Author Topic: Bright Bike Revolution - any one tried it?  (Read 11715 times)

saddlesore

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Bright Bike Revolution - any one tried it?
« on: December 13, 2013, 02:39:17 PM »
http://www.sinewavecycles.com/collections/all/products/bright-bike-revolution

I'm putting the finishing touches to my setup for a big (6-12 month) trip starting in the spring.
I'm running a SON28 and looking for a charging system.
Planning to use it to charge up a battery whilst riding, and then use that to keep other things topped up, with the GPS being the only real essential as I religiously track my rides. Or would it be better to charge the GPS directly whilst riding? Either way I need a charging device!

I was going to go for an e-werk as it's been around a while and seems solid, if a little complicated. But since last time I was researching this Bright Bike Revolution has come on the market at a similar price.
It seems to tick all the boxes and improve on the e-werk in some respects (size, efficiency, weatherproofing) for my usage.
There are a few reports out there but nothing too long term:

http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15273
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/reviews/board/message/?o=1&thread_id=507027&page=1&nested=0&v=W
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=75302

Any one tried one? Preferably since launch and in constant rain ;) Don't fancy being a guinea pig but I'm intrigued...
Looking for reliability over all else.

Ps - apologies if there's already a thread on this, I did look!

brummie

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Re: Bright Bike Revolution - any one tried it?
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2013, 02:46:58 PM »
I believe Cass Gilbert has been using one on his everlasting journey in S. America.
http://www.whileoutriding.com/
 

saddlesore

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Re: Bright Bike Revolution - any one tried it?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2013, 11:26:49 PM »
Good spot, cheers! Seems to be using it in anger, I think I'll drop him a mail and see how it's working out...

il padrone

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Re: Bright Bike Revolution - any one tried it?
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2013, 11:59:38 PM »
They call it "waterproof" but then have an open USB port  ???. Do they include a cap for it? Because I don't fancy the chances of it remaining serviceable once the rust sets in.

This is one of the criticisms of the new Luxos U with its charging port (from people who try to charge while riding in the rain). B&M give it a in-built cover, but still advise not to charge in the rain.

saddlesore

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Re: Bright Bike Revolution - any one tried it?
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2013, 11:03:12 AM »
Yeah I wondered about that. I lost the usb cap for my Garmin and it's been getting slowly more temperamental when connecting to the pc.
I think I will rig up some sort of extra protection (or run it in the bar bag when raining) whichever charger I go for...

Sinewave

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Re: Bright Bike Revolution - any one tried it?
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2014, 01:01:18 PM »
Hi Saddlesore,
  This is Dave from Sinewave Cycles (formerly Bright-Bike) - someone alerted me to your question about the Revolution's waterproof-ness.

  The Revolution can remain waterproof despite the open USB connector because the electronics are completely encapsulated in epoxy.  If you were to open the enclosure, this is what you'd see:


so even if water gets past the connector, it can't touch anything conductive.  We actually do our waterproof testing with the enclosure open, relying solely on the epoxy to protect the system.

  As for the USB connector itself, the contacts are gold plated and won't rust or corrode. 

  Lastly, Cass Gilbert is using one on his trip, as far as I've heard it's been going well.  Have you heard otherwise?

  Please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can be of help in any way.  My email is david.dean@sinewavecycles.com.

Thanks,
Dave