![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-24484300-1437471667-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nExtreme Lights are a well established supplier making LED lights for a wide range of applications and founder Hannes Zietsman has been passionate in developing the company’s products. Even while I had the XP3 for testing there was an update to the model.<\/p>\n
We’ve been testing the Extreme Lights XP3 and XP7 to see how they perform.<\/p>\n
Specifications: Extreme XP 7<\/h2>\n\n- Model name<\/span>XP7 Ultimate Cycle Light<\/span><\/li>\n
- Configuration<\/span>7xCree XP-L LED<\/span><\/li>\n
- Light output<\/span>3000 lumens<\/span><\/li>\n
- Modes and runtime<\/span>Boost: 3000L, 2hours\n
Mid: 800L, 10 hours<\/p>\n
Low: 250L, 35 hours<\/p>\n
Pulse: 800L, 15 hours<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/li>\n
- Battery<\/span>5200mAh 8.4V<\/span><\/li>\n
- Weight<\/span>424 grams<\/span><\/li>\n
- Price<\/span>R 2,250.00<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-73621800-1437471633-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-99014400-1437471245-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nSpecifications: Extreme XP3<\/h2>\n\n- Model name<\/span>XP3 Performance Cycle Light<\/span><\/li>\n
- Configuration<\/span>3xCree XP-L LED<\/span><\/li>\n
- Light output<\/span>2100 lumens<\/span><\/li>\n
- Modes and runtime<\/span>Boost: 2100L, 2,5 hours\n
Mid: 750L, 10 hours<\/p>\n
Low: 200L, 40 hours<\/p>\n
Strobe: 750L, 15 hours<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/li>\n
- Battery<\/span>5200mAh 8.4V<\/span><\/li>\n
- Weight<\/span>383 grams<\/span><\/li>\n
- Price<\/span>R 1,850.00<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-96242500-1437471282-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-48398600-1437636439-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nMounting<\/h2>\n
Both lights come standard with the new clamp quick release mounting system. Our XP3 still uses the familiar O-ring system but all current models will ship with the new clamp mechanism. I was very impressed with the clamp system. It held the light firmly in place without any bobbing around in the rough stuff. The clamp also allows for on the move adjustment (with some force) of the light’s angle. The light can swivel on the clamp, a feature I used to look for wildlife in the bush and to turn away from the eyes of oncoming riders.<\/p>\n
\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-09539700-1437471700-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-28741900-1437471259-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nOn my previous Extreme Lights products, the cable from the light to the battery was unnecessarily long for mounting on the bike. The XP7 and XP3 both come with a much shorter cable, which doesn’t require wrapping around the bike to prevent it from hanging freely. Should you need a longer cable, there is an extension cable provided in the box.<\/p>\n
The battery packs are contained in soft neoprene pouches with sturdy velcro strapping for easy attachment to a bicycle frame The rubbery neoprene adheres to the frame and makes for a grippy fit with no sliding or movement mid ride.<\/p>\n
\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-57978400-1437471781-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-20052800-1437471852-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-45554900-1437471885-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nOperation<\/h2>\n
Both the XP7 and XP3 are operated through the button on the rear of the light. The operation of the light is simple and intuitive. The only gripe I had was with the length of time the button needed to be pressed to turn the lights on or off but Extreme Lights have informed me that the timing of this function has been reduced. Double pressing the button activates the strobe mode.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe rear button also acts as the battery capacity indicator. The button remains green while the charge is above 50% then turns orange and later red when the battery only has 10% charge remaining.<\/p>\n
On the bike<\/h2>\n
Both the XP7 and XP3 saw a lot of action on my midweek rides up and around Table Mountain.<\/p>\n
Extreme XP 7<\/h2>\n
Unlike the Extreme 2K and 1200 we tested last year, the XP7 and XP3 did not have a noticeable spotlight beam and better mimics natural light than the previous models. This has helped to reduce blindspots and unnecessary shadowing. In short, the quality of the light produced by the XP lights is greatly improved.<\/p>\n
I’ve always found that a light on the helmet is needed to comfortably ride single track. However, with the XP7 and XP3, I didn’t feel as unsighted and managed to ride comfortably on single track with just one light mounted on the handlebar.<\/p>\n
I spent much of my rides on the lowest light setting while the the middle setting was useful on slower single track, where the added intensity helped to better cast the light around bends. Although, considering the claimed battery life, there’s no harm in using the middle setting as your default.<\/p>\n
\n\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-72144600-1437471131-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
Mid: 800L, 10 hours<\/p>\n
Low: 250L, 35 hours<\/p>\n
Pulse: 800L, 15 hours<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/li>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nSpecifications: Extreme XP3<\/h2>\n\n- Model name<\/span>XP3 Performance Cycle Light<\/span><\/li>\n
- Configuration<\/span>3xCree XP-L LED<\/span><\/li>\n
- Light output<\/span>2100 lumens<\/span><\/li>\n
- Modes and runtime<\/span>Boost: 2100L, 2,5 hours\n
Mid: 750L, 10 hours<\/p>\n
Low: 200L, 40 hours<\/p>\n
Strobe: 750L, 15 hours<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/li>\n
- Battery<\/span>5200mAh 8.4V<\/span><\/li>\n
- Weight<\/span>383 grams<\/span><\/li>\n
- Price<\/span>R 1,850.00<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mounting<\/h2>\n
Both lights come standard with the new clamp quick release mounting system. Our XP3 still uses the familiar O-ring system but all current models will ship with the new clamp mechanism. I was very impressed with the clamp system. It held the light firmly in place without any bobbing around in the rough stuff. The clamp also allows for on the move adjustment (with some force) of the light’s angle. The light can swivel on the clamp, a feature I used to look for wildlife in the bush and to turn away from the eyes of oncoming riders.<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nOn my previous Extreme Lights products, the cable from the light to the battery was unnecessarily long for mounting on the bike. The XP7 and XP3 both come with a much shorter cable, which doesn’t require wrapping around the bike to prevent it from hanging freely. Should you need a longer cable, there is an extension cable provided in the box.<\/p>\n
The battery packs are contained in soft neoprene pouches with sturdy velcro strapping for easy attachment to a bicycle frame The rubbery neoprene adheres to the frame and makes for a grippy fit with no sliding or movement mid ride.<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nOperation<\/h2>\n
Both the XP7 and XP3 are operated through the button on the rear of the light. The operation of the light is simple and intuitive. The only gripe I had was with the length of time the button needed to be pressed to turn the lights on or off but Extreme Lights have informed me that the timing of this function has been reduced. Double pressing the button activates the strobe mode.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe rear button also acts as the battery capacity indicator. The button remains green while the charge is above 50% then turns orange and later red when the battery only has 10% charge remaining.<\/p>\n
On the bike<\/h2>\n
Both the XP7 and XP3 saw a lot of action on my midweek rides up and around Table Mountain.<\/p>\n
Extreme XP 7<\/h2>\n
Unlike the Extreme 2K and 1200 we tested last year, the XP7 and XP3 did not have a noticeable spotlight beam and better mimics natural light than the previous models. This has helped to reduce blindspots and unnecessary shadowing. In short, the quality of the light produced by the XP lights is greatly improved.<\/p>\n
I’ve always found that a light on the helmet is needed to comfortably ride single track. However, with the XP7 and XP3, I didn’t feel as unsighted and managed to ride comfortably on single track with just one light mounted on the handlebar.<\/p>\n
I spent much of my rides on the lowest light setting while the the middle setting was useful on slower single track, where the added intensity helped to better cast the light around bends. Although, considering the claimed battery life, there’s no harm in using the middle setting as your default.<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
Mid: 750L, 10 hours<\/p>\n
Low: 200L, 40 hours<\/p>\n
Strobe: 750L, 15 hours<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/li>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nMounting<\/h2>\n
Both lights come standard with the new clamp quick release mounting system. Our XP3 still uses the familiar O-ring system but all current models will ship with the new clamp mechanism. I was very impressed with the clamp system. It held the light firmly in place without any bobbing around in the rough stuff. The clamp also allows for on the move adjustment (with some force) of the light’s angle. The light can swivel on the clamp, a feature I used to look for wildlife in the bush and to turn away from the eyes of oncoming riders.<\/p>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nOn my previous Extreme Lights products, the cable from the light to the battery was unnecessarily long for mounting on the bike. The XP7 and XP3 both come with a much shorter cable, which doesn’t require wrapping around the bike to prevent it from hanging freely. Should you need a longer cable, there is an extension cable provided in the box.<\/p>\n
The battery packs are contained in soft neoprene pouches with sturdy velcro strapping for easy attachment to a bicycle frame The rubbery neoprene adheres to the frame and makes for a grippy fit with no sliding or movement mid ride.<\/p>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nOperation<\/h2>\n
Both the XP7 and XP3 are operated through the button on the rear of the light. The operation of the light is simple and intuitive. The only gripe I had was with the length of time the button needed to be pressed to turn the lights on or off but Extreme Lights have informed me that the timing of this function has been reduced. Double pressing the button activates the strobe mode.<\/p>\n
The rear button also acts as the battery capacity indicator. The button remains green while the charge is above 50% then turns orange and later red when the battery only has 10% charge remaining.<\/p>\n Both the XP7 and XP3 saw a lot of action on my midweek rides up and around Table Mountain.<\/p>\n Unlike the Extreme 2K and 1200 we tested last year, the XP7 and XP3 did not have a noticeable spotlight beam and better mimics natural light than the previous models. This has helped to reduce blindspots and unnecessary shadowing. In short, the quality of the light produced by the XP lights is greatly improved.<\/p>\n I’ve always found that a light on the helmet is needed to comfortably ride single track. However, with the XP7 and XP3, I didn’t feel as unsighted and managed to ride comfortably on single track with just one light mounted on the handlebar.<\/p>\n I spent much of my rides on the lowest light setting while the the middle setting was useful on slower single track, where the added intensity helped to better cast the light around bends. Although, considering the claimed battery life, there’s no harm in using the middle setting as your default.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nOn the bike<\/h2>\n
Extreme XP 7<\/h2>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n