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Ravemen PR1600 front light

9
£129.99

VERDICT:

9
10
A proper road-specific beam wrapped up in an excellent package
Weight: 
225g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Welcome to my new favourite road light, the Ravemen PR1600 DuaLens. It comes with dual lenses, one with a cut off 'dipped' beam, a wireless remote control, decent battery life and more light output than you really need, all for a decent price.

  • Pros: Good run-times; high/low beam; great waterproofing
  • Cons: Having to scroll through flash to get to a higher output

Dave loved the PR1200 when he reviewed it back in 2017, and I can see why. This is the first Ravemen light I've ever used and it does everything I need for riding on the road in the dark and even venturing onto the gravel tracks.

> Find your nearest dealer here

You can still get the PR1200 with its 1,200-lumen output, but if you want a little more in reserve then you can get this 1,600-lumen option.

So, what's so special about it?

High-powered bike lights are a bit like guns: it's not necessarily the weapon that's the issue, it's the muppet using it.

Very few bike lights are road-specific when it comes to beam patterns, but I've never really had issue with dazzling drivers. By tweaking the angle of the light and using the right output for the conditions I've covered tens of thousands of miles commuting in the dark without a barrage of oncoming riders or drivers full beaming me.

raveman-pr1600-usb-rechargeable-dualens-front-light-side.jpg

This Ravemen takes the guesswork out by offering two lenses sitting side by side. The one on the left is basically the same as a vehicle's dipped beam, putting out a good spread of light across the ground in front of you while cutting it off in a level plane from the centre of the LED. As long as you set the light level on your handlebar you won't be dazzling anyone.

A tap on the larger of the two buttons and the right-hand LED comes on, which is more of a floodlight, like a full beam; another tap of the same button and you're back to just the dipped beam again.

What makes this model even better is the wireless remote control which I attached to the inside of the hood on my right shifter, allowing me to flick between high and low beam with my thumb without having to move my hand from the handlebar. Its large and small buttons mimic those on the light unit. You even get a little blue high beam light that illuminates when you are at full power.

Raveman_PR1600_Remote_Switch

It's not just beneficial for oncoming traffic, either. If you spend a lot of time on main roads you can use the high beam to flash overtaking HGVs to let them know that they have cleared you and can pull back in.

A la modes

That 1,600-lumen figure is for when both of the LEDs are fired up; they're 800 lumens each and will give you a run-time of 2.5hrs on dipped and 1.4hrs on full. Both are within +/-5% in testing.

On all but the darkest technical descents and back lanes, 800 lumens is a lot of firepower, and because the beam pattern is so good you don't need to be chucking so much light about.

The next mode down sees 400 lumens from each LED, giving plenty of visibility on all but the darkest and twistiest back lanes, plus you'll up your burn times to 4hrs/2hrs for the low/high modes.

There is a 200-lumen mode (7hrs/4hrs) if you want to stretch battery life, which is handily relayed to you in hours remaining via the screen on top, plus there is an Economy mode for the dipped side only which last 20hrs.

Most lights these days have a daylight flashing mode and the Ravemen is no different. It's one of those where the LED stays on permanently on a low output with a bright flash to get you noticed, ideal when filtering through traffic.

You get to each of the modes by scrolling through using the small button on the light body or the remote control, and this is my only bug bear. If you are on the second mode and you want to get back to the brightest you have to scroll through the daylight flash – not something I want to be doing on a back lane. It would be good to have something like the mode selections found on Exposure's lights or Lezyne's high-powered options.

Saying that, though, if you need a short blast of full power for an unexpected descent you can press and hold the smaller of the two buttons (on the remote or the light itself) which gives you the full 1,600 lumen until you let go. A very clever little addition to get you out of trouble. 

raveman-pr1600-usb-rechargeable-dualens-front-light-top.jpg

As I've said, the beam pattern is brilliant, so you get a good sense of what is going on around you close up as well as in the distance. The verges are lit up and you can easily pick out the contrast between the road surface and potholes or drain covers, even in the wet.

The build quality is also top notch with very little plastic to be found. The main body is machined from aluminium, as is the lens housing, and if you drop it the worst you are going to do is a couple of scratches.

It's quite a compact light considering the battery size and power output, and when mounted on the secure bracket it doesn't move about or vibrate while you are riding. The bracket will fit both 31.8mm and 35mm handlebars.

Keeping out the elements isn't an issue either. I've tested the PR1600 in both heavy downpours and in the shower at home and water has failed to enter anywhere after being sprayed in all directions.

The Ravemen is charged via USB at the rear which is hidden behind a rubber cover that fits snuggly thanks to an insert that plugs into the slot. It's the latest USB-C version as well.

raveman-pr1600-usb-rechargeable-dualens-front-light-rear.jpg

The PR1600 can also be used to charge other devices by using it as a power bank, and it can be topped up itself while in use.

Value

When it comes to value there'll be the 'Why pay so much?', 'I could get a 7,000lm (insert name of Chinese torch) for £2.50, there is no difference!' Well, there is. There is a lot of technology going on in lights like the Ravemen, especially when it comes to the optics and what you are getting. I reckon £129.99 is a very good investment, especially if you are a commuter and will be using the PR1600 morning and evening.

As for the competition, there is the Giant Recon HL1600, which Ash was very impressed with. He liked the wide, flat beam and only had issues with the annoying button and the overall plasticky feel for its £99.99. The Ravemen is 30 quid more but its overall build quality and materials are much higher spec, plus you have the better beam patterns.

> The best front lights for cycling

Before using the PR1600, my go-to road light was an Exposure Strada. It has the same high/low beam setup in one of the programs, and a remote control. It is also excellently made and has a pretty decent beam for road use, but the 1,500-lumen version, the Strada SB, costs a cool £300.

Conclusion

As far as I'm concerned, there is very little to criticise on the PR1600 other than having to scroll through the modes. It delivers a beam pattern that works on the road while chucking out the luminosity missing from similarly designed lights that meet the German StVZO approved standards.

Verdict

A proper road-specific beam wrapped up in an excellent package

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Ravemen PR1600 front light

Size tested: 1600 Lumens

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Raveman says, "Combining high quality and durable material with innovative design, along with the concern for riders and others' safety which has been fused into their genes, Ravemen promise their products will be not only reliable and easy-to-use to improve your riding experience, but also a trusted companion that will earn you respect from others."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

From Ravemen:

DuaLens optical low beam, providing broad flood light with cut-off line for commuting, no dazzle and glare for oncoming riders and pedestrians

Dual LEDs for HiLo beam system, providing illuminating light similar to automotive headlight with far reaching high beam and low beam

LED real-time display to show remaining runtime in each brightness level

Wireless remote switch with instant max output and brightness adjustment buttons to control the light easily

Extending battery runtime with external power source

USB output to charge portable digital devices

Intelligent memory circuit remembers the last used brightness level and mode when turned on again

Quick release design for easily slide in and out

Compatible with handlebar of 31.8mm and 35mm diameter

Technical Specification

LED: 2*CREE XM-L2 with a lifespan of 50000 hours

Battery: 6000mAh/3.7V rechargeable Lithium-ion battery

Dimensions (Headlight): 100mm (L)*48mm (W)*27mm (H); Weight (Headlight): 220g

Materials: The front and main body is made by aluminum with Mil Type III Hard Coat Anodizing; the rear part and the handlebar mount are made by durable plastic

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
8/10

Simple to set up and use.

Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
8/10

The clamp has had a redesign since Dave reviewed the PR1200 back in 2017.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
9/10

No issues whatsoever in even the heaviest of rain.

Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
9/10

Corresponded closely to the figures quoted on the packaging.

Rate the light for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the light for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the light for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the light for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

One of the best road-specific lights out there with plenty of output.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

The high/low beam selection.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Having to scroll through all of the modes including flashing to get back to the brightest.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

For its quality and performance it is priced very competitively, especially against the likes of those from Exposure and Hope.

Did you enjoy using the light? Absolutely

Would you consider buying the light? Yes

Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Great quality, good run-times, impressive beam patterns and a decent price. Very little to dislike, to be honest.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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18 comments

Avatar
froze | 2 years ago
0 likes

What drives me absolutely bonkers is why the Ravemen PR1600 doesn't have replaceable battery cartridge?!  I cannot justfy spending that kind of money only to have the battery be unable to take a charge in 3 to 5 or so years and then throw out a perfectly good light!  I will not buy a light that I can't replace the battery in it either by myself or by sending it back and letting customer service do it.  What a waste of natural resources as well as a waste of my money.  So I'm looking at the Cygolite Ranger 1400, it doesn't have some of the specs I loved with the Ravemen but at least I can replace the battery, or the Fenix BC30 also with replaceable batteries and it has similar features to the Ravemen with aimed optics but even brighter 2,200 lumens but the Fenix is weird too, you have to pull the batteries to recharge them?!  But at least I can buy new batteries when the time comes or carry a spare set with me on longer night rides. 

I need a new light by fall, so if Ravemen wishes to shed some light on this, or if they plan on introducing a similar light with replaceable battery then I'm all ears, otherwise I will have to buy a light from a competitor.

Avatar
SaneRebel | 3 years ago
1 like

I've got the PR1200, bought Jan 2018. Rode the Ridgeway a couple of weeks ago (not at night but using the light to power my phone for GPS) and suddenly the battery life has dropped to a 1/4 of what is was. Unscrewed it today and found a broken contact between two of the battery cells. Maybe its not as robust as it first seems? I soldered across a wire to replace the broken contacts and battery life is still showing only a 1/4, so maybe other contacts have broken. Will pull more apart and check.

Avatar
leecowen | 3 years ago
1 like

I love this light -  the beams are not exactly 'high and low' but the vertical cut off is very clealy defined and I leave it in this mode 90% of the time on the road. The remote button is really worth getting as with gloves on at night the buttons on the light are not easy to use, also a quick push of the remote button gives both beams full power and so far I have not come across a car that dosnt dip there light in response. (The biggest issue now is oncomming cyclists with blinding lights, if only they also had a Ravemen)!

Customer service is also excellent. My light bounced down the road (I didnt clip it in properly) and some time later probably because of this it stopped working. Ravemen replaced the light free of charge - excellent.

Avatar
climber | 4 years ago
1 like

Good to hear about this light, is it in the 'beam comparison' section?

Avatar
danny106 replied to climber | 4 years ago
1 like
climber wrote:

Good to hear about this light, is it in the 'beam comparison' section?

I am also waiting for the light to be added to the comparison tool. I'm curious to see how it performs. I already went ahead and ordered the PR1600 and hope it will be a decent upgrade to the PR1200. I just need more reach.

Avatar
rogermerriman | 4 years ago
2 likes

Does seem that the Ravemen is missing a trick by having too many modes, ie the point of a light with a dip or at least mildly friendly mode is that it can be used, I have a Exposure Strada which has 3 normal modes, High/medium/low with a remote cable, because it’s easy to switch modes, you do, and it’s no worry if you encounter someone dropping it to low is quick and easy.

Avatar
Hirsute | 4 years ago
1 like

Have you looked at a bar extender for your light?
Topeak do one which you can easily fit 2 lights on.

Avatar
2Loose replied to Hirsute | 4 years ago
0 likes
hirsute wrote:

Have you looked at a bar extender for your light? Topeak do one which you can easily fit 2 lights on.

The cabling won't allow for one chunky bar clamp, let alone the two of the extender.  Exposure silicon straps can thread under\over the cabling ok, but as you can see in the pic the cabling is quite close to the bar and a thick, rigid clamp is not going to work without a recable.    https://racefietsblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Giant-Contend-14.jpg

Avatar
lesterama | 4 years ago
1 like

It would be good if all high-power lights were required to have a dipped mode. I get fed up with some riders dazzling me and (irate) car drivers. I have the 1200 and it is great.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to lesterama | 4 years ago
0 likes
lesterama wrote:

It would be good if all high-power lights were required to have a dipped mode. I get fed up with some riders dazzling me and (irate) car drivers. I have the 1200 and it is great.

Yup - but you do gotta be able to dip it. I use a bar bag, so can't put the light of the bar. So it will probably end up on a fork crown mount (if I can find one that does not sit up high and foul the floor of the bag above). So I really need a remote switch. I see more lights are starting to gain this feature, but I've yet to find one that takes a remote and has a dipped setting and has a Cateye style toggle between full and other setting. Any recommendations?

Avatar
danny106 | 4 years ago
1 like

I have the PR1200 and my main complaint is that you can't go quickly(one press button) from full beam 1200lumen to 100lumen. So I don't dazzle upcoming cyclists or pedestrians. Going from high beam 1200lumen to low beam 600lumen is still too bright.

I sent an email to Ravemen about this issue and I hope they will listen.

For this reason I have a Cateye Volt 1700 on my roadbike and the PR1200 goes on the mountainbike. If you double tap it goes to 1700lumen and when you press again once it goes to the previous state. This is perfect. The light also shines further and is brighter. I do miss the remote control.

I hoped they would fix this issue with the PR1600 but looks like they didn't. In terms of brightness it should match the Volt 1700. But I don't see the PR1600 in the comparison tool? Would like to see the difference with the PR1200.

I'm happy to see they added the constant low output/bright flash combination that was missing on the PR1200. I use this mode at daylight on the Volt 1700 so car drivers will notice me. The slow dimming mode on the PR1200 is not so effective. 

Avatar
2Loose | 4 years ago
0 likes

No GoPro mount option?

Unfortunately the Defy Advanced's Conduct braking stem plate cabling seems to rule out a lot of the heftier brackets.   :'(

Avatar
peted76 | 4 years ago
1 like

Another very happy PR1200 user over here.. I picked the 1200 up for £70, a quick google and it looks like you can get this model for £100.  Excellent value bike light.

 

Avatar
nopants | 4 years ago
1 like

Sounds like a great light. What is it like for side visibility? It doesnt look like it does too well on that front. Am I missing something?

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MsG | 4 years ago
1 like

Also got the 1200 - the beam is excellent for country lanes and off road. I agree with the issue re going through the different modes, can be annoying.

The main problem I've found is that it doesn't like drops in pressure - if I leave it out in the garage on my bike in the winter then it often won't switch on. This is particularly when it's misty or foggy (much of the time in the Fens). The company suggested unscrewing bits of it to sort the pressure out. coolI've opted  for taking it off the bike when the cold, damp weather rolls in!

Avatar
Glov Zaroff replied to MsG | 4 years ago
0 likes
MsG wrote:

Also got the 1200 - the beam is excellent for country lanes and off road. I agree with the issue re going through the different modes, can be annoying.

The main problem I've found is that it doesn't like drops in pressure - if I leave it out in the garage on my bike in the winter then it often won't switch on. This is particularly when it's misty or foggy (much of the time in the Fens). The company suggested unscrewing bits of it to sort the pressure out. coolI've opted  for taking it off the bike when the cold, damp weather rolls in!

 

Hmm weird one...I've never had that issue up here in Scotland regardless of weather. It's never let me down once. 

I prefer to just keep it set to the two modes - full beam or dipped - and use them when required. Saying that, this is my night riding light, I just use a Moon Comet X Pro front and rear during daylight winter riding or when it's tiping it down any time of year.

Avatar
acjim replied to MsG | 4 years ago
0 likes
MsG wrote:

...

The main problem I've found is that it doesn't like drops in pressure - if I leave it out in the garage on my bike in the winter then it often won't switch on. This is particularly when it's misty or foggy (much of the time in the Fens). The company suggested unscrewing bits of it to sort the pressure out. coolI've opted  for taking it off the bike when the cold, damp weather rolls in!

 

I also have this problem with mine, I find a bit of a tap/whack against my palm helps! Otherwise it's a fab light.

Would love the wireless switch - looks very neat.

Avatar
Glov Zaroff | 4 years ago
3 likes

The PR1200 has been the best light I've ever used. It's just bloody fantastic. Ravemen really do make seriously excellent lights.

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