2013 Lights Shootout, Bike Light, Gloworm, Lights, Lights Shootout, X1 - December 11, 2013

Review: Gloworm X1 950 Lumen Light

The Gloworm X1 is a great addition to the Gloworm line as it introduces a single LED, lightweight unit to complement the more powerful X2 and X3 lights. This makes it ideal for helmet mounting, as the measured 918 Lumen light weighs in at under 200 grams. The battery can thus be mounted on the helmet as well, making it a ‘self-contained’ system.

The Gloworm X1 features a small head unit that delivers a 918 Lumen beam. This is sufficient for trail riding on its own, but it is best as a helmet light complementing a bar mounted light like the X2 or XS.

The light has a wired remote switch that will keep your hands away from the head unit that can get hot, and it will bring the switch by your fingertips when the light is bar mounted. The light also includes a bar mount in addition to the helmet mount.

And finally, battery pack looks good with Panasonic cells and a fuel gauge on the pack. Run time is an excellent 2.25 hours at max output. Two packs are available, a 4-cell and a 2-cell one and we used the 2-cell on this test.

Programability is one of the high points of the Gloworm design, as there is almost a limitless amount of light levels and options available. It is well-designed but any UI that doesn’t have displays or monitors requires a bit of practice to get used to.

Configurable optics is another high point of Gloworm, as this light includes both wide and focused beam optics. This really expands the range of the light, as the same light can be used for spread or throw. Or better yet, get two and configure the optics to be one of each.

Specifications

Price: $190
Claimed Lumens: 950 Lumens
Measured Lumens: 918 Lumens
Measured MTBR Lux: 98 Lux
Lumens per $: 4.83 Lumens
Lumens per gram: 4.68 Lumens
Time on High: 2.25 Hours
Charge Time: 2:15 Hours
Mounted Weight: 196 grams
Category: High End

Strengths

Great beam pattern
Measured 918 Lumens is better than the 850 claimed
Both mounts included and remote switch as well
Configurable light modes including overdrive ‘bush’ mode
Good packaging and materials
Lenses are interchangeable with flood, spot or combination
An amazing value for the money
Light weight with 58 gram light head relative to its brightness
Great run time and available battery option to optimize for weight
Extremely compact packaging means it’s very portable

Weaknesses

Programming requires practice (like the GoPro user interface)

Mounting

The light includes a helmet mount with a velcro strap and a center-mounted bar light with a rubber strap. An optional quick release bar mount is available.

Mtbr Light Meter Measurements

This light measured 98 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 918 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 850 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 »

Beam Pattern Photo

We photographed the lights in the same location setting with the same camera settings. The photos were taken in the back yard that is approximately 25 yards long. These photos feature many objects and a distinct background to analyze detail and beam pattern.