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Moon Ring Front Light

7
£24.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Bright and relatively quick charging safety light for contingencies or as a companion to main lights
Weight: 
39g

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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The Moon Ring is a small but surprisingly powerful safety front light with a choice of six settings. Its modest run times in the highest modes might prove a deal-breaker for some, though.

Despite measuring just 44 x 31.2 x 16.5cm, it's bristling with no fewer than 15 diodes. Aptly named, ring also refers to the cutting edge COB (Chips on Board) technology, which enables more diodes to share the same space without getting too hot. Its CNC machined aluminium casing is also designed to perform heat sink duties, so internals stand a sporting chance of living long and productive lives.

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Since we're on the subject, it is weather-resistant to IPX4 standard, which is another way of saying splash proof, given that only a silicone plug separates Mother Nature and delicate circuitry. I've spared it my garden hose torture test but am pleased to report that ours sniggered at persistent November rain and the occasional drenching from passing lorries.

Despite my initial scepticism, the mounting bracket is both convenient and extremely secure. Oversized diameters are the norm but, thoughtfully, Moon also includes a smaller silicone strap, so swapping between the fleet is no hardship.

The centre-mounted switch is positive, a cinch to locate even in the dead of night wearing winter duvet type gloves, but it requires a two-second press before powering up and toggling through to the desired mode. That means accidental power-ups while orbiting pockets, wedge packs or panniers aren't impossible but are highly unlikely.

Once engaged, diodes and lens project a really pure white arc of light. Overdrive has limited navigational clout but it's okay for urban/suburban contexts to around 15mph and visible to 180m – further on clear nights. High and standard are comparatively mute, but okay for pootling back from the off licence and/or conserving power.

Flashing modes are by far the most extrovert – we're talking being visible from 550-600m along unlit lanes on clear nights and at least 350m in built-up areas. The 20 per cent flash has been my go-to default for overcast days, or accompanying my Univega's 800-lumen hub dynamo setup on longer nocturnal rides.

Pulsing is distinctive enough to make other road users sit up and take notice at 400m, while peripheral bleed maintains a presence when you're turning or joining the flow of traffic. SOS equates to 12 lumens and will chirp away for 7hrs 24mins, which could prove a lifesaver in the event of an emergency.

>> Check out our guide to the best front lights here

Charge times are relatively swift by USB standards – 2hrs from the mains, 2hrs 30mins when drip fed from laptops, PCs and similar third party interfaces. Fully fuelled, the amber light will stop winking and a cut-off prevents potential damage caused by overcharging.

Real world run times are faithful to those quoted – I've managed a consistent 1hr 27mins (1hr 30mins) in overdrive, 2hrs 38mins (2hrs 45mins) high and 5hrs 29mins (5hrs 35mins) in standard.

As a contingency light for time trial or pared-to-the-essentials best bikes, it's definitely worth a closer look, but there are better options for night owls wanting a companion to their main system.

Verdict

Bright and relatively quick charging safety light for contingencies or as a companion to main lights

road.cc test report

Make and model: Moon Ring Front Light

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product 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?

Moon thinks the ring speaks for itself. I reckon this ultra compact safety light is best used for contingencies or as a sidekick to dynamos/main lights.

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

1 pc (15 chips) Round ring COB high brightness white LED

CNC aluminium heat sink casing

Rechargeable lithium polymer battery (3.7V 280mAh)

USB rechargeable

6 modes: Standard / High / Over drive / 20% Flashing / 100% Flashing / Strobe

Quick release universal bracket RB-22 (fits all round bars and AERO style bars)

2 O-rings for mounting:RS-G (fits 20-35mm diameters); RS-H (fits 35-52mm diameters)

Low battery, charging and fully charged indicator

Automatic fully charged cut-off system

Side visibility

Water resistant (IPX 4)

Belt clip design (can be installed either on saddle bag, jersey back pocket, etc.)

Size: 44 x 31.2 x 16.5 mm

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Good relative to size. Easy to use despite small dimensions on account of big centre-mounted switch.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Not as weatherproof as some but unaffected by heavy and persistent cloudburst.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Perfect for bikes on calorie controlled diets.

 
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

Overall, the Moon Ring front light is a really powerful safety/contingency light ideally suited to clutter-phobic builds. Run times are more conducive to training and commuting than all-nighters.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

User-friendly yet compact design, powerful relative to size.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing given the design brief. Higher settings put a big dent in run times.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, for bikes on calorie-controlled diets.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 1m 81cm  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer based around 4130 Univega mountain bike frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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