Sigma Aura 45 and Aura 80 Lights Review

Let’s talk briefly, but let’s talk about lights, or rather lighting for our beloved bikes. With days lengthening too slowly, or the need to commute or train at night, plus the most uncertain weather, it’s essential to be visible on your bike, hence the importance of good lighting. With the Sigma Aura 45 and Aura 80, we tested some of the best accessories in the field.

By Beatrice Barralis – Photos: @BB / Sigma – DR

As someone who frequently rides at night through Paris, I can attest to the necessity of being well-lit while riding. One evening, I found myself face-to-face with a huge SUV that sped towards me, and whose driver profusely insulted me because I wasn’t “lit“. The gentleman was in bad faith, as I did have small lights, but perhaps not bright enough for him to notice. Point taken. I was still terribly scared that day, seeing that monster brake 30 cm from my front wheel.

To see if the quality of lighting really makes a difference in everyday life, I received two models from the same brand to test: the Sigma Aura 45 and the Sigma Aura 80. Both models are presented as follows: each is a small front light that attaches to the handlebars with an adjustable watch-strap type band. The Sigma Aura 45, sufficient to be officially approved, can be supplied as a set with a small rear light, named the Nugget II. The latter is a small red light that attaches to the seatpost with a rubber attachment system, which allows it to be positioned on almost all seatposts on the market.

Product Specifications

Both the Aura 45 and Aura 80 are rechargeable via a USB cable. As its name suggests, the Aura 45 delivers 45 Lux of brightness with a range of 55 meters. According to the brand, it is the ideal companion for safety-conscious cyclists who ride their bikes every day and in all conditions, as well as for their sports activities. This light features an integrated brightness sensor that regulates the lighting and ensures an optimal balance between light intensity and battery life.

The Aura 80, on the other hand, delivers 80 Lux of brightness with a range of 90 meters, to meet the expectations of people who cover many kilometers. It’s a real headlight. The Aura 80 is a powerful light dedicated to those who commute daily between home and work, or who train in the evening. LED indicators on its upper face precisely show the remaining battery capacity and the activated lighting mode. With its lateral Light Guide, this approved front light also ensures better visibility for other road users.

The Test of Winter

In an urban environment, very honestly, on well-lit streets and avenues, the Aura 45 is largely sufficient. The light beam is said to be visible at 55 m. I went to test it on the Longchamp ring, on the completely dark part. I confirm that it is clearly visible. However, around the beam, you can’t see anything. But it’s enough to find your way, whereas the Aura 80 is much more powerful. The latter’s lighting is even almost blinding if it’s poorly adjusted and not directed towards the road. I even used it for my running sessions at dawn, for lack of a headlamp. I don’t know about you, but for me, running with something stuck on my forehead doesn’t appeal to me much. So, the light in my hand, between my fingers and held by the strap, is a very good compromise, and what’s more, absolutely not heavy, at 121 g.

Aesthetically, both models are designed in much the same way. The Aura 45 has a rather discreet dark design, we could say sleek, that blends in with the bike. The Aura 80, on the other hand, has a chrome part on top that gives it a more “flashy” look. The modern aspect is the two graduated indicators in the center, with the first one showing the light intensity and the second one indicating the battery charge level (a second crucial piece of information, I’ll get to that).

In terms of battery life, the models claim 15 to 20 hours of guaranteed lighting. In all objectivity, and after having carefully respected the charging volume, I will not confirm this given information! I didn’t test the models at minimum power to try to understand, however. But with the Aura 45, I got caught one evening and ran out of light, not having a battery level indicator. I didn’t see anything coming, the light just went out. Fortunately, I was in the city, so I returned to the light of the streetlights. At least, with the Aura 80, no surprises, because when the last little green indicator light goes out, it’s a guaranteed power outage. After tests in optimal lighting conditions, we can say that we can more reasonably expect about 4 hours of battery life for the Aura 45, and between 4 and 5 hours with the Aura 80, provided that the maximum intensity is not always used.

Since both lights charge via a USB port, we can say they are very easy to use, whether we’re talking about one of the two front lights or the small rear light. For a quick use without bothering to read the manual, I found the Aura 45 less obvious, as it has a single ON/OFF button for the different modes. You have to press hard to turn it on. Sometimes too hard to switch from one mode to another. In the dark and rain, that can be no fun. The Aura 80 is more intuitive to use, but perhaps a little less discreet on the bike. After all, it’s a matter of taste and budget.

My preference goes to the Aura 80 for the certainty of the charge level visibility and the reassuring lighting power. But the Aura 45 is quite sufficient for short urban trips. It is also sold with the small Nugget II rear light for a lower price than the Aura 80. Both lights are always charged and ready to go with me on night rides.

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