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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE NOVEMBER 22nd 2025
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Magicshine HORI 1300 Front Light
202g (as tested, including mount & remote) £69.99
The Magicshine HORI 1300 Front Light is an impressive package with a very modest price tag. Build quality is reassuringly high and the range of modes cater for most riding contexts, from congested town centres to dark and lonely lanes. The wireless remote, an option of pairing rear lights, and customise output, courtesy of their app may not be revolutionary but are further, definite draws.
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Pros: Excellent output for road riding, sensible spread of output, impressive flash, ability to sync with some Magicshine rear lights, versatile mounting system.
Cons: Limited run times in highest setting, no mount as standard.
Specification
The package is very impressive. The CNC machined anodised aluminium shell looks really well finished and should protect it from accidental knocks, while acting as a heatshield. This is, coupled with a thermal cutout so diodes, 3200mAh lithium-ion battery, and switchgear, stand a sporting chance of long, productive lives.
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Weather sealing is IPX6 which means it will resist heavy and sustained blasts of water, so should cope with the wettest roads. Indeed, some trail lights are IPX6 due to external battery couplings and I've not noticed any weaknesses through our test period. The two diodes diode are a tag team of flood and spot.
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The former casting a broad arc to sweep surfaces and capture the attention of oncoming traffic, the latter picking out details-holes and other hazards. These are projected through a high transparency optical polycarbonate lens that features the increasing common “cut off beam” technology employed in car headlights to project the beam at the road and theoretically eliminate dazzle.
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There are six modes; 200, 400, 900 lumens, and a 1300 lumens constant high. Then of course, there are the day and night flashing modes, producing 800 - 200 - 1000 - 200lumens respectively.
Switch & remote 3.5/5
The main switch is positive side mounted affair which is easily operated in gloved hand but requires a sustained, one second press to power up. The switch will communicate charge level. Steady green denotes 100-21%, steady red 20-11 % and flashing red means you’re down to 10%. At this point, the charge indicator will turn flashing red and the light kick down to the lowest, 200lumen mode to conserve power.
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As we’d expect, the light employs a memory function, defaulting to the last chosen. Subsequent prods cycle through the main modes, but interestingly, you’ll need the included wireless remote to select the night, or day flashing. Staying with the remote, this is a marked improvement on some designs; tough and compact, feeling suitably solid. Then, of course, you can download their app and customise to suit your precise riding environments.
Gone is the disposable battery in favour of a fit ’n’ forget rechargeable lithium-ion unit that fuels via the same USB C charger. A charge light indicator (green/red) giving you a sporting chance of being able to toggle down at will before, it's also essential for working the day and night flashing modes.
The MJ 6558 remote is available separately, should you require another and is smaller but also feels tangibly more robust than that included on the Magicshine EVO 1700 tested last year.
Convenience is the main, dare I say obvious attraction. It tethers to the bars by a nice beefy O-ring, I’ve chosen inboard, close to the brake lever hood, so I can prod to taste while in the cruising position. However, it can be tethered to the tops if that’s a better fit for you. Discovering it will also switch the light on and off was another welcome surprise. Range seems to be around two metres. Pressing the round button changes mode, pressing the square button unleashes the full 1300, double clicking it will select flashing.
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Another benefit is the ability to nip up and down to optimise power for your surroundings, say dipping to 900 lumens instead of 1300 so you can conserve power for the darkest sections and fast descents.
Both the See Me Mag 50 and See Mee 100AD can be paired to the HORI1300 (and its 900 sibling) meaning a linked lighting system. Linked in the sense you can turn both on and off, rather than changing mode, but welcome just the same. Pairing is relatively straightforward, but something I’d want to do before setting out for a ride.
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Depress both buttons on the remote for ten seconds until the switch emits a blue light. This denotes you’ve entered pairing mode. From here, remove the rear light and hold it close to the HORI1300 until the lights flash blue. When these turn steady blue for two seconds, they’re paired. Naturally, you can also disable this at any time. Talking of which, the light’s main switch can be locked to eliminate unwanted engagement when it’s holidaying in a bag, or pannier. Depress the switch for three seconds until it turns red. Repeat to unlock.
Mount 3.25/5
I should point out that the Hori 1300 does not include a mount. In the box, you get the light, a Go-Pro Adaptor, wireless remote and O-ring, Allen key and USB C charge cable. There are several mounting options, allowing for sandwich/burger setup where computer, light and action camera can sit together for a clean, uncluttered look. Magicshine doesn't recommend mounting a computer atop the Hori 1300 due to additional weight compared with its 900 stablemate.
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I've gone for the extended mount, which is less sleek, but still neat, given Denise's busier bars and the fact the standard presented fouling hassles with the cable runs and indeed, old school cantilever hanger. Going this route will avoid compatibility hassles with smaller bar bags, such as the Cycology See Me Pink.
This is a reasonably sturdy composite affair employed by the EVO 1700 that tightens to a very modest 2nm using a 3mm Allen key-thoughtfully there’s one in the box but use a torque wrench wherever circumstances allow. Several shims are provided, catering for various bar diameters.
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For these 16-year-old WTB, I went for the mid thickness, but the fattest will ensure a solid fit on 25.4, so there shouldn't be any need to resort to the bodge box. Some of you will note I don’t have ours flush against the stem-that’s because I’m pairing ours with a dynamo lamp and mounting flush would partially obscure this. Despite some initial reservations and the fact it's intended as a road lamp, the mount has proven surprisingly vice like when I've tackled moderate sections gravel and bridlepath. Remember that 3mm Allen key if you're going this route on your formative outings, mind.
Output 3.75/5
Impressive, in a very practical sense. The full 1300 sounds a little tame by contemporary standards but is what I default to. I’ve been able to navigate unlit lanes at a steady 20mph plus. The flood beam is a generous arc giving a broad view of conditions ahead, while the spot does a good job of picking out potential hazards - rabbits, hedgehogs and other field animals, holes, glass and thorns being prime examples. Traditionally, even higher end high power lights tended to be overpowering for on-coming traffic, requiring quick prod downs.
Against this backdrop, it wasn’t second nature to leave it be, but the full 1300 didn’t seem to irritate oncoming traffic, but you’ll definitely want to nudge down - in the same sense you would with a car’s beam. There’s no excuse either and the remote makes this intuitive.
Though primarily a road lamp, I’ve deliberately gone exploring green lanes.
Perhaps predictably and compared with a dedicated trail lamp, I didn’t get the same arc of light, requiring a little more caution but again, not unduly problematic so long as you’re not looking to hammer along at race pace. 900 on main beam is again, adequate for unlit roads and a good choice should you wish (or need) to conserve batter-say on a longer night ride.
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Bargain on being able to maintain 16mph and there’s a decent throw of light, meaning I’ve be able to pick out hazards at seven metres or so. Ample time to change course in most contexts. Oncoming traffic seems to have acknowledged my presence at 125 metres or so- I’ve judged this by a dipping of high beams, pulling in at passing points etc.
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Some would argue 900lumens on paper is a touch tall for semi-rural settings and I’ve tended to dip in these environments but again, I’ve been able to manage 18-23mph, with reliable view of changing conditions and, of course, with the remote a quick tap down, so no issues with dazzling, or otherwise. In this context, assuming you wanted to cruise rather than hoss along, 400lumens is arguably the best fit.
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Ample light for being seen by and at a comfortable distance-even at concealed entrances and junctions. Arguably, if being seen is your priority, the day, or night flash hybrid modes come into their own. Dusk onwards, friends reckoned they could spot the night flash at 180-200 metres, thanks to the mix of optical clarity and tempo. In a pinch, I could actually see along lonely lanes - to around 14mph, a little slower along unknown locales but good news if you’re needed to save some battery.
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Anecdotally, this dipped to 120 through town centres, given the competing illuminations but I’ve never felt “off the radar” when tackling bigger roundabouts. This is particularly effective with the See Mee50 Mag rear light Magicshine SeeMee50 MAG Light | cycling-not-racing inked and synced.
The daylight running mode is similarly useable, although the throw and tempo seemed a little less intense than some, typically those around the 900-1000lumen mark. Nonetheless, it still held the attention of other road users convincingly and is reassuringly frugal into the bargain.
Aside from being useful, auto kick down default arguably strikes the best balance between output and run times, if you wanted a constant mode for suburban duties. Say if you’re wanting to commute to work and let off some steam with the 1300 or 900 lumens beyond city limits, afterwards.
Run/Charge Times 3.5/5
2.5 hours is the cited charge time and, in my experience, that’s very accurate, although mains charging speeds things up by 15 minutes or so. More importantly, run times from a full charge are reassuringly faithful-at least in temperatures between 19 and 10 degrees. Unleashing the full 1300 and I’ve returned 1hr 56 from a full charge, the 900 ran for 2hrs 25, 400 lumens 3hrs 23 and the 200lumen (low) 6hrs 22, which is pretty close to the 6.5 hours cited.
Day flash achieved 9hrs (9hrs 30) and night flash 4hours 24 (4hrs 30).
Charge life indicators are also similarly reliable these days and the Hori 1300 is no exception, so you’re given a sporting chance of staircasing down and the auto kickdown should save the day if you’ve got lost or distracted. Obviously, things can be further refined, courtesy of the app but I’m inclined to say run the Hori in the factory presets for a little while, first. All this said, I’ve had a couple of occasions when the Hori1300 has powered down unexpectedly and the charge indicator isn’t as obvious on the remote.
Value 3.75/5
£69.99 is pretty good going, especially given the specification choice of mounting options and reliable remote. Oxford Ultratorch CL1600 (£69.99) offers a maximum of 1600lumens, CNC machined body, the ability to extend run times via power bank is another welcome feature. However, there’s no remote, it cannot be paired with other lights, only meets IPX4 for weatherproofing and the mount is less versatile, less sleek.
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Those on a tighter budget looking for a complete front and rear light set might want to check out Gaciron Kiwi 1200 Anti-Glare Bike Front Light. £69 buys a 1200 lumen front light, loop rear and a remote switch. It also features a cut-off beam, can be mounted atop, or below the bars and has a super frugal daytime flash. However, run times in the highest 1200lumens is only 1.5 hours (although this can be boosted by plugging in a power bank).
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The Ravemen LR 1200 is £10 dearer and has been around a few years. However, we’ve been impressed with the series’ quality of output. Boasting a maximum of 1200 lumens, with sensible staircasing between the five modes. It also complies with IPX6 for weatherproofing. This is tempered by 1.5 hours from a full charge in the highest setting and though there’s a very solid wireless remote, it’s an aftermarket option. I’m very fond of its 1600 big sibling and 1000lumens curved lens model, but the former is a good bit dearer than the Magicshine at £114.99 (We’ve seen it quite heavily discounted online).
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Cat Eye Ampp 1300 £94.99) is a very solid lamp capable of producing 1300lumens - 600 and 300 lumen steady options, a daytime hyper flash and 200lumen flashing modes. However, there’s no remote and it only complies with IPX4 for weatherproofing.
Summary
All told, and with some minor niggles aside, I’ve been impressed by the Magicshine Hori 1300. Modes are sensible and cater for most riding contexts, run times are typical of the genre and the mounting options are practical for handlebar bags, while allowing a neat, sleek aesthetic. That said, I would prefer an aluminium alloy, rather than composite model, which would reliably handle the light plus action camera and possibly a third accessory.
Verdict: 3.75/5 Impressive light and wireless remote but composite mount limits the ability to accessorise.
Michael Stenning
Magicshine UK official powerful bike lights and Torches. - Magic Shine UK
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2025
