Review – Moon Sport Helix Max Front and Rear Bike Light

The second review of a Moon bike light in as many weeks... they must impress me. This review is of the sleek and slimline Moon Helix and Moon Helix W lights; a red and white (rear and front) light that pack a powerful and intelligent punch out on the road, in both daytime and night-time running modes.

The Moon Sport Helix Max is a powerful 250-lumen rear bike light. In the box you receive the light unit, a smart quarter-turn mount that fits to a seatpost or aero seatpost with a flexible rubber strap, two lengths of strap, a saddle-rail mount, and a USB-C charging cable.

The Moon Sport Helix Max W is a 350-lumen front bike light. In the box you receive the light unit, a similar quarter-turn mount that fits to a handlebar with a flexible rubber strap, and a USB-C charging cable.

Both lights function very similarly; so, from here on when discussing the functions, I will refer to both lights as the Helix Max.

Lighting Modes

The Helix Max has two static modes: pre-set to 80 lumens and 5 lumens (rear) and 180 lumens and 10 lumens (front). Thanks to Moon's VLS (Variable Lumen System) though, you can fully customise the set-up to reduce or increase the power of either of the two modes. The VLS system allows you to extend battery life, by reducing the max output to extend run time.

Flashing mode is reached through a double-click to get to a separate menu. This menu consists of Daytime Flash, Steady Flash, and Flash 1.

The full lumen fixed beam gives you just 2 hours 10 minutes of battery life, while flashing modes offer 20+ hours on both lights.

Performance and Operation

Testing the light on the roads and trails this winter, I have been impressed by the broad visibility and reach of the Helix Max and Helix Max W lights; they have great spread from the beams that also enhances side visibility. These lights are not intended to be 'seeing' lights, but rather 'be seen' lights; that means the Helix Max W does not do an excellent job of 'lighting the way ahead' because it does not have a focussed beam, but it does greatly enhance your visibility.

The light is operated through a single mode button on the front of the unit. You can also use the Intelligent Operation (IO) by pressing the mode button for three seconds when powered off; this mode detects darkness and turns itself on automatically—great for variable light conditions.

To save battery life, the Moon Helix Max has an Intelligent Motion Sensing Function that automatically dims to light after 20 seconds of inactivity; then turns the light to standby when the bike is static for more than 60 seconds. After one hour the light completely switches off. Another great battery conservation tool.

Low battery life is shown when the unit slow flashes on a small blue LED on the rear of the light.

The Helix Max is IPX7 rated (submersible to one metre for 30 minutes).

Summary

Like all other Moon lights that I have tested, the Helix Max is extremely well made and designed, with many clever functions.

Compact, powerful, and clever – this is another winner of an all-season everyday light from Moon.