Short answer
Hilox review by Pascal Goudkuil
Saturday 20 December. A parcel came with the post, and yes, the Hilox logos were grinning at me from the box. After showing off my new lights for a bit, I carried on with the business of the day... 10 pm, the boxes come open and for the first time I fit the lights to my bike and helmet. To get used to them, I ride a short way into the woods, 3/4 km there and back.
Pascal's video is on YouTube: watch the video on YouTube.
There was not really any getting used to it: the MTB LED lights are so wide and bright that they steer you through the course with ease. The tension of the dark woods gives you a kick, not an obstacle. I switch them on again for the last stretch home. In the distance I see 2 coloured dots: the eyes of a fox staring at me, what a nutter on a bike.... Back home, I am impressed by the 2 small, light powerhouses and I am sure a new cycling adventure has begun!
A nice compact light with a good beam and a pleasant colour temperature. Not yellow, but not too white either! That also appeals to me a lot about the product.
Mounting: The mounting with the special elastic band works well and you can easily adjust the height of the light. Fitting and removing it is easy too, so there is not much work taking it off after your night ride.
Batteries: The compact battery is easy to attach and lasts a long time. I did not measure the exact time. What is nice about the system is that it starts flashing when it is nearly empty, giving you plenty of time to get out of the woods while it flashes.
1 x Front mount: In my eyes, an absolute must-have. The front mount centres the HX4+ perfectly on your handlebars so the beam shines nicely out in front of the bike, and it weighs practically nothing.
Once mounted, it looks odd on your helmet. I did use the extension cable to make it just a bit longer, to get it out from under my cycling jacket. Once in the woods with this little spotlight, you would not know what to do without it. The SX3 gives you better visibility in the bends and on singletracks. This light makes the system great, too.
Note: The SX3 is no longer in our range. The HX2 Black MTB LED has taken its place.
Small tip: try the lights on the lowest setting possible. In the woods your eyes adjust by themselves, and it saves the battery so you can enjoy your night ride for even longer.
The helmet strap is easy to fit on your helmet and holds well, also thanks to the elastic system. To my mind it can shift slightly in height over bumps, but you simply adjust it again. PS. I would also like a head strap so I could go trail running with the SX3.
Easy to take along, the clip-on LEDs, and good for your fellow road users. Getting through built-up areas is nicer when you are clearly visible. And it means the big lights can go off so you do not blind oncoming traffic, because those are very bright!
I have never ridden with other lights that were this powerful. Even though they are LED lights, they still get quite hot after long use. When you ride with several people, you notice that the colour temperature of Hilox is very easy on the eyes. Unfortunately, you can be bothered by the yellow (and so brighter-looking) light of the rider next to you. (In short: buy the same series with your whole team ;) )
Unfortunately, in the Netherlands there is a rule that you are not allowed into the woods everywhere after sunset. Around this time there is a lot of hunting in the woods, so this can make your ride tricky. Even though I live next to the MTB route, I had to head to Apeldoorn to properly search for unpaved trails.
The experience of mountain biking at night is fantastic. The silence of the woods and the hour make it magical. The dark woods are no obstacle: the 2 lights steer you perfectly along the paths. Steep hills and descents do take some getting used to, because the height adjustment of the lights is then very important. That means a night ride demands completely different technical knowledge and technique from you as a rider.
Browse all MTB LED lighting or read the tips for an MTB night ride.
Blown car bulbs count as normal wear and tear and are not reimbursed, while theft and damage sometimes are. Find out what your car insurance covers and how LED and xenon lighting can help.
In de dimlicht LED test van Truckstar Magazine kwam de Hilox XTR Black als beste uit de bus. Lees hoe de leds scoorden in reflector- en lenskoplampen, op koeling, CAN-bus en APK.
Looking for a cool Father's Day present? Six Hilox gift ideas, from XTR LED kits and MTB lights to LED dog collars, leashes and electric pepper and salt mills.
New products, fitting tips and offers. No noise, never sold on.
