Exposure has been fine-tuning its all-in-one mountain bike lights since its inception in 2005, and the brand's solution has always been a neat one. As LED and battery technology have improved, Exposure has incrementally developed its offerings, up to where we are today with the Six Pack Mk12.
Design and aesthetics
The Six Pack Mk12 is housed in a robust 6063 aluminum body, which has seen considerable time on the CNC machine and includes finely machined cooling fins to help with heat dissipation. The housing is anodized gun metal black and has laser-etched graphics including the product logo with a relief map of the legendary Downhill World Cup venue, Fort William, on one side, and details of the 10 light settings on the other.
The rear of the Six Pack has a clear window, where the internal circuitry can be seen with an embedded digital display that shows the setting you’re in and the remaining run time. The main on/off button is also on the rear, and once switched on, the same button is used to select the desired setting. A rubber cover protects the charging port, which Exposure calls the Smart Port+, which can also power a rear light or be used as an emergency power bank for other USB devices.
This latest Six Pack is Exposure’s most powerful light, with a maximum constant output of 3,750 from six white XPL2 (W3) LEDs powered by an internal 17,000mAH Li-Ion battery. The run time ranges between 2 and 36hrs, depending on which of the 10 pre-programmed settings is selected.
Exposure’s expertise in optimizing run time has led to Reflex+ technology, which can be accessed in programs 1 to 3. Reflex+ uses onboard sensors to calculate when you’re riding downhill and will automatically boost the light output, which will then automatically dim when back on the level or riding uphill. In program 1 for example, the output will be boosted from 3,750 lumens, which is the maximum constant LED output, up to 5,250 lumens without any rider intervention. Reflex+ uses thermistors to detect wind chill, a gyroscope to detect gradient and an accelerometer to detect cornering forces to seamlessly make the output adjustment.
Exposure has also patented new electrical circuit technology called ITM that reduces the LED output if it senses things are getting a bit hot. This allows the LEDs to cool down before returning to full power.
The Six Pack is supplied with a handlebar bracket that can accommodate 31.8mm and 35mm handlebars, and incorporates a neat quick-release function that allows for fast removal of the light for charging.
Performance
Fitting the Six Pack is a cinch; simply attach the bracket with a hex key, direct the main spot of the beam to your preferred angle and hit the trails.
My night rides tend to be quite short affairs, not lasting more than two hours, and I’ve done most of the testing without an additional helmet light to get a true sense of the performance. I spent most of my time in program 1, which provides the brightest illumination and benefits from the Reflex+ technology. In program 1 you still have a High and Low setting, achieved by pressing the button on the back, however, Reflex+ is only active in the High setting. The 3,750 lumens continuous output in the High setting is already impressive, providing a broad beam pattern to capture all the trail features directly in front of you, and gives good illumination to the sides as well as at least 25 meters down the trail. Once the onboard sensors have detected you’re heading downhill, the output seamlessly increases to its maximum 5,250 lumens, which gives you the confidence to ride at daytime speeds on otherwise pitch-black trails, with plenty of time to react to what’s coming towards you. The light color is nicely neutral, and Exposure has done a great job with the beam spread. It takes a short while to get used to the shadows that such a bright light creates, especially on woodland trails, but once your eye is in, it’s fantastic.
Another benefit of the Reflex+ is that it automatically dims to about five percent output to save power if you're left waiting for your buddies at the bottom of the trail. I found leaving the Six Pack in one of the Reflex+ programs allows you to just get on with enjoying the trails without having to flip between settings. With regards to run time, I easily achieved the three hours stated for program 1.
If your rides include very challenging trails, then a helmet light would help when approaching tight turns, for example where the bike is still pointing forward just before turning into a tight switchback. The Exposure Zenith would be an excellent accompaniment, but the extra outlay is only justified for the most ambitious of night riders as the Six Pack Mk12 is very competent on its own with good peripheral illumination.
Verdict
The Six Pack Mk12 is a beautifully engineered bit of kit, which has been designed and manufactured in the UK to a very high standard. There’s no avoiding the fact that it's expensive, but you’re getting the latest LED technology with innovations to maximize runtime and improve usability out on the trail. I’ve used the Six Pack's slightly smaller sibling, the MaxxD, for many years, and can testify to its ruggedness and durability. I really can’t find anything to fault with the Six Pack Mk12 and have been extremely impressed with its performance out on the trails.
Tech specs: Exposure Six Pack Mk12
- Price: $610 / £445
- Output: 3,750 lumens (Reflex+ 5,250 lumens)
- Run time: 2hrs (max output) to 36hrs (min output)
- Weight: 406g (without bracket)
- Dimensions: length 116mm, diameter 62mm
