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review
Lights - front
Blackburn Voyager Click front lightBlackburn Voyager Click front light on

Blackburn Voyager Click front light

8
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Oct 17, 2010

0
£12.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Well made light that's great for round town or as a long distance back up
Weight: 
30g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk
How we test

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Blackburn’s Voyager front LED combines bold stylish design, brilliant optics and generous burn times in a package perfect for mile eaters needing a compact, capable companion nestling next to the dynamo. Sure, desk jockeys might prefer the convenience of USB charging and two modes won’t win bragging contests down at the clubhouse but the quality of light is adequate for tackling town centre traffic, mending roadside punctures and nursed us safely home when my old school Lead-Acid system unexpectedly ran out of juice.

So called because of the clever “click it” combined lens and switch, the Voyager slips effortlessly and with an anaconda like purchase around all handlebar diameters thanks to the rubberised tool free bracket. This has pronounced sideways cutouts for peripheral visibility while a shapely shroud carries the brand logo, shielding the rider from glare-especially in flashing mode.

Flipping it over and removing the rubber handlebar shim provides access to the hatch and two CR2032 batteries. Opening the cover is reminiscent of older computer head units-simply a matter of inserting a coin and turning anti clockwise. Weather resistant as opposed to weather proof, I’d be inclined toward a precautionary blob of Vaseline on the contacts but driving rain and my garden hose torture test have made negligible impression and under normal circumstances, the marques legendary no quibble warrantee gives further piece of mind.

The system is designed with full “sausage finger” winter gloves in mind, prod the switch and it engages, prod again and to choose static or flashing modes. The action is a very smooth, yet definite click, easily operated on the fly but unlikely to engage in pockets, panniers or messenger bags.

Quality of light is excellent- in either mode and if you simply wanted capable contingency lighting for the best bike, it’s hard to see where you’d go wrong. Blackburn doesn’t specify output but there’s ample for moderately lit town and city centres. Visibility seems to be from around 300 to 350 metres in steady/flashing modes respectively while the surface area pricks driver consciousness at the usual danger spots. Used primarily in flashing mode, ours has chalked up 134 hours from the original batteries, six short of the claimed optimum but impressive nonetheless.

Verdict

An extremely well executed back up light – highly recommended

road.cc test report

Make and model: Blackburn Voyager Click front ligh

Size tested: Black

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?

"Two super-bright White LEDs

Unique Click It Lens switch

No tool battery installation

Powered by 2 x CR2032 batteries (included)

Simple strap on mounting system".

Does exactly what it says on the tin and to an extremely high standard.

Compact, fully recyclable, interactive packaging with Try Me feature"

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, without hesitation

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb 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, mtb,

LED front light
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Blackburn Voyager Click front light
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Shaun Audane

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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