Wolf Koch, the boss of Lupine, was just waiting for the W-question. He has been pondering it himself for a long time. However, the answer is somehow obvious. Why build an even brighter lamp when the lamps in their own range have been setting the global benchmark for years?
"It's like asking a Porsche engineer why the engine now has 460 hp, even though there is already an engine with 440 hp," Wolf fires off the answer. A moment's thought. Then he follows up with a formulation that is as punchy as it is honest:
"Sure, we definitely don't want to let anyone take the crown of the brightest lamp in the world away from us. Not from Cateye, or anyone else."
It was a sensation for anyone with a soft spot for MTB lighting when Lupine presented the "Alpha" super lamp last autumn. A robustly built Oschi with a gigantic light output of 7200 lumens. Who needs that? many people asked themselves in a mixture of fascination and astonishment. After all, the 5000 lumen output of the actual top model "Betty" was already regarded as a benchmark. According to initial information, the lamp was expected to cost more than 1000 euros. A sum that made even pain-free 24-hour racers swallow dry. Delivery was announced for autumn 2018. The catch, according to Lupine: the lamp would not be available in Germany. This is due to stricter regulations from the Federal Motor Transport Authority. Any lamp that cannot be mounted on a helmet automatically requires a licence. Up to now, special uses such as 24-hour races or use on private property had been used as an excuse. This is no longer possible. And because the Alpha is not suitable for helmet mounting due to its dimensions and weight, sales in Germany are prohibited, says Wolf Koch. However, interested parties could purchase the lamp abroad - for example in Austria, where the legal situation is somewhat more favourable.
At the beginning of September, the first Lupine Alpha lamps will now go on sale. As already announced: In all possible countries, just not in Germany. We had the exclusive opportunity to extensively test one of the first models. Serial number 00002 is written on the casing of the Alpha, which arrives at our reporter Henri Lesewitz shortly before the 300 kilometre long non-stop marathon Erzgebirgs Bike Marathon 300. The first inspection is still somewhat sceptical. The casing is twice the size of the Betty. It weighs 225 grams including the handlebar mounting clamp and quick-release lever. In addition, the battery weighs 460 grams, as does the Bluetooth handlebar remote control, although the few grams it weighs don't really matter. For comparison: The Betty weighs 180 grams (housing), with a similarly heavy battery. Not really a big difference. But the Alpha, like the Betty, is also a heavyweight. Interestingly, however, only until you mount it on the bike. From that moment on, the weight is no longer noticeable. The light is one hundred per cent stable and does not affect the steering behaviour. The details are also impressive.
- The lamp head can be adjusted laterally by a few millimetres so that it can be easily positioned exactly in the centre.
- The quick-release lever enables the bike to be fitted and removed in a matter of seconds, which is particularly important for ambitious 24-hour riders.
- Mounting the battery with Velcro is also a breeze.
- The new Alpha battery (14.4V / 6.9Ah), which has twice as much voltage as the other Lupine batteries, has a charge level indicator.
- Thanks to the Bluetooth switch, you can switch back and forth between the light levels without taking your hand off the handlebars.
- The Alpha can be programmed with the Lupine app according to personal preferences - using a smartphone or tablet. For example, the light level staggering can be customised to your own preferences.
- The lamp has a daytime running light that does not dazzle, but increases your own safety in road traffic.
The question still remains: Do you need 7200 lumens? The six hours of night riding at the EBM300 provided plenty of opportunity to find the answer. The route in Seiffen is a mix of rough trails, rough gravel passages, short, poisonous climbs and long forest paths. The brighter the lamp, the better. But it's not that simple. You have to manage your battery power, otherwise you're left in the dark. The Alpha drains the battery in 1.5 hours on the brightest setting (70 watts). At half power, i.e. 30 watts, it takes just under three hours. A whopping 15 hours, on the other hand, if you only use it on the lowest setting, at 10 watts. But hey, who wants to ride with 10 watts when you have the brightest light in the world on your handlebars? So we hit the on switch and set off on the next lap. The sun is just setting over Seiffen. Start of work for the Alpha.
Even the first few metres in the increasingly dark forest make it clear that the middle level is more than sufficient. The trail is brightly lit, but above all unusually wide, thanks to the six large LED lenses. An expert would call this an effective range. Let me put it this way: you can really see everything you need to see. Even the 10 watts are sufficient for most passages, especially those on gravel. Which leads to the realisation that it's not just the pure lumen power that counts, but the illumination. A reassuring feeling of not really needing the full power, as the battery will probably last quite a while. The light profile of the smaller Lupine Betty (maximum 45 watts) is also excellent, but much more tunnel-like.
"The Alpha's LEDs don't have to exert themselves. They virtually bubble away at idle," Lupine man Wolf Koch will confirm after the race.
But now it's time to stop idling. The descent to Seiffener Grund has to be conquered. The steep, root-ridden beast has already caused a few collarbones to burst. And that in daylight, on the annual classic EBM variant. So full blast. My goodness, what is that? The Alpha shoots pure brightness onto the trail like a glistening, fat laser beam. There is no more black in front of me, just an excess of light. As if the night had fled in terror. A surreal summer afternoon feeling. It's really impressive. And the fact that the battery still shows 80 per cent capacity after two hours is also surprising and inspiring. When the sun returns to work at around 5 a.m., there is still 20 per cent left in the battery. I really wouldn't have thought that possible beforehand.
My conclusion on the Lupine Alpha
The Lupine Alpha is a showcase of performance. It epitomises what is technically feasible. Do you need this incredible lighting power? Quite clearly: No. And yet there are certainly arguments in favour of the Alpha, provided the purchase price of 1080 euros doesn't make you itch: The light profile is truly outstanding. You feel safe in every situation because you can really see everything, even without using the maximum level. A top lamp for 24-hour races or expeditions, which of course has no place in road traffic. If you are only travelling in the dark occasionally and then mainly on gravel paths, a compact clip-on lamp with 800 lumens will also suffice.
