2014 Lights Shootout, Bike Light, Gemini, Lights, Lights Shootout, Xera 950 - October 20, 2013

Review: Gemini Lights Xera 950

The Gemini Xera is interesting. Although it looks like it has Magicshine roots, Chris Lai and his friendly Canadian crew have worked hard to innovate and spec some good lights in the Gemini line. The Xera has a nice, tiny light head and it puts out a good amount of light. It’s ideal for the helmet use with a Duo or Olympia on the bar.

This year, the Xera has a 100 Lumen bump from last year and that is typical of the upgrade in the whole Gemini line up. Unfortunately like last year, it comes up about a 150 Lumens short of its 950 Lumen claims.

But it’s a light with a very nice form factor and it’s got some nice features to boot.

Specifications

Price: $190
Claimed Lumens: 950 Lumens
Measured Lumens: 789 Lumens
Measured MTBR Lux: 80 Lux
Lumens per $: 4.15 Lumens
Lumens per gram: 3.81 Lumens
Time on High: 2:00 Hours
Charge Time: 2:00 Hours
Mounted Weight: 207 grams
Category: High End

Strengths

Excellent construction
Clean beam pattern
Diminutive light head only weighs 56 grams so it makes a great helmet light
Good value light
Flexibility with battery options

Weaknesses

789 measured lumens is lower than 950 claimed
Beam pattern is a little narrow
Green switch light is always on

Mounting

This is the standard rubber strap style a few different sized bands include. Helmet mount comes with pipe attachments that can be mounted near the front of the helmet to mate with the rubber strap. This can be aimed left to right.

Mtbr Light Meter Measurements

This light measured 80 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 789 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 950 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.