Reading between the lines, that one does something clever, in that it permits you to use both the lamps and the charger at the same time. and many devices, like phones and GPS, don't really require, or even appreciate, a full half-amp; lipo batteries survive longer with trickle-charging. Think about running two lamps off the hub dynamo: its a clear indication that there is an excess of power not required by the lamp, and starting at a pretty low speed. Alternatively, if you put a voltmeter into the circuit of your SON, you will discover that the voltage can hit peaks of 35V, which is what accounts for the way hub dynamos would chew globes on sports bikes back in the days before LEDs; what is happening is that the hub, being a constant current device, has only two other means of getting rid of the excess energy of speeding, by heat (for which there is not enough resistance) or by the voltage rising. This device offers a more productive outlet for speeds starting well under 10mph with a Shimano dynohub and a bit over with a SON. Not saying that alone makes this an attractive solution -- it's too much for too little, I think -- but it's cleverer than at first strikes one. And you have the option buy switching off either the lamps (in daytime) or the charger to direct all the current to the other one.
This time last year the LightCharge would have looked like a bargain...
Andre Jute
