When Magicshine introduced the EVO 1700 Pro headlight one of the jokes in our comment section was that they would release a Pro Max next. It was a close guess, as we are here today with the new Magicshine EVO 1700 Ultimate which adds Di2 and ANT+ connectivity on top of the Pro’s features. The EVO 1700 UT retails for $119.99 which is $30 more than the Pro version. It’s still a 1700 lumen output headlight but has a larger 5200 mAh battery which allows the headlight to achieve a 3-17 hour runtime. As with other EVO lights, the EVO 1700 UT has a sharp beam cutoff along with the MagicLock magnetic GoPro mount adapter.
The Magicshine EVO 1700 UT is the latest EVO headlight that features a sharp beam cutoff along with ANT+, Di2 and integrated side markers.
| Rating | 9.5 / 10 |
| Retail Price | $119.99 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 175 |
| Likes | + Side markers address the side visibility issues of the other EVO headlights + FTR LightSync, Di2 and ANT+ off a variety of connectivity options + Anodized metal finish offers a unique look that is available in multiple color options |
| Dislikes | – Beam color artifacts along the edge |
| Where to Buy (US) | Magicshine 15% OFF coupon code: “TheSweetCyclists” |
UNBOXING
The Magicshine EVO 1700 UT comes in a compact cardboard box with Magicshine’s distinctive black and orange color scheme printed on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- EVO 1700 UT headlight
- USB-C charging cable
- User manual
Note, the headlight does not include an FTR LightSync remote or a mount so you’ll need to use your existing out front mount.
MOUNTING
The EVO 1700 Ultimate uses a top mounted GoPro adapter to attach to mounts. Magicshine refers to the mount design as MagicLock which is a removable magnetic GoPro adapter. It’s the same mount as the EVO 1700 Pro and makes it more intuitive to attach and remove from bike mounts as the GoPro adapter detaches from the light. That means you can quickly install and remove the light without having to undo GoPro thumbscrews. A sliding switch on the front of the mount will lock the release button to prevent accidental removal. With the button unlocked you simply push down and pull the light downward to separate the GoPro adapter from the headlight. It’s a clever design that works well on the bike, and addresses the issues the original EVO 1700 had which required sliding the entire light backward or forward.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the EVO 1700 Ultimate shares the same exterior design of the other EVO 1700 lights with an unusual square shape and top mounted GoPro adapter. As with the other EVO 1700 lights the shape reminds of old CRT TV sets, particularly when you flip it upside down The most obvious difference of the Ultimate version is the introduction of the orange side indicators which add much needed side visibility to the light. This Ultimate version also features internal updates to increase the battery size to 5200 mAh (1200mAh more than the Pro) and offer the additional Di2 and ANT+ connectivity options. They are simple orange reflectors which reflect light from the headlight which is otherwise inset into the body.
You’ll also notice the beautiful anodized exterior which is either available in a silver titanium color or this purple version we have here. The purple isn’t for everyone, but it’s a welcome change from the standard black bike lights and is complemented by the glossy purple graphics on the side. Note the rear of the headlight is still a rounded plastic cover along with black plastic along the mount region. Beveled edges along the body gives the headlight an aggressive appearance along with trapezoidal shapes for the power button and USB-C cover on the other side. The exterior also has more detailing with CNC cutouts around the button and side indicators instead of the flat sides of the other EVO 1700 versions.
One of the best features of the EVO 1700 Ultimate is the anti-glare aspherical lens design that creates a sharp beam cutoff. It’s the same lens as other EVO 1700s and directs all the light onto the ground which allows you to run the light at full power without blinding oncoming riders. The headlight has two modes, a low beam and a high beam which directs more light upward which is convenient on dark trails or when riding off-road. Magicshine has listened to feedback and finally added side visibility with these orange side markers as well which we are particularly happy to see. The light has six constant modes with three options for the low and high beam, along with a daytime and night time flash. Looking at the beam you can see it’s a trapezoidal shape that does have some color artifacts along the edges which may bother some riders.
CONNECTIVITY
As the ultimate light in the EVO 1700 series, Magicshine has added all the connectivity options you want. The light inherits the EVO 1700 SD Di2 control which lets you control the light via Di2 buttons. That allows you to change modes using more convenient Di2 buttons as there is no remote included with this light. However, we think it makes more sense to use the Di2 button to cycle through GPS pages than to adjust the headlight mode for most riders. The Ultimate also gets FTR Light Sync which allows the headlight to be paired with a taillight for one button power on and off.
Magicshine enables this feature using the Di2 control, direct headlight to taillight pairing or using the FTR LightSync remote which has to be purchased separately. Finally, you have ANT+ connectivity which lets you connect the headlight directly to a GPS computer and fully control the light if your GPS has the light network functionality. That’s one of the biggest features we think cyclists will appreciate as higher-end computers like Garmin will automatically turn lights on and off when paired with the GPS for single button control.
LIGHT OUTPUT
Magicshine has pre-programmed the headlight with eight output modes, three constant modes in each beam setting and two flash modes. The low beam mode directs the sharp beam cutoff to eliminate any glare but is limited to 800 lumen output. There are three constant output modes to choose from: low (200 lumen / 17 hr runtime), medium (400 lumen / 9 hr) and high (800 lumen / 5 hr). If more visibility is needed, the high beam mode adds more output with a higher angled sharp beam cutoff to illuminate more of the road. Again, there are three constant modes: low (400 lumen / 10 hr), medium (800 lumen / 5 hr) and high (1700 lumen / 3 hr). With high beam mode active, you can unlock the full output of the headlight to light up trails or dark roads.
Using a FTR LightSync remote, or a connected GPS computer that supports light control, you can access a day flash (0-1700 lumen / 10.5 hr) or night flash (400-1700 lumen / 6 hr) modes. As the names imply, day flash has a bright and erratic pattern that is great for daytime use while the night time flash alternates between low/high to keep you visible while still being able to see the road. Given the larger size of the light, we don’t recommend the EVO 1700 as a daytime only light, we’d go with a smaller HORI series lights, but the flash mode is more than bright enough for it. The beam optics on the light are identical to the other EVO 1700 models with a distinct trapezoidal shape that is nearly two lanes width and more than bright enough for anytime of riding. The big improvement is the additional orange side markers which reflect light from the main LED and add much needed side visibility.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Magicshine EVO 1700 UT to be a bright headlight with an impressive amount of connectivity options. Magicshine has taken the popular EVO 1700 lights and added Di2, FTR LightSync and even ANT+ connectivity options along with a larger battery. While the exterior dimensions of the headlight have not changed, the ultimate version has orange side markers which finally add side visibility to the headlight. We also liked the anodized aluminum exterior which give the headlight a unique appearance with either silver or a bright purple color option. Thanks to the larger battery, the runtimes are extended across the board with a unique trapezoidal shaped beam and sharp beam cutoff to eliminate glare. The main downside of this headlight is that the beam has color artifacts at the edges due to the lens design of the EVO 1700 series. That said, the Magicshine EVO 1700 UT provided a nice upgrade in both visibility and connectivity compared to other EVO 1700 models.
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.