Review of Basecamp cycle lamp model bc-403

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biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
I was approached by Chinese Company, Gearbest, a couple of weeks ago to do some reviews of the cycling bits they offer .

At first I was a bit sceptical, some people would say that’s just me but let’s be honest it’s not every day you get approached by an International Company to review some products .

http://goo.gl/vb0mux

http://goo.gl/Q7OckR

One of the first things they asked me to review was a Basecamp BC-403 Cycle lamp. I had a quick look on line at the product and thought the dimensions quoted had to be wrong ie 3.90 x 2.4 x 3.20 cm for the light unit so imagine my surprise when opening the box it arrived in, it was actually that small . I was messaged on the 24/03/16 that both items were both in stock and ready for dispatch by DHL and that they would be delivered by 30/03/16 , sure enough the goods duly arrived on the 30/03/16 .

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Once I opened the package and looked at the light unit the more I realized this really was a small neat package and made all my other front lights look absolutely humongous , it also looks quite smart as well , machined from Aluminum Alloy with a nice push button on the rear to control the 4 modes with a series of green warning lights .

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It has a rating of 1800 lumens via a Cree – l2 led unit with an 8 metre width of irradiation now what that means in the real world I don’t know untiI I strap it via the supplied rubber rings that hoop around the built in loops on to one of my bikes and ride it in the dark and then I can report back .

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The battery pack comes complete with a built in lead that joins up nice and snugly to the power lead on the rear of the light unit, it also comes with a carrying pouch which has a built in strap to enable you to attach it to your bike at the given location . The output of this power pack is rated at 6400 mA in total , again it will be interesting to see what the means in terms of how long it lasts in normal usage on the various modes . It also comes with a 2 pin charger plug and lead to recharge the power pack as and when required . The only down side is that the charging plug is not a uk standard item but luckily an old fashioned shaver adapter does the job .

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I have mounted the lamp on the underside of the handlebars on my Lee Cooper single speed bike and have run the power feed along the top tube to the battery pack which I have managed to squeeze in my small saddle bag to help protect it from the elements .
 
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biggs682

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Since writing the review i have completed a 12.5 mile ride early this morning using this light unit on a variety of its power settings and i can honestly say i was impressed .
 
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biggs682

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Quick update and the review of this light set was in use again this morning after no biking since last post ie 31/03 .

Set of on full power this morning with the 3 warnings lights ablaze noticed down to 2 after 20 mins of use then down to 1 after about 10 more mins and then the final green light flashed for about a minute before loosing all illumination so in all on first initial out of the box use it has been in use for about an hour and 15 mins so will re charge and and continue to update this review as i go along .
 

goo_mason

Champion barbed-wire hurdler
Location
Leith, Edinburgh
Quick update and the review of this light set was in use again this morning after no biking since last post ie 31/03 .

Set of on full power this morning with the 3 warnings lights ablaze noticed down to 2 after 20 mins of use then down to 1 after about 10 more mins and then the final green light flashed for about a minute before loosing all illumination so in all on first initial out of the box use it has been in use for about an hour and 15 mins so will re charge and and continue to update this review as i go along .

These battery packs which come with Chinese lights tend to be really poor. I had one a few years ago (light still works to this day, but the pack died within a month & wouldn't hold a charge). I ended up buying 4 x 18650 batteries, an Xtar VP4 charger and one of these holders and created my own reliable power-pack that works with all of these types of lights.

It's a bit of an outlay at the start, but it'll last you for years!
 
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biggs682

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
So far this is proving itself as a very reliable lamp with good spread of beam , charger works fine and does not get too hot .

Have done the last 4 1+ hour rides on flashing mode without charging , although due its weekly charge today ready for the week ahead
 

lutonloony

Über Member
Location
torbay
These battery packs which come with Chinese lights tend to be really poor. I had one a few years ago (light still works to this day, but the pack died within a month & wouldn't hold a charge). I ended up buying 4 x 18650 batteries, an Xtar VP4 charger and one of these holders and created my own reliable power-pack that works with all of these types of lights.

It's a bit of an outlay at the start, but it'll last you for years!
Had a similar problem with mine, would only last about 1 day( 2x 1/2hr ish). Notified sellers who sent me another, which is good for about 3 days. If the pouch is exposed to elements best to wrap battery pack in plastic bag. TBH has done 2 winters, so not bad for a £20 outlay
 
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biggs682

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Just a quick update this neat little lamp is still going strong and is in regular use for commutes and most of my early am leisure rides
 
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