2014 Lights Shootout, Bike Light, Lezyne, Lights, Lights Shootout, Mini Drive XL - October 26, 2013

Review: Lezyne Mini Drive XL

This stubby little light from Lezyne is interesting at $75 with 250 Lumens that lasts about an hour. The light has the ‘infinite’ battery design which is field replaceable if the rider carries spare batteries.

The light ships in Blast mode which is good for 200 Lumens and 1:20 in run time. To get to the claimed 250 Lumens, the user has to enter an Overdrive mode by pressing the switch for 6 seconds while the light is turned off.

Unfortunately, this light is not that compelling, since the stubby size is its only advantage over the competition. We believe that lights are small enough these days that a bigger battery providing more run time would have made this a more attractive package.

The CatEye Volt 300 for $60 puts out 350 Lumens and runs for three hours. This would be our light of choice in this price point. The $70 NiteRider Lumina Micro 220, which puts out 240 Lumens for 1:30 hours is a better option as well.

Specifications

Price: $75
Claimed Lumens: 250 Lumens
Measured Lumens: 256 Lumens
Measured MTBR Lux: 23 Lux
Lumens per $: 3.41 Lumens
Lumens per gram: 3.41 Lumens
Time on High: 1:00 Hours
Charge Time: 2:00 Hours (Hidden overdrive mode, can sense high powered usb charger)
Mounted Weight: 75 grams
Category: Flashlight/Commuter

Strengths

Short and stubby form factor
Field replaceable batteries

Weaknesses

Run time and brightness is low compared to the competition
Claimed Lumen rating is not in the default mode

Mounting

Mounting is performed by Lezyne’s new mount that they use on all their new lights. It’s built to secure the heavy Mega Drive light so it has no problem handling the tiny Mini Drive. Both handlebar diameter sizes can be accomodated and the light can be swiveled left to right.

Mtbr Light Meter Measurements

This light measured 23 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 256 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 250 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.