Lezyne Mini Drive 400 XL Front Light

I have been using this light for a few months now and all is well. Since it has been a few months since my initial research, I do not recall the close competitors, but I chose this light because of the balance in value, brightness, and battery longevity. It has delivered on all 3 needs. I wanted a light that would be bright and last for long day time rides for a front flasher. I am of the mindset that I want a strong front light for fast road/gravel descents so cars from driveways or side roads see me when my speed is 25+ mph. I do not intend to use for night time, but it could bail me out at dusk. I prefer the full size USB plug charging vs the intricate micro-usb which seem too delicate. It is easy to put the rubber cover on and it seals out wet and grime. A great tip for easy on/off the handle bar is just rotate the light parallel to the handle bar while attaching the rubber strap. Then twist it perpendicular to aim and good to go!

Like the variety of modes and sequence: 4 solid (Overdrive-high-med-low), then 4 moving (medium flash, fast flash, daylight strobe and a continuous hi-lo-hi-lo pulse. With that many modes, it's nice that it remembers your last mode when you turn it off. It's very compact and light, can rotate on its mount if needed. I gave it only 4 stars because I haven't used it enough to judge battery life. My primary use will be to keep it on my road bike in daylight strobe anytime I'm doing day rides. Charging using its USB stick rear end (covered by a removable thick rubber piece when not charging) is different, but I do prefer it to micro-USB fidgeting. In a pinch, it can easily be used as a handheld light or during a power outage for general lighting in "low" mode, and can even stand on its tail. So far, so good!

The charging system they adopted is different from any other product I have ever had. Requires a USB FEMALE slot. Most unusual and not at all convenient vs the other rear and front lights, Garmins, etc which use one of:

USB-A.

USB-B.

USB-B Mini.

USB-B Micro.

USB-C.

Lightning

VERY WEIRD and not user friendly.

I bought this mostly to have a light that was lightweight and compact such that I'd use it more regularly than my more powerful, but heavier light. I use it during the day, and it�s bright enough for night, too. Nice battery life. Rechargeable.

I'm using this as a daytime light mounted with the GoPro adapter under a KOM computer mount with their quick release GoPro mount. The triple flash most is very attention grabbing and battery life (in flash mode) is sufficient for long rides.

It would be nice if the GoPro adapter came with the light (or at least if BTD sold that adapter).

Great for day riding. Taking it off the bar to charge is a negative. A GoPro mount underneath with a stem mount for your computer is neater but you still need to unscrew to charge.

The light appears to work as advertised. I use the daytime mode and it is very bright. Haven't measured the battery life, but it appears to be about as advertised.

Charging the light took some adaptation. It's not easy to unhook it from the handlebars each time to charge it, so I wound up putting a USB charger on an extension cord and charging it on the bike.

I lost the rubber boot that fits over the USB connector within the first month of use. Lezyne claims there isn't a design problem and you just have to make sure it's pushed on firmly. They're sending a replacement under warranty, I'll make sure it's pushed on firmly, and hopefully it'll last.

I�ve had good results with all Lezyne products. This head lamp is no exception. I�ve used it flashing in bright sunlight, full bright in darkness. Very bright for it�s size and weight. Have yet to decide how I like the direct plug in to USB vs cable. I do like that I don�t have to look for a cable. They lay all over the house but sometimes all are in use. Great little lamp overall.

Small and light. Good battery life.