| DIMENSIONS | 7.5*4.2*2.2 in |
| SHELL MATERIAL | Aluminum alloy and plastic |
| WORKING MODE | Customizable via APP |
| POWER INDICATOR | YES |
| RUNTIME | 2.3 H @100% |
In the box you get the head unit, battery with straps, and the 38cm battery-light connecting cable. It all feels premium – the connectors snap home firmly, and the body of the battery and light look and feel well made.
The head unit fixes to your handlebar using a simple rubber ladder strap. There's no left-right tweakability in the mount, and on my handlebar positioning the head to be easily reachable for button presses meant putting it right next to the stem.
The battery pack has a rubber backing and mounts on your frame using wide Velcro straps, with enough spare to wrap securely around the largest of box-girder frames. There's a rubber seal around the inside, and the connector to the light is a robust circular push-fit – both survived several pressure-washings with zero ingress. I found the 38cm cable a perfect length for getting from the frame up to the bar via three or four wraps around a brake or gear cable outer.
The 5200mAh battery pack is charged via micro-USB, accessed under a robust double-sealed rubber cover. Alongside the charge port is a full-sized USB port you can use to charge other USB devices while running the light as well. You can also charge the battery while using the light – for example via a dynamo hub – but you can't charge and run the USB output at the same time.
The major update of the MJ-902B over the MJ-902 is the addition of a smartphone app, connected to the light via Bluetooth (once you've given Magicshine your email address so it can send you a code to activate the app). A generous summary of the app functionality would be 'Could do better'.
Sometimes the light didn't automatically connect to the app even when visible in the 'Bluetooth devices' list. In comparison to other Bluetooth-enabled bike lights I own such as the excellent See.Sense Icon, the experience was not consistent. I applied a firmware upgrade to the light via the app which seemed to improve things, so time will tell if Magicshine uses that functionality to improve app-light connection stability or the overall user experience.
The MJ-902B has an indicated maximum-power run-time of 2 hours 36 minutes. I found it would run on 100% for 3:09 before a sudden switchoff. Kudos to Magicshine for taking a conservative line on battery capacity, not so much for giving no useful warning of shutdown.
The light button glows orange when the battery level hits 30%, but this seems dependent on the battery drain at the time, and is hard to pick out against a high-beam output. Switching to low beam from high, the low-level warning on the button went out – therefore fooling me that I had more than 30% remaining.
There's no in-your-face, while-riding warning of really low battery charge apart from pressing the button on the back of the battery where there are three green LEDs (when battery level is critically low, the last green LED flashes). Having no warning or graceful degradation of light level – a simple software implementation – is a let-down and something I hope Magicshine will remedy as soon as possible.
Make and model: Magicshine MJ-902B Smart Light
Size tested: Light Head Size 45,33,38mm, 1600 lumens
Tell us what the light is for
It's for people wanting to ride for a long time at night, or for many days in the daytime between charges. Or, to charge other things.
Magicshine says: "The MJ-902B bluetooth APP version is a brand new, innovative, USB rechargeable bike light from Magicshine with an actual lumen output of 1600 lumens from 2 CREE XM-L2 LED and 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 via bluetooth APP and connect. It's as simple as that.
"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
From Magicshine:
Dimensions
Newly designed with advanced cooling through the new thermally managed fins and some very techy insides, the Magicshine MJ-902B weighs just 51.5g and is diminutive in size at 45x33x38mm. The super new style smart battery, with power indicator and USB port measures 188mmx42.5mmx30mm and weighs in at 287g making a total weight of 338.5g.
Mounting
The new D shaped ring makes mounting simple. The battery uses a velcro strap, perfect for attaching such a small ergonomic battery. It is designed to fit snuggly onto your frame, cushioned by the large rubber mat on the rear of the battery.
Battery
The MJ-902B comes with a 5.2Ah 7.4V battery as standard, using 4 x 18650 Li-ion LG cells. This brand new redesigned 'smart' battery is chargeable with a USB, meaning you can also use it as a power bank for your phone. A power indicator positioned below the rubber stopper uses three small green LED's to provide a simple way to check your battery status before you've connected it to your bike. Micro USB charge 5V/2A charging time 8 - 9 hours
Please note: No wall charger is supplied.
In Use
The MJ-902B Is really simple to use and you'll be astounded at what you can achieve. You just need to download the free Magicshine APP from either the App store, Google play, or alternatively use the QR code found in the manual. Plug your lighthead into its battery and then you'll get the option to connect the light with the APP via bluetooth. Then it's happy customising. You have 20 levels to play with. Choose a setting and then move the dial on the App to the light intensity you require. You'll see the light immediately change intensity as you move the dial. Once you're happy with each level move onto the next. When you've decided that you have the ultimate output and modes for you the APP will save your settings until your next ride. However, if you want to change or delete or add modes then of course you can.
Run Time
The standard 5.2Ah 4.4V battery will give a maximum run time of 2.6 hours on full power, but with this light you are the master of your own destiny as you can decide how low to go with output so you can get maximum run time up to an amazing 176 hours on the lowest setting. The perfect light for Auduax riders and anyone who needs a long running battery.
Beam
The Magicshine MJ-902B has a beam angle of 20 degrees, brilliant for on the road at a lower setting but suitable for off road in most situations. A thoroughly decent beam throw that much higher priced lights would be envious of. A great little light that's as versatile as they come.
1600 actual lumens
power settings customised by APP
1% to 100% output you choose
customised flash modes
2.6 hours run time at 100% output
Battery can be used as a power bank
USB rechargeable
5.2Ah 7.4V newly designed smart battery
It looks and feels quality/solid.
Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system
6/10
It's a simple ladder strap.
No issues at all – very well sealed.
Outlasting the stated time is great, but a graceful rundown would be much appreciated.
The Achilles heel – it just doesn't enable you to ride fast.
Looks and feels like new after a month or so of testing; quality materials should make for a long-lasting device.
If Magicshine improved on the app/usability issues it would be better value, but you're still left with a wide-angle shotgun of a light that falls short at speed.
Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Not that great, if the purpose is going fast in the dark.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the light
The connectors and cables – they're solid. And the ability to charge other things too.
SEE original review: https://road.cc/content/review/233772-magicshine-mj-902b-smart-light
