Author Topic: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light  (Read 102708 times)

Aushiker

  • Cyclist, bushwalker, phottographer (amaturer)
    • Aushiker: Bicycling and Hiking in Western Australia
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #175 on: 22 April, 2013, 01:22:04 pm »
One of the forum members at the Australian Cycling Forums received his Luxos U this week and it included an additional piece of paper from Busch & Muller ... maybe in response to the issues being reported.



Andrew

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #176 on: 23 April, 2013, 10:34:24 am »
Woohoo! Got home to find a box from Rose, containing my new Luxos. It's a shiny, handsome looking beast.

Auntie Helen

  • 6 Wheels in Germany
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #177 on: 23 April, 2013, 11:00:23 am »
I must stop reading this thread, it's all getting kinda tempting. But I am perfectly happy with my Cyo and don't need USB charging. Honestly!
My blog on cycling in Germany and eating German cake – http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk


Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #178 on: 23 April, 2013, 01:07:56 pm »
Thanks for the review Marcus :thumbsup:
Your review + the fact that I smashed my cyo in a crash last week means that I've just ordered a Luxos from dotbike. 
Was toying with just getting another Cyo as I have a dahon reecharge that can be used for charging duties (yes it still works!).  But it was the neatness of the solution + the promise of more light output that sold it to me. 
May consider not using an external cache battery and just plugging my phone (galaxy s2) straight in for a neater and more efficient charge. If the USB output comes directly from the internal cache, then it's gonna be OK isn't it?
Eddington: 114 Miles

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #179 on: 23 April, 2013, 08:29:45 pm »
I must stop reading this thread, it's all getting kinda tempting. But I am perfectly happy with my Cyo and don't need USB charging. Honestly!
You must not stop reading this thread - we need you to translate Aushiker's leaflet!
I can make out that if you connect it to a rear light that needs to have double-cable earthing system, that the panorama light might come on at slower speeds with small-wheeled bikes, and clearly that you have to put a USB connector in "upside down", but what's the first one? Something to do with water getting in if you leave the bar cable connected...
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #180 on: 23 April, 2013, 09:05:35 pm »
You have to have the bar cable connected, otherwise water will get in.

Also, you can program the speed at which it switches between wide and long beams by travelling at the speed you want the switchover to occur, and pressing switching the light on/off five times. This is meant to be for small wheeled bikes, but obviously could be used to tweak for personal preference on a bike belonging to a grown up  :)

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #181 on: 24 April, 2013, 08:51:44 am »
I was tempted to buy myself one of these but the reviews here

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-headlight-lumotec-iq2-luxos-u-senso-plus-with-usb-connector/aid:620049#product_detail_info_tabs

have put me off rather. Two out of four lamps buggered by water ingress. How reliable is a push-fit cable connection? I would imagine it is the sort of thing that might get dislodged without you noticing.
The loss of humanity I could live with.

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #182 on: 24 April, 2013, 11:52:11 am »
got my REPLACEMENT B+M Luxos USB light on Monday.
Fitted it yesterday and right from the start I had lights + it was saying battery had enuff charge to recharge items
Totally different from the DEAD light they first sent
Re: comments about water ingress, I did not notice on the 1st set of instructions any mention of water ingress....could/probably didn`t read it all thru`
But on this set of instructions there is a clear message about water getting in via the bar switch/usb and recommends not using it in the wet, and if you must, then cover the switch unit with `plastic` ::-)
Looking at the h/bar switch there appears to be a joint in the casing which could be a way in, so.........a neat bead of clear silicon will will soon be drying in that  ;)
also as mentioned the Rose site has at least one review of the light which slates it for use in the wet
As I have posted before, this appears to be a chink in the B+M armour. It happened with their 12v system I used a few years back
I look forward, or not, to testing it in the rain
last but not least, noticed 2 tiny white dots of paint/tippexy type stuff on the underside of the light and the bar switch. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm ???
latest new inspection, or have they sent me my 1st light back repaired ???

Chris S

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #183 on: 24 April, 2013, 12:10:18 pm »
But on this set of instructions there is a clear message about water getting in via the bar switch/usb and recommends not using it in the wet, and if you must, then cover the switch unit with `plastic` ::-)

Oh dear. That sounds a bit rubbish. The chances of one of these surviving a wet Bryan Chapman or LEL2009 seems remote  :-\.

marcusjb

  • Full of bon courage.
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #184 on: 24 April, 2013, 12:14:08 pm »
You have to have the bar cable connected, otherwise water will get in.

But on this set of instructions there is a clear message about water getting in via the bar switch/usb and recommends not using it in the wet, and if you must, then cover the switch unit with `plastic` ::-)

Two contradicting translations! 

I understood the instructions that if you don't have the bar cable plugged in, you must make sure the rubber flap is closed properly, and also to ensure that you don't charge things when it's raining and make sure the flap on the handlebar switch is closed when it is raining.
Right! What's next?

Ooooh. That sounds like a daft idea.  I am in!

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #185 on: 24 April, 2013, 12:24:26 pm »
I thought the German said water can get in when the cable is plugged in (...und Wasser eindringen konnte!), but I really don't know it well enough to be sure.  :(
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #186 on: 24 April, 2013, 12:26:57 pm »
I could be wrong, my German isn't fantastic.

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #187 on: 24 April, 2013, 12:31:32 pm »
It's not an ideal design anyway. I'll wait for a revised model of the cable to come out before I'd upgrade.

Ideally the switch should be separate from the USB charging port. The switch can then be completely waterproof and sit out in the rain. The USB charging port can then be buried in a bag (top tube, front pannier, bar bag) or just wrapped in plastic to keep it safe from water ingress.

Mind you, if you ignore the BEAMS OF DETH mode that the switch gives you then you can just hide the switch/connector away from the rain all the time anyway.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Auntie Helen

  • 6 Wheels in Germany
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #188 on: 24 April, 2013, 01:14:05 pm »
From what I can make out, the first column is saying that the handlebar connection thingie must always be firmly fitted into the headlight when using so that water can't get in and that it functions properly. It then offers a solution (but doesn't really specify the problem!) which is to make sure the connector cable is routed through the headlamp bracket so that it doesn't unexpectedly get pulled out.
My blog on cycling in Germany and eating German cake – http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk


LEE

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #189 on: 24 April, 2013, 01:18:53 pm »
Sounds like a job for a zip-tie and some silicon sealant (93% of all issues can be fixed with these 2 items)

marcusjb

  • Full of bon courage.
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #190 on: 24 April, 2013, 01:26:52 pm »
Add gaffa tape and you've solved close to 100%.

WD40 and a hammer and you're there.
Right! What's next?

Ooooh. That sounds like a daft idea.  I am in!

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #191 on: 24 April, 2013, 03:17:00 pm »
whatever way you look at it/ translate it, its a poor way to submit an expensive bit of kit to the peasantry
not thought through IMO
So much for German superior equipment ::-)
At least the plug jack is at the bottom of the light so not too difficult to arrange an unobtrusive rain flap/cover
As for the switch, the idea for getting this unit was to get rid of the E-Werk, done that, and the Tri type bag on the top tube with a cache battery and all the extra cabling.
Think the bag can stay, somewhere to keep the jelly babies, and the switch can sit under the waterproof cover along with whatever I am charging at the time
Rig it so that it can be easily accessed by `feel` without removing cover or stopping
What a way to run an army ;D ::-)

Chris S

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #192 on: 24 April, 2013, 04:34:35 pm »
All of which has served to nudge me firmly toward bag-drop cache batteries for LEL.

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #193 on: 24 April, 2013, 06:45:44 pm »
One of the forum members at the Australian Cycling Forums received his Luxos U this week and it included an additional piece of paper from Busch & Muller ... maybe in response to the issues being reported.



Andrew

Here is my take on translating /paraphrasing the pamphlet:
First paragraph (starting with "Lenkertaster...")
"The the wire and plug to the Handlebar-control unit/button, must, if used, always be firmly connected to the head lamp, or else it is possible that the functionality (of the lamp) is disturbed, or that water can ingress!
Solution: The connection cable should run through the head lamp holder, to protect it from accidental unplugging."

To me it just look like a simple suggestion to how to run the connection wire, so it doesn't accidentally snag something. Just basic cabling technique really.
The bit about water ingress is just stating the rather obvious fact, that when unplugged, water may enter through the hole.

Paragraph 2. (USB-Stecker...)
I will just paraphrase this: " To correctly plug the USB-plug into the the handlebar-control unit/button, the USB symbol on the plug should face downwards".


Paragraph 3 (Bei Anschluss...)
I will just paraphrase this: "It will give functionality problems, if you connect the Luxos U to a rear lamp that uses the frame as grounding (single wire). The solution is to isolate the rear light from the frame, and use a double wire to connect it with the Luxos."

Paragraph 4 (Panorama...)
Just the essence: The Panorama light is turned on depending on speed (or rather power input from the hub). So bicycles with small wheels may experience that the Panorama near light doesn't function optimally for them. The solution is to re-program the Luxos as to when the Panorama light turns on. This is done by riding at the desired speed, while holding down the handlebar-button for at least 10 seconds. During that the time the lamp will switch on and off five times, and the average speed of the 10 second run will be calculated and used for making the new speed limit for when the Panorama near light is turned on. The calculated average speed is used as a the middle of the speed range in which the Panorama near light function. I must say that this is hard to translate since I don't know how the Luxos Panorama light functions normally, but the gist is that one can re-program when the Panorama near light is turned on, by holding down the button for 10 seconds while riding.


Paragraph 5 (Die Rücklicht...)
I will just paraphrase this: "The rear light monitor only function correctly when the correct polarity connection is observed. If the polarity is wrong, the rear light monitor LED may be light up, even if the rear light is turned off, because of the cache-battery.

--
Regards

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #194 on: 25 April, 2013, 04:44:57 pm »
That makes sense... thanks. :thumbsup:
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #195 on: 25 April, 2013, 06:10:51 pm »
But on this set of instructions there is a clear message about water getting in via the bar switch/usb and recommends not using it in the wet, and if you must, then cover the switch unit with `plastic` ::-)

Oh dear. That sounds a bit rubbish. The chances of one of these surviving a wet Bryan Chapman or LEL2009 seems remote  :-\.

Hardly unexpected though, is it?  USB connectors are many things, and waterproof simply isn't one of them[1].  B&M did this properly on the e-Werk, and it meant an assortment of adaptor cables.  A better solution IMHO would have been for the Handlebar switch and USB power to be separate, so the wiring could live in some waterproof luggage.


[1] I believe Neutrik have a ruggedised version, along the lines of their ruggedised RJ45 connectors.  But those are heavy, and only IP rated when mated with each other.

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #196 on: 25 April, 2013, 06:33:03 pm »
Hardly unexpected though, is it?  USB connectors are many things, and waterproof simply isn't one of them[1].  B&M did this properly on the e-Werk, and it meant an assortment of adaptor cables.  A better solution IMHO would have been for the Handlebar switch and USB power to be separate, so the wiring could live in some waterproof luggage.

[1] I believe Neutrik have a ruggedised version, along the lines of their ruggedised RJ45 connectors.  But those are heavy, and only IP rated when mated with each other.

Indeed, you're never really going to have a waterproof link with a USB connector, and the best approach is probably to not use that facility when the weather is inclement.  The Neutrik connector is a bit like a USB connector inside a USB shell, so as you say is only going to achieve any sort of IP rating when mated to the matching component.
Actually, it is rocket science.
 

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #197 on: 25 April, 2013, 08:45:04 pm »
Hi. I've been observing some forums and responses about LUXOS U. Thanks for your shares and thoughts here!

I don't have this product, but I'm interested in this solution too, as it solves (or should?) main problems for bicycle tourer's concerns: USB (out: 5 V, min 500 mA), stable current (GPS with no battery), good lamp in one bundle. It's obvious, that specs may be reached only by using cache accumulator and it's clear, that this component will not last long (especially for tourers, running device for a long time/distance).

Rechargeable batteries have a limited life time (age) due technology they use. They degrade and  need a replacement after some (~2-3+) years (it depends on battery type, capacity, cycles,  temperatures, how it's used & etc...). It's true, as those accumulators, that are Li-Ion, LiFePO4 and other  Li+something are more advanced, but – dangerous and usually in that case – non standard, need a dedicated controller/charger, and most important – they can easily get into the flames and even may burst on wrong usage or  damage (we know a lot stories about smartphones and laptops on fire). So, it's nothing unusual,  that manufacturers use non replaceable (or not easy replaceable) batteries of this type, out of reach for inexperienced customers.

There's no information about it's life time on web and BUMM support do not reveal it. I've wrote 7 emails to them to find out, how long I should expect this thing to be functional, or any technical data about battery they use, to predict it's death or even replace by myself or local electronics specialist. Finally, I understood, that support may been  instructed not to give answers about that at all: "I do really understand your misgivings, but I do not  have other information for you."

Owners: is it possible to open it and look inside – any markings on  battery or it's welded „black box“? But I don't recommend to do this, as warranty may be void after that :)

All I've got useful was: "you can load the cache battery about minimum 500 full  cycles (e.g., 10x with 10% of the capacity loaded and unloaded)", or their service can replace dead battery: „You have a warranty period of 2 year by your dealer. But if there is a malfunction on the cache battery, we can replace it for sure free of charge. We cannot give you the exact name of the cache battery..." and "if there would be a malfunction of the cache battery or of the light, it doesn't matter to us, how old the light is. We would replace it for free." Doesn't look convincing, does it?

Maybe there are more notes on paper in product box about battery and life time? I can't find even working temperatures of it in web-PDFs. All it's said: "lithium cache battery" (it's obvious, that it's not only lithium, but lithium + something as "pure" lithium batteries  usually are not rechargeable) and "Please note: Never dispose of worn-out rechargeable batteries or  electronic parts with your domestic waste but discard as hazardous waste!". That's all we get in  PDF online manual :)

It's obvious that some electronics manufacturers deliberately hide this information, as they plan to offer new products after about warranty time ends and keep business running. There's no interest to make a long lasting thing nowadays. Sure, there are fair manufacturers, that say to a customer: yes, it's not only a warranty time, but it's near  about the same product's life time, as battery is inbuilt, it gets worn and non replaceable; after of 2-3 years (?) of use, you should know, that this item is going to a trash bin. It's justice then. But  BUMM tell me nothing about that.


Easy replaceable accumulator (like in mobile phones) for this kit may be good thing, but it may rise product size and price too. I hope, It's another step in product development, as sealing it from water ingress too (but it should be vented, as it's large and may create condensate in it). Most of us want this thing to be used outdoor in harsh conditions (rain, sun and frost) and predicting it's life time in order not to stuck with it in remote areas.


BTW, I'll add another report about strange light behaviour.

Quote from: Translation by Google
When driving in daylight and greater speed (approx.> 20 km / h) can no longer turn off the headlights. Under the pressure of the spotlight 3s goes for about a few hundredths of a second and immediately back on.

Comments to a picture above: wire loop down and up, prevents water main stream running straight to the lamp's connector, and wiring it through mount, should keep it tight connected.

P. S. Sorry for my poor English.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #198 on: 25 April, 2013, 09:20:21 pm »
If it's lithium-ion, it may have a reasonable service life on a bike; they hate getting too hot and being left on a constant charge.  I have a battery in a Motorola V3 phone that has apparently not deteriorated at all in 5 years; the phone is only charged when it needs to be and the power draw is sufficiently low that (unlike a smartphone battery) it doesn't get hot.  Standby time is still about a week.

If the electronics are kind to the B&M cell, it could last a long time; it's not enclosed in a plastic case and plugged into a transformer for almost all its existence.

NiMH batteries deteriorate very quickly; I have to buy a new set every year for my Hope Vision 1 light, because the previous year's set won't last more than 2-3 days when they used to last 5.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Re: NEW - Busch & Muller Luxos Front Light
« Reply #199 on: 25 April, 2013, 09:36:34 pm »
Dear, rogerzilla, don't forget it's just a small accumulator (cache) and it may be constantly charging and discharging on long rides with electronics gadgets on (GPS, smartphone or camera, AA/AAA charger). I'm not a professional electronics specialist, but I won't hope to be it alive more than 2-3 years.

BTW, BUMM's answer to my question about numerous product returns and reports coming into forums and feedback about water ingress, failing battery and strange light behaviour was: "Please do not put too much stock in internet hysteria. If you use our product as we described, there won't be any malfunction :-)".

Some other experiences and by other users in comments under it too.