Bluetooth bike light from Magicshine 2017 new lineup. The MJ-900B Bluetooth Bicycle Light looks very much like the original MJ-900 but with a whole lot more tech under the hood. Single XM-L2 LED capable of producing 1000 lumens of maximum actual output. The Bluetooth chip allows for remote control of the Bluetooth Bike light from most mobile devices. Brightness, flash modes can be customized and saved into “scenes” for fast switching depending on riding conditions. Once custom settings are saved, the top switch button no longer cycle through the factory default brightness settings of 100% 50% 25% and Flash modes. It will be cycling through your customized settings even without your mobile device present.
Not much bigger than a silver dollar and weights just over an oz, the MJ-900B makes for a perfect helmet light with the help of MJ-6058 helmet strap. An MJ-6016 extension cable is also recommended if you want to run the battery from your backpack, and minimize the weight your helmet is carrying.
Battery pack for the MJ-900B has also undergone significant re-design. The MJ-6112 Li-ion pack uses 2×18650 LG cells to supply 2.6Ah of power, capable of 2.2 hours of continuous runtime under max brightness. It can also be used as an emergency USB power bank providing 5V/2A output for your mobile devices. Next to the USB port is the Micro USB charging port and 3 green LED power indicator lights, with each light representing roughly 30 percent remaining capacity.
This is where the 'Smart Light' bit of the Magicshine comes into play, because it allows you to program the light for different riding conditions. It's done by means of an app, downloadable when you register your light (there's even a QR code in the instruction book to allow you to do this).
With the app and Bluetooth up and running, and your light plugged into the battery, you can select something called 'Scene' from a drop-down menu. Here, you can add different arrangements of settings for your light. Magicshine suggests 'Forest' and 'Road' as examples. In here, you can add as many or few intensities and modes as you like – up to 20 in fact; for example flashing or constant and anything from 1% to 100% intensity. Then, when you enable that particular 'Scene', the options transfer to the light head unit and you can scroll through them as on any normal light.
A new lens, redesigned battery and the ability to program this light via Bluetooth make for a much-improved, versatile package
Make and model: Magicshine MJ-900B Smart Light
Size tested: n/a
Tell us what the light is for
There's lots of useful tech spec and info on Magicshine's website: "The MJ-900B APP version is a brand new, innovative, USB rechargeable bike light from Magicshine, giving a maximum output of 1000 lumens from 1 CREE XM-L2 LED with fully customisable settings. Just download the free Magishine APP and you have the power to customise the perfect light for your own needs. Once the APP is downloaded, plug the lighthead into the battery, add your light to the APP and connect via Bluetooth. It's as simple as that."
"The Magicshine MJ-900B has a beam angle of 20 degrees, brilliant for on the road but plenty for a spot of unlit country park riding. A thoroughly decent beam throw that much higher priced lights would be envious of. A great little light for the road, an absolute must for any audax rider and commuters will love it too."
"You can add up to 20 levels of personalised modes or stick to just one or two. Flash, blink and SOS modes are available and run times can be extended by reducing the output to your optimum needs - a definite plus for Audax riders. The choices are yours. Full power when on a country lane or a full on flash at 20% when you're in the city, or if you prefer a gentle blink during the day, that's possible too!"
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?
On its website, Magicshine lists:
1000 lumens
power settings customised by Bluetooth APP
1% to 100% output you choose
customised flash modes
2.6 hours run time at 100% output
USB rechargeable
battery can be used as power bank
2.6Ah 7.4V newly designed smart battery
Head unit: 45x33x38mm, 72g.
Battery: 95x45x30mm, 140g
In the leaflet that came with the light, Magicshine claims a run-time of between 2.2 and 91.5 hours.
Rate the light for quality of construction:
8/10
The plastic head unit is adequate rather than impressive in quality. The battery pack is well made. The cable connectors look robust enough to survive a couple of winters at least!
Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
7/10
Good on the road, though I found the app difficult to navigate around at first. Once I got the hang it was fine. Otherwise it depends on whether you find all that infinite adjustability a help or a hindrance.
Simple rubber band and hooks for the head unit, Velcro strap for the battery. Mounting and removing the battery pack is a bit of a fiddle but it's secure once in place. Unless you run a very long stem, you may have to mount the battery under the top tube or down tube.
It's stood up very well, the rubber seal on the battery pack doing a good job – as it has to, because the whole design leaves it very exposed to dirt and water.
Over 5 hours at 50% power. Recharging took 4:30 hours from flat.
If the MJ-900B's predecessor had issues with the quality and spread of the beam, Magicshine seems to have solved them. The beam pattern looks much the same, judging by road.cc'sm Comparison Engine, so maybe I have a different opinion on that, but I found the beam smooth and clean and very good to ride into. Operation while in use is easy and this was a very useful, versatile light.
For the money I think you should get a good life out of this, and Magicshine is easy to contact for replacement parts.
For a separate light-and-battery system this is good. Compared with some of the single-unit lights available it's a bit heavy, but it does a different job.
£10 more than its predecessor, but considerably improved, I think. Extremely good value.
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
I was more than happy with this light. The beam pattern is good, the light quality excellent, and the battery pack high quality. Magicshine has made some very thoughtful upgrades and come up with a very versatile product.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
It might be argued that the app and Bluetooth programming is a bit of a gimmick, but actually I thought it worked well and it certainly gives you lots of options. Both the light pattern and battery pack seem much improved.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light
The long battery pack meant it had to go under my down tube where it got very mucky.
Did you enjoy using the light? Yes
Would you consider buying the light? Yes
Would you recommend the light to a friend? I already have.
Use this box to explain your overall score
Magicshine must have read our review of the MJ-900 because it has addressed the issues Stu had with it. In addition it has built in the ability to program the light in all manner of ways. It's very good, and a clear 8.
Overall rating: 8/10