THOR Review
From Spanninga
http://www.spanninga.com/products/headlamps/thor/
A very powerful cycle light from a company called Spanninga, who are based in the Netherlands, [the home of recreational cycling].
A little more about Spanninga, they started out in 1918 and are a family run business, and the rest they say is "History" read the full story here on the link below, it is a very interesting story. http://www.spanninga.com/company/values/
Before I start this review I would like to Thank Spanninga, for the chance to do this review on a great "no Frills cycle light", one that does exactly what it is designed to do, and that is "Light up the path in front"
A quote from a cyclist in front of me whilst out on a night ride " with your light on I might as well turn my light off and save my battery!"
The Thor Light is "Bright" ! yes very "Bright"!
Whats in the Box!
The Thor does not come in a Box, it comes in it own " Transportation Case"!
Open the zipper to reveal the contents of the case.
Contents protected by a foam filler, that neatly keeps everything tightly in place.
Whats in the Case.
Light source: CREE XM-1 L2® LED 1100 LumenPower source: Samsung Lithium Ion 8.4V 5200 m A/h rechargeable battery, in water resistant neoprene sleeve
1A wall socket charger
120cm extension cable
Helmet mount
Head mount
2x O-ring brackets (Ø 40mm & Ø 50mm)
Velcro® cable tie
The Thor Light
It is shock resistant and waterproof as well.
Spanninga say on their website that the Thor has a IPX-8 and is suitable for continuous immersion under water at 2m!
(Foot note See details at bottom of review blog re the IPX test)
Charge Times: 6 Hours from fully discharged (Flat)
3 Hours charge time if charged up when the Red light shows on the main light unit.
this light is fitted with the latest breakthrough in LED's, the output from the CREE® XM-L2® LED is the Highest performing available on the market today!
The XM-L2 LED offers the unique combination of high efficacy and high lumen output at high drive currents.
Plus it will give you 20% more power than the older Cree Lamp.
That explains why it is so Bright!
It has no gimmicks of pulsating flashes, just a two second hold down on the Power button, and it's turned on, the two second hold is a great idea if you have the light packed away in your pocket or a bag, personally I would disconnect the light from the battery pack when keeping it in the Transportation Case.
As soon as the light was charged up I went out into the garden and connected the Thor to the Battery pack, it has a square connector and is fool proof to connect up to.
The light was surprising in Low setting.
Low setting on the Thor.
High Setting on the Thor.
You can see how the high beam has completely lit up the wall
Out on a Ride
Simply mount the Thor light where you want it, this could be on the handle bars, cycle helmet or head strap. The Thor is held on to the handle bars by one of the "O" rings, remember the Thor comes with 2 x O-ring brackets (Ø 40mm & Ø 50mm) so ideal for thinner bars and the thicker ones mountain bike riders use, simply place the "O" ring with the tab at the back and place it on your handle bars!
Big Top Power Button.
How Good Is The Bulb?
If you are expecting the Thor to have a "Bulb" think again!
this light is fitted with the latest breakthrough in LED's, the output from the CREE® XM-L2® LED is the Highest performing available on the market today!
The XM-L2 LED offers the unique combination of high efficacy and high lumen output at high drive currents.
Plus it will give you 20% more power than the older Cree Lamp.
That explains why it is so Bright!
How Bright Is The Thor By Spanninga.
In simple words it is "Bright"It has no gimmicks of pulsating flashes, just a two second hold down on the Power button, and it's turned on, the two second hold is a great idea if you have the light packed away in your pocket or a bag, personally I would disconnect the light from the battery pack when keeping it in the Transportation Case.
As soon as the light was charged up I went out into the garden and connected the Thor to the Battery pack, it has a square connector and is fool proof to connect up to.
The light was surprising in Low setting.
You can see how the high beam has completely lit up the wall
Out on a Ride
Simply mount the Thor light where you want it, this could be on the handle bars, cycle helmet or head strap. The Thor is held on to the handle bars by one of the "O" rings, remember the Thor comes with 2 x O-ring brackets (Ø 40mm & Ø 50mm) so ideal for thinner bars and the thicker ones mountain bike riders use, simply place the "O" ring with the tab at the back and place it on your handle bars!
The battery pack in the Neoprene waterproof sleeve can be mounted on your top bar, remember this Thor is "Waterproof" so mud and water will not harm it in any way!
Typical Cycle Track found in any Towns or County's.
Dark and not well lit.
Same location with the Thor turned on Low
The same location with the Thor turned on to High, if you look closely you can see the path is lit up much brighter.
Testing the Thor on a towpath, Low setting
Nice wide beam, which shows the path ahead, making riding safer.
Power set to High Beam, notice the main beam has traveled further and is more focused to the front
Out on a test ride.
I found the Thor is the perfect Cycling light, I did not need to have this on full at any time, it was bright enough to expose the pot-holes in the road ahead.
The Photos really does not do this light justice for it's brightness.
A Dark Carpark.
Nice and Bright!
Now you are ready to head out on the trail!
Dark and not well lit.
Nice wide beam, which shows the path ahead, making riding safer.
The Photos really does not do this light justice for it's brightness.
My Verdict on the Thor.
The Thor is an amazingly super bright no frills light, suitable for any sport not just cycling, its water proof so ideal for pot holing adventures down in dark caves, etc!
Out on the road bike around dark country roads, the Thor shines bright in front with a nice beam width.
Push the setting button to high and the road is lit up, in fact a bit too much for the cars coming towards you, so it's good to be able to just adjust from high to low when needed. Ideal for group road riders amongst you.
Push the setting button to high and the road is lit up, in fact a bit too much for the cars coming towards you, so it's good to be able to just adjust from high to low when needed. Ideal for group road riders amongst you.
On a ride around the woods it was amazing! the high beam became a wide beam and lit up the way ahead exceptional clearly, which makes it also ideal for the trail rider.
Best battery meets best Cree = Thor
Simply had no issues with the Spanninga Thor light in any way, the case it comes in a very nice touch to help keep all the parts together.
A top quality head lamp.
Will be adding updates so watch out for the Tweet's vie @TDF79
UPDATE 11/20/2015.
First time I have seen this Red light come on!
The Thor has not been charged for a very long time, I have done several night rides with the Spanninga Thor light and it has performed faultlessly, can recommend this light for the night rides any where!
UPDATE 23/12/2015
A Photo on the Thor out at night with Patrick Lamarre (Phot used with permission) |
| A Great photo from Parick |
Test Level Definitions
IPX-0 No special protection
IPX-1 Protected against falling water Equivalent to 3-5mm rainfall per minute for a duration of 10 minutes.
Unit is placed in its normal operating position.
IPX-2 Protected against falling water when tilted up to 15 degrees - Same as IPX-1 but unit is tested in 4 fixed positions -
tilted 15 degrees in each direction from normal operating position.
IPX-3 Protected against spraying water - Water spraying up to 60 degrees from vertical at 10 liters/min at a pressure of 80-100kN/m2 for 5 min.
IPX-4 Protected against splashing water - Same as IPX-3 but water is sprayed at all angles.
IPX-5 Protected against water jets - Water projected at all angles through a 6.3mm nozzle at a flow rate of 12.5 liters/min at
a pressure of 30kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.
IPX-6 Protected against heavy seas - Water projected at all angles through a 12.5mm nozzle at a flow rate of 100 liters/min at
a pressure of 100kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.
IPX-7 Protected against water immersion - Immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.
IPX-8 Protected against water submersion - The equipment is suitable for continual submersion in water under conditions which are identified by the manufacturer.
THOR IS IPX-8 RATED!
Look out for the THOR
http://www.actionforcharity.co.uk/eventdetailsnew2.php/urlsearch/Women-V-Cancer-Ride-the-Night-2016
Dunwich Dynamo 120 Mile unsupported night ride 16/17th July 2015
https://instagram.com/harlowcycle/
Foot Note This is not a Paid Advertisement for Spanninga
This specific IPX-2 Shielded versus plummeting normal water while tilted approximately 15 certifications - Comparable to IPX-1 nevertheless model can be screened throughout several preset roles.
ReplyDeletecheck my blog
Hi,
ReplyDeleteSorry to bother.
This is Lynn, from Marketing Department of WowsBox. We read your professional articles about cycling, just wondering do you happen to accept sample from manufacturer and help to do product review? We have a great bike light now.
My email address is Lynn@wowsbox.com. Thanks and good luck.
Have sent you email but no reply, so not too sure what is happening.
DeleteWill drop you a line
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ReplyDeleteWould this be a good light to use solo for mountainbike use? Or would you only recommend it as a helmet/bar light as a 2nd light?
ReplyDeleteMark Hulgen, A great light to use solo yes, but if you ride in the woods at night, try a helmet light as well, the Thore can be used on a lower setting to save battery life which I found was good enough for the rides out..
DeleteHope this helps you...