This is the last installment of the FibreFlare products range that I am working to get the distributorship from. In fact, this range was the main reason that has brought me to look for FibreFlare. By now, everyone reading this know I am commuting on the motorcycle and I need some sort of active safety devices to stay visible. Having reflector helps, but that is passive safety where it requires lights to be shined on the surface before being visible. For the FibreFlare review, click here For the MicroFlare review, click here
Product name: Maximum Visibility Possible (M.V.P).
Available colours: Red, Yellow, and Green.
Price: RM124 each (RRP)
Inclusive: 2 silicone ladder slings and 2 suction cups.
4. Visibility: 300+ meters (omni-direction; all directions).
5. Fibre Optic Core: 6mm OD.
6. Mounting options:
a. 2 silicone ladder slings.
b. 2 silicone suction cups.
c. 2 pieces 3M landing pads (for non-smooth helmet surfaces).
7. Housing covers: Water resistant & impact resistant.
The MVP
The MVP is basically a helmet light. It is made and meant for helmet usage though the application can be limited only by your imagination.
360Degree Visibility
The Battery and Control unit
Comes with Ladder Sling for attachment to cycling helmet or any other surface
On Bicycle Helmet This is how the sample unit attach itself to the bicycle helmet. The Ladder Sling attachment were used for this purpose. The color (green) of the knob denotes what color this FibreFlare is. That is also the activation knob for the MVP.
One screw to open/close the control/battery unit
Battery cover removed to reveal 2xAAA battery. The round knob is how the suction cup or the Ladder Sling attaches to this unit. Shown is the YELLOW (on loan to me) unit. The MVP wording in Yellow denotes the FibreFlare Color
The Ladder Sling in place
Loop over the Ladder Sling and insert the notch on the hook
And You are done!
How it looked like from the back of a cycling Helmet
On Motorbike Helmet
A simple swap of the Ladder Sling with the suction cup convert the MVP into a Motorbike helmet ready light. The unit comes with 2 pads (3M quality) to be used on non-smooth surface helmet. What this meant is that it can be used on matte surface helmet.
The Suction Cup
As my helmet is smooth surface, sticking the MVP onto the helmet was not an issue. The biggest (petty issue) was to put the MVP dead centre. Yes, I am anal when it comes to things like this.
The MVP switched ON.
I first experimented the MVP on my Givi helmet (Review of this practical everyday use helmet soon). and it lighted up well in a semi-dark room.
In fact, it lighted up the whole working desk
The intensity of the light was good and it surely did utilise the shiny helmet surface to reflect back some of the lights.
Looked like double light source
ON my Nolan (where I use this helmet on daily basis for elevated safety factor),it was easy as well because the helmet surface is smooth.
Stuck On You - as Elvis would sing
This is how it looked like in early evening as I was preparing to go home.
Uneven light beam is due to the flashing mode I set.
The photo below shows the MVP lighted on the Helmet. Apologies for the bad quality as the iPhone camera has biased the lighting to compensate on the brighter headlamp. Else, I can vouch that the MVP on the helmet is as bright, if not brighter than the headlight.
Imagine the visibility earned at night fall
Here is a short video review of the FibreFlare MVP unit. Soon after the review of this unit, I have removed it to return back to the distributor. I will be purchasing a new one so i can use it for my own safety and visibility. So if you see a motorbiker with his helmet blinking...that could just be me. ;-)
If this interest you, please email me at im at tristupe dot com to place an order. I will liaise with the distributor to get this to you. :) Other Products
NEW! FibreFlare Super Shorty USBThis is a new addition and it is powered by rechargeable battery which can be charged using USB. If you are interested with this, email me! Specification:
1 WATT (HIGH POWER) FIBRE FLARE FRONT LIGHT
Styling : same as current FibreFlare Shorty product format with Silicone Covers & ABS housing (10mm OD Fibre Optic)
Total Product Length (assembled) = 210mm
2 x White 0.5WATT LED’s = 1 WATT Total Power (DOUBLE the POWER of a standard Fibre Flare Shorty or Micro Flare DUO)
Uses 2 x ‘AAA’ Alkaline or Rechargeable Batteries (Alkaline included)
Battery Life = 35 Hrs Flashing / 15 Hrs Constant
Visible Over 300 meters
Blister Packaging – Blister with Full Colour Art Card instructions and Batteries
12 Month Warranty
1W of Awesomeness
Functions on both 2xAAA or Rechargable batteries!
Light Saber?
Additional Accessories - Ladder Sling (Price upon request)
Great to be used as spare or as an extension to wrap around larger tubes, like on a 6-inch pipe for safety visibility reasons
Previously I have reviewed and shared about the FibreFlare full length here in my blog and how it actually increased visibility for me when running/walking at night. Today, I am introducing the MicroFlare.
MicroFlare - Bottom two
Product name: Micro Flare Duo.
Available colours: COMBO (White duo and red single), Red, Yellow, Green and Blue.
Price: RM124 (Combo) and RM80 (Duo) each (RRP).
Inclusive: 4 X CR2032 lithium coin cells and 2 silicone ladder slings.
4. Visibility: 200 meter (omni-directional; all directions)
5. Fibre optic core: 10mm OD.
6. Mounting options:
a. Utility clips at both ends.
b. Silicone ladder slings (fastens to objects from 10mm – 60mm).
7. Housing covers: Water resistant and impact resistant.
8. Weight: Less than 100grams.
What Sets MicroFlare Different From Full Length FibreFlare?
This edition of FibreFlare is known as MicroFlare due to the size. For approximately half the length of the usual FibreFlare, this unit actually pack quite a punch.
Being lightweight and more versatile, it can be used perfectly for hard to mount places like under the bicycle seat or along the shorter length of the seat post.
MicroFlare Combo - RM124/set
There is two variant (of sales) for the MicroFlare. The first one is the COMBO set where it comes with ONE MicroFlare single (Red) and ONE MicroFlare Duo (White). This Combo kit are meant for the budget conscious where you get to have TWO units for RM124 instead of RM80 for one. With a reduced function where the the Red Flare only has lights coming out from one side and the White Flare has lights coming out from both sides similar to the Full Length. However, the brightness of the Red Flare is not compromised due to the intensity of the LED.
The second variant is the MicroFlare Duo, where as explained above, has lights coming out from both ends and with two switches, similar to the Full Length FibreFlare.
MicroFlare Duo - RM80 each
To put things in visual, the photos below shows the close up of the MicroFlare activation (on/off/strobe) button.
MicroFlare Red. Single Activation button
Here is a video I took to show how both unit work and you will be able to see the differences between the Single Flare and the Duo Flare. The video-blog would be easier to understand than just mere writing and photos.
Versatile
I walk my dogs everyday. One of the main worry while walking late at night is staying visible. No doubt the dog's eyes is reflective but again, that is passive and only happen if the car/vehicle lights shines into the dog's eyes. I would prefer something more visible and this is where the MicroFlare meant for cycling and/or outdoor activities comes into play. I simply hook these MicroFlare onto my dog's collars using the Ladder Slings and they are good to go.
The Red Flare was bright despite having only one side LED. This could be the light attributes and wavelength. As you can see from the two photos above, the Red Flare were bright even in early evening.
MicroFlare Duo White on a white dog
The Combo (And the Dogs)
This is a short video of the lights as the walk approaches the late evening/end of walk.
If you do not have a dog/pet to walk and use the Microflare, you can like me, use it during a run. I strapped the MicroFlare Duo onto my Camelbak Octane 18X
Early morning 6am run. Staying Visible.
The MicroFlare were set to strobe mode and I am sure the blinking especially in the dark road of Bukit Tunku helped to ensure I stayed visible. The battery life was good. So far, I've been using it (loaned unit) and the intensity is still good.
Doesn't bounce. Secured using the clip only.
MicroFlare after the run. You can see the White Flare intensity is fiery. The Red appeared to be dimmed out due to camera not sync-ed with the blinking.
Wait up for more of the FibreFlare range of products review. If you are interested, please drop me an email at info@tristupe.com and I will assist you in getting one.
Next: The MVP - Maximum Visibility Possible Helmet Flare
Staying visible is important if you happen to ride your bicycle or run in the early hour of the day or in the late evening. Being visible will heighten the chances of you being visible to to other road users. I have always had fascination with light emitting gadgets and it wasn't long before I started looking for something that will increase my visibility while riding my motorbike in the late evening or night.
Safety First. Always.
Hi-viz jacket and huge reflector might help a little but these need 3rd party light sources aka lights from other vehicles to bounce it off those reflective stripes. I would need something that will flash and bright.
Introducing the FibreFlare
I first saw this at the motorbike shop where i purchase my bike from. It did not catch my attention the first time mainly due to the anxiety that I had thinking about riding a clutch bike - which I've never ridden before. I vaguely recalled asking the shop to inform me when the light for the helmet arrive.
By stroke of luck, i chance upon FibreFlare one day when researching for "helmet LED lights". Taking it a step further, I decided to contact the official distributor for Malaysia and I was pleasantly surprised that they wanted to meet up with me.
FibreFlare Malaysia is 100% locally owned and the team actually uses these products in their daily life. Suffice to say they are made up of cyclists and motorcyclists which appreciate an increased level of visibility on the road. It did surprised me when I found out that the place I bought my motorbike was the "operation" office of FibreFlare Malaysia!
From top : FibreFlare Full Size, MicroFlare Single and MicroFlare Duo
My interest in FibreFlare has moved from an user to a possible reseller. I need to earn some income to supplement this blog and my sports. What better way to do it? If you are interested in this product, do read on as I will share as much information as an end user (to date, almost 3 weeks of usage) and answers any queries. Until the agreement is firmed up with the distributor, do visit the list of reseller here to view/see/buy this product.
Product name: Fibre Flare full size.
Available colours: Red, Yellow, Green and Blue.
Price: RM124 each (RRP).
Inclusive: 2 AAA batteries and 2 silicone ladder slings.
4. Visibility: 300+ meters (omni-directions; all directions).
5. Fibre optic core: 10mm OD.
6. Mounting options:
a. Utility clips on both ends.
b. Silicone ladder slings (fastens on object from 10mm – 60mm).
7. Housing covers: Water resistant and impact resistant.
FibreFlare Full Size secured on my belt loop
One AAA Battery at each end of the FibreFlare
The unit is not as heavy as it look despite the full (almost) 300mm length. The visible light are from about 150mm length with the balance used to house the batteries and the mounting loop. I secured it rather easily on my belt loop and use it when I take the dogs out for a walk.
One thing I really wanted to verify is the visibility of the FibreFlare that claimed to be visible up to 300m. So, i took it out for a run on a dark hazy night. I experimented with both STEADY and BLINKING mode to see which will provide the best visibility. I found a stretch about 200m straight line near my home and made my wife to take a video of me jogging.
The FibreFlare certainly stayed visible for 200m. The darkness at the end was because i was removing the FibreFlare from the back and bring it to the front. As you can see, the unit at Flashing showed better visibility as the blinks captured the attention better.
The FibreFlare is useful for anyone that wants to stay visible actively in darkness. Applicable to all cyclists, runners, motorist and even safety personnel. Here is a small review of the FibreFlare Full size to help with better understanding of the product.
Wait up for more of the FiberFlare range of products review. If you are interested, please drop me an email at info@tristupe.com and I will assist you in getting one.
The postponement of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon due to the recent haze was much regretted by the organiser. When it comes to safety and with SCKLM being the largest sporting event (running) in Malaysia, there is very little chance to take risk should the Haze suddenly return and cloud (no pun intended) the race day. Even after a week of the haze clearing up (Thursday June 27, 2013), it has made a come back since July 3, 2013. The photo below was taken at 8am of July 3 and at 9.30am of July 4, 2013 respectively.
July 3, 2013
July 4, 2013. Bukit Besi missing in the back ground
This is how Klang Valley looked like on a haze free day, taken about 4 weeks ago.
June 7, 2013
So, if you ask me again if the decision to postpone the race by SCKLM organiser and sponsors was a good one, I would tell you it is the best decision ever taken in view of the health and implication it may bring should the race went on. This is not about the race
The moniker "KL Marathon Fellowship Run 2013" were coined by Yum Kin Kok in his Facebook Status after the run that was organised by Terence Poon Running Club (TPRC) as a small gesture to the friends that came all the way (overseas) for this run.
The SCKLM Race director made an appearance together with a few volunteers dishing out water and isotonic at KM5 of the run. Such gesture are highly commendable.
SCKLM Race Director Rainer with Kelvin
This is as good as race day!
I've reviewed Honda Freed before. Versatile MPV!
The run was the usual LSD route that are taken by runners. Usually we start from Bukit Aman. In the spirit of the (postponed) race, we started off from Dataran Merdeka at 6am in the morning.
One would be thought if the race actually happened!
From my estimates, there is no less than 100 people that attended. My camera was not wide enough to capture the whole width of group photo and it has to be taken at three shots. This is not counting some other groups behind the original crowd and those that joined much later (started late)
The U-turn point was at Hartamas Petronas and that station might had seen the highest sale in recent month with most runners entering the stations to buy refreshment.
The run ended at Padang Merbuk with the Pacesetter groups playing host. Water were boiled and tea/breakfast were served. It is truly an unplanned effort by various party and the effort were very commendable.
As for myself, it was a good LSD training for me to run this route again. It been a while and running in a large group is surely fun. I ran with a few different individual and interacted. It was a good outing.
For this early morning run, I brought along the MicroFlare which I attached to my Camelbak Octane18X. Maximum visibility for people running. Wait up for the review of the FibreFlare range of product soon.
For more photos taken during this run, click here. This is from my camera only. I ran out of battery half way and apologies for missing out the second half photos of the run.
PD Triathlon
If any of you will be at Port Dickson this weekend for PD Triathlon, See you all there!
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