Lezyne Micro Drive Pro 800XL

The Lezyne Micro Drive Pro 800XL is a great front light for the keen cyclist who commutes and enjoys extending their route home via the lanes. It has decent run-times, recharges fairly quickly and is easy to switch from bike to bike.

• Pros: Quality build; easy-to-operate switch; not overpriced; hassle-free mounting
• Cons: Perhaps too many modes that have to be scrolled through; modes not grouped in the most practical way

The Micro Drive Pro 800XL offers be-seen modes as well as a powerful beam that's sufficient for dark night outings on unlit lanes. It will suit most commuters and many keen roadies, a realistic option that will help you avoid the super-powerful, eye-blinding, wallet-emptying elite light category...

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Modes, beam and selection

In terms of the beam pattern, it doesn't differ much from its predecessor, the Lite Drive 800XL: a decent central spot with fading edges. On the road, I had absolutely no issue seeing what was coming up, obstacles, potholes and gutter dwelling objects. The lateral cutouts really help here.

Like Stu with the Lite Drive last year, I think eight modes is a bit much, but there's sure to be something to meet your needs and cope with every circumstance on the road.

The modes are split into two groups: Race Mode, where only Overdrive and Economy outputs are selectable, and a normal mode set that contains everything else. To move between the two, you have to switch the light off and then hold the button for five seconds.

Although I like the idea of having two separate cycles available, I'm not sure the combination of modes is right. I'll explain...

Overdrive is the Micro Drive Pro 800XL operating at its full capacity, 800 lumens (who'd have guessed); this will burn for 1 hour 45 minutes, a whopping 30 per cent increase on its predecessor's run-time in the same mode. I've made use of this for the darkest of lanes but rarely had it on for the duration of a ride. I prefer the 400-lumen Blast mode, which is enough on familiar roads (plus, knowing I have four hours to play with is more comforting).

Overdrive is perfectly sufficient for speeds around 20-22mph; anything slower and I was happy with Blast's 400 lumens. Annoyingly, though, Blast sits between six others in the normal cycle of modes rather than in the Race Mode. Economy, which offers 150 lumens for 19 hours, partners Overdrive in Race Mode. It does offer 10 hours more than 2018's Lite Drive model, but it's just not powerful enough to facilitate riding at higher speeds.

The other solid modes are Enduro (250 lumens/5hrs 30mins) and Femto (15 lumens/87hrs).

The Day Flash mode puts out 800 lumens and is top notch for riding in daytime traffic; EVERYONE notices you! It's followed in the cycle of modes by Flash and Pulse; these two are much better for evening riding in urban areas – they don't send your eyes funny but still make others aware of you.

As I said, cycling through all these modes is a little annoying, but thankfully the button is probably the most user-friendly one I have ever used, which eases the pain. Even with gloved hands it operates efficiently and without hesitation.

Lezyne's Smart Technology works in conjunction with an app on your smartphone to avoid all this faff, but it's only available with the more expensive, powerful models.

The light is compatible with a remote switch but I didn't test this. Personally, I found the operating switch easily accessible and the addition of a cable to operate it doesn't strike me as a huge advantage.

Battery life and charging

The button used to switch the light on and off also displays the battery life. Green for above 50%, amber for 10-50%, red for below 10% and eventually red flashing for less than 5%. It's an idiot-proof system that works for the recharging too.

I've been charging it in a little over 4 hours at home, directly in a wall socket. At work it took 5 hours on my PC. That's about standard for a light of this spec, easily possible to recharge during a working day.

The housing unit itself feels and looks solid and has enjoyed and survived the recent barrage of showers. I still took it into the shower with me to test, and it continues to function without fault. The USB port cover is pretty hefty and needs a firm push to ensure that the seal is engaged. It clearly does its job well.

Mounting

I often find that what you gain in ease of mounting with a rubber bracket, you lose in stability. However, Lezyne has this one sorted. There is absolutely no wobble, even on rough roads. The strap is easy to use and has a ridiculously simple adaptor that means you can mount it on a range of bar widths and shapes without compromising on the fit. Just be sure not to lose the adaptor – it could easily slip into a 'spares' tub or sink to the bottom of a toolbox, never to be seen again.

It's worth pointing out that the light can be twisted on its mount; it's a very stiff movement, no float whatsoever. It means you can mount it on certain helmets if you wish.

I found this twist useful when adding my Garmin to the cockpit; I could twist the light temporarily to engage my Edge and then turn it back to a central position. The connection here has not loosened in the slightest, despite regular turning.

Value

Lezyne has rounded up the price to £60 from last year's model (£57). A palatable and justified increase considering that many of the modes have increased run-times. It certainly holds its own when lined up with the competition.

The Oxford Ultratorch comes in at the same price point for an extra 50 lumens, but Stu wasn't overly impressed with its beam pattern.

The Knog PWR Road 600 front light costs £84.99 for its 600-lumen output, and doubles as a power bank (plus some other singing/dancing features). It also has the app feature that avoids mode-scrolling, which might be incentive enough for some.

> Buyer's Guide: The best 2019/2020 front lights for cycling

Cateye's AMPP 800 is also £84.99 and a good option, though battery life could be better, according to George.

I'd say the light is only let down by the excessive number and grouping of modes. If you're happy to tolerate this, given the simplistic operation, ease of mounting, decent beam pattern, solid build and fair price, it's definitely one to consider.

Verdict

Ideal for commuters and evening riders at a great price, but fewer modes and/or different groupings would make it even better