Is This The End For Your Old Boring Tail Light? - The Magene L308 Smart Rear Light

[@Hambini]

I saw one of these at my local dogging site last week.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Why were you there?…… Does your hairdresser know?

[@JWNRW59]

“If you can read this scrolling text you are too close to my bike” 😂😂😂

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

They'd need to be bloomin close, it's only about 15mm high 🤣

[@pierreheim4695]

... and been too damn close for toooo long 😅

[@stevebarnes9345]

I am not sure I want a vehicle distracted looking at me -veering towards me to read a quip. But thank you for a thorough review... and I enjoy your spirit!!!!!

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Fair point 👍

[@Velokotique]

The less extra features - the less chances that something will fail. I already had a "smart" tail light that had random failures at random times - very not cool at night to suddenly discover that you are not seen by drivers. Currently switched to the most basic light that can be.

[@deDANIEL11609]

which one

[@bumblebee4520]

Tried a lot of tail lights. I ended up with Cat eye omni 5 with Eneloop rechargeable AAs. Riding everynight for 2 hours, i only charge it once a month, i never drained the battery i just charge it when i feel that i need to recharge. I have never experienced running out of battery during a night ride.

[@TimR123]

I've had one for a couple of months. It is a fun and surprisingly effective light. I agree that the scroller would be more interesting if it were faster. The only thing I'd caution a user is to pay attention to the battery level. It lasts plenty long. But if your bike sits for a week or more in standby (light off but motion sensor waiting) it will drain it. Not a problem just worth actively turning it off if you don't think you'll be riding that bike in the next day or two

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

It's a good point you make, Tim. I have other products on test with a similar feature, and they've caught me out.

[@deDANIEL11609]

@@ribblevalleycyclisthow often would i need to charge it

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Tail light is vital when road cycling. I'm astonished by how many don't use one!

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

So am I.

[@Robutube1]

I do EVERY ride with both front and rear lights on - I can't see the argument for NOT doing so.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@@Robutube1 Me too. I also think the German bike light standard StVZO is remiss for disallowing flashing light.

[@Robutube1]

@@user-cx2bk6pm2f I didn't know that and I am firmly of the opinion (as it seems you are too) that flashing lights make you more visible.

[@rct8884]

If Magene gets it to work with Gamin then I would try it out. Right now I am using the Bontrager lights for their integration with Garmin and won't change this set up until others do the same.

[@deDANIEL11609]

can we pair it with garmin or not?

[@marksondag2085]

I'm at the point in my life where if a product requires me to load an app on my phone, I don't want it. Simplify man! Good video though, thanks.

[@ZenEndurance]

Rear radar is crucial. Everything else is just a backup.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Depends on where you ride. I've only been using it for a year, because I need it now. I was once lucky enough to live in a place where you didn't need it.

[@sonyvaioboy]

Gimmick if you ask me. A younger me would like this as I would put some silly text on there. I am surprised the Vodafone Curve bike light and tracker doesn’t get more press. Same principle with the brake light.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I must admit, I didn't even know the Vodafone Curve light even existed. I'll go look it up. Thanks 👍

[@aveedub7403]

Hi Jon, another good little video. I think the Magene tail light is a good little gadget, but as others have alluded to, the lesser brained drivers on the roads would probably run you down trying to read the message! Apart from that i think its ok. Couldnt get one off Amazon etc so bought the Rockbros version off Aliexpress for half the price, and if it has image facility I won't be using that. 😁 keep up the interesting content.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Hi Aveedub, Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. To be honest, the text is so small, I think a car driver would need to be almost on top of you in the first place to realise there is a message on your light. Suspect Magene has aimed it to be read by other riders. Let us know how you get on with the Rockbros version. 👍

[@Robutube1]

I'm not sure if it is a function/foul up of KZbin or not, but I wonder if the gap between this post and your last one was of a length that auto-disabled my notifications? Anyway, the good news is that I thought "I haven't heard from RVC in a bit" so I searched and found this post. At £30 I think you're getting a lot of light for the money and, outside of the USP/gimmick the battery life (and current charge status) are both attractive features.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Hi Robutube1, I've only done eight videos this year, as my spare time is taken up with renovating my old house, trying to ride my bike, and just doing those things we all do when we get a spare five minutes. Because of this, sometimes my KZbin output suffers. Also, there are a lot of channels that I follow that don't appear in my feed any more, suspect it's down to the type of content I'm watching at that time. I agree with you completely. A good little light for the money, that'll also be a bit of fun on those club rides. A lot of people have said motorists will try and read it, and end up running you over....... not the case, the test is too small for them to notice it.

[@What-a-kerfuffle-1]

Another great video. Thank you

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joecondron2131]

Think I will stick to my Exposure Blaze light.

[@Robutube1]

Different price point altogether. If Magene attracts more people to ride with lights because of this product, then I'm all for it.

[@zipzap7165]

great vid! this is my favorite musical instrument!

[@illused]

Cool I'm still unsure how is gonna go on straight with that angled bracket but I might figure it out if I get to the race in time tomorrow

[@mikekelly7340]

Would be nice if they make a light that tells you your remaining battery life when riding, i have been ridding in the dark and my light went off didn't know

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I also use an old Garmin radar light. It does this. You can pick them up relatively cheaply on the second hand market.

[@dogbreath6974]

My brother has a CatEye rear light running at 30 lm flash, in summer midday I could see it at over 60 meters ahead of me, the light goes up to 300 lm, which is bonkers, riding close behind him is distracting. I run my Lezyne at 10 lm and that is distracting close up, it has a 250 lm daylight flash which is just too bright (for vehicles or cyclists behind me) so I don't use it. This light (Megene) at 30 lm should be more than enough unless the stated lm count is wrong, the braking feature is good, although i've seen this on other lights. Would be nice to see a front light review as well. Good video, look forward to your next one.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

It's a good point you make. I think some cyclists don't consider others when choosing lights, and think that the more powerful the light, the safer they are. If it's blinding, a motorist will want to get past you as quickly as possible, and that may involve them taking a risk.

[@heidisausage]

Magene are very good at updating their lights through the app. Much better than Garmin etc.

[@deDANIEL11609]

Can we pair it with our garmins?

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Afraid not.

[@deDANIEL11609]

@@ribblevalleycyclistbut the l508 we can?

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

@deDANIEL11609 Yes.

[@MrYAMAHA32177]

Charging cable sold separately.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Good point, didn’t think of that 👆

[@deDANIEL11609]

who does not own a cable ?

[@coverstem]

i want rear light with cup of coffee ☕️ 😂😂😂

[@therainbowgulag.]

Everything that's wrong with cycling. It'll be the ride itself bike next.

[@PeterGorrill]

Safety first so the best feature to my mind is that it works as a brake light. The rest is fluff tbh! (bah humbug...)

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

I think the battery level display trumps the brake light feature. Otherwise agree.

[@ArdGeal]

Still prefer the simplicity of Trace lights, pity Exposure have issues with the front bracket being way too tight and/or crap plastic as they constantly break.... I want an LED hi viz jacket you can program...something like "I don't want to die"....

[@GanjaCityStudio]

You failed to talk about battery life 😢

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I think you'll need to use a light for months before you can truly pass an opinion on that. It seems pretty good though, although I suspect the standby mode may drain it.

[@GanjaCityStudio]

@@ribblevalleycyclist I’m sure on the box it says how long the light is expected to last for

[@deDANIEL11609]

@@GanjaCityStudiobut this is not always accurate

[@GanjaCityStudio]

@@deDANIEL11609 I agree it’s not but it’s a good indication for those of us watching

[@adrianwindo]

Rear lights need a radar

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Depends where you live. When I lived in Lancashire, I thought they were a novelty. Now I live in Staffordshire, they’re a necessity

[@deDANIEL11609]

@@ribblevalleycyclistwhich one is good? My old varia got stolen

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

@deDANIEL11609 The Garmin one is good, even the old version is accurate, so a worthwhile second hand purchase. The iGPSPORT one is not as accurate as Garmin. Not tried the Magene.

[@deDANIEL11609]

@@ribblevalleycyclistwould like to get USB c and smth with Light and radar ombined

[@stephencharles6932]

Varia Radar cannot be beaten (65 lumens too when flashing)

[@neilbuckley5796]

100% this. Only rear light I’ll use.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Agreed, the Garmin Varia is a superior product, and I use one on a regular basis. But the RTL515 has an RRP of £169.99, which is a lot more, in comparison.

[@jhoff80]

Magene has a radar taillight that is nearly indistinguishable from a Garmin in use. Only difference is the Magene version has a USB-C port which you need the Garmin camera version to get.

[@deDANIEL11609]

@@jhoff80the one for 140 ?

[@jhoff80]

@@deDANIEL11609 Magene has the L508 radar taillight. Honestly not sure how much they're charging now, I imported it from China before it was available here.

[@tconnolly9820]

How do you make a roadie want something completely useless? Make it slightly smaller with a load of useless features and twice as expensive as something twice as good. And what, 40 grammes or something? Only roadies could give a sh1t about that. I'm not a roadie but I call useless bullsh1t. I have two 200 lumen taillights on my bike. At least 9 hours battery, twice as big as that featured light and around €7 for two from AliExpress. Best lights I've ever had and I always carry two more spares just in case. And seriously, I'd need to be about 3 feet from your back wheel in my car to read that text. And that alone makes that piece of nonsense too dangerous to use. Whoever made them knows my description of roadies above and is banking on their compulsive magpie traits. And whoever is selling them........ I give up, it's just too stupid. I saw the thumbnail description and just had to look. 100% false statement. Despicable.

[@deDANIEL11609]

can you send the shop or name of the lights ?

[@tconnolly9820]

@@deDANIEL11609 Did you get my reply yesterday? I see it's been removed.

[@photooutdoor2574]

Nice toy !

[@markrushton1516]

Someone showed me an Olight Perun mini.that was v.versatile

[@bryanlittle494]

It’s a gimmick. I’ll stick with my Varia that actually provides me with valuable information while I’m riding.

[@johnboxxy3432]

So , a text message. I can just imagine a car 2 ft from my clacker trying to read it. Safety, not so much. I think I will spend my hard earned on something more practical, like beer.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

To be honest, the text is so small, I think a car would need to be almost on top of you in the first place to realise there is a message on your light. Suspect Magene has aimed it to be read by other riders. However, you're right, you should buy more beer 🍻

[@michaelmelki5431]

Funny gadget but not allowed in Germany 😢

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I think I read something about that..... Flashing not allowed?

[@detmer87]

Just get the Magene L508

[@deDANIEL11609]

its expensive?

[@detmer87]

@@deDANIEL11609 Instead of stupid/useless smilies it does have a radar that warns you about upcoming cars.

[@deDANIEL11609]

@@detmer87 true

[@sdanjohn]

30 lumens? Pretty dim. A novelty gimmick if you ask me….

[@JoseWSanchez777]

Battery life is terrible .. I got this for my wife and it pains me to see it not flashing after 3 hrs ..

[@nigelking2484]

Humm maybe drivers should be more focused on the road ahead of them..

[@howarddunn1495]

Has it got a radar? Nope so no thanks

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

What, for $34.99, don't be so silly!

[@ZenEndurance]

The perfect text - AYHSMB

[@mikebirkett010]

Mate, you have WAAAAYYYY too much time on your hands.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

If only it were true….. if only 😕

[@lafamillecarrington]

Rear lights are important, but programmable patterns really aren't. I won't be buying one.

[@StevenHaggis]

You're about 30 yrs out of date.

[@deDANIEL11609]

what u mean

[@David_a_journeyman_curmudgeon]

Shoot, I'm sold! This comment section 😂 sheesh what a bunch of curmudgeons! Great review!

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Great comment, David, made me properly chuckle 🤣

[@bicycle2250]

This thing is a JOKE. It's totally unneeded. Just get a red flashing light. If you pull your shorts down and sit on it, will it give you a rectal exam?

[@markrushton1516]

Too much time on your hands if you are faffing with this.

[@arcoulant87]

One more app no thanks.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Fair point!

[@Mazelcom]

Actually a VERY bad idea and product in my opinion. I want a light that warns and is seen, I don't want the drivers eyes on my bike, I want the car to avoid me, not aim at me, with the driver eye focused on my back (aka the target) . Bad idea in my opinion

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

All a driver will see is a red moving light. The text is so small (1.5cm), a car would need to be almost on top of you in the first place to realise there is a message on your light. Suspect Magene has aimed it to be read by other riders. Also, it's bright enough for a driver to see it.

[@pinarellocampagnolo3875]

Very nice going to try..thanks!!! @pinarellocampagnolo3875