Gloworm XS and X1 Lights – First Look
It’s nearly dark when you leave work, but that shouldn’t make you stop riding. The Gloworm XS and X1 lights have landed, we charge them up and head to the woods.
New Zealand based brand Gloworm have been in the UK but have recently been picked up by Ison, so are much more readily available. I’ve taken delivery of the super powered XS and the tiny X1, to make a full night riding set up.
The X1 is truly tiny at 58g including the mount and small button remote. Despite the diminutive size, this little light packs a punch at 950 lumens. The 2 cell battery gives a claimed runtime of just under 2.5 hours on full power, and an outrageous 2 days on low power. The body of the light is neatly CNC’d from an aluminium alloy, while the battery is a tough rubberised plastic with a stretchy Velcro strap. The finish is excellent and the supplied mounts feel solid.
Specification
◾More than 950 Lumens (real, not theoretical)
◾IMT (Intelligent Mode Technology) technology
◾Waterproof to IP67
◾2 Cell Lithium Ion Hard Case Battery with Panasonic cells (4 cell upgrade available)
◾1 x Cree XM-L2 U2 LED emitter
◾Interchangeable Lens system (Superspot, Spot and flood optics)
◾2.25 hr – 48hr run time
◾4hr battery charge
◾Remote switch
The X1 is delivered in a hard-shell carry case. The contents of the case are:
◾Lithium Ion Battery Smart Charger
◾Extension Cable
◾Light Head
◾Alloy Helmet Mount
◾2 Cell Li-ion Battery (sealed case) using Panasonic Li-ion cells
◾Bezel removal tool/bottle opener
Additional Functions:
◾Battery mounted power monitor
◾Light will flash to warn of critical battery level
◾IMT Technology
◾Overheat Protection
IMT Programmes
Trail – Low>Medium>High. Special mode>Super Dim (all programmable to the users requirements)
Commute – Low>High. Special mode>Flash (2Hz) (all programmable to the users requirements)
RRP £144.99
The XS is a three emmiter unit that throws 2200 lumens out on full power. Again it features a remote button that can be mounted on your bars for easier on the fly adjustment. The battery is a 4 cell number that will do 2 hours on full power, and 36 on low power. The mounts included are a bar mount and a GoPro compatible clip. With its small size and light weight the XS would be fine on your head or one of the supplied straps as well.
◾Light head is only 110g!
◾Designed in New Zealand.
◾Intelligent Mode Technology
Specification
◾ 2200 Lumens (Real, not theoretical output)
◾ IMT (Intelligent Mode Technology) technology
◾ 330g total system weight with battery pack
◾ Waterproof to IP66
◾ 6800 mAH Lithium Ion Hard Case Battery with 4 Panasonic cells
◾ 3 x Cree XML-2 U2 LED emitters – the latest generation of Cree emitters
◾ 3 optic system
◾ 2 hr – 36 hr run time
◾ 5hr battery charge
◾ Remote switch
The XS is delivered in a hard-shell carry case. The contents of the case are:
◾ Lithium Ion Battery Smart Charger
◾ Extension Cable
◾ Light Head
◾ Alloy Helmet Mount
◾ Alloy Quick Release Handlebar Mount
◾ Li-ion Battery Pack 6800mAh (sealed case) using 4 Panasonic Li-ion cells
◾ Spare optics
Additional Functions:
◾ Battery mounted power monitor
◾ Light will flash to warn of critical battery level
◾ IMT Technology
◾ Overheat Protection
IMT (Intelligent Mode Technology) Programmes
IMT defines the Gloworm ethos of versatility. IMT provides the freedom to use the Gloworm light in the default settings or to completely customise for ultimate personalisation.
Trail – Low>Medium>High. Special mode>Super Dim (all programmable to the users requirements)
Commute – Low>High. Special mode>Flash (2Hz) (all programmable to the users requirements)
RRP £239.99
Both of the lights come stacked with little add-ons, head and bar mounts, extension leads, mounting for the remote and rubberised protection where the batteries mount, as well instructions to program in the customisable brightness settings.
I’m a massive fan of night riding and having a set of waterproof and reliable lights is key to a good winter of shredding. These guys are going to get some serious use over the winter, keep it pinned to Ride.io over the winter for updates on them.
Action Shot – David Morris
