Light & Motion Urban 500 & VIS 500 Bike Lights - Review

The Light & Motion bike lights, particularly the traditional flashlight-shaped versions, have appealed to me for their multi-use features. Stow it in your pocket for night-time neighborhood walks, or swap between bikes. They also function as a light inside the tent or navigating a dark campground. 

I have used the Urban 500 (mint-colored model) for nine years, purchased locally to primarily extend the commuting season after the autumn time change. In recent years, it has allowed me to ride from a home office for exercise. It's been an amazing, reliable light, and the strap recently broke in the commonly used hole. Light & Motion sells parts so it was an easy repair. 

Both 500 lumen lights have four settings: 3 variable brightness modes and one flashing mode. They both share the same button switch - depress to switch on the brightest setting and cycle through to the flash mode. Hold button down longer and the light turns off. I use the second setting - 300 lumens - the most to light completely dark rail trails. There's enough brightness to spot unlit walkers, cyclists, and the occasional cat, deer, raccoon, and other nocturnal creatures. Both have amber side lights, handy for illuminating the handlebar, and long battery life (and similar indicator) though in 25F weather understandably, a bit less.

A couple years ago, fearing the Urban's eventual demise, I picked up a discounted VIS 500 (red color) as a backup, taking a chance on a new model. 

The VIS 500 has different features; the extended battery life is noticeable. I presume that's due to newer technology. The beam pattern is not as broad so there's distinctly less peripheral lighting, thus less awareness of woodland nighttime critters. Another feature, deemed for safety, is the lock-out mode. Because it's a nuisance, I keep it unlocked for easier use. The button has taken some getting used to but now that I know the light's nuances, the VIS 500 is part of my regular rotation and was worth the discount.

Light and Motion may be discontinuing both models, though, in the future, I wouldn't hesitate to stick with the brand.