Hope Technology Vision R1 2013
Reviews / Lights
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At A Glance
Hope launched the R1 as a smaller sibling to the very popular R4 light, which we tested last year. The R4 boast an impressive 1000 lumen output and the R1 comes in at 500 lumens with a 2 cell instead of a 4-cell battery. It’s smaller and lighter than the R4, and comes with bar, helmet and a head mount in the box. The R1 uses a TIR Optic to ensure a good even spread of light and the run time of 2.5 hours is very impressive with the small dual cell 2600mAh battery. It is worth noting that the light is also compatible with the existing Hope battery packs.
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On The Trail
One thing we love about the new lights from Hope is the excellent QR mounting system. Once you have bolted the aluminium bracket to your bars, or the QR mechanism to the helmet mount, you can quickly and easily remove the light. The mounts are all really solid too so there is no danger of them shifting while you ride. The beam that the R1 throws out is very impressive beam pattern with good spread allowing for reasonable peripheral vision. It isn’t the brightest tool in the box, excuse the pun, on paper is has the lowest lumen rating amongst the other lights in this test. However, in the woods it performs well above its weight and would make an excellent helmet light. For the rider who doesn’t want to turn the night into day, and prefers the feeling of actual night riding as it should be then the R1’s small package will really appeal, it’s one of the lightest and smallest units on test and will still provide enough light for a decent length ride.
Overall
Small, light and yet still reasonably powerful, if you are looking for a light for your lid, or a more modest one for your bars then this should be on your list.
Run Times – 2.5 Hours on High (500 Lumens)
Lux Test –
5m: 129
10m: 35
20m: 8
Weight: 260 Grams
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Videos
This review was in Issue 26 of IMB.
For more information visit Hope TechnologyRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou Chater is the Publishing Editor of IMB Magazine; he’s a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, but his passion for bikes knows no bounds. His first mountain bike was a Trek 820, which he bought in 1990. It didn’t take him long to earn himself a trip to the hospital on it, and he’s never looked back since. These days he’s keeping it rubber side down, riding locally and overseas as much as possible.
