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The Buster 400 is not an anti-aircraft spotlight, not a floodlight for winding paths in the dark forest. The 400 stands for the maximum light output: 400 lumens. That's not a lot, but it's not too little either - but more on that in a moment. The lighting expert from Neustadt an der Weinstraße offers a whole Buster range (150/400/800/1100/2000 lumens). The Buster 400 with its well-moulded hard plastic chassis fits in the palm of your hand (83 mm long, 36 mm wide, 35 mm high) and weighs just 107 grams. RRP: 39.95 euros >> e.g. available here at a reduced price.
Fastening
For mounting, Sigma offers a screw clamp for the handlebars with an easy-to-use spindle screw or a silicone strap. The silicone straps (at least the earlier rubber mixtures) quickly became porous and tore, so we opted for the screw ring, which sits firmly and unobtrusively on the handlebars. Very good: Thanks to the clip slide, the light can be slid off the handlebars and removed in one quick movement. Sigma offers an optional helmet holder with Velcro strap.
Operating the Sigma Buster 400
Very important to us, very important to everyone: easy operation. Intuitive and self-explanatory, please! Sigma has achieved this. The operation of the Buster 400 is really foolproof, or as the German army used to say: also approved for officers. Press the large push button twice: On. One long press: Off. The Buster 400 can be fully charged via USB in three hours. The LEDs on the top of the light head indicate the charge status and at the same time how far the charge status has progressed - great!
The battery can be checked when switched off by pressing the large push button once. When switched on, the six LEDs are on anyway. The LED indicator has six lights. 6 = full battery. 1 = 20 per cent (20 per cent steps). If the last light is red = < 20 per cent. If it starts to flicker: 5 per cent.
There are 5 modes with different light intensity:
- High (400 lumens/approx. 2 hours lighting time)
- Mid (200 lumen/approx. 4 hours lighting time)
- Low (100 lumens/approx. 9 hours lighting time)
- Nightflash (300 lumens/5 hours lighting time)
- Dayflash (100 lumens/ 25 hours lighting time)
The Buster 400's memory function is clever: it remembers the mode when it is switched off and immediately switches back to this mode when it is switched on again. In other words: you don't always have to switch through the modes, the usual one is selected straight away.
The Buster 400 has a round light cone, as we know it from a torch. We found this very pleasant in contrast to the angular light beam of some of the competition. At its strongest light output of 400 lumens and a range of 120 metres, it can be used for off-road trail riding. Of course, personal preference also plays a role here - if you want to illuminate the trail as bright as day, you definitely need more lumens. According to the manufacturer, the Buster 400 is also aimed more at commuters, gravellers and racing cyclists.
Conclusion
The bicycle light Sigma Buster 400 is a very practical, well thought-out, high-quality handlebar light with easy operation and a good price/performance ratio (RRP: 39.95 euros). For rides on the forest road, we usually rode with 100 lumen beam power and 9 hours of light duration, only switching to the full 400 lumens on the single trail. The Buster 400 is not quite enough for real mountain bike action at night (which is frowned upon anyway #natureconservation #night'srestforwildlife).
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
