The Magicshine EVO 1700 Pro headlight is part of Magicshine’s effort to upgrade all their headlights to be compatible with the FTR LightSync technology. It’s the latest model in the EVO lineup and offers a unique combination of undermount design and a sharp beam cutoff. Magicshine also has incorporated several other upgrades into this Pro version to improve the runtimes and usability of the light. The retail price for the light is $89.99, only $5 more than the EVO 1700, which includes the FTR LightSync remote and a plastic out front mount. Thanks to a 4400 mAh battery, it is 400 mAh larger than the other EVO 1700 models the runtimes are extended to 14 hours in the low beam and 2.5 hours in high. Additionally, Magicshine has incorporated what they call a MagicLock magnetic mount system which is an upgrade from the previous sliding tab design.
The Magicshine EVO 1700 Pro adds FTR LightSync compatibility with a remote and a larger battery to extend runtimes.
| Rating | 9.3 / 10 |
| Retail Price | $89.99 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 166 (headlight), 50 (mount), 14 (remote) |
| Likes | + Sharp beam cutoff with advanced lens design + Magnetic mount is easier to use and feels more robust + Larger battery for extended runtimes |
| Dislikes | – Inset lens lacks side visibility |
| Where to Buy (US) | Magicshine 15% OFF coupon code: “TheSweetCyclists” |
UNBOXING
The Magicshine EVO 1700 Pro comes in a compact cardboard box with Magicshine branding and black and orange color scheme. Inside the box you will find:
- EVO 1700 Pro headlight
- FTR LightSync wireless remote + mounting strap
- USB-C charging cable
- Safety tether
- 2mm / 4mm wrenches
- Plastic out-front mount w/ Garmin + Wahoo adapters
- Mounting bolt
- User manual
Magicshine includes everything you need to mount and use the light right out of the box which is nice to see at this price point.
MOUNTING
One of the big upgrades of the EVO 1700 PRO is the improved mount which uses magnets. The EVO 1700 still uses a removable top-mounted GoPro adapter, but Magicshine has streamlined the installation and removal of the adapter. With the standard EVO 1700, you would push down on a front button and push the light backwards to release the adapter. This was awkward as you would always hit your fingers as it slid out due to the tight spacing between the button and adapter. With the new PRO model, Magicshine has added magnetics to help position the adapter along with a new spring loaded release mechanism. To remove the light you simply push a smaller release button and pull downward on the light. A combination of mechanical tabs and the magnetics hold the light in place and reduce the wear-and-tear of the previous sliding design. We also like the new vertical release mechanism as there is less interface with the bike handlebars and it’s a more intuitive motion.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the EVO 1700 Pro looks almost identical to the existing EVO 1700 lights with the same unusual tall form factor. The light is only offered in a black finish currently while the standard EVO 1700 does have a white color option. It’s an unusual form factor with the light being taller than it is wide that is specifically designed to sit under the handlebar. If you flip the light upside down it looks a lot like an older tube style TV set with its square lens and beveled edges. There are simple EVO 1700 PRO and Magicshine branding on the side surfaces along with angled lines. The power button is on one side with a similarly sized rubber cover on the other side covering up the USB-C charging port. Most of the light body is constructed from aluminum while the rear curved section seems like it is plastic.
The EVO 1700 PRO also is now compatible with Magicshine’s FTR LightSync technology that allows the headlight and a compatible taillight to be powered on and off with a single remote. With this design, Bluetooth pairing is used to couple a headlight and a FTR LightSync Magicshine taillight to a single included remote. Holding the power button on the remote powers both lights on and off, while the second button can be used to cycle through the headlight modes. It’s a simple, but clever design that lets you jump on your bike and power both devices with a single button that can be placed directly on your handlebar. The remote also lets you access the flash modes of the headlight which can be helpful for daytime riding.
LIGHT OUTPUT
The EVO 1700 Pro shares the same six constant output modes and two flash modes as the EVO 1700 as the factory default configuration. However, the runtimes are longer across the board with the EVO 1700 Pro due to a larger battery size. There is low, medium and high power constant modes for both a low beam and a high beam configuration. In the low beam configuration you can choose from: low (200 lm / 14 hr runtime), medium (400 lm / 7.5 hr) and high (800 lm / 4 hr). The high beam mode has a taller beam and nearly doubles the output: low (400 lm / 7.5 hr), medium (800 lm / 4 hr) and high (1700 lm / 2.5 hr). It’s easy to visually see the difference between the modes as the high beam extends the beam vertically like a car’s high beam to light up the road. The low beam mode is more appropriate for crowded bike trails as the high beam mode creates glare.
Using the remote you can also access two flash modes, day time flash (1700 lm / 10 hr) and night flash (400 – 1700 lm / 5 hr). The daytime flash uses full power on and off which is perfect for riding in the daytime. Night flash is a less garing low / high flash that can be used at night even on darker roads. The beam optics are impressive for the EVO 1700 thanks to the aspherical lens that creates a sharp cutoff that ensures you do not blind oncoming traffic. All the modes are easy to tell apart with large jumps in output that make it easy to differentiate. We found the medium and high modes perfect for night time riding even in the low beam mode. On more rural roads, the high beam mode lights up the road with a wide and tall beam.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Magicshine EVO 1700 Pro offers nice usability and performance upgrades from the EVO 1700. Magicshine has added more tech with this Pro version in the form of FTR LightSync compatibility, a magnetic mount and improved runtimes. The improved magnetic mount is a welcome change that makes it easier to detach and re-attach the GoPro adapter to the EVO 1700 Pro. With it’s vertical attachment motion and integrated magnets it is more intuitive to use. We are also happy to see the FTR LightSync compatibility introduced to the EVO line up of lights as it lets you power the EVO 1700 Pro and a compatible taillight with a single remote button. The only negatives we’d point out is the lack of side visibility with the inset lens design. That said, the Magicshine EVO 1700 Pro offers nice improvements in design and functionality at almost the same price as the standard EVO 1700.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Magicshine. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.