2015 Lights Shootout, Bike Light, Lights, Lights Shootout, Lupine Lighting, NEO 2 - November 1, 2014

Review: Lupine NEO 2

Lupine from Germany is the leader in high-end lights and the quality, flexibility and brightness of their lights is unrivaled. They entered the mid-range market with the Lupine Piko and it quickly became their number one selling light. Users liked its usability, weight and brightness as it disappeared into the ride but it’s still a $335 light.

So the NEO 2 is indeed an important product for Lupine, as they try to offer a good light that delivers good value while still maintaining all the Lupine attributes of quality and longevity. After using the NEO 2 for several rides, we can say that the NEO 2 is a success. At 188 grams, it is the ideal helmet light with the battery mounted at the rear of the helmet to provide balance to the light head up front.

The beam pattern is huge! There is also a big center spot. One can really ride with this light by itself, as it is the best use of 700 Lumens we’ve seen to date. The beam is very even and usable, as one can see the periphery very well and have good vision down the trail going at a pretty good clip.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nOCORn9VZo

Video: Test loop with the Lupine NEO 2. Camera is on a locked ISO setting and is set to Wide Angle mode. Light is mounted on the helmet.

Of course this is not the end-all of bike lights and the throw is not very far as it doesn’t have a focused centered spot. There’s only 700 Lumens after all (695 by our measurement). So as part of a classic bar and helmet light combo, we still prefer the Lupine Piko which has a very far throw with its 1200 Lumens. The Lupine NEO 2 seems like the ideal solution for someone who just has $250 to spend. The buyer can use this one light on the helmet for many adventures through all inclement weather conditions for the next decade.

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. Compare all Beam Patterns here »

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens

This light measured 695 Lumens in an integrating sphere. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 700 Lumens. Compare all Lumen Tests here »

Strengths

$245 for Lupine German quality, reliability and longevity
Huge beam pattern and big center spot
188 grams, balanced on the helmet disappears in to the ride
Excellent battery and charger with a bevy of options for longer runtimes
Quick charging, especially in comparison to all the USB charged light systems
Run time is excellent at 2:15 hours for the lightest configuration of 188 gram total weight

Weaknesses

Switch is flat and a bit hard to find initially, especially with gloves
Because of the big beam pattern, it is not the ideal light to mate with a wide beam bar light

Specifications

Price: $245
Claimed Lumens: 700 Lumens
Measured Lumens: 695 Lumens
Lumens per $: 2.84 Lumens
Lumens per gram: 3.76 Lumens
Time on High: 2:15 Hours
Charge Time: 2:00 Hours
Mounted Weight: 185 grams
Category: High End

Overall Rating

5 out of 5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

The Lupine NEO 2 is a good value at $245 for a German-made light that is made to last decades. The Lumens claim is accurate at 700 Lumens and the weight is excellent at 188 grams for a light with 2:15 hours of run time. And most important, it has a big, usable beam pattern.

For more information visit www.lupine.de.

This article is part of Mtbr and RoadBikeReview’s 2015 Lights Shootout. To see all the bike lights tested CLICK HERE.