Niterider Lumina 400 front light

Tell us what the light 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?

The NiteRider Lumina 400 is part of an extensive range of lights offered by the brand. Three ranges have numerous models within each that provide enough choice for every rider. The range has alight to cover a short ride to the pub, commuting, some serious off road night riding or even night racing. With output varying from the maximum 400 lumens down to 30 on the walking setting you do get a decent offering. The downside is the battery life doesn't provide that maximum output for longer than around 75-90 minutes. The light is easy to mount on the bracket which in itself is easy to fit. Using the Lumina 400 is straight forward in terms of turning on and off via the large led button. To change the setting you cycle through them by switching the light on and then pressing the button. To get to the flash you keep the button pressed on until the light flashes, release it and you have the flash mode. To get to the walk mode you press the led once more.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

The NiteRider Lumina 400 features four settings and a flash. Specified as high, medium, low, walking and a flash. These settings offer an alleged 90, 180, 360 minutes and 21 hours on the walk setting. The actual run times are closer to 75, 160, 335 and I haven't tried it on the lowest. The Lumina 400 throws out 400, 200, 125 and 30 lumens on these settings.

Not too far away but the top setting doesn't perhaps offer as much output as you may need. If your ride or commute is close to that it doesn't give you much wriggle room and you maybe better off selecting one of the Pro series that offer longer run times. All the Sport range offer similar top end longevity only the output in lumens changes.

The Lumina 400 is powered by a single 2200mA/h battery. The battery is fine but with the only means of charging provided by a micro USB cable it does feel as though you are adding to the already considerable charging time. Five hours is quite a chunk of time. You feel with a mains option you could shave off some of this time. The charging port is on the bottom of the light and protected by a rubber flap.

The Lumina 400 is a solid unit, well made

The light is provided by CREE leds, considered to be the brightest on the market. As the company state, the reason for this is LEDs come in a wide range of color temperatures and many other light manufacturers use whatever is cheapest. They spare no expense and only LEDs with a color temperature between 5700 and 6500 degrees Kelvin. The color temperature of daylight is 5780 degrees Kelvin. By selecting LEDs that are as close to daylight as possible and a little on the blue side of the color spectrum, this produces a very white light that simulates daylight and enhances the human eye's ability to detect all the little things that go bump in the night.

The light is well made and robust, everything you want from a light that can be transported off the bike in a rucksuck. You can lock the light so when it is in you pack it can't get turned on accidentally. Simply hold down the power button, through the flashing mode until the power button turns or flashes red. Neat idea.

In terms of usage the Lumina 400 is one of the simplest around. Certainly when it comes to fitting the handlebar bracket, attaching the light to it and away you go. No tools are needed for the attachment to the bars, a screw fixing keeps this process simple and effective. Adding the light is straight forward too and it is no different when you want to take it off.

Through several heavy downpours the NiteRider Lumina 400 has shone through. There have been no power outs or niggles due to the inclement weather.

This is the real let down with the Lumina 400. The run time and the time taken to replace this juice. On top beam, the 400 lumens is not a bad output but you can only squeeze about 75 - 90 mins and then you have to take 5 hrs using a USB charger to top it up again.

The Cree LEDs used are impressively bright, provided a nice channeled beam. This offers a decent light to see the road, obstacles in front. The periphery spread of light allows you to have a slightly broader view, again sufficient to remove the doubt from the road ahead.

The Lumina has proven to be a robust light, performing within its limitations but not proving a let down because it doesn't live up to the specification particularly.

At 172g the Lumina is an average weight for your bars, given the size.

The light or spread is fine, nicely channeled but the flash mode is really very manic and would give you a headache pretty quickly.

£80 represents a reasonable investment but if you're commuting this isn't a bad light. It is though in a very competitive market so do your comparisons. If you do go for the Lumina 400 it won't let you down. Just be aware of the run times.

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Slightly below par in how long it lasted on each ride but otherwise it is well made, robust and easy to use.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

The simplicity, to use, to attach and generally operate.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Run times that fall below the expected level and then only a USB charging option that takes the best part of 5 hrs.

Anything further to say about the light in conclusion?

There is a lot to like about the Lumina 400, the ease of attachment, operation and the lock mode is a nice idea. I was disappointed with the run time and charging. Get that right and NiteRider would have a winner for this price.