Bookman Volume Mixes Hi-Fi with High-Performance Lights

Bookman might be a newer name here in the US, but they are a well-known brand in Sweden. They have been making award-winning lights and urban mobile visibility products since 2011. That means lights, reflectors, headlamps, stickers, all products to help you stay visible in the dark, which is important in a country that sees 24 hours of polar darkness in the northern parts of the country in the winter.

Previously, Bookman launched the Block and Curve lights, two ranges of be-seen lights that come in an array of colors. The Block light is available as a white front light and red rear light that bands around your bars or seat post. A single button activates the light and moves through modes, with a maximum of 50 lumens for the front, and 18 lumens on the back, and runs up to 25 hours each.

The Curve uses heavier-duty bands and ups the brightness to 220 lumens for the front and 37 for the rear and up to 70 hours of run time. The design matches the name that the shape of the light is curved and adds a wider field of light, along with being visible on the sides as well.

The new Volume is a whole new level of lights for Bookman. Available in 800 or 1500 lumens, the Volume is the brand’s first true headlight. One of the things that makes the Volume unique is the Power Wheel on the side of the light that adjusts the brightness between five levels. The Hi-Fi audio-inspired design makes it easy to quickly adjust the light on the fly while riding.

“We are thrilled to be launching Volume as it will be a game-changer for performance lights,” explains Victor Kabo, Co-Founder of Bookman. “We feel usability has previously been neglected in the hunt for lumens, but with volume, we have created a unique light that is both safer and a pure joy to use.”

The Volume 800 uses a plastic case in either black, white, or orange, and a 3200 mAh battery that can run between 3 and 35 hours steady, or 6 to 120 hours in flash mode. At 130g, it will shed plenty of light for road, gravel, or commuting.

The Volume 1500 upgrades to an aluminum case with a 4000 mAh battery. It can run between 3-34 hours on steady and 6-105 hours on flash mode. The higher-capacity battery and more durable case only add 215 grams to your ride.

The Volume carries an IPX5 water resistance rating, making it water-resistant, sweatproof, rainproof, or splashproof, but not as fully waterproof. So as long as you don’t submerge it into water, you are okay. It also features a Garmin-style mount and comes with a band for mounting on your bars. It also has a GoPro-style adapter to mount under your computer or anywhere with a GoPro mount. To charge, the Volume uses a USB-C cable and can be charged while you ride. The battery is also replaceable, so you can carry a backup and swap as needed, or replace it outright in the future if it gets damaged. It also makes for a more sustainable product when it comes time to recycle it at the end of its lifespan. Bookman also uses 100% paper-based packaging for the Volume, which is sustainably sourced and allows it to be opened and resealed without damaging the packaging.

At $106 and $160 respectively, the Volume 800 and 1500 are a little bit of an investment that will help keep you seeing clearly or be seen during your ride. The Power Wheel will make life easier when adjusting the light on the fly compared to a button.

We have a Volume on the way in for review, so look for a follow-up article coming soon.

www.bookmanvisibility.com