THIS SITE USES GOOGLE ANALYTICS TO ANALYSE TRAFFIC. CONTINUING TO USE THIS SITE MEANS YOU ACCEPT THE USE OF COOKIES.WE DO NOT COLLECT PERSONAL DATA LEARN MORE OR SEE OUR PRIVACY POLICY
SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE NOVEMBER 14th 2025
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Sigma Buster 800 Front and RL150 Rear Light Set
Front 165g Rear 38g (both with bracket) €99.95 (about £87 at time of writing)
The Sigma Buster 800 Lumens Front Light and RL150 Rear Light Set is designed to meet your all-round cycling needs. They can be bought separately and after-market accessories, such as a helmet mount for the Buster 800 are available. Together they give plenty of power for most riding environments, although extended gallavanting on unlit trails will be more limited than endurance riders and night-owls might like – but that is, in my experience the case with most lights with a top range of 900 lumens. Equally, as with all Sigma lights I have tried, it seems to punch above its 800 lumens and I find its simplicity very attractive. The same applies to the LR150.
Pros: easy operation, quick mounting, clear beam, powerful rear light, easy operation, function to limit range of modes, side-on visibility – especially strong on the rear light, sturdy bracket on Buster 800.
Cons: need to buy after-market accessories to make the most of the Buster 800 for helmet mount, at the rear a mid-lumens steady mode would be a handy option.
Specification
Starting at the front with the Buster 800. I like torch type lights – sleek and narrow on the bars and handy when nipping from the tent to the campsite loo in the depth of night, or suchlike. There is the peril of rolling them up in a sleeping bag and having to unpack, but this is very much a niche issue which all torches share: in fact, it has only happened to me on one occasion, and is unlikely to trouble more careful folk like you.
​
800 lumens max output – more of that later – and run times place this into, what I’d call a utility plus light: good in all circumstances for multi-surface riding, but with some limitations for faster or technical riding and longer night time expeditions.
​
The lens does not have an anti-dazzle or low beam format, so adjust your light carefully. The upside of this is that the light casts the beam further and, as it tails off, allows stealth pedestrians and their dogs to be picked out at greater distance on shared paths etc.
​
In the box one finds the ubiquitous USB charging cable, a solid looking bracket with an additional bolt for more rotund bars, and shims, along with the light an a Go-Pro type adaptor. Inside the light is a Li-ion battery, a single Cree LED for the main beam, and other LEDs for the charge and mode indicators atop the body of the light. The aluminium and composite shell has a neat aesthetic, which acts as a heat sink. The whole is powered by a rechargeable 3.7v 3500mAh Li-ion battery. The Sigma logo is functional, too. It offers more side-on presence.
​
Sigma say that the lens is specially developed to give clear and even distribution of light. There’s a memory function, opportunity to disable some pre-sets, a lock function, and other neat features which we will cover below.
Now for the LR150. Well, 150 lumens is a pretty potent max for a rear light, although there are even brighter models around. That big punch comes from a small package enclosed in a composite casing, great if you have limited space on your seat-post or wherever else you intend to put it. All powered by a rechargeable 3.7v 680mAh Li-ion battery.
A neat feature is that there is almost 290 degrees visibility (Sigma say 280), which is barely interrupted by the Sigma logo.
The charging port is plugged with a rubber bung. There are brake and memory functions.
In the packet you’ll find a USB charging cable, the light itself, and a rubber watch-strap for mounting.
​
​Both lights rate IPX4 for waterproofing; not the highest, but perfectly adequate for most realistic cycling situations. Both feel well-made and both have an air of simplicity.
Dimensions of the Buster 800 are similarly neat – 105mm x 38 mm x 35 mm (the last not including the bracket), - so it won’t clutter up the bar space. The RL150 is just 50mm tall, so well-worth considering if you have little in the way of exposed seat-post.
Mounting 4/5
A simple watchstrap serves to mount RL150. The obvious place is on the seat-post, but I have also fixed ours very nicely on the seat stay. Needless to say, this has held the light securely over lumps and bumps. Having said that, the rubber feels more stretchy and thinner than some. I’m not for one moment suggesting it is frail, but it does sit very deeply in the hooks that it loops round. Fundamentally, it is a tad more fiddly to remove than some, but that is hardly much of a gripe.
The Buster 800 mounts onto the bars via a well-made, sturdy bracket that will fit – courtesy of the adapting shims – bars from 22.2 mm to 35 mm. Tighten the bracket with the attached bolt. There is a spare, longer bolt, for more adaptability. It all makes for a very reassuring fit with no threatened bids for freedom on gravel trails. Even better, there’s a clear click when mounting the light. I have found it possible to get the bracket to hold firm, but allow a little rotation with hand to allow the light to cast further ahead temporarily.
There are some after-market options, too. Sigma offer a helmet mount (the same one we reviewed a while back on the Sigma Buster 700) and an out-front mount. This, or indeed any other suitable system, uses the included Go-Pro type adaptor to mount the light underneath the bars – very much on trend. So, plenty of options.
Switch and mode/charge indicators 4/5
The switch is a press button, easily operated with full-finger gloves. Use it to toggle through the modes or to enable the other functions. Unlike many it does not act as the charge indicator. Nor does it glow in the dark. I’ve not found that a problem when toggling in the dark. This is less of a problem because it is carefully placed between the various indicators for mode and charge. They act as guides to the switch’s location.
To the south of the switch is a line of small LEDs that indicate charge level. The bottom one turns red when the charge gets low. To the north of the switch a line of LEDs show the mode. I’ve not found this particularly easy to make out. Fundamentally, as you toggle it moves from high on the left to flashing modes on the right.
The charge indicator on the buster 800 has seven stages, with the lowest showing red when one gets to 19% charge. At this point, you have around 45 minutes of charge left, in mid- steady mode (Sigma’s timing, my experience of mode). When the light begins to flash, get the spare light out! The darkness is approaching rapidly.
The RL150 has a five-stage charge indicator. The main difference is that the red flash gives longer usage before the light goes out. Having said that, on the go, you are unlikely to see the omen of doom anyway.
On both lights, a short press on the switch shows the charge level without turning the light on.
Charge and run times 3.5/5
Stated charge time for the Buster 800 is up to four hours, which places it on the upper side of many lights in this kind of light. However, real time charging from the mains has been closer to three hours, again more than some lights of this power, but not outrageously so, and hardly a deal-breaker even if you are sneaking a charge at work.
Run times are very much what one would expect, with probably a little longer at the top end than might be expected, but, again, not drastically different compared to many; 2 hours on high, 2.5 for mid, 200 for low, 5 hours night flash, 50 hours day flash. These have proved to be pretty much spot on, although temperatures have not hit zero or below during the early autumn testing period. For the commuter, that might be a bit unrealistic because one may well use multiple modes, as I do. For me, I have managed four hours of commuting – mostly on mid, but occasionally on high, and for about 20% of the time on low. For a bit of night time fun along the back lanes and the odd forest track with high on all the time, then the two hours was exceeded by about ten minutes.
The RL150 went from zero to hero in around two and a half hours. Run times, which, again, have been pretty much mirrored in reality, are high (40 lumens) 4 hours, low (5 lumens) 20 hours, day flashing (150 lumens) 6 hours, night flashing (25 lumens) 7 hours, eco flashing (5 lumens) 20 hours. Forty lumens should be more than enough, indeed some may say too intense, for built up areas. Five lumens, as an alternative, may feel a bit on the low side (see below) and a middling, say 20 lumens steady mode, may be something that’s missing. Just to say, there can be more to five lumens than one might expect. Equally, the daylight flashing mode, at 6 hours, may not have quite enough duration for real mile munchers.
Modes and performance 3.5/5
Modes are high steady 800 lumens, mid 400 lumens, low 200 lumens, night flash 600/200 lumens, and day flash 200 lumens. Sigma state that the beam has range is 170 metres. In reality, with the light properly angled I have felt perfectly comfortable travelling at between 12 and 15mph on familiar, if occasionally narrow, unlit canal towpath. That’s a big part of the commute, but the dark lanes haven’t required more either. I have dipped down to low, although night flash would probably have done just as well, when hitting the city streets – not much traffic about at six-thirty in the morning. In heavier traffic I’d supplement the low with a blinkie or resort to night flash.
On less familiar unlit roads or tracks, I’d opt for the high mode when hitting speed over 15 mph. that’s offered enough to pick out creatures of the night and poor surfaces with ease. Fortunately, even in mid mode, the beam casts far enough ahead to pick most things out. Having said that, the 800 lumens mode has caused some annoyance to on-comers, so I have resorted to dipping the light. In that sense a remote would be useful, but in general, there’s not too much of an issue – although it is worth noting that the Buster 800 is not for sale in Germany where lighting rules are clear and strict.
Oncoming traffic has dipped its lights, on hedge-lined lanes, before I have come in to full view, when running along in high mode. Mind you, that has not been true in all circumstances, but headlights have gone down at 300 metres or so, and as soon as I have come into view (except for those helpful drivers, fortunately few, who can’t be bothered to dip lights).
150 lumens is the day flash mode. That is very powerful and clearly gives plenty of presence. Were I on a hundred-miler, I might find the six hours a bit on the short side. In reality that is a minor complaint, however, as there are other modes to default to, when the clouds cover the sun and the rain moves in. For comparison, the more powerful and more expensive Ravemen TR300, offers a similar 8 hours on pulse flash, but also a very effective 30 lumens rapid flash lasting around twice as long. Mind you, that will be less effective in bright sunshine.
Apparently, the RL150 is visible 2km away. Great on a Roman Road, but on more twisting road, the daylight flash gives immediate presence, which I am told is at least 200 metres. That is pretty good. At night, the 40 lumens mode is more than sufficient, giving clear presence at around the same distance. This is an intense little light. In quiet traffic, especially in suburban leafy streets, there’s no great need to go above the 5 lumens which punches above its weight, too.
I’ll admit to being a fan of night flash or pulse modes when travelling in heavy traffic or on gloomy nights, both as sole an auxiliary lighting. Seven hours affords me several commuting journeys, and traffic seems to pay all due attention. This is enhanced by the side on presence.
I can’t really comment on the brake function, but, as with side-on presence, I have never felt in peril from traffic coming from behind (which could be as much luck as attention to the lights).
Care and durability 3.5/5
There are many lights that offer IPX6 dust and waterproof protection. IPX4 is not as high a level of protection, of course, but that need no put you off. IPX4 is considered splash-proof rather than waterproof. This really means that general rainfall etc. should cause no harm. Just remember to remove it before using a pressure washer or jet wash for cleaning (not a great for bearings etc. anyway). IPX6 will keep out powerful jets of water, but neither that nor IPX4 enjoy full immersion. I guess, IPX6 is reassuring, especially for fording rivers when out on the trail, but it is not a necessity. This is especially the case for seat-post mounted rear lights on bikes with mudguards, living a life of luxury protected from the elements.
So, remove these lights from the bike before washing the things down. All the lights should need is a wipe over with a cloth and a bit of care not to drop them. I have dropped the RL150, accidentally – we do not do destruction testing – from just over a metre onto concrete. It suffered no harm. This is not scientific and you may not be so fortunate.
Value 3.75/5
There are numerous lights in this kind of price bracket and power range. In cases, there is little to choose between them. I recently tested the Magicshine Hori 900 Switchable Light (mounted under or atop the bars). This has a cut-off low-beam, which produces plenty of light, but is more road orientated than the all-round Buster 800. Both need after market purchases make the most of different mounting options. The remote control on the Hori is a necessity to make the most of an underslung light.
Ravemen’s CR800 is another road orientated light with a remote. A bit pricier, it lacked some of the more sophisticated functions available on the Buster 800. It’s sibling the Ravemen LR1200 is obviously more powerful than the Buster 800, but it still punched above its weight when Michael tested it. However, it offers more off-road potential than the CR800, something it shares with the Buster 800.
As for rear lights, the Moon Sport Helix Pro 150 impressed me and others. However, it is longer in body, so less handy for those with little exposed seat post.
As a pack of rear and front lights combo comparison is Cat Eye’s 900 set with a 300 lumens rear light at £99.99. Some may feel that 300 lumens at the rear is overkill, but lumens alone have their fans. Still £12 pricier than our Sigma set.
Summary
The Sigma Buster 800 is simple, yet has sophisticated features that are equally easy to use. With a clear beam which gives plenty of forward light and sufficient breadth, it has potential for multi-surface use. Indeed, with after market purchases, it will do nicely on your MTB helmet. Likewise, the RL150 punches above its weight, is simple, and has some nice additional features. Buy them as a set and you can’t really go wrong for general cycling. Of course, they can be bought separately, but even then you will be making a very sound purchase, in my opinion.
Verdict 3.75/5 A well-made light set to cover most cycling situations, combining simplicity with practical sophistication.
Steve Dyster
https://sigma.bike/?v=15fc885b9ab6
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2025
