Hope Vision 1 LED

The availability and cheapness of the latest LED technology in single lamped torches from Asia has shaken up the lighting market like never before. The Vision 1 is Hope's attempt at the same product but with their classy machining and finish, bulletproof reliability and good old-fashioned UK care and support.

The Vision 1 runs off four AA batteries and chucks out a useful if not stellar 240 lumens. Running off high quality rechargeables, Hope claims you can get three hours burn time on the highest of it's four power settings; with 2700mah batteries, our sample regularly achieves this. It even has an additional flashing mode which will go for 24 hours - handy for commuting and far brighter than the usual commuter lamps. Not so handy is the lack of warning when the batteries do finally go; the Vision 1 will just cut out, and to protect the batteries it may take 20 minutes to come back on, even on a lower setting. Just keep an eye on your ride time if you're going off the beaten track. 

while some might question the styling, the retro looks will more than please others...

The finish is up to the usual Hope standard and is available in the regular anodized colours. Our Gunsmoke lamp looked great with its chrome detailing, and while some might question the styling, the retro looks will more than please others. The power switch is very solid and well sealed with a nice rubbery finish. The big grippy end cap is easy to undo even when gloved and is sealed equally well by a rubber O-ring. Inside the plastic battery cage feels a little low rent but it's held up well and does the job of holding its four AAs snugly enough. 

Generously, the Hope Vision Single comes with both helmet and handlebar mounts. But realistically, it's actually too heavy for helmet mounting comfortably. There's also a lanyard; a nice gesture and handy if you're using this as a regular torch as well. Though this is cancelled out by the inability to quick release the mount from the lamp, which also makes it a pain if you do want to switch between helmet mounting and bar mounting. On the flipside, the bar mount does completely quick release from the bike making it a great multi-bike option. It also comes with rubber gromits to adapt it to both normal and oversize handlebars. 

The beam pattern is good. There's a useful and not overly focussed spot with decent throw and the spread is reasonable. You could night ride on this light alone if you're not interested in riding at anything like daylight speeds, but it serves better as a bar-mounted companion to a smaller, lighter and more focused helmet lamp.

At £80 there are much cheaper ways to buy the same or more lumens, but this currently results in buying questionably reliable torches and velcro mounting blocks from Asia. The now ubquitous DealExtreme P7-type torches offer more than double the lumens and spread of light which raises serious questions of pricing in the light market (when they work!). But what the Hope offers is a sensible amount of light on a cracking burn time, with reliability and build quality that no Asian torch can match. If you're riding in the wild, there's a real peace of mind in having at least one lamp that you know won't let you down. The Hope is the most cost effective way of having that.

Neat, tidy, typically 'Hope' product. Reliable but not spectacularly bright.

Comments