REVIEW: End of front light test, Exposure Strada Mk VI (2016 model)

REVIEW: End of front light test, Exposure Strada Mk VI (2016 model)

Digital reading ends range anxiety

Burn programmes: set up and forget

This is the best light that I have ever encountered for road use. I will admit to being partial to Exposure Lights - they're hand made at a UK base down in Sussex, which is in itself a terrific achievement in an age of plastic junk.

But until now I've bounced between two extremes: a JoyStick at one end, which I never really understood was meant to be a helmet light...and a Six Pack which offers so much light that if you mount it fractionally wrongly you'll be in big trouble on the road, blinding Minicab drivers into instant rage.

But we've moved beyond 'bigger and brighter is simply better' to a more discriminating solution of real problems. I don't downhill in the dark. I commute in London and sometimes in more rural settings, where I want to see potholes before I feel them. Even the outer perimeter of Regent's Park has some very dark spots.

I liked...

• Digital read out eliminates range anxiety. 35 hours on LOW and a full charge - outstanding. 
• No 'flash back' into rider's face. Instead it casts a puddle of light down and out, exactly what you want. 
• Overall size and weight. Perfect 'middle' solution lies between heavier and lighter solutions.
• Fits in any jacket pocket.
• Mounting bracket is very secure and fast to fit.
• Comes with remote switching so you can flick through settings without shifting hands position. 
• 'Puddle' light AND 'spot light' cover all bases in a road setting

I didn't like...

• The little rubber grommet that plugs the recharge port is fiddly and bounces free so it hangs loose. This is the one thing that lets the light down a bit, although it's only an incidental detail.
• Not sure I need the remote switching - the pressure back panel is so good it does the job on its own.
• Could use more guidance on mounting angles. You still need a slight 'down' angle to avoid blinding drivers.

CONCLUSION

Beautifully machined alloy body reeks of quality. Battery life and overall lumens output have gone sharply up even compared to three years ago. If you have an old light (as long as it is an Exposure) Exposure have an exchange programme so don't hold back upgrading. I was skeptical but the improvements over just two years have been remarkable.

Exposure have learned to 'curate' light