Sigma Aura 80 front light review
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Sigma Aura 80 front light review

Traffic-friendly beam and extended side lights

Our rating

2.5

60.00

Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Published: November 24, 2021 at 9:59 am

Our review
Lightweight, StVZO-compliant light that is handy around town but limited for other night riding

Pros:

No glare; clear mode/battery life display; lightweight

Cons:

No alternative beam options

Designed for urban riding, the Sigma Aura 80 has a sleek, easy-to-use design that houses a StVZO-compliant beam, which meets German road regulations to ensure it doesn’t dazzle other road users.

It also has side lights all down the body for increased visibility from the side.

An obvious difference between this and most other lights is the lack of lumen rating – instead, Sigma quotes lux (1 lux equals 1 lumen per square metre), which is in effect the brightness of a light measured at a specific distance.

In terms of the beam, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison between lux and lumens. Sigma quotes a maximum lux of 80 but no specific range, so I measured it and got a result of 172 lux at five metres on full beam.

Sigma Aura 80 front light for road cycling - beam shot
The Sigma Aura 80 has a tightly focused beam. Russell Burton / Immediate Media

This compares well with other lights I've tested. In practice, it translates into a tightly focused beam in keeping with what I’d expect from an anti-glare model, which should have a low cut-off combined with a small spread so that it doesn’t dazzle oncoming traffic.

The Aura’s pattern is a very distinct lozenge shape, though, with a central bright spot that has noticeable ‘steppy’ contrast within it.

The large power button on the top is easy to hit first time with cold or gloved fingers and, combined with the constant LED display showing mode and corresponding battery life remaining, this makes for good functionality.

Sigma Aura 80 front light for road cycling
The mount held the light solidly. Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Its integral mount uses an easy-fit rubber ladder-style strap that holds solid when you’re riding, but there is no lateral adjustment for the light body.

Unusually, this light has no flash mode, and its low IP4 waterproof rating is my minimum requirement for winter riding.

The illumination is not enough on country lanes, but in an urban setting it will help you maintain harmony with other vehicles, and the long, bright side lights are a bonus in the city too.

How we tested

With darker nights upon us, we put eight front road bike lights to the test.

Unlimited budgets are a luxury, though, so each light is priced under £100 and has a brightness of between 500 and 1,000 lumens (with one measured in Lux).

As well as brightness, we considered beam performance, run times, mode options and any waterproofing claims, as well as the unit’s construction and other features, such as mount types.

The lights were all tested in urban conditions and on unlit and rural roads.

Also on test

Product

Brand sigma
Price 60.00 GBP
Weight 120.0000, GRAM () - with bracket

Features

br_lightType front
br_integratedBattery yes
Features Lux @ 5m high beam: 172

Run time: 240 minutes at max power

IP/waterproof rating: 4

Modes: 4 – 80, 60, 40, 20 lux
br_outputLumens 80