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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: APRIL 26th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
RAVEMEN PR2400 FRONT LIGHT
285g (light only) £199.99
The Ravemen PR2400 is, at the time of writing, the most potent in their growing range of front lights. Having tested some of its less potent siblings, I had high expectations. Suited to both road and trail work, it has a lot to offer nocturnal cyclists. On the other hand, run times at the top end (mere mortals may not need it that much), may leave Enduro enthusiasts and all-nighters looking for other solutions. Having said that, take along your power pack for a boost.
Pros: great beam, clear display, easy to operate, covers most bases without complication.
Cons: take your power bank for longer technical rides, mounting bracket is not compatible with other Ravemen lights.
Spec 4.5/5
With a max output of 2400 lumens – the clue is in the name – this is a three-lens light which can produce a flood or spot beam to illuminate your way on road or trail. Lens design is based on car lights to avoid dazzling other road users, although a sensible range of modes and readiness with the wireless switch to change between them helps, too.
There are five LEDs, offering a long beam, which can be supplemented by a low broad beam. The 8000mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery is built into the hardy shell. That means it is not replaceable, but with careful charging, it is unlikely that the light will owe you much by the time recharging becomes ineffective.
Battery levels are shown in hours run-time on an OLED screen. It’ll also reminds you of how many beams you are using and which mode you are in. A memory function recalls the last setting used after a period powered-off.
Two rear ports are covered by plastic tab sitting safely over the charging port and the output port for charging other devices.
IPX8 waterproof protection should allow you to immerse the light in one metre depth of water. I’d not do that, but it should ensure that heavy rain, dropping in muddy puddles out on the trail, and a wipe over with a damp cloth, leaves everything fully functional. Incidentally, Ravemen tell us that the light has an impact resistance of one metre. I have not tested this.
Fitting and mount 3.75/5
The mount is plastic, with a clip that clicks into place when the light is slipped in and a watch-strap to hold it onto the handlebar, or accessory bar. Once again, it has a durable feel and offers portability between bikes, as well as convenient removal when parking up.
The mount should extend to all bar circumferences, although those with less common angular constructions will find things harder. Highly polished retro-type bars with a slim profile have benefitted from a sliver of old inner tube has helped hold things firm. Beyond that, rattling over gravel has caused no movement, let alone ejection.
It’s a tad frustrating, but understandable, that the mount is not compatible with that for the PR1600. Bob Elliot, Ravemen’s UK distributors, tell us that this is due to the bracket being larger and the base plate of the light thicker, to cope safely with the additional weight of the light.
Spares are available.
Switch and remote control 4.25/5
The shell itself is hard-coat anodised aluminium, with plastic at the rear. Heat dissipation is further promoted by ‘fins’ on the sides of the body. There are two buttons on top of the shell. Large for on and off and switching between lenses, small for stepping between modes. A single press on the small button activates an additional mode for signalling or emergency lighting.
After powering the light on, modes can be switched using the wireless remote. That’s especially handy when dipping lights or boosting visibility on technical sections of trail.
Rather nicely, the buttons glow, making operation even easier.
I like the buttons. Thick-fingered folk with a degree in clumsiness will appreciate ease of location and operation, even when encumbered by thick gloves. Pocket activation is prevented by the slightly depressed position of the power button. I can’t say it is impossible, but I’ve not provoked it.
Charging, modes and run times 4.25/5
Ravemen’s stated run times are divided into Mountain Biking and Road, so take your pick for gravel work. Of course, the real difference is between spot and beam. There’s also a Turbo setting – accessed in Road or spot beam. This offers a full 2400 lumens by holding the small button down. Ideal for emergency signalling. I did consider giving a car-driver with full-beams on a short blast to suggest dipping them, but it is a pretty retina burning light, so I stuck to a more familiar gesture.
Road modes are a 900 lumens top, and a 100 lumen eco, with 300 and 500 in between. In descending order, these claim 3.4 hours, 5.5, 11.5, and 45. There’s a rapid flash mode two, running for 20 hours at 500 lumens: a powerful day-time runner.
Mountain biking modes offer, 2400, 1200, and 600 lumens; run times 1.5, 2.4, 5.5 – remember this setting has all five LED’s blazing.
I have found all running times to be pretty much spot on, give or take five minutes (easily explicable by real world conditions. In the real world, though, sticking to one mode per charge is pretty unusual. Fortunately, the range of modes, though less extensive than some lights, is eminently practical.
For example, in murky conditions – yes, sadly, the English August struck again – with mizzle and low cloud – the 500 rapid flash has proved a worthy day time runner, gaining attention at a couple of hundred metres on straight roads. The eco mode (100 lumens) is fine for most urban commuting, except in heavy traffic and the bright lights of the city centre. There a boost to 300 or 500 when necessary has suited. 500 is ideal for a gentle commute on unlit roads, leaving the 900 lumens mark for faster road work or unfamiliar lanes. In many ways, this is similar to Ravemen’s PR1600 Front Light. Run times are a little longer and the light a little brighter, but that will appeal to faster riders rather more steady-as-she-goes tourers (such as I).
The max 2400 lumens mode offers a powerful blast for technical off-road jaunts or when plunged into sudden uncertainty. The limited run time suggests short blasts rather then longer trips. Having said that, the 1200 mode has suited me very well, off road, and, frankly, for off-road work at moderate speeds are manageable in the 600 mode. For example, it can get me to work – when the 5.30 shift calls – along narrow canal towpaths – although the 500 lumen “Road” mode does the same.
Whatever the run time, the battery indicator tells you when you are low. This is the time to recharge to best preserve battery life. However, if you are out ad about, don’t panic. I’ve had twenty minutes on high mode post low power indication.
From nowt to max charge has taken a good four and a quarter hours from the mains, and an hour longer via laptop. Not really one for a stealth re-fill at work, but around what one would expect.
Performance 4.25/5
I’ve gone into a bit of detail about modes and uses in the section above. A broader picture would mention the clear white light that leaves on-coming traffic of your presence. On the other hand, there’s not much peripheral bleed – so useful for urban commuting – so a decent auxiliary (I still love the Knog Mr.Chips) may be a sensible partnership.
There’s more to light than lumens. Ravemen design their road lenses to avoid glare – and this does seem to work, provided you’ve got the correct position on your bar. The spot is well-focussed and the floods, which flare out wither side of the spot, don’t illuminate earth and sky. I’ve found them ideal for forest trail and gravel work, as well as some MTB work. However, there’s a lot to be said for separate spot and floods for serious off roading.
The full 2400 gives a fantastic splay of light that blankets everything around. Badly adjusted, you might alert aliens, but more mundanely you’ll get a good clear view for riding at speed on the trail, and the 1200 and 600 modes continue the theme, indeed. I’ve found the 1200 more than adequate for night time off-roading.
Those seeking pure on road speed may prefer something a bit lighter taking less space on the bars, and with a little more punch for fast winter training rides, without offending on-coming traffic with the full 2400 lumens.
Taking all that into account, the PR2400 is a powerful compromise. It is an all-round light with modes that hit all the right spots. It offers the commuter the prospect of some serious off-road frolics should the chance allow, as well as giving several days-worth of urban commuting, and everything in between. It’ll also suit the multi-discipline enthusiast seeking one-light-does-all solution.
It can also be used to charge a phone or other device. This would not be my first choice, but could be really vital in an emergency. Like the PR1600, it took around ten minutes to add ten percent charge to an iPhone.
On top whack the casing gets quite hot after a few minutes, although that should be less of an issue on those cooler autumn and winter nights.
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Value 4.25/5
Well, all-but £200 is a fair old wad of cash. However, in context, it may not look so steep. It’s range of run times and
modes suits a wider range of riding than the PR1600. Moreover, you may well find it discounted on-line. Equally, powerful off-road lights may demand a battery pack and don’t win many friends on the road – for example, the Sigma Buster 2000. Now that’s really a trail light with bar and helmet mounting options. Great for enthusiasts, but not necessarily for the occasional short nocturnal venture into the woods. Likewise, road enthusiasts may prefer something like the powerful Moon Meteor Storm Pro – one of our faves for night time fun round the country lanes. However, the PR2400 sits somewhere between. It is an excellent, flexible light for all types of riding, although off-road run times may limit the fun of the dedicated MTB endure enthusiast
Summary
I’ll admit to being a fan of Ravemen lights. This is another good bit of gear, with great potential for the general rider who fancies the odd speedy jaunt as well as exploration off the beaten track.
Verdict 4.5/5 Impressive, robust, multi-discipline light.
Steve Dyster
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PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2021
