Xeccon Link 150 front light

The Xeccon Link 150 is a nicely finished, four-mode front light for urban riding with, as the name indicates, a maximum output of 150 lumens. It feels brighter than the figures suggest and run-times are decent, but this is offset by the slow charging: five hours when fully depleted is what you'd expect of torch types capable of belting out between 600 and 900 lumens.

Behind the polycarbonate lens sits a CREE XP-E2 diode, circuitry, switchgear and rechargeable lithium cell. Measuring 67x31x22mm, it's pretty compact, so perfect for clutter-phobic cockpits/riders.

The outer shell is made from a nicely machined T6 6061 aluminium alloy which displaces heat, so diodes and other internals should lead long and productive lives. What's more, it meets IPX65 waterproofing standards, which is good if also unusual for a city light.

Mount

The Link attaches to the bike via a simple, removable 'bridge' and sturdy rubber doughnut ring. There's a choice of two sizes, one for bars between 22.5 and 26mm, and a biggie for 31.8mm oversized diameters. It's solid, secure and very simple. And if you do lose it, chances are you or your friendly local bike shop will have another floating around the spares drawer.

Switch & modes

The switch is a large, centre-mounted affair. Like most it also features a simple charge life/indicator that goes from green to blue to red. The positive action means it shouldn't accidentally engage, but hasn't felt remote in full-finger gloves.

Engagement is a one-press affair; shutting down requires a more definite, two-second press.

There are four modes in total. It defaults to low (steady) which, judging by others in my collection, seems around the 50-lumen mark. Press again for medium and again for high. Strobing – fast flash in my book – is found by pressing the switch for three seconds, and it has behaved impeccably: no shutting down instead of flashing, or flashing instead of shutting down.

Output/performance

Commuter lights have become much better across the board but I was particularly impressed by the 150's beam's purity. It's much better than some I've used boasting 350-400 lumens, the sort theoretically designed with semi-rural navigation in mind.

Through well-lit town centres, being seen is paramount – most traffic seemed to clock me at around 100m in the highest setting, dipping to around 70m and 50m in medium and low respectively.

Although there's not an official daylight mode, high and strobe do a decent job of burning through the early morning or late afternoon gloom.

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Attempts at helmet mounting proved futile, but otherwise there's enough bite, especially in the medium and high settings, for tackling roadside mechanicals or reading signs/maps.

Thanks to the shape of the lens, peripheral bleed is very good, and I've been pleasantly surprised by how conspicuous I've been when entering the flow of traffic. No surprise, flashing trumps them all in these contexts.

When I used the light to partner more powerful main systems or dynamos, friends and oncoming riders reckoned they could pick out the strobing beam at 350 metres. This dipped to 300m in murkier conditions such as you get on early September mornings/evenings (when it's just light enough to navigate but you need something to be seen with), and around 200m in town.

Low is great for dual-use paths, or when you need a steady setting while also conserving battery.

Run-times

Most lights are pretty faithful to quoted run-times, give or take a few minutes, and the Xeccon is no exception. I've returned 2hrs 43mins from a full charge, in the highest setting. Medium cruised to almost 6 hours, and flashing 9hrs 53mins. The battery is reckoned good for 300 charge cycles, around two or three years in hard use.

On the whole, it's pretty reasonable relative to output and battery size.

Charging

Charging is via the familiar USB charge plug round the back, hidden behind a very rubbery flap, and it takes around five hours (packet fresh, it needed 3.5, since it would have received a storage charge to protect the cell). Though fine at home or overnight, it doesn't make it the most convenient for charging at work, especially if such things are frowned upon.

The battery life indicator changes from green to blue, then slips to red when reserves hit 15%. This then pulses on and off as a warning. At this point it will not staircase down to flashing. In normal everyday circumstances, the likelihood of being plunged into darkness is pretty slim.

Value

At £21.99, the Link 150 compares well with 'be seen by' lights of similar output: the Magicshine MJ-890 front light has an RRP of £39.95, though is currently on sale for £19.94, while Fabric's very good FL150, now called the Lumanate, is £39.99.

Conclusion

As a town light or secondary compact system, the Link 150 has a lot to offer at a sensible price. Run-times are pretty competitive and mitigate the relatively pedestrian charge time. That said, depending on workplace politic, this may be a deal-breaker for less disciplined, desk-bound commuters.

Verdict

Nice compact light with a decent build and performance, but pedestrian charge times