Ravemen’s K series of headlights are budget friendly single LED designs with additional smart features. In this review, we’ll be looking at the K700 which is their second most affordable model in the lineup. The Ravemen K700 retails for $34.99 which is quite affordable for the 700 lumen output. Despite the budget price, the K700 features modern features such as USB-C charging and an ambient light sensor that supports a smart output mode. Ravemen has also incorporated a single LED lens with horizontal diffusers that help spread the light out. The K700 light uses a simple tab mount that can be attached to a GoPro mount or on the handlebar using the supplied mounts.
The Ravemen K700 is a compact and affordable bike headlight with 700 lumen output and an ambient light sensor.
| Retail Price | $34.99 |
| Rating | 8.7 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 136 (headlight), 17 (mount) |
| Likes | + Budget friendly for the 700 lumen output + Wide beam with horizontal lens diffusers + Automatic day/night mode switching using the ambient light sensor |
| Dislikes | – Backlight on power button is hard to see during the day – Flash mode is not separated from constant modes – Smart mode has to be activated with a long hold every time light is powered on |
| Where to Buy (US) | Amazon Use the code “SWEETCYCLIST” For 10% Off |
UNBOXING
The Ravemen K700 headlight comes in a compact cardboard box with orange and black branding that matches the Ravemen logo. Inside the box you’ll find:
- K700 headlight
- Handlebar mount
- GoPro adapter w/ bolt
- USB-C charging cable
- Instruction manual
- Warranty card
Ravemen has done a good job keeping the packaging simple with the headlight secured in place with cardboard cutouts.
MOUNTING
On the bottom of the Ravemen K700 you’ll find a raised plastic tab which is used for mounting. Although we would prefer a more standard quarter turn Garmin mount, like those found on the Magicshine Allty lights, this tab style mount works well and locks into place. Ravemen provides two mounts for the K700, a handlebar mount and a GoPro adapter. That means you can mount the K700 upright or flipped upside down on an out front mount. The handlebar mount is a standard rubber strap design with a matching plastic receiver for the tab mount. It’s a fairly thick rubber strap which should last quite a while along with a rubber pad to hold it in place. There is also a separate GoPro adapter which means you can flip the headlight upside down and attach it to a GoPro mount.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Ravemen K700 has a standard rectangular design with a black metal body. With this being the 700 lumen version, the K700 has a compact 2200 mAh internal battery and a single LED lens. In terms of dimension, the headlight is 101 mm x 34 mm x 37 mm which means it doesn’t take up much space on your handlebars. Branding on the light is limited to K700 printed in white on the side and a Ravemen logo on the top. There is a rubber power button at the center with a backlight and a glossy cutout above it. Within this window is a round cutout which is the ambient light sensor and an indicator below it which is illuminated when the smart mode is on. At the back of the light is a rubber cover which conceals the USB-C charging port.
Ravemen advertises the K700 as an anti-glare design as the lens has horizontal diffusers in the form of vertical grooves in the lens to help spread the beam. Although this design lacks a true sharp beam cut off, the lens design creates a unique wide rectangular beam that helps distribute the light. Ravemen has also added small cutouts to the side of the lens for additional side visibility which helps ensure the light is visible from any angle. You’ll still need to tilt the light downward if you ride on busy trails as the lens design still creates glare for oncoming traffic.
USER INTERFACE
As far as the user interface, there is a single button interface which supports short or long presses. A short press activates the battery status indicator which is either green, yellow or red and lets you check the battery status before you ride. Holding the button for 1.5 seconds turns the light on and off with built-in mode memory to ensure it always turns on in the same mode it was shut off in. A single press cycles through the four available modes which has four constant modes and a single flash mode. It is a one level menu which means you do have to cycle through the flash mode when adjusting the brightness.
The Ravemen K700 also features an ambient light sensor and a motion sensor which gives the light some smart features. Holding the power button for 3.5 seconds with the light off activates the smart mode which automatically switches between daytime flash and medium mode based on the ambient light. It’s a very convenient mode that allows the headlight to automatically change modes based on the current conditions. Note, you always have to do the long hold to enable the smart mode which can be a little annoying. There is also a lock-out mode which can be activated by holding the power button for 8 seconds and ensures the light doesn’t accidentally turn on while in a bag or being stored.
LIGHT OUTPUT
Ravemen has programmed the K700 with four output modes with three constant modes and a single flash mode. The constant modes are low (150 lumen, 6.5 hr runtime), medium (300 lumen, 3.5 hr) and max-output high (700 lumen, 1.5 hr). There is also a single flash mode that alternates between off to 300 lumen which has a long 28 hr runtime. The light has a single level so you do have to cycle from the constant modes to flash while riding which can be a bit distracting. However, the jumps between the constant modes are fairly large so it’s easy to differentiate them while riding.
The K700 has a distinct wide beam shape thanks to the horizontal diffusers which gives it a rectangular appearance and helps you see around corners. Although the anti-glare properties are limited compared to vertical diffusers like those found on the Magicshine Allty 1200, the wide beam provides great visibility. We primarily rode with the medium and high mode as the 150 lumen low mode is quite dim. Our favorite setting was the smart mode which allowed the light to automatically switch between flash during the day and the medium output mode at night. The ambient light sensor is quick to respond which allows the light to turn on while going through tunnels or other short low-visibility areas.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Ravemen K700 to be a budget friendly and bright bike headlight. With 700 lumens and a retail price of only $35, the K700 is a great choice for commuters or urban riders. The light is compact and can be mounted on handlebars or underneath out-front mounts using the provided GoPro adapter. We also appreciated the smart mode which uses an ambient light sensor to automatically switch the mode and provides a seamless experience. The main downsides of the lights are minor annoyances such as the dim power button backlight, the fact that flash mode is not separated from constant modes and that the smart mode always requires a long hold to activate. That said, the Ravemen K700 offers a lot of value and modern features for night time riding.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by RAVEMEN. 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.