Cateye is a Japanese company started in Osaka in the 1940s. Although many companies now make bicycle lights, Cateye lights have the honor of being able to claim a lot of firsts.
The first flashing bicycle light ever was made by Cateye in 1964.
They made the first battery-powered headlamp in 1982.
They created the first bicycle headlight with white LEDs in 2001.
And they’ve had other breakthroughs in the bicycle light category. For example, they made their LED lights even more effective with the Opticube lens and reflectors.
Cateye lights is now one of the leading companies in both bicycle lights and bike computers.
They currently have eight different models of bicycle tail lights. Here are some of the more popular models:
TL-LD1100
This Cateye light is their latest model and their brightest tail light thus far. It uses 10 LEDs and uses the Opticube lens technologies which maximizes refractor and lens brightness.
The TL-LD1100 has four different modes: steady, flashing, side-to-side, and random.
Candlepower: 100 cd
Takes two AA batteries
Battery life: flashing: 100hr, constant 50hr
Cost: $49.99
TL-LD610
This Cateye light is slim and bright, with five LEDs. It can be mounted horizontally or vertically. It has the same four modes as the LD1100.
Candlepower: 80 cd
Takes two AAA batteries.
Battery life: flashing: 60hr, constant 30hr
Cost: $18.99
TL-LD150
It has five LEDs for great visibility. And whatever mode you set it to will be the mode it stays on, even after the light is turned off and back on.
Candlepower: 4 cd
Takes two AAA batteries
Battery life: flashing: 90hr, constant 45hr
Cost: $13.93
TL-LD130
This is the model of bicycle tail lights most commonly found. It is exactly the same as the LD150 except that is has three LEDs instead of five. It is still plenty bright but is the most reasonably priced tail light.
Candlepower: 4 cd
Takes two AAA batteries
Battery life: flashing: 150hr, constant 75hr
Cost: $11.99
For more information, including the full line of bike tail lights from Cateye, check out their website:
Cateye Bike Tail Lights.