Xeccon, is a Chinese company that designs, manufactures and distributes a variety lights for cycling, diving, hunting and other outdoor activities. Xeccon is a key player in the bicycle lights industry due to its durable quality, low cost and unique design. I recently got to use the Xeccon Link 300, one of their mid-range front lights, and this is what I thought about it.
The Xeccon Link 300, one of the top competitors in the mid-brightness, mid-priced front lights segment, does quite a decent job with its compact design, simple to use operations, and a good battery life. Sporting some additional features like a fast-removable rubber mount, a safety key lock, and a light-sensing smart mode makes the Xeccon Link 300 stand out from its other competitors.
Operating the Link 300 is very simple, you can turn it on with a a long press and press it once to shift between the three brightness levels – low, high and 'light sensor'. This last mode adjusts the brightness of the light according to the ambient daylight, using a sensor under the silicone button cover. It worked quite effectively, increasing the output as the ambient light dimmed and decreasing the brightness as daylight dawned. To activate the strobe mode (a rapid flash several times a second at full power), you need to press and hold for three seconds from 'off', after which any further presses of the button return you to the constant mode.
The Xeccon Link 300 consists of a single Cree XP-G2 LED surrounded by an OP reflector that is deeply recessed into the casing. It has a round, focused beam with enough spraying out towards the edges that offers a long distance and comfortable beam angle for both dark highways as well as commuting on city roads. The deep casing ensures that the light doesn’t shine into the rider’s eyes, but it also means that the side visibility is going to be restricted. The 300 Lumen light is powered by non-removable 1000 MAh Li-ion battery which can be recharged via a USB, that lasts between 3 hours on the highest brightness mode to 18 hours on the strobe mode. The charging time however is a tad long at 5 hrs.
The first thing that caught my eye about the Link 300 is its brilliant build quality, with the two-part resin and aluminium casing being held together with two solid hex bolts rather than being clipped or glued together, which prevents it from splitting apart into pieces if accidentally dropped on the road. The switch is located right on top, covered in a tight, waterproof silicone casing that prevents all sorts of dust particles, water from rain and splashes, and road-spray from seeping into the light. The same was true for the USB port cover too, which is located at the back end of the light, even though at times, pushing the cover securely into place can be quite fiddly. The silicone switch casing also acts as a low battery indicator, as it turns from green to red when the remaining charge goes below 15%.
The fast-removable mounting bracket, made from chunky resin features a quick release, 360°rotatable design, which makes it very versatile to adjust the light to shine in any direction. The silicone band used to strap the mounting bracket to the handlebar is tethered at one end and uses the usual hook-through-a-hole method to secure. This makes fixing and removing the strap on and off the bicycle quite easy and fast. The light also features a unique Lock & Unlock system, to avoid accidental switching ON during transportation or when the light in a bag or in the pocket.
Overall Rating
Although the Xeccon Link 300 might not be the brightest light in its segment, it certainly offers the most value-for-money, as it packs quite a few good features into a compact, well-designed package that retails for a meagre price of Rs. 2,295. Even though I wouldn’t recommend the Xeccon Link 300, or for the matter, any other 300 lumen light for serious long distance rides, I can safely say that it is the best bet for the everyday early morning and rider and the night-time city commuter. Overall, an amazing product for it’s cost.
Prices are subject to change by the brand, without due notice.