Review: Lupine Piko 4 Smartcore
The new Piko 4 comes with a wireless Bluetooth remote switch and an iPhone app (click to enlarge).
Editor’s Note: This article is part of Mtbr and RoadBikeReview’s 2016 Bike Lights Shootout. See the 2016 Mtbr Headlights Index and the RoadBikeReview Commuter Lights Index.
The Lowdown: Lupine Piko 4 Smartcore
Lupine impressed us five years ago with the introduction of the first Piko with an output of 550 Lumens. We were wowed by the output and heat management from such a small package. But how could it wow us this year while maintaining its small, useable form factor?
Our questions have been answered with the Piko 4 with 1500 Lumens that we were able to validate in the lab. They then added a wireless remote that’s easily mounted on bar. This becomes very convenient when using the Piko in its natural habitat, helmet-mounted. And if that wasn’t enough, they added a sophisticated iPhone app that can control, configure and monitor the light.
| Claimed Lumens: 1500 Lumens | Mtbr Lux: 149 |
| Measured Lumens: 1489 Lumens | Mounted weight: 218 grams |
| Lumens per $: 3.97 Lumens | Category: Headlight |
| Lumens per gram: 6.83 Lumens | Price: $375 ($325 with normal battery) |
| Run time on high: 1:45 Hours |
Rating:  5 Chilis-out-of-5 |
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The entire system weighs in at only 218 grams (click to enlarge).
Full Review: Lupine Piko 4 Smartcore
Beyond all the technology, what stands out most about the Piko 4 is its usability and flexibility. Here is a light that can be mounted on the bar/stem or on the helmet with light head in the front and battery counterbalanced on the back. It’s incredibly bright with a run time of 1:45 hours on high and 3:30 at 750 Lumens of output. Its weight is hardly noticeable but its light is big and bright.
The Piko 4 now comes with a Bluetooth remote (click to enlarge).
Bluetooth Remote
That functionality is enough for most but Lupine added Bluetooth remote functionality. The remote is wireless so it is particularly easy to adjust or turn off the light specially when its mounted on the helmet. It is extremely fast with Bluetooth technology and it can control another Lupine light simultaneously with the same switch (up to five). How cool is that to turn your bar and helmet light on and off with one button. You can dim both your lights easily when climbing or when coming upon another rider.
Continue to page 2 for more on the Piko 4, beam pattern and Lumen measurement »
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