Review on Cycl WingLights Mag V 3.0 - Bike Turning Signals/Blinkers for Enhanced Visibility by John Murphy

Before I go into the details of this review I would like to say that I love the idea of these lights and have been looking for something like this for a long time. More than 6 months later they still run on original batteries and are very bright and sometimes used for a few rides a day but at least 3-6 long rides a week. And I love introducing people to the concept of 'bike turn signals'! :) But the problem is this: in life and use, they are very fragile. My bike is my primary mode of transportation (of choice) and I have ridden it many miles and like anyone who regularly rides a bike I know accidents happen. Bikes are accidentally knocked over by other people or even blown away by the wind. When driving, especially in bike-friendly cities like Phoenix, where we are usually chained to the sidewalk due to dangerous roads, one can suddenly encounter obstacles, bushes, etc. WingLights Mag have great optics with a high-end finish, but they scratch incredibly easily. An accidental drop or two off the bike and most of the matte black finish is gone. Unfortunately, the amber "lenses" are also scratch-resistant. My guess is that powder coated metal or anodized aluminum rubs off very easily and the "amber" finish will also appear brittle. And the magnetic mounts that slot into the bike's handlebars are incredibly easy to flex since WingLights are usually included. The fastening system is so reliable that the fasteners are easy to fail and very difficult to return to their "original" shape. I love the magnetic mount concept as it deters theft, but I feel like I have to buy a new pair every 6 months (as long as I have them) because they look so messed up. especially now that I'm almost embarrassed that they're on my bike. (No, my bike isn't in pristine condition, but now they're an eyesore instead of looking cool and innovative. And I take really good care of my bike, but we all know something can happen.) Snap button mechanism, because headlights usually held up just fine , if the bike tipped on its side - and of course directly on the handlebars. But a flashlight that got hit pretty hard now has a trickier button than the other. It still toggles on and off and works properly, it just requires more effort to enable/disable. "Push and twist tight." This, I think, contributes to their damage-ability as they can stay attached to the bike and not come loose. Also, since I always take them off when I lock my bike, I have to readjust the headlights each time to get them beaming back and forth properly, which is another step towards "just getting somewhere". (I suppose I could line up the handlebar inserts to screw the lights all the way on so they automatically line up correctly, but I didn't think of that when I first installed them.) I'm just writing this review, to advise others, but I really hope the company takes note. I'll be happy to discuss my experiences with you elsewhere. Thanks for listening.