Lezyne Micro Drive 450XL

In theory, an upgrade of Lezyne's own Hecto Drive 350XL with an added 450-lumen mode, the Micro Drive 450XL proved puzzling in test as it didn't actually seem any brighter. Curiously, when ordered by output in the road.cc light comparison engine, the Micro Drive 450XL showed an almost identical output and spread to the (£12 cheaper) 350XL. However, the 'Overdrive' feature, which allows you to switch between full power and a 'dipped' setting, is a definite bonus that you may consider worth the extra outlay.

The Overdrive label suggests that Lezyne expects most of the work to be done in one of the seven other modes – four steady, two flashing and a pulse setting. Indeed, if you want to access Overdrive – or rather, Overdrive Race Mode – you need to go through a special procedure, namely, from 'Off', holding down the button for a full five seconds. Once selected, you have the choice of full power/Overdrive, for short bursts on dark paths, or 'Economy' mode (75 lumens), and I found it pretty useful when popping out onto the street-lit highway and into the traffic. Like the main beam and dip of a car.

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Depending on how much time you spend in either mode, you could in theory squeeze four hours or so from the battery. Unhelpfully, the short battery life in Overdrive means the battery indicator starts to show an amber warning almost as soon as you switch it on, but it never left me stranded so I stopped worrying about it. To exit Overdrive Race Mode (and the light will turn back on in this mode if it was the last one you used), you again hold the button down for five seconds.

The two side-by-side LEDs provide a beam that is only slightly flattened from the circular, but the light is even and the spread is good, which helps a lot on unlit roads.

Of the regular modes, all were bright enough for traffic and the brightest adequate for unlit roads. On full power it is considerably more than adequate. Side visibility is very good, and the light is shielded above to stop it shining into your eyes as you ride.

The three flashing or pulsing modes all operate at 75 lumens, which is plenty enough to make you visible, and reassuring in fog or in low sun conditions. With 10 hours of operation available in flashing, that should see you through a week or so's commuting, even if you forget to recharge it during the day. Charging is achieved without cables, though you have to plug in the light upside-down, when the charge indicator light is then pointing downwards. Recharging was reasonably brisk, at a smidge over three hours from flat.

The chunky rubber USB cover is a snug fit and did an excellent job of keeping water out, though it isn't permanently attached to the light so you have to be careful not to mislay it. Even so, I much prefer these cable-free charging systems because the integrated USB stick is easy to wipe clean if it does get contaminated (I've lost a couple of cable-charged gadgets when water has got into the USB socket and damaged the fragile electronics).

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The build quality is excellent in the current Lezyne style, with a CNC-machined aluminium casing that is both robust and light. The light is permanently attached to its mount and strap and you have to twist the head unit to gain easy access to the hook for the band. I found the strap secure and the light stayed pointing the way I pointed it.

My main gripe was with the on/off/mode selector button, which seemed very difficult to hold down hard enough when the light is mounted on the bike. Flicking though the modes thus becomes a bit of a chore, not adding to road safety as you are looking for longer than is sensible at what's happening on the handlebar instead of on the road in front. It's even trickier during the daytime when you can't see the light shining on the road as a guide to which mode you are in.

As a general point I would rather have fewer modes that are quicker to scroll through than a welter of options. This light does have a memory mode, so if you have a favourite setting it will turn back on in that, until you change it. This helps reduce the amount of button-pushing required, but even so it wasn't an easy light to use on the road. Overdrive Race Mode cuts down your choices to just two, which can help – but you pay an extra £12 for it over the Hecto Drive 350XL.

Verdict

A good light, and Overdrive mode is useful, which may tempt you to splash out the extra £12 over the Hecto Drive 350XL