Written by Duncan Moore
Easy to use, compact and powerful front light
Price: £2.79
What they say: B’TWIN has created the B’VISIBLE label for products that improve your visibility while cycling. Greatly improving the visibility of cyclists, whether day or night.
What it is: The B’TWIN VIOO LED front light is the simplest front light I’ve ever used, it is also the cheapest, and yet despite that it is extremely bright too.
The simplicity of the VIOO comes from the fact that to mount it to the bike requires no tools. There’re no Velcro straps to mess about with or fabric straps and friction buckles, nor are there brackets that get left on the bike. Mounting the light is simply a case of wrapping the integrated SEBS-elastomer strap around the handlebars, or wherever you want to mount the light, and then pulling the loop up and over the top of the light itself. It is such a simple method that I’m wondering why I’ve never seen anything like it before. It also means the VIOO can be easily be mounted on a helmet as an auxiliary light.
Once in place, there’s the choice of having the two bright white LEDs operating in flashing or continuous mode. Whichever, option you choose there’s no denying that they are bright. B’TWIN claim the LEDs produce a seven metre beam and are visible from 300 metres. Even better is the claimed battery life of 32 hours in continuous mode and 44 hours for flashing. When the two CR032 batteries do give out swapping them out is even easier than mounting the light. All you have to do is pull the strap away from the battery holder.
Who is it good for: For commuting on well-lit streets I’d be happy use the VIOO as my only light at the front, for riding longer rides on mixed roads, I’d run it with a regular halogen light so that I could see where I’m going. Helmet mounted, it’s light enough to be unnoticeable, and in flashing mode it certainly gets drivers attention.
Contact: www.decathlon.co.uk