Offering a max power output of just 300 lumens, the Blinder Road 3 from Knog expands on the previous popularity of the slightly smaller Blinder Road 2. The 102g (105g claimed) light features a twin-bulb, waterproof construction and integrated USB rechargeable port – offering plenty for the regular commuter or road rider.
Featuring two side-by-side CREE XB-D LED’s, which offer a 22-degreewide beam and a narrow 15-degree beam. Each can be used independently or in varying combinations of brightness or flashing, offering a total of 11 modes. At full blast it’ll only last an hour; however, using it on flash or lower power beams will greatly extend the runtime.
At the full 300 lumens, the light output is perfectly sufficient for general road riding on dark roads, and allows for you to sight road obstacles with sufficient warning. For roads with some light, our favorite setting is with the narrow beam on full for sight and the wide on flash for visibility from other road users.
If being seen is your priority, the alternating flash feature easily grabs attention from afar. Unfortunately side visibility is restricted, with the bulbs sunk into the machined aluminum casing.
A balanced light pattern is created when the two different beams are used together
The replaceable silicone strap and stainless steel clasp is easy to fit and, with two diameters included, it’ll wrap nearly all handlebar sizes without hassle.
Unfortunately, with the unit a quarter heavier and slightly longer than the Blinder Road 2, the strap doesn't offer a rock-solid hold on every handlebar; rough surfaces or sudden impacts can cause the light to tilt from its desired position, although its far from severe. More alarming is how easily the clasp can be undone – care must be taken that the light isn’t accidently flicked loose while changing settings.
It doesn't take much effort to undo that metal clasp – so be careful
At just over 5cm wide, the light’s shape can be a squeeze with some handlebar setups. This was evident when used with an out-in-front style Garmin mount, forcing the Blinder to sit further away from the stem clamp.
While we prefer the ease and simplicity of a bar mounted light for road cycling, Knog also includes a basic helmet mount, which easily attaches to most ventilated helmets via the included velcro strap.
A helmet mount, USB extension cord and different sized handlebar strap are also included
Featuring an integrated, waterproof USB plug, it’s easy to charge the light whenever you're at a computer. Knog has listened to previous complaints that there wasn’t enough space to charge the light with some slimmer computers, and now includes a small USB extension cord if needed.
The Blinder Road 3 is a well-constructed option that offers a sensible amount of light for regular road use. But perhaps there are better options if you regularly ride on rough, worn-out surfaces and/or already have a cluttered handlebar accessory setup.