Test K-Lamp EXM 3400: As in broad daylight!

In the category of lamps that really light up very strongly, we tested the EXM 3400 Enduro from K-Lamp.

We no longer need to represent K-Lamp: a small French company that has built its reputation on very good value for money products and marketing purely on word of mouth.

We have a privilege at UtagawaVTT, every time a K-Lamp executive launches a new MTB oriented product, he tells us about it, explains why this is an improvement in his range or in the market.

In fact, he closely monitors technology developments, he tests, he sees if the company is delivering on its promises, and he integrates it all into a new product if it meets expectations.

The equation is not easy to find, the main development parameters are:

• Lighting quality: light temperature, beam type, power, number of LEDs, number of lighting modes.
• Power supply: consumption, battery capacity, quality and weight of electricity, charging time, charging method (USB / network)
• Design: practice-adapted, ergonomic and able to properly dissipate heat without presenting a hazard to the user, weight, size, ease and speed of installation, packaging
• Safety: the reliability of products over time, their recyclability
• Price: so that it is economically acceptable to the market by integrating sales costs, mark-ups and after-sales services.

unpacking

First of all, when opened, the packaging is neat, it is a small, well-thought-out rigid box with well-made compartments, which has everything you need:

• Lamp
• Battery
• Charger
• Helmet mounting system
• Remote control button that can be installed on the hanger

It's clean, simple, and effective.

Then the K-Lamp fastening system proved itself. The installation kit includes straps to pass through the helmet vents, and the support can also be glued to the helmet. This is a GoPro type assembly with the tilt axis of the lamp body fixed to a clamping support. Again, it's simple, lightweight, and functional. During operation, the lamp is installed in less than 3 minutes.

The bias of the K-Lamp is that on this type of mountain bike model, the lighting should be on the rider's helmet, not on the bike (although there is a kit that does offer this). At UtagawaVTT, we are convinced by this approach: we put the most powerful lights on the helmet to follow the pilot's gaze, but we supplement it with another larger, less powerful handlebar light with a built-in battery for greater safety. This type of device involves removing the power source to avoid too much weight on the head, and therefore requires a cable long enough to carry the battery in a hydration bag: this is what the EXM 3400 Enduro does.

The battery is also equipped with Velcro straps to attach to the frame or to prevent excess cable from bending. In the setting, the lamp is set in a few minutes, and the additional weight (about 150 g) on ​​the head is practically not felt.

Use

The EXM 3400 consists of 3 LEDs and is designed for very powerful lighting designed for workouts that require speed: enduro or DH MTB or even an enduro motorcycle.

It enlightens far, wide and very hard at full throttle.

How much to tell you that they see it almost like broad daylight.

K-Lamp chose reliable and powerful LEDs with a temperature that makes the contrasts of the tracks well detailed. They also decided to place lenses in front of the LEDs specifically for practice:

• 2 distant beams
• more diffusing lens.

According to the manufacturer's specifications, 3400 lumens are transmitted at full power. Proof that it shines brightly, that power is not allowed on the road network, so we will reserve this mode for fast descents on technical trails (which is why the name has Enduro ... it can also be used on motocross)

Lighting power and autonomy

The lamp has 4 power modes and each clearly affects autonomy.

Due to the high power delivered at full throttle, a battery that can handle the required current is required. The lamp has a 7000 mAh power supply, which allows you to have a very long autonomy in less powerful lighting modes, but at the same time adapt to a specific situation (for example, we will not ride a mountain bike with an economy mode).

Thus, the economy mode lasts more than 12 hours at a brightness of about 300 lm. Ideal for repair, surveillance or front-facing for camping, this is more than enough and will last a very long time. The 30% mode provides more than 7 hours, and the 60% mode provides more than 3:30 at a brightness of more than 2200 lumens. Finally, in 100% mode at 3400 lm, the autonomy drops to about 1 hour 05 minutes (manufacturer's specification 1 hour 15 minutes); beware of your fingers, it gets hot, but you don't need that much power all the time when using it.

After checking the declared autonomy at full power, we realized the interest in the design of this lamp: the frame is a built-in heat exchanger that dissipates the heat generated by the LEDs as efficiently as possible. In static (no movement), the lamp quickly turns into protection, as it heats up. It then automatically switches to low light mode.

We had to get creative and install 2 small fans to simulate airflow, and with the new battery coming out all the way, we found about 1:05 lighting at full speed. Very close to the K-Lamp spec at 1:15.

Interestingly, even when the battery is running low to turn on the LEDs at full throttle, lower light modes are still available. We've actually tested the announced 12H00 in Eco Mode!

Power modes can be activated by simply pressing a button on the lamp ... or at this point you tell yourself that the lamp is on the pilot's head, and that you were told about the remote control in the box, right? You're right, the lamp can be fully controlled with a very simple remote control that can be installed in 30 seconds on the steering wheel. Clever!

K-Lamp has placed red LEDs on the back of the lamp for easy viewing. Perhaps in a future version we could add an accelerometer to materialize braking, which will replace our beloved Efitnix Xlite100 taillight.

Conclusion

Who can do more will do the least

This is an excerpt from a proverb about this lighthouse, which really glows very strongly thanks to its well-adapted autonomy. At less than € 170, this is an excellent value for money for the K-Lamp EXM 3400 Enduro with the finish and quality for the rendezvous. Designed for those who like technical and fast trails at night or for bikepackers who want to benefit from long-term lighting thanks to their considerable autonomy.

It will perfectly complement one of our “more general” and less exclusive options of our top five mountain bike lights for night riding.