Most of running starts around 5 in the morning which means that for most of the year, I'm out well before dawn. I run mostly in the suburbs, sometimes on a sidewalk, many times in the roads and occasionally on unlit trails. For six years, I ran with an old Petzl Tikka2 and I loved how well it fit, how easy it was to use and how it never bounced on my head. All was good except it wasn't that bright, especially if the batteries were beginning to lose their charge. After a lot of research, I went with this headlamp. While I was tempted to buy the
Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp
at close to $80 that's a bit extravagant for a headlamp. The Foxelli offered very similar -- if not better -- specs at far less than half the cost.
I had my doubts about this company because they seem to be very aggressive with their marketing. (Check out the owner. There's a link on the Foxelli website. He purports to be a social media and internet marketing mensch.) Google this product and you'll see references to it all over the internet, mostly in the comment sections of Headlamp Reviews that did not reference the Foxelli Product. Further, they seem to be very quick to hand out sample products in tacit exchange for reviews. Nearly all of the videos about this product clearly state that the reviewers were given a free headlamp. The support this product enjoys appears to be less than organic. With that said, I paid full freight for this thing. $30 on Amazon is what it cost me.
What I Like
-It fits well. The elastic is snug but not too tight. It's not quite as robust as my old Petzl, but it's plenty good and doesn't slide around when I'm moving at a fast clip.
-It does not bounce. This is an important feature of any running headlamp. Any bouncing will drive you crazy. My running partner's light fits like a wet noodle tied around your head and it's distracting. While the Petzl has absolutely zero bounce, the Foxelli's bounce, if it has one, is so minimal as to be barely noticeable after a minute.
- It's lightweight and well balanced. There's a every-so-slight tug on the back from the battery pack, but that sensation goes away after a minute or so. I was worried about having a battery pack in the back, but I think it's a genius design. The battery weighs hardly anything and it's on par with three AAA batteries.
-It's super bright. The average setting is plenty bright to light up the road in front of you. No need to stare at a patch of illuminated blacktop mere feet in front of you. There's enough light to see what's coming down the road 20 seconds out. The High setting isn't really needed for street running but it is awesome for hitting trails. First time I used it, I was able to move at a much faster clip compared to my old-school Petzl. Rocks and roots were easily seen.
-See and be seen. Drivers seem to love to blast you with their highbeams. Fightback with this thing. Seriously though, as much I need to light up the road, the real benefit of a headlamp is that it announces your presence to motorists. There's no missing this thing, even on the average setting.
-The diffuser is a nice touch and well engineered. I don't like it for running as it creates a halo of sorts on the periphery of my vision near my forehead but for walking around, that's not a problem. The unfiltered spot light is great for running, throwing a nice strong beam X meters in front of you and about a meter wide -- exactly where you'll be running.
What I Don't Like
-The button to switch the light is poorly design. Unlike my old Petzl with one giant button on top, easily clicked with even mittens on, the Foxelli button is tiny and on the left side of the light. I'm able to work it with a thin pair of gloves but it's position makes it awkward to use. The problem is that you have to almost pinch the light so that your hand doesn't cover the bulb and blind you. It's so poorly placed, I wonder what they were thinking. So, why am I not docking them a star? I don't manipulate the button too often while I'm out running, perhaps only when I leave the road and enter the woods. It's not that big of a deal and the button provides a nice, satisfying click when depressed.
-There is no strobe. There is no true strobe, only an odd S-O-S signal. Further, to activate the SOS, you need to hold the button for 1.5 seconds and then another 1.5 seconds to shut it off. This wasn't designed for runners. I love to use the strobe setting when I run through a downtown area with lots of street lights and traffic. A solid light blends in but a blinking one doesn't. The SOS feature is ridiculous when a simple strobe will do. Further, you shouldn't have to hold the button down for 1.5 seconds. It's hard enough using the button, let along doing it for that much time while running. It should really be another setting that you cycle through, perhaps after the super bright section.
Overall
This is a sold light. I recommend it. The things I don't like aren't enough to take a star away but something to consider. It's a $30 light and for that, I'll overlook these minor shortcomings.
| Special Feature | rechargeable |
|---|---|
| Color | Yellow |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Light Source Type | LED |
| Material | Rubber |
| Included Components | Headlamp, Rechargeable Battery, Instruction Manual, Emergency Whistle, Elastic Headband, Two USB Charging Cables, Foxelli Stickers |
| Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
| Item Weight | 4.4 Ounces |
| Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Brand | Foxelli |
| Battery Description | Lithium |
| Runtime | 100 hours |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Running, Walking, Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Jogging, Reading, Caving, Off-grid, Boating, kayaking, canoeing, Skiing, snowboarding, hunting, mountain Biking, rescue operations, automobile Repairs, Electrical, plumbing, any household work, Biking, Mountain Climbing, walking your dog, Training on trails, roads, deserts |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 10.2 x 3.7 x 2 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.2 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1.38 x 1.77 x 1.38 inches |
| Brand Name | Foxelli |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty Description | 100% satisfaction or 120 days money back guarantee + 12 months warranty for repair or exchange! |
| Model Name | FBA_MX500Y |
| Manufacturer | Foxelli |
| Part Number | FBA_MX500Y |
