The R2 is getting on a bit but that doesn’t show when it comes to performance. This is a great little light that gives out just enough illumination to ride quickly on unlit roads and trails.
Visibility is good, and on full power there is a surprisingly large amount of light being thrown out. A hotspot in the middle gives plenty of useful spread.
The R2 comes in a neat lightweight package, with the switch placed inline on the cord from the battery to the light head unit.
You can place it within reach of your thumb on the bars to switch between the three available modes (high and low power, and flashing).
The cable is a little on the long side, but this does at least give the option of fitting the battery down on your frame, and it comes with an extender cord for helmet mount duties with the battery in your bag.
It has more than enough battery life when used on low power through lit streets to see you out in the dark for nearly five hours. On full power off-road we coaxed two hours and 14 minutes out of it.
As you'd expect from Cateye, build quality is excellent, and no amount of abuse with water or impact could stop the R2 from working flawlessly.
This isn’t a light that is going to set your night riding on fire, but for a small and low weight unit, it works admirably well.
Road use: 4/5
Off-road use: 3/5