2014 Lights Shootout, Bike Light, Lezyne, Lights, Lights Shootout, Mega Drive - November 2, 2013

Review: Lezyne Mega Drive

The Mega Drive is the flagship of the Lezyne light line. It features a robust and machine chassis with more heatsinks that we’ve ever seen in a light head. The beam is produced by two LEDs working in concert to produce both width and throw.

The mount has been improved too with the Mega Drive, as well as with the newer Deca Drive. This after all is a 265 gram light and it packs a bit of inertia on those big hits which can knock the light out of place.

This has the ‘infinite’ battery which is field replaceable, so the rider can keep replacing the battery to extend run time. But we are just not comfortable with this setup, as the battery is a powerful incendiary device with the positive and negative leads millimeters from each other. It’s just not that easy to transport and handle the spare battery safely in all conditions, so we’ll just keep the stock battery in place at all times.

Weight is heavy and size is unwieldy, so this is not really appropriate as a helmet light or a flashlight. That is an unfortunate issue since this light will perform admirably in either role.

But in the end, this is a great light that is deadly stable. The light output Lumen graph is flat as a pancake throughout its battery cycle. That is what it’s designed for, so if you want a light that will deliver its promised output throughout the battery run time in all kinds of inclement conditions and hot weather, the Lezyne Mega Drive will not let you down.

Note that when you turn the light on, you will get 1000 Lumens and not the 1200 as advertised in the box. You have to go through a special sequence (pressing the button for 6 seconds) to go into the special overdrive mode. This is unfortunate since we believe a light is to turn on at the advertised light level without going in to a special mode. It’s not difficult to enter this mode, but we are fairly certain many users will never realize that they are not in 1200 Lumen mode by default.

Specifications

Price: $200
Claimed Lumens: 1200 Lumens
Measured Lumens: 1175 Lumens
Measured MTBR Lux: 103 Lux
Lumens per $: 5.88 Lumens
Lumens per gram: 4.43 Lumens
Time on High: 1:20 Hours
Charge Time: 5:30/10:30 Hours (Hidden overdrive mode, can sense high powered usb charger)
Mounted Weight: 265 grams
Category: Flashlight/Commuter

Strengths

Incredible machining and craftsmanship
Excellent brightness and dual beam pattern has wide spill and far throw
Water Resistant so capable of all weather use
Field replaceable battery so run time is flexible
Light output is constant throughout the whole cycle
Battery charge indicator and available race mode
Configurable purchase options with available kit

Weaknesses

Too big now to be used as a flashlight
Lots of sharp edges with all the heatsinking
Charging on a typical USB port can take up to 10 hours
Not practical now for use on the helmet
High powered lithium cell has two adjacent leads and is easy to short out specially when transported in a pocket or hydration pack

Mounting

Mounting is done with a plastic or optional aluminum handlebar mount. Two different sizes are used for the standard or oversized bars. The mount has been improved from the previous year and this one has no problem holding the 265 gram head securely eve in the roughest trail conditions.

Mtbr Light Meter Measurements

This light measured 103 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 1175 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 1200 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.