By Jack Lynch
Hori 1300 Pro $169.95
Evo 1700 Pro $199.95,
Winter is upon us, so it’s time to think seriously about illumination. Magicshine’s two new Pro front lights have dropped just in time – the Hori 1300 Pro is the compact, tidy option with plenty of punch, while the Evo 1700 Pro is a higher-output front light for riders who want more throw, more battery and a little brute force after dark.
The Hori 1300 Pro (right) is all about integration for the clutter-conscious road rider. Built around a horizontal body, the light can be mounted above or tucked underneath the bars. The 1300-lumen, focused high beam is paired with a shaped low beam, giving riders a solid spread of usable road light without spraying glare into oncoming traffic. The Hori integrates via ANT+ connectivity for Garmin, Wahoo and Hammerhead units, and includes Shimano Di2 compatibility for mode changes from the shifters, plus Magicshine’s FTR LightSync system for paired front-and-rear control (with compatible rear light). A 3200mAh battery, USB-C fast charging in around two hours, IPX6 waterproofing and a lock-out function make it a tidy, modern road light that won’t overcrowd your beautiful aero handlebars.
The Evo 1700 Pro (left) offers more oomph. Its 1700-lumen boost mode gives instant maximum output in deep darkness or off-road conditions. The automotive-style cut-off beam is designed to cast a broad, controlled beam across the road without dazzling everyone else. The bigger 4400mAh battery pushes claimed runtime out to 14 hours, with a full USB-C recharge in about three hours. It stays ultra secure with Magicshine’s magnetic Magiclock mounting system, and features FTR front-rear syncing, app-based mode adjustment, battery monitoring, memory settings, IPX6 weather protection and transport lock-out.
If we had to choose between the two, we’d be snapping on the Hori Pro for morning training rides when we want max integration and a streamlined cockpit, then clipping the Evo Pro on for longer, faster or darker rides that call for extra lumens and battery capacity.
