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CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light

$20.00

(25)

Item # 745522

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This compact commuter light uses three LEDs, Opticube lens technology and has a wide beam for increased visibility.

Cat Eye's exclusive Opticube lens technology makes this light significantly brighter than its closest competitor with the same LED bulb
Flex-Tight universal mounting bracket attaches securely to just about any size handlebar; no tools required
Runs on two AA alkaline batteries, included

Imported.

Item 745522

with coupon code ANNV13
May 17-27 Details

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CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light

3.5

(based on 25 reviews)

68%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Long battery life (20)
Great visibility (15)

Cons

Weak beam (8)

Best Uses

Front headlight (18)
Good for commuting (15)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (14), Casual/ recreational (11)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (13)

Reviewed by 25 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jan

2013

4.0

basic good light

By JoeMagruder

from Berkeley, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great visibility
Long battery life

Cons

Easy To Misplace
Hard to remove

Best Uses

Front headlight
Night commute

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I have had several of these bright, convenient lights- the small size leads to my losing them. They are a bit difficult to unhook from the bike.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

5.0

Great light

By David Shomper

from Boulder, CO

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great visibility
Long battery life

Cons

Best Uses

Front headlight

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I often go for rides before dawn and wanted a light that would make be visible to oncoming traffic. This really does the job, it reflects off signs 2 blocks away. I am impressed with the long battery life also. I've never ridden with it in total darkness, so I don't know if it would put out sufficient light to illuminate the road.

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

1.0

poor design and construction

By CT hiker

from Hartford, CT

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Long battery life
Small and bright

Cons

Blinds rider
Cheap weak mount

Best Uses

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I commute to work along city streets and through a quite dark stretch of park. The lens/reflector design allows too much light to reach the rider's eyes, so one is constantly blinded by ones own headlight. A pice of black duct tape fixed this problem.
The mount is quite cheap, and last week the light flew off my handlebars when I rode over a bump. Over the past monts the tiny notch that held the light in place must have sheared off. It's pretty much useless now and I will return it to REI.

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

5.0

Great Light

By basictraining

from Richardson, TX

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great visibility
Long battery life

Cons

Best Uses

Front headlight
Night commute
Trail riding

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

Like the fact it has a quick and easy to use disconect for daytime riding

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

5.0

Does EXACTLY What It's Supposed to Do

By ewarf

from Aurora, CO

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great price
Great visibility
Long battery life

Cons

Best Uses

Front headlight
Night commute

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I bought this product for sole purpose of illuminating the path/trail in front of me (NOT just to "be seen"), after being caught on a bike path (in an urban setting) after dark with NO STREET LIGHTS and limited moonlight (perhaps 1/2 moon).Objects that were 3-4 feet away were shapeless, dark objects. It was very dangerous riding conditions. This light solves that problem. It is an EXCELLENT choice for the following reasons:- Two (2), commonly-available, AA batteries are all that's required to run it. Batteries come WITH the unit. However, when these disposable batteries are depleted (perhaps months later), I intend to use rechargeable AA batteries.- 80 hours of operation in "Constant-On/High" operation- 320 hours of "Flashing" operation- Low-Profile design with three (3) Superbright White LEDs.- VERY EASY installation with NO TOOLS REQUIRED.- I have mine mounted approximately 36-40 inches above grade, and it's angled down at approximately 35-40 degrees.- This casts a bright oval beam approximately 8-10 feet ahead of my bike.- The OVAL light distribution is approximately 3-4 feet wide (as seen from the saddle) and 5-6 feet in length, as measured from the rear of the oval to front of the oval.- The headlight is detachable if you need to use it like a flashlight away from your bike. While it wasn't intended for that use, you CAN use it like that if you wish.- VERY EASY controls. There is only ONE button used to turn the light on/off or switch between "constant-on" and "flashing". It doesn't get much simpler than that.I can't understand why some have given this product a lower rating based on the amount of light (brightness) projected. It is very bright, and you CAN use this headlight to see objects clearly, depending on where you mount it and how you angle the light. I politely disagree with others that this light is just for "being seen".I'm certain a five (5), seven (7), or ten (10) LED light will provide a lot more illumination, but this three (3) LED unit works great.This is great product for a great price ([$] as of the date of this review). The three LEDs perform marvelously, and with solid-state electronics, you should have years, if not decades, of trouble-free use from this light.

Comment on this review

May

2012

2.0

Not bright enough -

By klmmicro

from Encinitas, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Long battery life

Cons

Weak beam

Best Uses

Night commute

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

This light works fine in flash mode to get the attention of drivers, but is simply not bright enough for use as a primary light on dark roads. The beam is weak and if you are traveling over 10 mph, you will out-ride the visible point on the road. I use it as a flasher in conjunction with a much brighter handlebar mounting lamp.

If your route is lighted by street lamps, then this lamp might be enough to get you by. If you are trail riding, or commuting/touring/training where no other light is available, then I would recommend looking at other option.

For the lamps shortcomings, I find that the general construction is excellent and the battery life is very long.

Comment on this review

Mar

2012

1.0

Great light but cheaply made

By arge

from Berkeley, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great commuter light
Great visibility

Cons

Connections die
Falls Apart
Mount breaks
Short product lifespan
Turns on easily in pack

Best Uses

Front headlight
Night commute

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I use this for a nightly 4 mile urban commute. I am not particularly rough on it. It lives in a pocket in my pack where it gets turned on accidentally. On rare occasions I drop it, I am human.

This would be the perfect urban commuter head light if it weren't such a cheap piece of junk.

The handle bar mount piece broke after 4 months when I dropped it and it landed on a soft cover book that was sitting on a carpeted floor. I can still use that one as a flash light.

Battery connections malfunctioned on the second one after 7 weeks. Totally unusable. Can't even compost it.

Waste of money and contributes to landfill waste.

Will not buy again.

Comment on this review

Mar

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

unbeatable value

By Greenhorn

from Madison, WI

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great visibility
Long battery life

Cons

Best Uses

Front headlight
Night commute

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I use the light to bike 4.5 miles to campus. It works great, and I feel safe when it's on. I use the flash mode, and it reflects street signs blocks away. Installation was simple. I never had to tighten or adjust it in a year's time. The batteries lasted a year too.

The light recently was stolen, but I'm buying another one to replace it.

Comment on this review

Aug

2011

5.0

great light

By David Shomper

from Boulder, CO

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great visibility
Long battery life

Cons

Best Uses

Front headlight

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I love this light. My available handlebar space is very limited due to all the other stuff on it (bell. computer, foam padding), but this one fits nicely due to the narrow strap. On early morning rides, it reflects off signs 2 blocks away. People continually tell me how bright it is. Easy to remove for safekeeping and battery replacement. Easy on the batteries. I use it as a safety light during daylight rides, so I'm not sure how good it is in total darkness.

Comment on this review

Jul

2011

3.0

Average light, difficult mount

By WiscoGal

from Madison, WI

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Light
Long battery life

Cons

Weak beam
Weak mount

Best Uses

Front headlight

Comments about CatEye HL-EL135 Front Bike Light:

I use this for paved trail riding to and from downtown Madison. I like the compact size and light weight, but the beam (even with new batteries) could be stronger for those parts of my ride that are not under street lights.

My biggest complaint is the tool-free mount. I have a devil of a time loosening or tightening it. This weekend I wanted to move it from one bike to another but I was unable to unscrew it with the tool-free knob. Conversely, I can't tighten it enough to stop it from drooping.

I still would recommend it as a cheap knock-around light, but next time I think I'll opt for one with a hex bolt and brighter beam.