Cycliq Fly12 CE and Fly6 CE lights and action camera review

Cycliq’s Fly12 and Fly6 combined light-and-action-cameras launched on Kickstarter in 2015 and have seen a couple of upgrades since, but the principle remains the same for the latest CE models – front and rear lights with a hi-res camera packed tightly together so that you can capture your cycling adventures or, probably the main sell for roadies, incidents of dangerous driving.

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Both Fly CEs can record HD video at 1080p/60fps. Six-axis electronic image stabilisation, a 135-degree wide angle lens, automatic incident recording and up to eight hours of run time in camera-only mode mean they offer a good alternative to the cyclist who doesn’t want to clutter up their bike with separate cameras and lights.

From a lighting point of view they’re good. The Fly12 offers up to 600 lumens, which is enough for fast, dark riding and the Fly6 100. Both have nine constant, flashing and pulse modes that you switch on and off in the companion app.

The app is also used for configuring camera settings and checking battery levels. The lights are also ANT enabled so can be controlled from later Garmins.

I’ve found the footage to be good in most daylight scenarios but the reflective nature of number plates means that close-passers’ registrations can be nigh-on impossible to read at night.

I’ve had better results from the 12 than the 6 – the Velcro strap to which the rear mount is attached didn’t always cope well with bumpy surfaces.

I was also disappointed with the supplied mount for the Fly 12CE. This plastic part doesn’t match the quality feel of the unit itself. It didn’t take long before the mount snapped even though I was using recommended torque settings.

The optional up front mount, which lets you mount both the light and a GPS is much better but costs £70.

Until a successful firmware upgrade I also had concerns about reliability. A fully charged light that switches off during a one hour winter commute does little for confidence.

Niggles aside, the Cycliq products offer something unique and useful, but at £400 for a full set it’s expensive.

• Fly12 CE: £255 / $279 / AU$399
• Flye6 CE £169 / $179 / AU$259