The Radbot 1000

There is a new king of the mountain in bicycle tail lights and it’s name is the Radbot 1000 by Portland Design Works.

I don’t make this statement lightly, considering the strong contenders in bicycle tail lights on the market – lights like the almost legendary Planet Bike Superflash, or the Blackburn Mars 4.0 – but turn on the Radbot 1000 for the first time and stare at it and prepare to be blinded for awhile (ok, actually, I wouldn’t recommend staring at this light at close range!)

This light is crazy bright and powered by a 1.0 watt LED.  That’s twice the power of most of the bicycle tail lights on the market and it shows.

The three flash modes of the Radbot 1000 are also a factor that distinguishes the light from its closest competitors.  My favorite mode is a fast low to high intensity strobe effect followed by a quick flash and a second low to high strobe effect.  The slower strobe effect can be used without the quick flash or you can select a “constant on” setting with no flash.

Two other design factors are notable.  One, the light features a large red reflector underneath the LED emitter.  If your batteries die, you’re still getting the benefit of having a rear facing red reflector.  Two, the light is turned on by holding down the power switch for two seconds.  This makes it much less prone to being accidentally turned off by a jolt your might encounter on the road.

Seatpost, rack and seat stay mounting options are included for maximum flexibility.

I use a Radbot 1000 installed on the bicycle rack on my Trek Soho.  The light is so bright that when I combine it with other lights, they’re hard to see because the Radbot projects so much intensity.  The light has been reliable save for two instances where I arrived home to find that the light was turned off.  I’m investigating this to determine whether it is related to battery life or could be a sign that a severe jolt might somehow be enough to cause the light to turn off.  I’ll keep you posted and submit an update soon.

This aside, it is very easy for me to recommend this tail light.  It is a true “bicycle defender” by reaching far out into the darkness behind you to inform motorists of your presence.