Cateye Sync Wearable

Cateye's Sync Wearable is an auxiliary light to complement its Sync app-controlled lighting system. As a standalone item, it is ridiculously expensive. But as a way to augment and enhance the rear visibility of a Sync light system, it's pretty effective.

• Pros: Fun app control; Mode Sync and Kinetic-mimicking features are good; helps to create an integrated lighting setup
• Cons: Only of any real use with a wider Sync system; very expensive for what it is; not particularly well made

I tested the Cateye Sync Core and Kinetic front and rear light set here, to which this Wearable can be added. In a nutshell, Cateye's Sync system uses a smartphone app to turn on your lights, see the battery charge levels, and change not only each individual light's function mode but even a group of lights' mode all at the same time. Setting it up is very easy and, although I'm not a huge fan on of the Core front light, this Wearable rear has a far closer relationship to the Kinetic rear when part of a Sync system.

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It takes full advantage of the Sync system's 'Mode Sync' feature, which results in the Wearable replicating whichever mode the Kinetic main rear light is in. And through the Kinetic light's 'Kinetic' feature, the Wearable can also mimic the rear light's ability to act like a braking light and turn to a bright solid constant High mode when the Kinetic's inbuilt accelerometer feels the rider slowing down. (Because the Wearable doesn't have an inbuilt accelerometer itself, though, this function is only mimicry – when braking, a Sync Wearable won't turn constant High if used on its own.)

Performance

So what can the Wearable do by itself? Well, it can operate as a simple secondary rear light with a trio of extra features – namely, app-controlled remote switch on/off, mode selection and battery level indication.

In terms of modes, there is a choice of six. Constant High (30 lumen) will run for 1 hour 30 minutes; constant Low (2 lumens) runs for 18 hours; Flashing (50 lumens) runs for 45 hours; Rapid (50 lumens) runs for 16 hours; Group Ride (50 lumens) will last 12 hours; and Daytime HyperFlash will last 25 hours. Charge time is 2.5 hours and the Wearable also features battery auto-save and mode memory – meaning it will turn on in the same mode last used.

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When it comes to establishing your road presence, those modes are fairly effective. The flashing options are the probably the most obvious choices, considering the enhanced run-times. They also make effective use of the Wearable's two rings of LEDs, one in the centre and one concentric outer ring. As with Cateye's Kinetic rear light, I like the social-rider-friendly Group Ride option, which shouldn't irritate anyone stuck behind you for extended periods, and the Daytime HyperFlash is unmissable, if potentially risky for any following epileptics.

Build quality and value

I was quite impressed by the build quality of both Cateye's Sync Core and Kinetic lights, but the Wearable is a rung down from either of those two products. Although the LED arrangement is novel and effective, the body of the light is simple plastic and the rear clip to attach to clothing, bags and so on is very basic. (For years I've used a similarly sized Knog light that uses a high-power magnet to attach it to clothing, which has always seemed a far more useful system.) The Wearable does come with a rubber strap to mount it to a bike, but again, that's no high-tech solution.

Consequently, at a penny shy of £49.99, the Wearable's value is really pretty poor. In fact, I can't see why anybody would choose to use a Sync Wearable as a solo product.

However, if you like the idea of the wider Sync system, my suggestion would be to use it in conjunction with just a Kinetic rear light (tested previously as part of a front/rear light set but available separately for £59.99). That way you could have an easy-to-use, manageable and effective rear light arrangement, albeit at a hefty price.

Verdict

A clever auxiliary light that works fine to enhance a wider Cateye Sync system, but it's so expensive