The direct successor to the original HL-EL400/410 LED headlamp (top, in left photo), the new HL-EL450 (bottom, in left photo) utilizes a single high-output LED instead of three standard ones. The light output is cleaner, brighter, and more focused. The apparent brightness is around twice that of the older model. The packaging says “400 candlepower”, whereas the HL-EL410 was rated at 180 (the HL-EL400 was only 90 candlepower). Against a Surefire M2 with a P60L 80-lumen LED module, the apparent brightness is around half to a third, so I’m guessing the element is in the 25 to 40-lumen/1-watt range. The housing is all plastic, so it isn’t generating a whole bunch of heat like an 80-lumen/3-watt unit would be. The light body is very similar structurally and aesthetically to the original light. The bezel is o-ring sealed (exact same silicone o-ring) and comes off the body with the same 1/8th-turn bayonet-style mounting. Power comes from the familiar three AAA (LR03) batteries. Battery run time is noted as 30-hours on high and 60-hours on low or flashing on the packaging. The HL-EL410 was also rated for 30-hours for the constant mode and 60-hours flashing (there was no low power setting). The HL-EL400 was rated at 80-hours constant and 160-hours flashing.
Like more recent Cateye rear flasher lights, this newer headlamp features “hold to turn off” switch logic. The first touch of the switch turns the light on. Subsequent switch activation toggles the light through its three modes – high, low, flash. Holding the switch turns the light off. The light will resume in the last mode when reactivated. The previous headlamp had “flash, constant on, off” switch logic. The magnetic switch does not penetrate the housing, so with the bezel o-ring, this light is waterproof and immesible in water. The housing is JIS rated to 50-meters – much deeper than normal cycling would regularly entail. The switch is a momentary rotational switch that turns clockwise (right) with a spring return. There is a red button on the switch that is not found on the previous models. Pushing this button allows the switch to be turned further counterclockwise to lock it out. This is a definite improvement – the previous light with a non-locking switch was prone to accidentally turning on while in the gear bag. The selective lock still allows the switch to be used easily when unlocked, but will keep the light off when not in use, or prevent accidental mode changing when in use.
The mounting bracket uses the same strap and clamp lever arrangement as the previous model, but the strap is fixed at the dumb end, and is a stiffer plastic material. The original one had a slide-adjustable fixed end, and the band was a more rubbery material. Both the original and this new model will fit normal or oversized handlebars. There is enough strap length to even fit the light around some stems or fork legs, or through the holes on a helmet. This, along with the laterally-pivoting mount base allows for a wide range of mounting options. The original light had a non-removable mount, which wasn’t a big issue since the strap was so easy to undo and redo. The new model has a removable mount. In addition to the included strap mount, the light will fit onto Cateye’s H-34 “Flex-Tight” hose-clamp-style bracket. The HL-EL400/410 mount had a rubber chip inset into an opening in the mount molding to keep the light from slipping on the bars. The HL-EL450 has a rubber strip that is held in place with double-sided adhesive. I can see this piece falling off and getting lost. This will probably end up being cyanoacrylate-glued onto the bracket at some point.
This is by no means in the realm of something like a NiteRider, but where the HL-EL400/410 was fine for being seen on the road rather than seeing where you were going, The HL-EL450 has adequate light output for trail use if you get caught out too late. It’s probably not enough for dedicated night trail riding for most users, but it has more usable light output than the NiceLight/Tekna lights that were the pinnacle back in the old days. It’s so small and light that you can leave it on the bars or in the hydration pack and not notice it until you need it.
Made in Japan
Available in black or silver
About $36 USD
Highly Recommended
Four out of four techno monkeys
Below are some brightness comparisons. The picture on the left is a comparison between an HL-EL450 and an HL-EL410. The picture on the right is a comparison between an HL-EL450 and a Surefire M2 with a P60L LED module.
Update here
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