s some interesting tech here. Two high power LEDS are flanked by a row of vertical diodes that employ Chips on Cord technology for best efficiency. These are projected 180 degrees through a polycarbonate high transparency lens and produce a total of you guessed, it 100 lumens. Some pointed out it resembled a smiley face-I was looking at it purely from a techy perspective but agree and think it, dare I say, cute. The body is made from a reassuringly solid plastic.
Sync technology-the ability to synchronise front and rear, or indeed, lights collectively is also creeping into the market. The See Mee 100 AD Radar Detection Taillight can be synchronised with the ALTY 800 V.2 /1200/1200U front lights and MJ-6558 remote for intelligent one-touch control.
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Then of course, there’s the Peloton Sync function, which also features on the See Mee Mag50. This allows the lights to chime in together, theoretically making a group of riders incredibly obvious.
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Radar technology isn’t completely new either. The Ravemen CLO6 we tested back in 2021 employed this for increased presence when it detected an approaching vehicle headlight. Magicshine’s works to a similar principle, although this detects movement, not light and at 25 metres. It produces between 30 and 100lumens and can also be turned off, having the choice, even if I chose not to exercise it, is a definite plus.
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More about that later. This is fuelled by a 3.7v 700 mAh lithium-Ion cell promising a maximum of 18hours from a full charge. There’s the usual mode memory function and a useful lock, which prevents accidental, unwanted power ups, say when its holidaying in a pannier, or pocket. IPX6 for waterproofing and sensibly hidden USB charge port inspires confidence, and it’s also designed to withstand drops of a metre suggesting it should resist the worst the roads and lanes can chuck at it.
Modes & Switches
Modes-wise, we have five - two constant and three flash. The constants are 12 and 30 lumens, promising 7 and 3.5 hours from a full charge. The night flash is also interesting in that it alternates between 12 and 30 lumens while the eco-flash alternates between 0/6/06 and 20 lumens to attract attention while theoretically returning 18 hours from the full 90-minute charge. Finally, save for the sensored, radar flash, there’s the day-flash pumping out 100lumens.
The left switch is the power on/off, the right dis/engages the radar function. Depressing the left switch will give a visual on battery life-red to denote between 100 and number percent. Less nuanced than some its either green, red, or flashing red, which may frustrate some who like to get a more precise view, but I’ve overcome this, outside of testing contexts, by charging it every few rides.
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By contrast, the right button just emits a blue light to denote the radar’s on. Both buttons are small, slightly rubbery but generally user-friendly affairs. More remote than some wearing winter weight full-finger gloves but switching the light on and off is hardly a faff. Oh, nearly forgot. To lock the light off, press the power switch for three seconds when the light’s switched off.
There are two as standard within the kit- one for seat posts (and other tubing), the other for saddle rails. A clothing/luggage clip can be bought separately. Personally, I’d like to see this included within the bundle, even if it meant hiking the price by a couple of pounds but that’s a minor moan. The main mount pattern is also compatible with others in the SeeMee family, which is great if you’re porting things between bikes and I’ve had no issues with pencil thin seat stays through to 31.8mm seat posts.
Output 3.75/5
Captivating in a word. The daylight flash is certainly up to the job, even with the radar function switched off and is particularly effective at cutting through thick morning mists. Visibility varies but some reckoned around 100 metres or so, further with the radar mode engaged.
I’ve also used it as a night flash and when asked, a farmer said he spotted the beam pattern from 350 metres or so. This was on a moderately cloudy evening at 8.00. Staying with the radar alert, it’s very responsive.
Magicshine claims it will sense approaches between 5 and 160kmh- difficult to say but the neighbour’s cats have triggered it hopping over the fence and no issues along 60mph A roads. Friendly acquaintances reckoned it kicked in from at least 25 metres and held their gaze.
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The lighting pattern assumes a smile, which they also found captivating and yes, it would hold while they were following behind. On a few occasions when I’ve moved quickly, say following a roadside bladder-stop, this has also triggered it, but back away from the sensor and it promptly shuts down again.
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Now, this tech also means you can run a lower setting to conserve juice. The low flash has been my default for round town, knowing the radar will trigger the rapid and very bright flash. Won’t win any friends on evening group rides mind.
This has been particularly welcome entering the flow of traffic or tackling roundabouts and though the lens “only” projects at 180 degrees other traffic has held back. There’s been some discussion as to whether we’d tether it to a trailer, such as my Yak homage. On paper, yes, but in my view, the compact dimensions lend it best to solo bikes.
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Along unlit roads, the 12 lumen eco flash (radar off) is still up to the job and visible to around the 150-metre mark along unlit roads-dipping to 80 through built up areas, given the competing illuminations. By contrast, the 12-lumen steady is closer to 40 metres in these contexts, a comfortable fit for group rides.
Bright but not infuriatingly so at close quarters-provided of course, you’ve switched the radar function off... The 30-lumen steady is another good fit-enough punch for the backroads (assuming you didn’t want to go the flashing route) but assertive, rather than aggressive in confined spaces, such as congested town centres, or indeed, a group ride. Visibility was reckoned to be 100 metres on a clear night 65 or so through town.
Run/Charge Times 3.75/5
With the radar function switched off and in temperatures between +2 and 15 degrees, these have been very faithful to those cited by Magicshine-within a few minutes Not much of a surprise, given the advances in battery technology, but always welcome, even though there’s an auto kickdown when the battery’s down to 10%.
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Things get more complex when the radar setting’s engaged. Along quiet rural roads, the impact isn’t pronounced but along faster A roads, or busy town centres, much like a “braking” light, the recurrent engagement means run-times take a tangible hit. Perhaps a time-out system, where the light signals for five seconds before reverting to main mode would solve this. Charge times are again, within 90 minutes- around 75 from the mains, 90 from a laptop, or similar device.
Durability/Care 3.75/5
Ours has shrugged at the usual, everyday carelessness- muddy lanes, heavy rains, direct hits from rogue stones have made no impression. I’ve left ours in situ while washing bikes and subjected it to a sustained tickling from the garden hose- nothing. The two-year warranty boosts confidence further. Aside from ensuring the battery is regularly charged, especially if you’re putting it into seasonal storage I haven’t found any obvious weaknesses.
Value 3.5/5
£49.99 is arguably upper mid-point. Ravemen TR200 is also £49.99. It boasts 6 modes, a maximum output of 200 lumens and includes a braking function. However, for all its many charms, the 5-hour charge times could be a deal breaker for some. There are models without sensored tech for the same money, too.
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Zefal Supervision R150 Rear Light offers a maximum of 150 lumens, has 5 modes and the lens projects 260 degrees for generous arc of light. It also meets IPX6 for weatherproofing charges quickly. However, the flashing modes are better suited to long, steady miles along unlit roads, rather than suburban and town centre duties. Knog Cobber Mid (now £62.99 rrp) is a powerful, user tuneable model pumping out a maximum of 170lumens. However, while I remain fond of it, it’s a good bit dearer than the Magicshine (and others discussed here) and I’m not completely sold on the bracket.
Summary
Ultimately, I’ve found the Magicshine a bright and very practical light that copes well in most riding contexts. It’s also solidly made, charges quickly and the sensored tech reassuringly responsive. That said; I’d like to see a timed alert flash to extend run times with the sensored radar mode engaged.
Verdict: 3.75/5 Bright, practical light for most riding contexts but slight refinement of sensor timing would be welcomed.
Michael Stenning
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Magicshine UK official powerful bike lights and Torches. - Magic Shine UK
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2024
