Blackburn Mars 3.0 Rear Light > Reviews > Safe brightness in a small package

Author's product rating:   

Value for money	Excellent
Durability	Good
How does it compare to similar products?	Good

Advantages:	Small; Bright; Sturdy
Disadvantages:	Slightly disappointing runtime

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Ever since the law changed to allow cyclists to use flashing LED lights (as long as they are bright enough) there has been a noted change in the safety of riders after dark, and efforts by the companies making these items to outdo each other by producing the brightest and most notable sets of lights.

Blackburn have recently upped the ante with a number of lights, and while at the front they have gone large and effective with the Quadrant, on the rear the Mars 3.0 (named after the red planet) proves just as effective at making sure other road users will see you.

There are seven LEDs packed into this small case, and powered by only two AAA batteries they manage to produce a remarkably intense light - following my girlfriend at night, with this mounted, I can't look directly into the light it is that bright.

The bracket for this unit is the standard type that wraps around the seatpost and 'ratchets' into place along a plastic belt (for some reason rear lights have not yet adopted the easy quick-release of front lights). The light unit itself slots into this easily, and the clip can also double as a clip to attach to your clothes.

The LEDs are arranged with five pointing backwards, and one each to either side (where they are coloured orange) to provide 180 degrees of visibility. The whole unit feels sturdy, and watertight - certainly able to put up with the whole winter of commuting, and gives 150 hours runtime in flashing mode, with 50 hours on constant (something which could be a little better).

The modes include: on constantly; all flashing; random flashing; and flashing in sequence.

This little light does exactly what is needed of it, but if you want to see it in action head to www.citycycling.co.uk - go to the ccMovies page where, until December 7th 2007, a video will be viewable showing the light in operation. After this date the video will still be accessible on the citycycling YouTube pages.