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Knog’s updated Blinder 1000 brings high power a low weight, a focused beam and extra mounting options to what was already one of my favourite front lights.
What makes the Blinder 1000 so impressive is that only a few short years ago, power numbers such as this couldn’t be found in such a compact light, and certainly not at a price of £79.95 / $89.99 / €79.95.
Knog’s use of the 21700 cells, the same as employed by Tesla, means Knog can claim improved runtimes by as much as 35-45% over more conventional cells. This new generation of Blinder lights ups the power output and comes with an improved beam over the original 21700-cell equipped Blinders released in 2023.
Compact power
The new design is very compact at 27mm square by 110mm long, and weighing only 167g.
Despite its modest dimensions, Knog has been able to build in a high-density power cell to provide 5,000mAh of charge. The brand claims that’s good for two hours at the full 950-lumen output, or a huge 120 hours when used in ECO flash mode.
The four LEDs are housed in a polycarbonate lens with optics to use two as spot beams and two as wide angle. The compact square lens provides a well-focused 22-degree beam angle.
The light is water resistant to IP67, which means it has been tested immersed in water one metre deep for 30 minutes. That should ensure it's ready for the wettest winter rides.
The CNC’d aluminium body is well finished, with twin ribs on its flanks enabling you to mount the light either with its silicone slide-on strap mount or using the including action camera mount so you can mount it on the underside of out-front computer mounts, or on a compatible helmet.
Lots of modes and a smart switch
I like the clever silicone button, which has a built-in ring light that changes colour to show you the battery levels: green is 100%, yellow is 50-25%, red is 25-10% and flashing red is <10%. It also doubles up as a charge indicator for its four-hour charge time.
The switch also enables you to scroll through the six light modes – from Hype, a steady-pulse flash mode at 1,000 lumens, through high steady at 950 lumens, medium steady at 450, low steady at 200 and strobe at 200 lumens to the eco flash at 130 lumens.
The Blinder 1000 is joined by a further three new models: the 400 (£59.95 / €59.95 / $65.99 with rear light included), 700 (£59.95 / €59.95 / $64.99) and high-power 1400 (£99.95 / €99.95 / $109.95).
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