This year at the 2010 Veloswap, Amoeba was showcasing their newest LED light, the 2x Cree XP-G R5. The name makes this system sound complicated, but it really is not. The company’s name is derived from the amoeba, the simplest life form on Earth. They follow their name and design their lights to simply have one mode – on and off.
The 2x Cree XP-G R5 is a dual spot beam, 600 lumens lighting kit that features an anodized aluminum housing offered in matte silver, bright silver or dark bronze; and the lens is made from optical grade Lexan. The battery pack is a 7.4 volt 2400mAh Li-Ion that is capable of a 3-1/2 hour runtime with only a 3 hour charge time. With a total weight of less than 6oz., this kit easily mounts to your helmet with industrial strength Velcro, Amoeba is a very small operation and each lighting kit is hand built at their facility in Colorado.
This offers the flexibility to fill custom orders. They can build 6, 9, 12 hour Li-Ion batteries or even AA battery holders for those times that you cannot charge your battery. Each 2x Cree XP-G R5 kit comes with the light head, battery, smart charger and charger adaptor cable; but you can also order extras like a handlebar mount, car charger or extra 3-1/2 hour battery.
I was able to see one of their systems firsthand at the Veloswap and I was impressed. The kit was extremely light, but blindingly bright. It functioned as advertised – no ‘fuel gauge'; no high and low beam; and no computer programming, just on and off. Simple as that. Keeping the kit simple brings it into a price point that is lower than expected for a light that produces this many lumens, especially one made in the USA. The 2x Cree XP-G R5 can be ordered directly from Amoeba for $220.