Cygolite Hotshot

Cygolite Hotshot 2W USB-rechargable bike taillight. These are a really good value: a $40 taillight with power rivalling a DiNotte, at the size and weight of a SuperFlash. The speed of the flashing modes can be adjusted, and the brightness of the steady-burn mode is also adjustable. So if your commute involves both roads and MUP, you can set the steady mode fairly low for MUP, and still have the flashing modes at full power for the road.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• bike
• Cygolite
• Hotshot
• light

[420waltliquor]

How's the set post mount holding up? I heard it was made of cheap plastic.

[mechBgon]

@420waltliquor

The mounts are OK. Their main problem is that the nut isn't embedded in the plastic, so the nut can get lost easily when you're installing/removing the light. If there's a weak part, it might be the clip on the rear of the light. When I'm using a Hotshot on my hardtail mountain bike, I use a small rubber band around the bottom of the light to keep it snug against the mount so it doesn't flex the clip and possibly break it in cold weather.

[matteogd]

@mechBgon cool! I'll get the Hotshot from my local store, as well as the CygoLite ExpiliOn 400 (from what I read it's the best head light available without an external battery pack)

[mechBgon]

@matteogd

I'm over in the Pacific Northwest, but your local shop should have no problem getting one for you. The Mars 4 isn't bad either, although changing the batteries requires dealing with tiny screws. One of the Hotshot's benefits is that it has good runtime and is rechargable, whereas the 1-watt AAA-powered lights tend to run out of power rather early, compared to the very long runtimes of a 1/2-watt SuperFlash for example.

[matteogd]

@mechBgon thanks, I guess I don't even need to ask you about the Blackburn Mars 4.0.

If your shop is in NYC I'll buy it from you

[mechBgon]

@matteogd

Of those three, the Radbot 1000 has the widest "hot spot." I judge the Cygolite and the SuperFlash Turbo to be about equal in spread, the Cygolite is just far brighter. In practice, I'd recommend the Hotshot; anyone close enough for the wider beam to matter is going to have a difficult time overlooking the Hotshot. Trying to cross exits on a 60mph highway is where I count on my taillights to "put me on the radar" from as far away as possible, the Hotshot's good for that.

[matteogd]

@mechBgon do you know if other comparable tail lights (e.g. Superflash Turbo, Radbot 1000) have a better viewing angle?

[JacobDPeterson1]

Thanks for the advice. I found it for sale online at Modern Bike.

[mechBgon]

@JacobDPeterson1

I bought it from one of our distributors (I work at a bike shop). They should be widely available very soon, I see they're on Amazon.com now.

Anyone buying one, MAKE SURE you aim it straight and level, because the beam has a tight focus and you don't want it aiming in a useless direction, like sagging off a nylon strap and aimed at the ground.

[JacobDPeterson1]

cool light. Where did you get it?