Cateye is coming out with a new bike light that appears to be a combination solar-charged Ni-MH battery and a AA alkaline battery. The AA serves as a backup when you’re out of sun juice.
From Cateye’s product description:
The solar cell charges the nickel-metal hydride battery for up to 6 hours of ride time and the alkaline back-up allows for a reserve 30 hours of run time…choose between power sources for maximum power and run time.
My buddy Scott Sing down in Los Angeles has been testing out a demo model of the light and says that it’s as bright as most AAA-powered lights. He also reports that so far, he’s had no problem with charging or run-time.
The Cateye HL-EL020 will be available some time this month, and should run around $49. It looks to have a quick release feature, if you’re concerned about theft — I mean look at the thing, it looks awesome. Looks like a Storm Trooper’s wrist-mounted laser cannon.
I’m not sure why they waited for the onset of the grey, cloudy season in the States to release a product that distinguishes itself by its use of solar power, but I’m stoked about it nonetheless.
