- 4.5 / 5 Bee's Knees -
Just over three years ago, the Subjective Cyclist got its start in Duluth, MN. Kicking off the very first review was the Knog Blinder 4 Cross front and rear lights. Since then, numerous other lights and Knog gear has been reviewed but one thing remains the same, Knog is still kicking out slick goodies.
Along similar design lines as the 4 cross, the Kid Grid front and rear light is one of many under the “MOB Blinder” version umbrella. Though the materials and form appears relatively unchanged, there are little tweaks here and there to bring these lights up to the most current and highest standards.
Along similar design lines as the 4 cross, the Kid Grid front and rear light is one of many under the “MOB Blinder” version umbrella. Though the materials and form appears relatively unchanged, there are little tweaks here and there to bring these lights up to the most current and highest standards.
Starting with the construction, each light consists of a mix of aluminum, composites and silicone. Changes to the light housing aren’t very notable however the folding USB charging end was replaced with a fixed port that follows a curved contour to mate with a seat post or handlebar. Button placement is identical as before; side placement for the rear light and top placement for the front light. Knogs silicone strap remains one of the easiest operating mounting styles. For heavier lights I prefer something more secure, but for a Kid Grid sized/weighted light, the fit is perfect. Notable differences are (of course) the LED configurations. The Kid Grid itself projects a beam pattern with 90 degree coverage. Other MOB Blinders fall in a range from a punchy 15 degree pattern to a saturating 120 degree flood. Each of these models now has a center cut-out to better fit aero seat posts and likewise both the front and rear lights include extra straps to accommodate various diameters or post and bars…whatever you dream to strap your light to.
As with the previous lights, winter glove operation is very difficult due to compact buttons. That aside, mounting and operation is simple, no complaints from any department. Cycling thru each setting is logical and the patterns are interesting and practical as always. Two constant settings provide subtle attention while the flashing settings provide an unavoidable road presence. Front max output is rated at 80lm while the rear is rated to 44lm. No question, both are mighty bright as a “be seen” light. A viewing range of 1,000 meters amounts to significant visibility a great distances. For wet commutes and rough rides, the IP67 waterproof and dust proof rating is reassurance that your light will withstand any reasonable abuse thrown its way. Internal design advancements were also made across Knogs product line to protect the longevity of the battery and stabilize output performance.
With any luck and a committed effort I’ll be able to share my experiences with new bike products for the foreseeable future via this website. Likewise, I can only imagine what improvements Knog will make on existing products and what new ones will follow. For today, Knog continues to update their product line keeping everything fresh, functional and current with the latest technologies. As for the Kid Grid, riders couldn’t ask for many more features or better performance. I’d like to see a change in the button size but I also understand not all riders live in such brutal climates that require dexterity-diminishing gloves. Knog…cheers!
