Cycling in the dark!
I purchased a recumbent bicycle back in Feb 1999 and really enjoyed cruising around. Had the little blinky red LED flashers on the back and wished a strong white LED would come out.
April, 2000 I was in a Target and noted an Emerson 18-LED red flasher and had to buy it ($10) Took the magnets off and strapped it to my rear rack and nuked some eyeballs. That thing was BRIGHT! I had a Bell 5W halogen helmet light to compliment the 18-LED flasher.
December, 2000 I learned I was going to Korea so I decided not to bring a car (good idea) and use my recumbent for transportation. Put a greenish-white 5 LED flasher on the front for redundent safety.
May, 2001 Rode to work on my recumbent so to adjust to day-to-day riding of the beast. Changed tires and a few things to make it work better. Still wished for bright, white LEDs.
July, 2001 Went to Korea and noted the 5W halogen could be overridden at speeds above 13 MPH.
April, 2002 Purchased a 3 LED white Streamlite Batonlite and was amazed at the whiteness of it. Pondered getting one with 30 LEDs in it to give me some light.
May, 2002 5W halogen bulb blew out at 18 MPH riding down a dark road in Korea. 8 foot ditches on each side heading to rice fields. Motivation to get that white LED project off the ground!
August, 2002 Found the LED Museum and started to research "Luxeon" 1.25 watt LEDs.
September, 2002 Joined CPF and started more research about current regulated Luxeons.
November, 2002 Put a BB500 Luxeon sandwich in a silver minimag and used it as a helmet light. Wished the optics would be narrower for better throw and better binning for more output.
February - May 2003 BB500, mini-LGI and 5W Cyan 5D head to other parts of the world. If you don't have a flashlight, you are in the dark in a dangerous place. Flashaholism turns to survival needs.
June 2003 BB400 Q3L sandwiches ordered for two bike lights
Summer 2003 Micro-Illuminator ordered. The small luxeon light bug planted.
August, 2003 BB500 R2H sandwiches coupled with Fraen LP optics produce enough light to see and not just be seen. The spare one becomes EDC.
September, 2003 2D Mag with Madmax+, R2H with mag reflector mod completed. It becomes the long-throw frame mounted light. Cops marvel at the long throw and bright beam.
November, 2003 BB400 Q3L traded for an Arc AA. Arc AA specifically for trips "across the pond" when a dimmer, longer lasting, waterproof light source is required.
February, 2004 Arc AAA with red LED purchased. The "sterile" light will be heading to South America for 3 months with other "sterile" items. This will create a yearning for more Arc AAAs!
April, 2004 UKE 4AA Luxeon lights, Infinity Ultras will be given out as emergency lights to friends. This is obvously pending!
Summer/Fall 2004 X3T 5 watt, 8 NiMH AA's, Flex regulated 2D Mag completed for better frame mounted light.
December, 2004 Arc AAA and Infinity Ultras given out as gifts for Christmas.
That is about it, my needs for reliable bicycle lighting and deployment lights tend to burn my wallet up.
