Planet Bike Sport Spot
By James Sharp

It’s dark and you have just flatted. You know that it will take 10 minutes to repair the flat... at least. You don’t want to burn your main light; its battery is too precious. You reach into your hydration pack and retrieve a small LED headlamp, saving your main batteries for more important work. Needing to repair a bike in the dark is just one reason to carry a light like the Sport Spot, by Planet Bike.

Planet Bike makes some of the most well thought out cycling products on the market. Their prices are as good, if not better, than most other manufacturers, and they give back 25% of their profits to bicycle advocacy. The Sport Spot, reviewed here, is indicative of all of their products; it works well, is versatile and is priced right.

The Sport Spot consists of 4 white LEDs. There are 4 lighting modes; all on, the outside two LEDs on, the inside two LEDs on, and all LEDs flashing. It runs on 3 AAA batteries that are good for up to 100 hours of use. This makes the Sport Spot a great back up light; it will run for a very, very long time.

In order to increase it’s versatility, Planet Bike gives the Sport Spot a handlebar mount, a helmet mount, and a headband; the light head itself is equipped with a belt clip. I found that I used the headband the most, by far. In fact, I use this light on the trail, at home while working on everything from bicycles to computer hardware. Basically any time I need a little more light, this is the one I reach for. If it isn’t in my hydration pack, it is in my tool chest. It gives enough light that you could hike by it, or even ride slowly. The Sport Spot isn’t intended to replace high dollar halogen lights, but it works very well as a backup. It also works well as a commuter light, when you are more concerned about being seen that seeing, i.e. dusk or on well lit streets.

Summary: At $29.99, this light is a great addition to anyone. And I mean anyone. It is equally at home with the hiker, home repairman, cyclist, camper, or in the glove box of any car. It is versatile, with multiple light levels and a flashing mode, and multiple ways to mount the light included in the box. The Sport Spot is like a good friend; it lights your way and won’t let you down when you need it most.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
Planet Bike
P.O. Box 259267
Madison, WI 53725
E-mail: info@planetbike.com
www.planetbike.com