Chinertown
Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: ChrisB on March 22, 2023, 12:28:57 PM
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What are the long term experiences with the Magene L508 Radar bike light?
I believe several regulars have this already in use?
Tempted by this offer to combine with my Garmin 830:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004639380107.html
BR Chris
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I'm using it for all my road rides.
Combined with a Karoo 2.
Two usages:
1) when a car approaches, you are warned, and know if it comes fast
2) after launching an attack to the peloton, I know if some are catching up ;)
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I'm using the same combination. Magene L508 and Karoo 2. So far it's been great. Aside from the radar function (which works well), I really like the auto on and off, change in flashing pattern when cars approach or you slow down and the improvements they are making via software updates that come through the app.
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As good as Garmin Varia?
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Has anyone used it with Wahoo Elemnt Bolt? If so - how is it? I have the v1 of elemnt bolt
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Thank you all for this feedback, this sounds really encouraging.
Pulled the trigger and now waiting for it to arrive before the spring bike holidays in Italy...
BR Chris
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Has anyone used the app for more light modes? Is there any firmware updates? Some of my cons can be fixed with firmware updates if there are any.
I use my magene and varia.
Pros
Auto sleep
Bright light
Same size as varia
Can use garmin saddle mounts that can be rotated 90*
safety lanyard to hook to saddle
About the same battery life varia
Type c charging
Cons
False (ghost) cars
Cars show up in red at lower speeds on my bolt v2. Compared to varia.
Battery wears fast in high traffic(city) riding. The varia has the same issue.
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Has anyone used the app for more light modes? Is there any firmware updates? Some of my cons can be fixed with firmware updates if there are any.
I use my magene and varia.
Pros
Auto sleep
Bright light
Same size as varia
Can use garmin saddle mounts that can be rotated 90*
safety lanyard to hook to saddle
About the same battery life varia
Type c charging
Cons
False (ghost) cars
Cars show up in red at lower speeds on my bolt v2. Compared to varia.
Battery wears fast in high traffic(city) riding. The varia has the same issue.
How fast is fast when it comes to battery life?
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In Chicago area I can drain the batteries in a 2:30-3hr ride. In the country I could do 6 or so hrs.
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So there is a firmware update. I installed the magene utility on a phone to do the update. I'll be using it the next week to see what has changed.
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So there is a firmware update. I installed the magene utility on a phone to do the update. I'll be using it the next week to see what has changed.
In terms of features, ability to customize and reduce the time it takes for the light to go into sleep mode is one of my favorite updates. They also added some power saving settings if you want to customize the brightness to extend battery life.
I wouldn't use this as I pair it with a K2 head unit, but an interesting feature is the ability to use the Magene smartphone app as a display for the radar so you can see cars approaching.
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In Chicago area I can drain the batteries in a 2:30-3hr ride. In the country I could do 6 or so hrs.
damn that is quick, i also live in an urban area and the thought of having to charge it every ride doesn't sound very pleasant.
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damn that is quick, i also live in an urban area and the thought of having to charge it every ride doesn't sound very pleasant.
Well... now after a ride, I charge the karoo, a whoop, sometimes a SRAM battery, a red light, a front flashing light, a Lupine battery if MTB, and the radar. ???
Hopefully I do not forget to charge my phone, and... my car!
And I'm glad I don't ride an e-bike... yet ;D
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Well... now after a ride, I charge the karoo, a whoop, sometimes a SRAM battery, a red light, a front flashing light, a Lupine battery if MTB, and the radar. ???
Hopefully I do not forget to charge my phone, and... my car!
And I'm glad I don't ride an e-bike... yet ;D
That's what I like about my current setup; mechanical 105, rear light/front light lasts 2 weeks before I have to charge as I only bother turning it on for sketchy roads. I'm using 4iii left sided PM and it lasts for a very long time before I have to change the battery. Elemnt bolt v1 usually lasts a week~ or so before charging as I just use it on dim with power, rpm, bpm, speed.
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Seems my Magene L508 radar light was on a slow boat from China... it arrived only two weeks ago.
So far really happy with the light. I am using it in combination with a Garmin 830.
Some observations:
- Sometimes the warning for cars clears to early... before the car passes
- Setup/Activation in the Magene App was not the most straightforward experience, but worked in the end
- Using it in pure Radar mode will last me up to 6 hours in a rural area with medium traffic
- The mount for the seat post works, but easily slips and changes direction, hence ordered some new mounts from Alix
I got these mounts for the seat post:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005059967477.html
All well except that the light is 90 degree off...
Good that the inner adapter is fixed with two screws so it can be removed. However to fix it in the correct direction, I had to make use of good old epoxy adhesive. So far so good, now we will see how stable this is in the long run.
(https://i.ibb.co/zGZ081C/IMG-1614.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D5QSGNm)
BR Chris
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bought a Garmin Varia RTL 515, loved it, had to send it back for warranty, the usb cover got dislodged on gravel ride. Did not want to be without a radar so I got a Magene L508 in the interim. Now have two radar lights and I ride with the Magene and lend the Garmin to friends to convince them to buy their own (and the end up buying the Magene).
Main differences other that Magene is smart tail light and brightens when you brake (which is why I ride with it)
The Garmin is slightly brighter (but I run both in flashing mode)
When a car matches your speed, the Garmin will keep the alert for a couple of seconds longer than the Magene before it drops. But once a car or other object including another bike matches your speed the alert will disappear.
Other than that the are the same, get false postives from both, usually from vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. Never had a false negative, ie no missed approaching cars. They both work with Wahoo Bolt V2, Wahoo Elmnt, Garmin 510, Garmin 935 watch and Magene C 508.
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Just received my light, I unfortunately cannot connect to it with the Magene Utility app, how do I update the firmware then?
Anybody else with this issue?
"This device is not compatible with the current app. Please use the corresponding app."
My app version is v1.7.1
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Just received my light, I unfortunately cannot connect to it with the Magene Utility app, how do I update the firmware then?
Anybody else with this issue?
"This device is not compatible with the current app. Please use the corresponding app."
My app version is v1.7.1
That is the current version of the app, looks exactly the same but it connects to my L508 without that message.
I would contact Magene support.
There was rumour of two different versions of the L508, one built just for the Chinese market and the other for the International market. If you bought your L508 from AliExpress you might of got the Chinese version.
I did buy my from the "offical" Magene store on AliExpress, but that was 18 months ago.
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I've had mine for over a year now, and very pleased with it. No issues and just works, paired to my Bryton.
Didn't even realized there were firmware upgrades till I read this thread!
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I've had mine for over a year now, and very pleased with it. No issues and just works, paired to my Bryton.
Didn't even realized there were firmware upgrades till I read this thread!
how long does it last and has the battery degraded over a year?
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That is the current version of the app, looks exactly the same but it connects to my L508 without that message.
I would contact Magene support.
There was rumour of two different versions of the L508, one built just for the Chinese market and the other for the International market. If you bought your L508 from AliExpress you might of got the Chinese version.
I did buy my from the "offical" Magene store on AliExpress, but that was 18 months ago.
Thank you, I did try contacting them via email and even their FB page but no answers so far after a week... I'm considering asking for an aliexpress refund at this point...
I did download the chinese app (wasn't easy for me) and it does connect, but then without any translation the app is completely unusable for me sadly...
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how long does it last and has the battery degraded over a year?
hmm around 8 hours i would say roughly on radar only, maybe 5 with some kind of light on as well. I don't feel the battery has degraded.
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Same here my Magene is still going strong after over one year.
I would estimate the battery lasts around 8 hours when using the radar activated light function.
I usually charge it every second day when commuting to be on the safe side.
In the meantime I have found nice mounts for the seat post that do not need modification:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005257444438.html
BR
Chris
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Same here my Magene is still going strong after over one year.
I would estimate the battery lasts around 8 hours when using the radar activated light function.
I usually charge it every second day when commuting to be on the safe side.
In the meantime I have found nice mounts for the seat post that do not need modification:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005257444438.html
BR
Chris
I bought one of those from Amazon when I got my radar and immediately stripped the bolt head when trying to install. Just trying to unscrew the bolt to open the collar the first time. Maybe it was a fluke, I’ll probably get another and try again but in the meantime I’ve ordered a saddle rail mount.
Distinctly heavier because the body is aluminum, and probably not as aesthetic. But I strongly disliked the thought of having another one of these plastic ones strip the bolt while it was installed and then struggling to remove it.
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In the meantime I use three of these mounts and never had any issues with a striped bolt head, may have been bad luck.
I also considered saddle mounted options but due to the saddle bags I use for tube and tools this is not really an option for me.
I think when it comes to AliGoods it is all try and error... ;D ...and as long as cost is reasonable the risk is small.
BR Chris
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Sorry if I'm missing it but I can't find anywhere if there is a mode to "disable" the light and only flash once it detects a vehicle.
Battery life is kind of an issue for me and I don't see the point in flashing when there isn't anybody to be seen by.
Is there such a feature? Sounds like a nobrainer
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Sorry if I'm missing it but I can't find anywhere if there is a mode to "disable" the light and only flash once it detects a vehicle.
Battery life is kind of an issue for me and I don't see the point in flashing when there isn't anybody to be seen by.
Is there such a feature? Sounds like a nobrainer
It has that feature, its called single radar mode, under the light settings. Then theres a subsetting in that mode which will flash the lights on detection of a car.