I haven’t had the opportunity to use this bag in the rain yet; my impression is that the top pocket and pouch sides are made of a material that seems fairly water resistant. The balance is more conventional polyester however, which would probably let in water in a decent downpour. Might be worth investing a couple of plastic bags if concerned…

Yes, you could easily run a wire between the side compartments and into the back of the top pouch; whether a plug would neatly fit in there may depend on the phone size and plug shape.

Can’t say I noticed the zip noise (biking never seems that quiet an activity anyway), but your idea of replacing with cotton loops is a good one.

While there is a slight potential for glare off the plastic screen, my testing suggests that it is generally no worse to view through the screen than if you were looking directly at the phone in the same light (which, if it was bright sunlight, can be difficult anyway).

NZ’s Vehicle Lighting Rule continues to struggle to keep up with bike lighting practices (e.g. flashing lights and two front/rear lights were popular long before the law technically allowed them). Currently things like this LED device and the hugely popular MonkeyLectric light displays aren’t allowed by the existing law, despite their ability to make you more visible (a common cycling concern). The main issue in the Rule is around whether they “dazzle, confuse or distract” other road users. I have some sympathy with the “dazzling” aspect of this, but if a non-dazzling light results in other road users noticing you more that would seem to be a good thing for riders. No doubt the debate will continue…

BTW, most of the light colour restrictions apply to “beacons” (typically found on top of a motor vehicle); I think it would be debatable whether something like this device would be considered a beacon for the purposes of the law. Indeed, I deliberately chose blue because it WASN’T the same colour as a white front or red rear light.

I’d find it hits my knees no matter what, so my one doesn’t have the side bits – it just clamps to the top tube.
I also run a slim USB battery below the phone to power it and the gopro. This one looks like a battery would go in the side pocket nicely. Is there a way to get a wire between the compartments?

I also found the zips rattly and annoying, so I cut off the tags and threadded short loops of braided cotton twine from some old venetian blinds, much quieter.

Final thought – sunlight visibility… can you see the screen as well in full sunlight as if its not in the bag?

Personally I’d not put a visible blue light on a bike. That said I have a blue light under my yellow high-vis vest which works really well and shows up as high-vis yellow.