Trail LED is the brand behind the distinctive ‘Halo’ light; a 6,000 lumen monster with 10 LEDs that curves to fit right around the outside of your helmet. Producing a claimed 3,000 lumens, the DS is basically half a Halo. It’s close to half the price too at $699 versus $1,379 for the Halo.
The alloy light body is machined in the US and the finish is first rate. Visually the battery pack is comparatively rudimentary; the cells are wrapped in a heavy duty rubber cover. While the battery isn’t as well presented (or protected) as a hard case unit, the performance was impressive. It offers a 1:1 charge to burntime ratio; ride on high beam for two hours and it’ll only take two hours to recharge the battery—that’s pretty rare for a 3,000 lumen light.
It’s pretty clear that the DS has been designed first and foremost as a helmet light. The alloy body contours gently to match your helmet and it sits directly on the shell with a big O-ring to hold it in place. Mounting is a little fiddley the first time around; the light needs to line up with vents for the O-ring to slip through whilst simultaneously pointing the beam in the right direction.
The main benefit of this system is that it keeps the weight low and close to your head. At 98g the head unit is pretty light to begin with – especially for a 3,000 lumen light – but the perceived weight on your helmet will have you thinking it weighs even less. There is a handlebar mount for the DS; a nylon sleeve that goes around your stem before you strap it down with two O-rings. We had limited success using it and it’ll depend heavily on your handlebar and stem setup.
Power wise the DS won’t disappoint—it was extremely bright. While a lot of light is punched through the central portion, it still spreads to the sides and the DS performed brilliantly as a helmet light. The emitters are also upgradable, so there’s an element of future-proofing built in and Trail LED offers a lifetime warranty on the light head.
Claimed Output (Lumens) 3,000
Total System Weight 415g
Longest Burntime 16 hrs
PRICE 700$
