Talking Points – Fenix BC30 V2.0 (Bike Light)
Photography Ambassador Justin J.
Philosophy of Use
• Commuting to work or recreational use on and off road.
• Intense trail racing/mountain biking.
Size/Weight
• Length: 4.7” (120mm)
Width: 2.0” (50.5mm)
• 5.4 oz (154g) excluding battery and mount
• Being this light will sit on the handlebars, size and weight is a non-issue. That being said, I’ve found this bike light to also be perfect as a backup light for camping. The batteries last a long time and it actually is slim enough to slide in and out of a pocket with ease.
LED/Lumens
• 2 LUMINUS SST-40-N5 LEDs, with a lifespan of 50,000 hours.
• Burst – 2200 Lumens
• High – 1500 Lumens
• Medium – 600 Lumens
• Low – 200 Lumens
• Eco – 50 Lumens
• The light output modes are set to very usable levels as they are very distinguishable from one another. My sweet spot is the medium level. I can see everything I need to see and still have plenty of battery life to ride for about 5 hours.
Beam Distance
• 614ft (187m) on burst
• For a bike light this is amazing. There is a wall of light that is cast out in front of you to where you can see everything that’s important while riding a bike. You really don’t need to see half a mile away with this light. That’s what a traditional flashlight is built for. Carry a Fenix PD36R in your pack and you’re covered on all areas.
Functionality
• On/Off
Press and hold the functional switch for 0.5s to turn on/off the light.
• Output Selection
With the light switched on, single click the functional switch to cycle through EDC/Eco, Low, Med, High.
• Instant Burst
With the light switched on, single click burst switch to enter Burst mode of 2200 lumens, which will last up to 30s. In 30s, single click any switch to exit Burst mode.
• Easy to use and I love the wireless mode switch as there are no cables to worry about getting in the way.
Battery/Accessories
• Two 18650 Li-ion batteries or four CR123As (batteries not included)
• Bicycle mount, wireless switch, CR1632 button battery, bicycle mounting shim (thin/thick), spare O-ring
• Pick up some of the Fenix batteries as they work the best out of all the batteries I’ve tried on the market. Get a few spares in case you find yourself riding further than you thought. I always carry two extra 18650 batteries in case of an emergency.
Durability/Reliability
• Reliable all-metal heat fin; IP67 rated protection.
• I’ve got caught twice in the rain riding on the trails and had zero issues with the water. On one ride I was the third rider back and it began to pour rain. The rider in front of me had a rooster tail of mud and water that was coming back on me and not once did the light have any issues keeping up. Cleanup was easy. When I got home, I unclipped the mount and hosed the entire unit off with the water hose.
Value
• $89.95
• If you’re a new member you can receive 20% off your first order plus free 3-day shipping!
• Even without the new member discount I think this bike light is a steal of a deal at $90. The craftsmanship is spectacular once you hold it in your hand. The machining along with the fit and finish give you assurance it’ll last a long time when mounted on a bike.
Track Record
• Comes with a Limited Lifetime Guarantee from Fenix Lighting USA.
• From my own experience, Fenix is a company that can be trusted and relied upon 100%. Their products are top shelf and offer years of reliable use.
• I consider Fenix a company that knows the value of taking care of their customers. Their customer service associates are very knowledgeable and courteous. Thankfully, you don’t have to take my word for it. Just look at all of the positive reviews on their website, www.fenixlighting.com
• I read a lot of reviews on this bike light before picking it up. The reviews were too good not to.
Final Thoughts
• I’ve never owned a bike light that is built to these standards. The majority of the bike lights I’ve used are the little REI lights that run about 50 bucks. They work for a few rides and then seem to always fail after being in the rain a couple of times. So, after using the Fenix BC30 V2.0 I can see why it’s important to pick up a bike light that will hold up over time. I can hold the Fenix in one hand and the other light in the other and see and feel the difference in craftsmanship. Going back to the value, I’d say it’s well worth the 90 bucks.
• My level of riding experience in road cycling is semi-pro. I’ve done a lot of road races over the years ranging from 30 miles to well over 100 miles in a single race. It would have been really nice to have had this Fenix for a few of them that went well into the nighttime. I do a ton of mountain biking in the mountains of North Carolina around the Pisqah and Tsali areas. This light is a fantastic addition to my mountain bike rides.
• I’ll be honest in saying I’ve carried this light in my pocket during a few outdoor trips. It’s slim enough to fit in my pocket and it doesn’t weigh a lot either. Having the dual batteries ensures you’ve got light for days.
• The wireless mode switch works flawlessly once you get it paired with the actual light. You can put it close to the handlebar grip and have immediate access to your light levels without ever having to take your hands off the handlebar. That’s a nice feature in itself. I also appreciate the battery indicator on top of the light as you can gauge how much juice is left for the ride home.
• The dual beam is incredible. One throws the light down directly in front of your tire while the other reaches way out in front of you. There is also a wide pattern of light to the left and right so you can see ahead of time if anything obstacle wise is going to be in the way. I have never seen anything like it, even on other high-end lights my friends use.
• The quick release mount is just that – quick! My last light by another manufacture had a mount that used allen keys to get it on and off with. It would take a few minutes to get the light on and off just to switch the batteries. Not so with the Fenix! Just press the quick release lever down and slide the light off. Easy as pie.
• If someone asked me if there is anything I maybe don’t like about the bike light or would like to see added I honestly don’t think there is as it is already a step above anything else I’ve ever used. I think on some of the future iterations I’d like to see Fenix incorporate their new 21700 batteries as I’m a battery junkie. I feel like you can never have too much juice as you never know what you might get into. Since it’s going to sit on the bike the slight increase in weight from the batteries shouldn’t be an issue.
• Overall this is an outstanding bike light. My wife wants one for her bike now too. I would definitely give this one a HUGE thumbs way up. Great work Fenix.