Knog recently rebranded and released a slew of new products, including the electric bike-optimised Blinder E-Range and the long-lasting Blinder X-Range. All of these are based on the brand’s iconic Blinder lights, which are the subject of this review.
The Knog Blinder 900 is one of the best bike lights, offering a maximum of 900-lumen light output, various lighting modes, easy mounting, and more. Better still, thanks to its rectangular form factor, it doubles up as a handheld torch when you’re off the bike!
I love Knog’s brand identity and have used its smaller Frog lights for years. Upgrading to Blinder 900, which isn’t even the most powerful light in the series, felt like going from a '70s Raleigh bike to a full-spec 2020s Specialized. Better still, it’s easy to mount and, as I mentioned above, can be used off-bike as a flashlight.
What’s not to like? Read my Knog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light review below to see if this is indeed the best illumination gadget ever invented for cyclists.
Knog Blinder 900 Front Bike Light review
Price and availability
The original Blinder was launched over two decades ago, with the tested Knog Blinder 900 being the latest iteration of the lights. It currently sells for $79.95/ £79.99/ AU$129.95 at Knog.
Knog offers free delivery on its products when you hit a certain threshold, which is $100/ £100/ AU$100 in the US/ UK/ AU.
The Blinder series goes from 600 (Blinder 600) to 2,300 (Blinder X 2300). The Blinder 900 is the second ‘weakest’ model, so to speak, when it comes to maximum light output.
Specifications
- Max. throw: up to 100 metres
- Max. light output: 900 lumens
- Light modes: 6
- Battery life: up to 120 hrs (Eco flash), 2 hrs (High Steady)
- Battery: 5000 mAh lithium-ion battery
- Rechargeable: yes via USB-C (cable not included in box)
- Charge time: 5 hrs
- Weight: 167g/ 5.9oz
- Water rating: IP67
- Dimensions (H x W x L): 110 x 27 x 27 mm
Design and build quality
The Knog Blinder 900 boasts a beautifully crafted CNC-machined 6061 aluminium housing, offering robust support for the integrated polycarbonate optics. Its four LEDs are arranged in a 2x2 configuration, with two featuring spot optics and the other two equipped with wide-angle elements.
The Blinder 900 features a single silicone button, elegantly encircled by a ring that serves as a battery level indicator. A long press powers the light on, while a quick press cycles through the various steady light modes – 900, 450, and 200 lumens.
By double-pressing the button, the light shifts to strobe mode, where a single press allows you to navigate through the different strobe patterns: Steady Pulse (450lm), Strobe 200lm, and Eco Flash (130lm). Conveniently, the Blinder 900 remembers the last lighting mode used, automatically resuming it when powered back on.
The rechargeable battery can be recharged via the USB-C port located at the bottom of the unit, which is protected by a rubber cap to prevent water and debris ingress. Although the Knog Blinder 900 does not include a charging cable, it's safe to assume that most users already possess one.
The Blinder 900 weighs 167g/ 5.9oz and measures 110mm in length, 27mm in width, and 27mm in height. With an IP67 rating, it is designed to withstand rainy conditions, and Knog specifies an operating temperature range of -20 to 50 °C, making it suitable for year-round use.
The company supplies two mounting options: a flexible silicone strap that wraps around your handlebar and a GoPro-esque plastic mount that allows you to affix the Blinder 900 to the bottom of your cycling computer. The latter certainly provides a better aerodynamic advantage.
Performance
The Knog Blinder 900 is remarkably straightforward to mount and operate. The silicone mount, which I used most of the time during testing, can be affixed to your handlebar in a matter of seconds. Then, all you have to do is press the Blinder 900 into the cradle, and you’re ready to go.
It’s worth mentioning that the light need to be pressed into the cradle hard to ensure it stays put during your rides. You’ll hear a click when it’s in position.
The light output is more than sufficient for anything but riding in pitch-black conditions. Thanks to the four-LED setup, the spread of light is near-perfect and covers a big enough area to help you feel safe on the road.
It’s really hard to find any flaws in the Blinder 900. I initially thought that the silicone strap might break sooner than the light itself, but you can buy replacements for peanuts, so that’s not a big issue.
Another issue – I’m splitting hairs here – is the rechargeable battery. It’s environmentally friendly to use rechargeable batteries, of course, but their performance deteriorates over time, whereas swappable battery lights can maintain their light performance for longer.
Needless to say, this is very theoretical, as bike lights with swappable batteries also deteriorate over time. In my opinion, the Blinder 900’s rechargeable battery is still a better option.
One of my favourite features of the Blinder 900 is that it can also function as a flashlight. I often used it as such when I was looking for my keys or when I was undoing the bicycle lock. It fits perfectly in the hand and operates exactly the same way as handheld torches. The Knog Blinder 900 really is two lights in one!
Batter life
The Knog Blinder 900 offers an impressive maximum battery life of 120 hours in Eco Flash mode, delivering a 130-lumen output that is ideal for daytime visibility.
Personally, I favoured the Steady Pulse mode, which provides a balanced 450-lumen output. This mode effectively bridges the gap between continuous and strobe settings, ensuring both enhanced visibility for the rider and increased conspicuity to oncoming traffic. The Blinder 900 can operate for up to eight hours in this mode.
The High Steady mode, with its powerful 900-lumen output, lives up to the light's name, making it highly effective for early morning or late-night rides. However, in this mode, the Blinder 900’s battery life is limited to a few hours on a full charge.
Should you buy the Knog Blinder 900?
You absolutely should buy the Knog Blinder 900, yes. It’s affordable, doubles up as a handheld torch, and is well-built. Light output and battery life are on point, and it’s also easy to operate the light. Highly recommended!
Verdict
The Knog Blinder 900 is an outstanding bike light that lives up to its reputation, offering a powerful 900-lumen output, versatile lighting modes, and a robust, well-crafted design. Its ease of use and dual functionality as both a bike light and handheld torch make it a valuable investment for cyclists.
While the rechargeable battery might raise concerns about longevity compared to swappable batteries, its performance remains impressive, especially with a maximum battery life of 120 hours in Eco Flash mode. Overall, the Knog Blinder 900 is a highly recommended, reliable, and versatile lighting solution for any cyclist.
