Cateye is a Japanese company that manufactures cycle computers, lights, reflectors, toe clips, bottle cages and other accessories which sell worldwide. After doing an extensive review of Cateye’s latest front light, the Volt 300 I was pretty impressed at how powerful this small light is.
The Cateye Volt 300 is a really good, single LED light at a very affordable price which provides ample light output for riding on city roads and even in complete darkness. The running time ranges from an amazing 3 hours on the highest setting to a whopping 30 hours on the flash mode, which makes it just about perfect for shorter everyday rides and commuting. The first thing about the Volt 300 that catches the eye is its sleek black and metallic design that gives it quite a posh look, and trust me, its performance is as good as its looks ! The color of the light beam is just about the perfect shade of white (not too blue nor too yellow), and throws a bright and wide enough beam to comfortably use for commuting.
The Volt 300 has a removable Li-ion cartridge battery system that can be unscrewed and replaced with a spare(available separately) during longer rides and overnight rides. Charging is via a micro USB connector, so the light can be plugged into almost any phone charger. Cateye claim six hours charge time from empty, but it actually turned out to be lesser than that. The light can also be charged using a special dock that can be purchased at an extra cost. This dock charges quicker and takes only half the time that a regular USB would take. One downside of the Volt 300 is that it sometimes tends to interfere with wireless cycle computers if placed in close proximity to them, even Cateye ones. But it can still be resolved by maintaining a company recommended minimum distance between the light and the computer.
At 120 grams, the Volt 300 is built solidly and will surely withstand short drops, falls and nicks that arise from everyday usage. The Volt 300 uses Cateye’s FlexTight bracket to mount on the bicycle, the same ones used in Cateye’s cyclocomputers. They can be easily fitted above or below the bar, and on bars of any width in just a few seconds with its tool-free screw-on system. Mounting on the bike takes only a few seconds and the quick-release is solid and reliable. This also makes it easy to do one-handed adjustments of the angle of the light on-the-go. The lens covering the LED is slightly hooded at the top and at the bottom to avoid the beam from scattering all over. Even though this doesn’t have an effect on the shape of the beam, it does help in preventing the light from shining in your eyes when riding out of the saddle. The light also has a respectable side visibility.
The light can be switched on and off with a long press on the soft silicone button located at the top, and a single click switches between 4 different brightness settings. The flash mode can be switched on with a double click and deactivated with another single click. The USB charging port is located underneath the light, covered by a tight rubber cap that serves as a protection against the elements, road spray and accidental falls and knocks.
Overall Rating
The Cateye Volt 300 is an extremely cost effective mid-range front light that would benefit the everyday rider and the city commuters immensely. Priced at Rs.3,990, this light is a steal. The build quality and battery life exceeds expectations, making the Volt 300 the ideal choice for the city cyclists riding for shorter durations.
Prices are subject to change by the brand, without due notice.