When it’s as hot as it has been this summer in Utah, mountain biking during the day is a good way to get heat stroke. But rather than not ride, I’ve been hitting the singletrack in Park City and the Wasatch Front after dark. But doing so requires bright lights to illuminate the way. I recently got to try the new Imjin 800 bike light from Light & Motion on rides from easy trails like Big Water Trail in Mill Creek Canyon, to expert descents like Tidal Wave at Deer Valley – all in pitch black. So does the Imjin provide enough brightness for safe mountain biking? First the details.
The Light & Motion Imjin 800 features:
- Lumen output and runtime certified to the FL-1 standard
- IP67 waterproof rating (fully submersible to 1 meter)
- 1-meter drop resistance on concrete
- Highest level CREE LED with custom micro-peened reflector for optimal beam definition
- Regulated output with advanced electronics keep lumens stable through runtime
- Amber side lighting for 180 degrees of protective visibility
- Low-profile bar strap and GoPro interface for various mounting setups
- Compatible with Light & Motion 2-, 3-, and 6-cell Li-ion battery packs
- MSRP: $199
What I really like about the Imjin 800 is how small, compact, and light weight it is. I have other bike lights from Cat Eye and Cygolite, and already the Imjin is my favorite. One of my pet peeves is how a heavy light mounted to my helmet causes its weight to shift around while riding. I’ve had no such issues with the Light & Motion.
I also really love the light output of the Imjin 800. It is very bright and casts a wide range of illumination. With the Imjin’s 800 lumens, paired with my Cat Eye’s 400 lumens, (one on my handlebars and one on my helmet) I get the perfect spread of light to allow for high-speed descents when I really need to see what’s coming up on the trail.
I’ve mounted the Imjin 800 on both my helmet and handlebars, and even though I like the low weight on my head, I actually prefer this light on my bars. Another pet peeve of mine is the cord running down my neck and into my pack with a battery-pack helmet light, so this one found its place on my handlebars.
Mounts lead in to my only complaint about the Imjin 800 – the mounts themselves. I was very confused when I got my test sample as it did not come with any way to mount to a helmet. I soon realized that it is compatible with GoPro mounts. This is great because it opens a whole variety of ways you can mount this nifty light for many different occasions other than just cycling. However, by doing this, Light & Motion assumes you own GoPro accessories, and if you don’t you’ll have to go out and buy them, which for me would be annoying after spending $200 on the light itself. So a dedicated helmet mount would be nice to have right off the bat.
That being said, my test sample didn’t include a handlebar mount either. But since the light is GoPro compatible, I was able to rig something up using a selfie-stick mount and it works flawlessly. See? Versatility! So this GoPro mount system can be both a good or difficult thing.
My other complaint is that at high power (a full 800 lumens) the Imjin only lasts 2 hours when used with the 2-cell battery. So you pretty much need two lights to get enough illumination on low power, or you’ll have to spend extra coin on the 6-cell battery if you are competing in a 24-hour bike race or any other activity that requires at least 6-8 hours of light. To purchase the light and 6-cell battery pack, you’re looking at $380 total. Yikes.
Despite the higher price for the best battery life possible, I have to say the cost is probably worth it if, like me, you night ride a lot. Durability, excellent brightness, light weight, and versatility of mounting options makes the Light & Motion Imjin 800 just about perfect. I look forward to using it on my own around-the-clock mountain bike race when I compete in 25 Hours in Frog Hollow this November.
The Good: Durability, excellent brightness, light weight, compact and versatility of mounting options.
The Bad: Somewhat limited to GoPro-style mounts, high-end package is pricey.
Final Word: If you’re a 24-hour racer, or a mountain biker or bike commuter who rides at night, you don’t want to cheap out on your bike light, because safety is paramount. Therefore, the Light & Motion Imjin 800 is a stand-out choice.