Accessories

Fox HALO LT-136

£27.50

This style is a little dated compared with some these days, but it remains an exceptional light when that’s all you want it to be. The output is impressive and, although some prefer a rechargeable light compared to one that works from batteries, if ever you are caught short and it runs out, at least you can usually get your hands on some batteries. There isn’t very likely to be a plug socket in your swim!
The upright style lends itself to being sat on a bivvy table or suchlike, while there is an easy to use carbiner-style hanging loop.
Three white-light modes include bright, dim and flashing, which you’ll see my thoughts on elsewhere on this page!
The single-button operation is easy and the button itself sits on the front of the unit so is easy to locate. This is further aided by the green LED that makes it easy to locate the light during the hours of darkness. In all, this is exactly what it says it is, a bivvy light, and as such it does a good job of being so.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 8/10 EASE OF USE 9/10 LIGHT MODES 6/10 WEIGHT 9/10 CHARGE TIME 8/10 VALUE FOR MONEY 9/10 TOTAL: 49/60

WWW.FOXINT.COM

TF GEAR Night Spark

£39.99

Although only white light is available, there are a few different modes in which it can be used. To be frank, I only ever use a light in the constant mode, changing the brightness as I see fit. I’ve never needed my bivvy light to flash, but it can be handy for anglers using boats as a guide as to where their swim is when rowing back during the night. Anyway, the light is a compact style, domed on the top and with an easy to use function button. You can use it to charge a phone or small electrical device too. Although I haven’t tested how many charges you get from it, there’s no doubt it’s a handy function to have in an emergency. I like the five-section blue charge light on the back, which tells you exactly how much juice it has left in it, and with a whopping 100 hours constant use lifetime I imagine it’ll be rare having to charge this one. The hanging loop is generous enough in size and easy to use, still allowing easy access to the function switch which sits on the top of the unit. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 8/10 EASE OF USE 9/10 LIGHT MODES 6/10 WEIGHT 9/10 CHARGE TIME 10/10 VALUE FOR MONEY 9/10 TOTAL: 51/60

WWW.TOTALFISHINGGEAR.CO.UK

HOBO ARMOUR HOBO GLOW

£25.99

Compact, lightweight and with plenty of functions, the Hobo Glow first came to our attention when we saw Hobo’s video showing it being driven over by a pick-up truck. On closer inspection, and having been challenged to do so, we tried to break one and failed. Talk about robust – this is literally as tough as it gets! There are several light modes, including two strengths of white light, constant red light, flashing red and an intermittent red, and I like that the back of the unit is blanked out so it only emits the light in the direction that you want it to. It can also be used as an emergency powerbank. The only tiny issue I had with this one is that the function button is situated beneath the hanging loop, which can make it tricky to locate and use when the light is hanging above you. It’s a minor gripe, however, on what is an otherwise extremely impressive light. Oh, and it’s totally waterproof too, as we was demostrated at Carp In The Park when it was in a tank of water for the entire weekend, switched on! 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 9/10 EASE OF USE 8/10 light modes 8/10 weight 9/10 charge time 8/10 VALUE FOR MONEY 9/10 TOTAL: 51/60

WWW.HOBOARMOUR.CO.UK

POWERSOLVE LMP10AH4

£34.99

Sometimes you need to look outside the tackle industry for specialists in a certain field and I think this is the case here. Powersolve does exactly that; it specialises in electrical products, especially charging units. This powerful light has an integrated charger which, in our tests, outperformed the others with a similar function. I suspect it may be manufactured by the same factory as the TF Gear light because some of the fixtures and fittings are identical. However, in terms of power output it shines (excuse the pun). As an out-and-out bivvy light it is a little bukly compared to some, but doesn’t seem overly heavy. It’s still a more than manageable size, though. I’d like a red-light function because it can be a godsend in summer when avoiding the attentions of mozzies and suchlike, but this is really the only area I would score this one down against some of those that do have that function. The white-light functions include easily the brightest mode on test, though. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 8/10 EASE OF USE 9/10 LIGHT MODES 7/10 WEIGHT 9/10 CHARGE TIME 10/10 VALUE FOR MONEY 9/10 TOTAL: 52/60

WWW.POWERSOLVEMOBILE.COM

BANK BUG GLO BUG

£14.99

First things first, 15 quid for a bivvy light is exceptional value and this is definitely the cheapest on test, and by some margin. Does this mean a drop in features though? Well, in some areas, this is inevitable, but overall it still represents great value. Innovative in its fold-away design, when closed down it’s a very compact package and I was surprised it wasn’t a little lighter. It also has a torch mode when packed down, which is a nice addition. There is no charging facility, but again at this price can you really expect one? I don’t think so. There are just three white-light modes, none of which is as bright as some others on test but I only tend to use a dim light in my bivvy anyway so this doesn’t bother me particularly. The locking process is simple enough and I like the fact that the on/off button is on the side and not beneath the hanging loop. To be fair to the Glo Bug it isn’t the best on test as a light, but it’s most definitely the best value-for-money option by a stretch. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 8/10 EASE OF USE 8/10 LIGHT MODES 6/10 WEIGHT 9/10 CHARGE TIME 9/10 VALUE FOR MONEY 10/10 TOTAL: 50/60

WWW.BANKBUG.CO.UK

RIDGEMONKEY BIVVY-LITE DUO IR

£34.99

I’m a huge fan of this one, and use it for my fishing, as do most of the TC staff in fact. For me, the main feature is the remote control (don’t worry, there is still a manual switch if you lose your remote), which makes it even more versatile than just a bivvy light. This is especially relevant since the launch of the recent accessories that allow it to attach to banksticks, bivvy poles and suchlike to make an ideal outdoor light. This can be a godsend when taking night-time catch pics. As a bivvy light, I like the twin brightness red and white light modes and love the fact that the back is magnetic and attached to the inner of my bivvy via the metal plate that is provided. I find it hard to mark this one down in any areas, but have remained fair in all areas. There’s no charge output, unlike some others, and while I don’t care about this personally, credit is due to those lights that do have this additional feature. It’s also the most expensive, but it is remote controlled, unlike any others. Overall, it’s the best on test in my opinion.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 9/10 EASE OF USE 8/10 LIGHT MODES 8/10 WEIGHT 9/10 CHARGE TIME 9/10 VALUE FOR MONEY 9/10 TOTAL: 52/60

WWW.RIDGEMONKEY.CO.UK