2014 Lights Shootout, Bike Light, CatEye, Lights, Lights Shootout, Volt 300 - November 3, 2013

Review: CatEye Volt 300

Two years ago, CatEye wowed us with the 250 Lumen Nano Shot which featured a very small package for $100. Actual output was 200 in the integrating sphere. This year, the new light is the Volt 300 for only $60. The good news is the actual output is 349 Lumens in the sphere, so not only is it significantly cheaper, but it’s much brighter as well.

So that’s the real story here as it is an incredibly affordable light and it is bright enough for commuting or even trail riding. It can even be used on the helmet to complement the CatEye Volt 1200 mounted on the bar.

Form factor is not as nifty as the old Nano Shots but this still a handy flashlight style light that can have great utility around the house. It features a removable battery which can be replaced with a fresh rechargeable one for ‘unlimited’ run time.

Run time is an incredible three hours on the highest setting. It’s sophisticated enough to sense a high powered USB source too so it can charge in three hours instead of six.

Specifications

Price: $60

Claimed Lumens: 300 Lumens

Measured Lumens: 349 Lumens

Measured MTBR Lux: 35 Lux

Lumens per $: 5.82 Lumens

Lumens per gram: 2.91 Lumens

Time on High: 3:00 Hours

Charge Time: 3:00/6:00 Hours (Can sense high powered USB charger)

Mounted Weight: 120 grams

Category: Flashlight/Commuter

Strengths

$60 is a screaming deal for this light
349 measured Lumens is quite a bit above the claimed 300 Lumens
Good value for the money
Excellent CatEye quality
It can be used with as a helmet light to complement the Volt 1200
Light head has a lip to prevent rider glare and it has cutouts on the side to provide some side visibility

Weaknesses

It’s just barely enough for trail riding so it’s more of a commuter light
Square shaped beam pattern would be much better served as rectangular to offer better peripheral view

Mounting

The mount is the old school CatEye bike computer mount. It worked fine for bike computers and it was fine for the small Nano Shot light. Remarkably, it still does the job for the 120 gram Volt 300. Such is the foundation of the CatEye brand. They have simple, well-designed components that can do the job and more.

Mtbr Light Meter Measurements

This light measured 35 Lux on our ambient light measurement facility. The light output measurement is performed by placing a Lux light meter beside the light. Both are pointed at the ceiling (five feet above) of a dark room. This measurement uses the ambient light produced by the bike light.

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens

This light measured 349 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 300 Lumens. The Lumen-hour graph below shows how the light performs over the first three minutes of its battery cycle.

Compare all Lumen Tests here »

Tunnel Beam Pattern Photo

The location is useful since it has walls and a ceiling that can display a bike light beam pattern. The walls have a lot of graffiti on them and actually show detail when they are lit up by a light with a wide angle. Cones and targets are set up with the far target set up at 120 feet.