kj75
Enlightened
Recently a new bike light came out of Fenix factory: the BC30R. At first sight it looks like a rechargeable version of the earlier released BC30. But this one has an unique, new feature: an OLED screen that shows runtimes. So, let's see what this award-winner brings!
Fenix BC30R, bicycle light
powered by 2 XM-L2 (T6) LEDS, so a lot of output
quick attach and detach, handy for every-day-use
Let's start with some features (given by Fenix):
Features:
·Digital display of the remaining runtime and battery power
·Built-in 5200mAh/3.7V rechargeable battery with Micro-USB charging
·Utilizes two Cree XM-L2(T6)neutral white LEDs with better color rendition
·1600-lumen instant Burst activation with the remote pressure switch
·DUAL DISTANCE BEAM SYSTEM
·Five brightness levels and one flashing mode
·Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness
·Low power warning and intelligent output downshift function
·Plus/minus button switch design for easy and fast output selection
·Quick-release handlebar mount for easy, secure adjustment of the light's direction
·Made of aluminum alloy with excellent heat dissipation design
·Water resistant to IPX-6 standard
And the technical specs:
Unboxing:
The BC30R is delivered in a good quality carton box with a cover. I like this, because with boxes it's easier to store the light and this avoids that the carton will torn. Some nice prints and the specifications are mentioned at the box. Inside the box, foam protects the light and the accessories for damage. So nothing to complain about: this box is ok!
I would like this kind of boxes would be standard..
well protected, and easy to put back when longer time not used
inside: light, spare-parts, bike mount, charging cable, remote control and some cards/leaflets
Impressions:
First impression after unboxing: A real Fenix! That means for me: Solid, perfect finished and anodized and high quality material used. Because of the flat shape, it's possible to use this light as a flashlight too: also easy to hide in your pocket. The light is made of metal / aluminum, except the cover that's made of plastic. The leds are perfectly centered. Cooling fins on its side and on the back should protect the BC30R of overheating. Engraving is well done. The print at the "soft-touch" buttons is hardly to read: Maybe Fenix could improve this by giving this prints a black color. To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, Fenix had added a kind of "lamellae" at the lenses' tops. Also all other parts, like the remote controller, bike mount and usb-cable are well made. Summarized: Build quality and finishing are excellent! Please scroll down for more impressions, told by pictures and text…
BC30R, a flat shaped bikelight
cooling fins at the side and the back
well-centered XM-L2 T6 neutral white LEDS
compact, easy in the hand….
therefore also suitable as a flashlight
mind to remove this "screen-protector"
delivered with stable mounting system
easy and handy, suitable for all kinds of bikes
the cover is made of plastic
a quality usb-cable is included
perfectly built and finished
a firm press is needed to insert the charging-cable
special designed reflectors and a close up to the domes
the screen starts up by showing the Fenix-logo
BC30R won already a golden ISPO award, that Fenix is proud of..
easy to read, easy to locate in the dark: the screen and the buttons
impressive: 1600 lumens coming out of a bikelight…
lamellae protect again blinding oncoming traffic
hard to read: the marks at the buttons
easy to locate in darkness: thanks to the glow-in-the-dark feature
very easy: mounting the holder
attach the BC30R
and detach it in a few seconds
fix the remote controller in some seconds too
ready to go within a minute!
adjustable when attached
up to 30 degrees
handy: can be feeded by a power bank: Fenix HP30 / HP40 power source used here
eco mode can be activated during charging: never running out of power!
a short press at the square button tells you about battery condition
display tells about actual runtimes at selected mode
countdown while using burst: up to max. 20 seconds, depending at battery condition
the light has also slow flash, shown at the screen too
User interface:
The BC30R has a micro-usb port: I think almost everyone has some micro-usb chargers, so this light can be charged almost everytime and everywhere. During charging, the green button-backlight will flash and the battery indicator on the OLED-screen will inform about the progress. When full, the backlight will light up constant and, of course, the indicator tells you the cell is fully loaded.
Three buttons can be found on the light: The upper has a flash-icon, the dual lower button has a + and – icon. (While illuminated, it's hard to read this icons). Press the upper / flash button (about 1 second) to turn on and off, and cycle through the modes with + and -. Nice fact that you can cycle up and down: For me, this is my first Fenix that offers this nice feature! Burst-mode can only be activated by the remote switch and works both when the light is off or on. Double-press to flash button to activate slow-flashing mode. A short press at the flash button will show (very short) actual battery voltage at the screen. Overall, a thought-out interface, easy to work with, and well-suited for cyclers.
Modes:
The BC30R has totally 6 modes: four constant modes, starting with ECO > LOW > MED > HIGH. The TURBO-mode is a burst, you can use it for signaling or up to 20 seconds, depending on the battery voltage. The 6th mode is a (rather slow) flash. Mode spacing is good, but personally, I miss a lower mode. A lower mode would give longer runtime and in some situations, you could use as a kind of "safety-mode": Clearly visible while standing or waiting along the way.
Size comparison:
Because this is my first quality bikelight, I can't show it compared to some competitors. But to show its (compact) dimensions, some pictures side by side to the well-known TK35UE and the headlamp HP30, that can be used during cycling too.
Fenix TK35UE, Fenix BC30R and Fenix HP30
MT-G2, XM-L2 (T6) and XM-L2(U2)
Tint:
As, expected, BC30R has a neutral / warm tint. Especially at lower modes, it seems warmer than in real life. Scroll down for wallshots at higher modes to see what I mean. I've compared the tint (at low mode) to the Fenix HP30 with XM-L2(U2) and the Fenix TK35UE with MT-G2.
Beamprofile:
The BC30R gives a usable beam. Like most Fenix lights, it has a big spot and also decent throw. Because there isn't a clear transition between corona and spill the BC30R will light up a large area. Please scroll down for outdoor beamshots that show the beam.
Beamshots:
At first, the BC30R projected at a white wall. Distance to the wall about 1 meter.
camera settings: ISO 100, WB daylight, F/2.7, 1/125 sec, 35mm
animated picture
And now going outdoors…Of course, the BC30R mounted on a bike. Also a comparison to the TK35UE (almost the same lumen class) and the headlamp HP30.
camera settings: ISO 100, WB daylight, F/2.7, 1/125 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture
BC30R against TK35UE
BC30R against HP30
Conclusion:
Fenix had made a thought-out and high quality bike light. The BC30R can be attached on every bike, charged almost everywhere, thanks to the micro-usb-port. It can be used during charging, has well-spaced modes, including a flashing-mode and nice beam with a good tint. For most users, the lower modes will be enough to illuminate your path. Higher modes are real impressive for a bike light, and I use the burst mode often for signaling. Funny to see your oncoming expecting a motor bike or a car….and it's a bike with a BC30R J Things I would like to see in future: A better low mode (that can be used for safety during parking), and better marks at the buttons. And I'm waiting for the first Fenix backlight too…
Thanks to Fenixlight and local dealer knivesandtools for providing me this sample!
Fenix BC30R, bicycle light
powered by 2 XM-L2 (T6) LEDS, so a lot of output
quick attach and detach, handy for every-day-use
Let's start with some features (given by Fenix):
Features:
·Digital display of the remaining runtime and battery power
·Built-in 5200mAh/3.7V rechargeable battery with Micro-USB charging
·Utilizes two Cree XM-L2(T6)neutral white LEDs with better color rendition
·1600-lumen instant Burst activation with the remote pressure switch
·DUAL DISTANCE BEAM SYSTEM
·Five brightness levels and one flashing mode
·Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness
·Low power warning and intelligent output downshift function
·Plus/minus button switch design for easy and fast output selection
·Quick-release handlebar mount for easy, secure adjustment of the light's direction
·Made of aluminum alloy with excellent heat dissipation design
·Water resistant to IPX-6 standard
And the technical specs:
Unboxing:
The BC30R is delivered in a good quality carton box with a cover. I like this, because with boxes it's easier to store the light and this avoids that the carton will torn. Some nice prints and the specifications are mentioned at the box. Inside the box, foam protects the light and the accessories for damage. So nothing to complain about: this box is ok!
I would like this kind of boxes would be standard..
well protected, and easy to put back when longer time not used
inside: light, spare-parts, bike mount, charging cable, remote control and some cards/leaflets
Impressions:
First impression after unboxing: A real Fenix! That means for me: Solid, perfect finished and anodized and high quality material used. Because of the flat shape, it's possible to use this light as a flashlight too: also easy to hide in your pocket. The light is made of metal / aluminum, except the cover that's made of plastic. The leds are perfectly centered. Cooling fins on its side and on the back should protect the BC30R of overheating. Engraving is well done. The print at the "soft-touch" buttons is hardly to read: Maybe Fenix could improve this by giving this prints a black color. To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, Fenix had added a kind of "lamellae" at the lenses' tops. Also all other parts, like the remote controller, bike mount and usb-cable are well made. Summarized: Build quality and finishing are excellent! Please scroll down for more impressions, told by pictures and text…
BC30R, a flat shaped bikelight
cooling fins at the side and the back
well-centered XM-L2 T6 neutral white LEDS
compact, easy in the hand….
therefore also suitable as a flashlight
mind to remove this "screen-protector"
delivered with stable mounting system
easy and handy, suitable for all kinds of bikes
the cover is made of plastic
a quality usb-cable is included
perfectly built and finished
a firm press is needed to insert the charging-cable
special designed reflectors and a close up to the domes
the screen starts up by showing the Fenix-logo
BC30R won already a golden ISPO award, that Fenix is proud of..
easy to read, easy to locate in the dark: the screen and the buttons
impressive: 1600 lumens coming out of a bikelight…
lamellae protect again blinding oncoming traffic
hard to read: the marks at the buttons
easy to locate in darkness: thanks to the glow-in-the-dark feature
very easy: mounting the holder
attach the BC30R
and detach it in a few seconds
fix the remote controller in some seconds too
ready to go within a minute!
adjustable when attached
up to 30 degrees
handy: can be feeded by a power bank: Fenix HP30 / HP40 power source used here
eco mode can be activated during charging: never running out of power!
a short press at the square button tells you about battery condition
display tells about actual runtimes at selected mode
countdown while using burst: up to max. 20 seconds, depending at battery condition
the light has also slow flash, shown at the screen too
User interface:
The BC30R has a micro-usb port: I think almost everyone has some micro-usb chargers, so this light can be charged almost everytime and everywhere. During charging, the green button-backlight will flash and the battery indicator on the OLED-screen will inform about the progress. When full, the backlight will light up constant and, of course, the indicator tells you the cell is fully loaded.
Three buttons can be found on the light: The upper has a flash-icon, the dual lower button has a + and – icon. (While illuminated, it's hard to read this icons). Press the upper / flash button (about 1 second) to turn on and off, and cycle through the modes with + and -. Nice fact that you can cycle up and down: For me, this is my first Fenix that offers this nice feature! Burst-mode can only be activated by the remote switch and works both when the light is off or on. Double-press to flash button to activate slow-flashing mode. A short press at the flash button will show (very short) actual battery voltage at the screen. Overall, a thought-out interface, easy to work with, and well-suited for cyclers.
Modes:
The BC30R has totally 6 modes: four constant modes, starting with ECO > LOW > MED > HIGH. The TURBO-mode is a burst, you can use it for signaling or up to 20 seconds, depending on the battery voltage. The 6th mode is a (rather slow) flash. Mode spacing is good, but personally, I miss a lower mode. A lower mode would give longer runtime and in some situations, you could use as a kind of "safety-mode": Clearly visible while standing or waiting along the way.
Size comparison:
Because this is my first quality bikelight, I can't show it compared to some competitors. But to show its (compact) dimensions, some pictures side by side to the well-known TK35UE and the headlamp HP30, that can be used during cycling too.
Fenix TK35UE, Fenix BC30R and Fenix HP30
MT-G2, XM-L2 (T6) and XM-L2(U2)
Tint:
As, expected, BC30R has a neutral / warm tint. Especially at lower modes, it seems warmer than in real life. Scroll down for wallshots at higher modes to see what I mean. I've compared the tint (at low mode) to the Fenix HP30 with XM-L2(U2) and the Fenix TK35UE with MT-G2.
Beamprofile:
The BC30R gives a usable beam. Like most Fenix lights, it has a big spot and also decent throw. Because there isn't a clear transition between corona and spill the BC30R will light up a large area. Please scroll down for outdoor beamshots that show the beam.
Beamshots:
At first, the BC30R projected at a white wall. Distance to the wall about 1 meter.
camera settings: ISO 100, WB daylight, F/2.7, 1/125 sec, 35mm
animated picture
And now going outdoors…Of course, the BC30R mounted on a bike. Also a comparison to the TK35UE (almost the same lumen class) and the headlamp HP30.
camera settings: ISO 100, WB daylight, F/2.7, 1/125 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture
BC30R against TK35UE
BC30R against HP30
Conclusion:
Fenix had made a thought-out and high quality bike light. The BC30R can be attached on every bike, charged almost everywhere, thanks to the micro-usb-port. It can be used during charging, has well-spaced modes, including a flashing-mode and nice beam with a good tint. For most users, the lower modes will be enough to illuminate your path. Higher modes are real impressive for a bike light, and I use the burst mode often for signaling. Funny to see your oncoming expecting a motor bike or a car….and it's a bike with a BC30R J Things I would like to see in future: A better low mode (that can be used for safety during parking), and better marks at the buttons. And I'm waiting for the first Fenix backlight too…
Thanks to Fenixlight and local dealer knivesandtools for providing me this sample!
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