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Cateye EL-530 Headlight review
- Price Paid:$40.00
-
User rating:(4.3)
- Would buy again from this company: Yes
- Used product for: 2 years
- # of logged workouts:
"For the money, a great light. A tad heavy (uses 4AAs) compared to those tiny lights that use 2AAAs, bu this light lets you see, the small lights only let others see you."danimal123
Ease of use
One switch (on/off) and one clamp-lock is all you have to deal with. Battery changing is easy, unless its at night, raining and you don't have a headlamp...in which case you better hope you've practiced it a home and can do it with your eyes shut.
Quality of Construction
Almost bombproof. Resists rain and wrecks. The only time I ever had one fail was when I took it off it's clamp and tried to put it in my jersey pocket, I dropped it on the road doing about 21mph...it didn't make it.
Fit
New clamp (upgraded from the one that came with the EL-500s) fits a wide diameter of bars. I would've liked some ability to turn the clamp 90 degrees, but that's all.
Comfort
Don't wear it!
Adjustability
Only one beam strength, but the clamp is very adjustable.
Durability
Very durable (see above).
Value
For $40, it lasts a long time and provides a lot of light. Good for commuters and overnight riders on a budget.
Appearance
Looks like a light....nothing fancy.
Customer Service
Never had to deal w/ Cateye.
Performance
Two of the older models (EL-500s) served me for years on overnight rides up to 1200K in challenging conditions. The 530s are every bit as good, only brighter and the same weight. If you do a lot of overnight rides, get two. If you have a ride that may start an hour or so before/after the sun rises/sets, one is fine.
Strengths
Bright, cheap, adjustable, bombproof.
Weakness
Clamp won't rotate like some lights' clamps.
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Ease of installation
Conceptually very easy to install, but there's a fine point on the clamp between being too tight and too loose (where it moves around too much). Takes a bit of fiddling to dial in, but once it's dialed in, it's good.