Knog Blinder MOB Review

Words and Pictures by Nick Squillari – @TineaPedis

This review is going to start off a little differently than most, but bear with me. Normally when readers click on a review it’s to get a good idea of a product’s technical specs, availability, price, performance and (if possible) longevity. The last – as a reviewer – is the hardest to be conclusive on. Bike swag nowadays is normally of a high quality, so even if afforded a month to write a review it is rare to have a product fail. Previously for Peloton Café I reviewed the Knog Blinder ARC range. Was thoroughly impressed at the time of writing and carried on using the units after that time. Only I hit a snag when the super ARC 1.7 gave up the ghost a year or so later.

Coincidentally there was a thread on a local Facebook cycling group about another failed Knog light. Cue Knog being invited in. A handful of others in the same boat as myself. And Knog –with most of us without proof of purchase to prove unit age –in in a situation where they were well within their rights to politely point out that we all needed a receipt to authenticate any warranty work. Not an unusual position for any product manufacturer to take. However not only did they help every customer out – with or without a receipt – but had a new light to me within a week. No mucking around. No red tape. Rather a company going above and beyond in their customer service. It’s this aspect of a product review that is so hard to normally critique. Yet forms such a large part of the decision making process in the purchase of any gear for the bike. So regardless of my thoughts of the latest offering from Knog, they’ve certainly passed the ‘product support’ component with flying colours.

Now, on to the Blinder MOB.

Weighing in at 37 and 38 grams a piece, ‘TheFace’ Knog Blinder MOB is a model almost sounding like a nickname of a New York mobster. Still packaged in the traditional, fully recyclable, box – even the ink is vegetable based (it’s like, paleo packaging, bro).

Knog Blinder MOB “The Face”

Also still charged via USB. Only the charging port is no long flip down, but built with a slight curve and forms part of the retention system. Inspired bit of design. Take a required part – make it structural – and thereby reduce weight due to its dual function. Some might laugh at the smile this beautiful form-follows-function design gave me. Only consider the thousands some will spend for wheels that are 150g lighter for rides like the Peak Challenges. What if you could save that weight simply by running a MOB front and rear (as required for all Peaks events)? Knog just made it possible.

Function wise let’s start with turning the unit on and off. The button is small and with a minor recess. Small enough that with gloves on it took me a moment to locate it – especially as there isn’t the audible ‘click’ other units have. Only let’s be honest, it’s turning a light on. Not open heart surgery. At most it’s an extra second. And I’ve certainly owned lights that were trickier to operate.

There’s a memory function so that turning it back on reverts straight back to the previous setting. Another simple yet much appreciated design feature. Especially when you run through the flash options The Face has to offer. The criss-cross flashing red on the rear was a particular favourite. Rather blinding too. I don’t recommend testing by looking directly at close range. And although I did not measure out the claimed 1000+ metres of visibility my girlfriend could see my rear light across the valley we use for our local test for ‘how strong is that light’. On the highest two settings the front was more than capable for urban riding and early morning bunch rides. Knog don’t recommend its use outside of that (eg: mountain biking or solo rides where you need a wide and deep field of vision) and I would agree with that. The four LEDs spread their light a little too thin for that. But that is no criticism. Just confirmation the design crew got it right – and why Knog offer the Eyeballer (for those needing a more focused, single point, illumination).

Run time for the front was also on par at close to five hours. I admit I hadn’t looked at the tech sheets when I started the run time testing and was getting a little bored (and kinda frustrated) that the rear – on Eco Flash – was still going after two and a half days straight. It was like The Terminator, just refusing to die! It finally gave up after nearly 64 hours (stated run is 66, so close enough). Even for those seriously training and running a rear light the whole time you won’t need to charge this thing any more than once a month. Unlike your Smartphone, you can check your battery anxiety at the door with the MOB.

Finally there are the straps and finish. Knog say new silicon straps are stronger. I never had an issue with the previous silicon, but happy they’re continually improving. The system to alter the size of the strap is another brilliantly simple piece of design.

The clip and the base of the unit have a secure slot for the three length straps. Which combined with the ‘V’ and ‘O’ shaped duel-recess mean the rear fits on either traditional or aero seatposts. No fiddly additional mount needed if you have an aero post. Just swap in the longer strap and you’re away.

The Face is the Four Eyes model with an additional silver faceplate added. With the silver and white working well. You don’t buy lights based on how they look. But it helps with they’re sleek and neat like these. And if you’re in to any colour, so long as it’s black, then The Face comes in a stealth black model too.

In a time when we’re still implored to buy local it’s nice to get my hands on and deal with a company that doesn’t bank on Australians buying their product out of national pride. Knog offer both a product and a service that is truly as good as anything else out there. And at $59.95 each, do it at a price that is more than reasonable. Release date for the MOB range is December. Just be careful though if you’re planning to drop them in someone specials Christmas stocking – they’re so light they might be missed. Otherwise turn them on a couple of days before. Goodness knows they have the battery life and light strength to ensure they won’t be missed! In a stocking or out on the road.