New from Montery CA’s Light & Motion is the Vis180 Micro taillight, the little brother to the standard Vis180 that debuted last year. Like the original, the new Micro is a USB-rechargeable light (includes micro-USB plug) that has multiple flash modes plus constant and side amber beacons to enhance rider safety for 180 degrees. Both lights use tool-less mounts or can be hung on clothing or loop straps instead. However, the Micro is much smaller and lighter than the previous (partially due to a plastic construction rather than the original’s burly alloy casing), as well as half the price ($49 vs $99 retail). The Vis180 Micro is plenty bright though.
My favourite feature of the Micro is the adaptability of the mount, since it easily accommodates various tubing diameters and adjusts for different angles, such as when I use it on my TCR’s ISP. The button is fairly distinct even to glove-enshrouded fingers, so I can easily turn on the light while blindly reaching behind me. The cover to the charging port seems a little sturdier than the original’s too. The overall plastic construction doesn’t seem as robust as the bigger taillight, but it stacks up well against competitors in it’s size and cost class. Of course, it’s L&M product, and the company enjoys a reputation for standing behind their goods.
The Vis180 Micro is also available in a combo with either the Urban550 ($199) or Urban200 ($149) rechargeable headlights. Those headlights boost the lumen outputs from last year’s versions (550 lumens from 500 and 200 lumens from 180, respectively); they’re also available without the taillight for $159 and $99. I’ve been using the older Urban180 for about 8 months, and I love the small size (it’s smaller than a Planet Bike 1W but much brighter). I’ve also recently been using this year’s middle-level Urban400 headlight (up from last year’s 300 lumens but just $129) with the Micro taillight, though the 400 is not available as a combo with that taillight. There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said about the Urban headlights….they’re reliable, cost-effective, convenient. For most commuters with shorter distances on decent city streets, these lights will be ideal.
Light & Motion are also introducing TAZ800 and Taz1200 headlights, commuters headlights that take the features of the Urban series but give them the power of the Seca-series performance lights. I’ll be reviewing that light in the coming weeks.
More pix after the jump…..
Side amber lights from the Urban headlight and Vis180 Micro taillight
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