Lights

Gloworm X2 lights review

We have featured a lot of lights on Bike Magic in recent times, and the Gloworm X2 is definitely up there with the best of them. The twin-Cree set-up is compact and light, simple to mount to either helmet or handlebars, it has a broad spread of light and its 1200 lumens output is enough on its own without the need for a supplementary light.

Fitting the light

We used the Gloworm X2 in both its helmet and handlebar mounted guises, both of which were incredibly easy to set up and completely self-explanatory.

To mount the light to handlebars, a simple rubber ring stretches around the bars in the same fashion that we have seen other brands use with varying degrees of success. The X2 has no issues though, it’s light enough to be held firmly in place and we haven’t encountered any problems with the light wobbling/slipping even on fast, rough trails.

The light is tiny but very bright. As it is so light, there is no problem of it slipping when attached to the bars, even with only a simple rubber o-ring attachment.

To mount the X2 to a helmet, a small bracket is supplied which is strapped through the helmet’s vents. The light then attaches to the bracket via an allen-key and small pivot – making it easy to adjust the pitch.

Whether you prefer to use the X2 as a helmet light (as it is so light, we would recommend this option) or mounted on the handlebars, you will find installation incredibly simple.

The battery

The battery pack is slightly cumbersome, it has to be said, and not the lightest we’ve tested. However, just as fitting the light itself is simple and self-explanatory, the battery pack easily straps to either the top-tube of the bike (or any space you can find on the bike), the back of your helmet, or it can be stored in a back-pack.

With the relatively heavy weight, we wouldn’t consider attaching the battery to our helmets, but there is an extra long supply of cable so it isn’t a problem at all to pop it in the back-pack. Strapping the battery to the bike for the handlebar mounted option is quick, simple and it stays in place on most bikes – just remember that some quirky/carbon frames aren’t going to be as easy to fit it to as a square-tubed one.

There are four LED indicators on the battery (100%, 80%, 40% and 20%) so you always know roughly how much charge is remaining. Run time at full power is cited as 2.5 hours and we don’t doubt it – we’ve used the X2 for multiple rides and commutes in and out of work and had no problems with charge.

In use

We rode with the X2 on a variety of singletrack, fire-road and road. There were high speeds, low speeds and occasionally no speeds (with the odd mud-related-incident..). The light throws a broad spread of light, enough to see all the boars peering out of the trees around the Forest of Dean (alright, we probably didn’t see any boars, but they are there! Maybe the X2 scared them off).

Not taking our own advice… Using the X2 on your helmet is recommended simply because it weighs so little and the provided mounting bracket is easily adjusted for different tilt.

We used the light as it is supplied (one spot and one flood lens), although the system does come with one spare lens so you have the option of changing one of the twin lights’ lenses for a second spot, quite a nifty feature allowing you to tailor the light to your own riding.

Other features

The X2 really is a well thought-out light. In the supplied hard-case pack that comes with the light, a clearly written manual gives instruction on how to set the light in any of four different programs – Adventure, Trail, Bush or Commuter. These programs change the brightness of the light in its four operation modes (Dim, Medium, High, Special). With the pre-set Trail mode (advised for mountain biking), the ‘Special’ mode is a super-low 100 lumens output, perfect for saving juice on the uphills.

The Gloworm X2 lights come with a neat hard-case to keep them stored in, and spare velcro pads (to stop the remote on/off switch flapping around), extra cable and a spare lens are very handy.

There is also a remote switch, supplied with small Velcro pads to stop it flapping around, plus some spare bolts (that attach the light to helmet mount) and a spare rubber o-ring. All nice touches.

Verdict

Lightweight, compact, user-friendly and the price won’t break the bank. We’d recommend this as a helmet light with battery in your backpack.

Pros

Lightweight head
Very easy to fit
Broad spread of light

Cons

Battery is a little heavy

Weight: Light-head 80grams, total unit 280grams.
Price: £165.00 (but they are currently on offer through the distributor at £150.00)
More information: Gloworm X2
UK supplier: CRG Moto

Waterproof test:

What Gloworm says about the X2 light:

Specification

Over 1200 Lumens (real, not theoretical and if anything is understated)
IMT (Intelligent Mode Technology) technology
280g total system weight with battery pack
Waterproof to IP67
5.8 AH Lithium Ion Hard Case Battery with Panasonic cells
2 x Cree XML U2 LED emitters
2 Lens system (Spot lens and flood lens)
2.5hr runtime on Boost power
4hr battery charge
Remote switch

The X2 is delivered in a hard-shell carry case. The contents of the case are:

Lithium Ion Battery Smart Charger
Extension Cable
Light Head
Alloy Helmet Mount
Alloy Bar Mount
Mounting O-rings
Li-ion Battery 5.8Ah (sealed case) using Panasonic Li-ion cells

Additional Functions:

Battery mounted power monitor
Light will flash to warn of critical battery level
IMT Technology
Overheat Protection

MT (Intelligent Mode Technology) Programmes:

Trail – Optimum settings for mountain biking
Commute – Preset levels to suit road cycling
Adventure – Suited to adventure racing and trail running
Bush – Settings optimized for hiking and trekking