Hey Benny,
Okay I have the newer version Gloworm X2 and while I think it is a light with a good beamshape and a range of light levels which allow for good fast trail riding or good battery life. I do have some major gripes with them:
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the light has two light phases and if you switch it into the ‘wrong’ one its a PITA to adjust or get it back to the standard stepped phase. I think the two options are an unnecessary complexity.
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Durabilty/Reliability. I have had the light warrantied twice, and the charger unit once, in just over 12 months. And while Bruce from Gloworm has been very good to deal with – no questions asked – very prompt replacement, I nevertheless see this as a concern. Issues seem to be to do with the waterproofing of the switch unit.
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The lamp is only really suitable for a bar mounted lamp. This is mainly because the never version helmet mount is brittle plastic that is not up to the task. I have gone through 4 of these mounts in as many rides and have given up with it as a helmet mount.
Long story short. Good lights with some serious design flaws. Will not buy again.
Now, with regards to the above sentiments re AyUps, like Seb I beg to differ. I ride with a chap who has just bought a new AyUp system and its every bit as bright as my Gloworms, has excellent battery life and is a durable design. I don’t think they’re as antiquated as others make out, but I do concur that they do lack the heatsinks of other brands so heat will be more of an issue with them and this inevitably means that durablity and colourshift could be issue with them in the medium term.
Lol at people talking about Philips / B&M for trail riding.
FWIW if you’re ballin hard Exposure lights seem like the way to go. A friend of mine runs a dyno-powered Revo and its impressively bright. Thats the probably next lamp that I’ll look to get for the brevet bike. or a B&M Luxos U
Next winter I’ll get either a Joystick or a Gemini for my helmet lamp.