Exposure Joystick 18 MTB Helmet Light
The Exposure Joystick 18 is a compact, high-performance mountain bike helmet light designed to deliver powerful illumination without adding unnecessary weight to your helmet.
Producing up to 1200 measured lumens while weighing just 105g, the Joystick 18 is ideal for MTB, enduro and trail riders looking for a lightweight light that follows their line of sight through corners and technical sections.
The latest generation features upgraded battery and electronics, a refined focused beam and fast USB-C charging, while retaining the compact design that has made the Joystick one of Exposure's most popular helmet lights.
Powerful enough for serious night riding while remaining exceptionally light and compact on your helmet.
Key Features
- Maximum output of 1200 measured lumens
- Ultra-light 105g construction
- Designed primarily for helmet-mounted MTB lighting
- Focused beam for looking through corners and down the trail
- 1.5–36 hour runtime depending on selected programme
- 4000mAh integrated Li-Ion battery
- Fast USB-C charging
- Approximately 2 hour 5 minute charge time
- TAP Technology for easier mode changes
- Optimised Mode Selector
- Intelligent Thermal Management
- Precision CNC-machined 6063 aluminium body
- Gunmetal grey hard-anodised finish
- IP67 water ingress protection
- IK09 impact resistance
- Compatible with suitable USB-C power banks
- Designed and built in the UK
Made for Helmet-Mounted Night Riding
The Joystick's compact dimensions and low 105g weight make it particularly well suited to helmet mounting, where excessive weight can quickly become uncomfortable on longer rides.
Mounted on your helmet, the beam follows exactly where you're looking, helping illuminate corners, trail features and obstacles before your handlebars are pointing towards them.
1200-Lumen Output
Next-generation battery technology and updated electronics increase maximum output to an impressive 1200 lumens while maintaining the Joystick's lightweight design.
The focused beam has also been refined for improved clarity and distance, providing useful illumination for technical singletrack and faster night riding.
For serious MTB night riding, pair the Joystick 18 with a wider, higher-output handlebar light. The bar light illuminates the trail ahead while the Joystick puts light exactly where you look.
TAP Technology
Exposure's TAP Technology allows you to change modes by tapping the body of the light or your helmet rather than trying to locate a small button while riding.
Multiple sensitivity levels allow the system to be adjusted to suit your riding style and terrain.
USB-C Fast Charging
The Joystick 18 features modern USB-C charging and can recharge from empty in approximately 2 hours 5 minutes with a suitable power supply.
Compatibility with many modern USB-C power banks also makes charging easier when travelling, bikepacking or heading away for a weekend of riding.
Up to 36 Hours Runtime
Exposure's Optimised Mode Selector provides a range of programmes that balance brightness and battery life, allowing the Joystick 18 to deliver approximately 1.5 to 36 hours of runtime depending on the selected setting.
Intelligent Thermal Management
Exposure's Intelligent Thermal Management system continuously monitors the temperature of the light.
If temperatures rise beyond the optimum operating range, output is automatically reduced. Once the light cools, power is restored, helping maintain performance while protecting the LEDs and electronics.
Built for Tough Conditions
The Joystick 18 is precision CNC-machined from 6063 aluminium and finished in Exposure's distinctive gunmetal grey hard anodising.
An IP67 water ingress rating and IK09 impact resistance help make it suitable for wet, muddy and demanding mountain bike conditions.
Helmet Mount Included
The current Joystick 18 is supplied with Exposure's Helmet Mount with Action Camera Clip. Two bolt lengths are supplied for compatible helmet thicknesses from approximately 22mm to 40mm.
Exposure states that the supplied mount works with MIPS Essential, MIPS Evolve and MIPS Air Node helmets. It is not compatible with MIPS Spherical or Integra / Integra Split systems.
Compatible Exposure handlebar brackets are available separately if you want to use the Joystick 18 as a bar-mounted light.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Exposure Lights |
|---|---|
| Model | Joystick 18 |
| Product Type | Rechargeable MTB Helmet Light |
| Maximum Output | 1200 Measured Lumens |
| LED | 1 x White XPL2 (W3) |
| Beam | Focused Spot Beam |
| Battery | 4000mAh Li-Ion |
| Runtime | Approximately 1.5–36 Hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Charge Time | Approximately 2 Hours 5 Minutes |
| Technology | TAP / Optimised Mode Selector / Intelligent Thermal Management |
| Material | CNC-Machined 6063 Aluminium |
| Water Protection | IP67 |
| Impact Resistance | IK09 |
| Weight | Approximately 105g |
| Length | 112mm |
| Head Diameter | 30mm |
| Colour | Gunmetal Grey / Black |
| Manufacturer Part Number | EXPJOY18HMGMB |
| Recommended Use | MTB / Trail / Enduro / Night Riding |
Lightweight Performance for Night Riding
Whether you're riding local woodland trails after work, heading out for a winter night ride or tackling technical singletrack in complete darkness, the Exposure Joystick 18 delivers an excellent balance of brightness, runtime and weight.
Its compact dimensions make it particularly good as a helmet light, while the 1200-lumen output provides enough punch to look deeper into turns and illuminate technical trail features.
A lightweight 1200-lumen MTB helmet light weighing just 105g, with USB-C fast charging, TAP Technology, up to 36 hours runtime and durable IP67 construction.
An excellent helmet light for trail, enduro, eMTB and serious night-time mountain biking.