Light for Mountain Biking Helmet Mount

[lenny]

Hey all.
I've got a beautiful HID handlebar mount for night riding.
However, I'd still like a helmet mount light to point into corners.
Just wondering what you all would recommend.
I'd like around 2 hrs run time, good tight throw, and small size.
I plan on merely velcro strapping it to my helmet.
Some of the Inovas with TIROS look nice, but which one?
What other models would you recommend?
Thanks.
Lenny

 

[yellow]

Fenix L1D-CE

 

[Cypher]

I attach the head of my Apex to my visor and strap the battery pack to the rear of my helmet and it works great. It is a little heavy though.

 

[lenny]

What's an Apex?
Plus, I should've said, I want the light to be "self contained"
No separate battery packs

 

[MorePower]

Elly from Dealextreme.com + Cree LED from Dealextreme.com + 1 Nimh AA

 

[socalrunner]

Fenix L1D-CE.. If you use good nimh like Duracell 2650's, you will get 2+ hours in turbo mode.. You can use the twofish bike blocks or Zefal Doodad plus for securing to helmet.. They are both rock solid.. Here are some pics.. The P1D-ce would also work well except it uses cr123a's.. The picture is using zefal doodad plus mount, which is a basic pump mount..

http://www.geocities.com/mar10stuff/fenixlidhelmetlight.jpg

 

[lenny]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I've got a P1D CE coming so I'll try that first.
Then pick up an L1D CE if needed.
Cool product that Zefal Doodad Plus.
Lenny

PS: I'm interested why no one has recommended any of the Inovas with TIROS. They seem to have a great range and a tight spot.

 

[Bomo]

...

PS: I'm interested why no one has recommended any of the Inovas with TIROS. They seem to have a great range and a tight spot.

I suspect it is because the Inova with a TIROS has too tight a beam. Bicycle use would require more spill.

 

[bwaites]

The spot is almost too tight for this kind of application. No side spill at all.

If you have the money, the Stenlight is another good option...oops, I just saw that you said it had to be self contained, no seperate packs.

Bill

 

[lenny]

Yeah, I understand the tight beam profile of the Inovas.
My handlebar light is an HID and literally puts out a wall of light.
So I really don't need much sidespill from a helmet mounted light.
That being the case, which throws further: an Inova X03, or a Fenix L1D CE?

 

[spinkid]

lenny, Check out this link I bookmarked from someone else on here, lots of good stuff. http://www.gearreview.com/2007_led_lights.php

It sounds like the Exposure Lights Joystick will fit your needs nicely.

 

[greenLED]

I'm thinking the spot of a single Luxeon emitter, and maybe even a Cree LED, might get completely overpowered by the power of your handlebar HID. You'd need something much brighter or with tighter beam to add any significant amount of light (but whatever you use, you do gain in directional lighting).

 

[Bomo]

If you are willing to strap an X03 to your helmet (personally, the X03 seems a tad large for helmet use) then you should compare an X03 vs L2D-CE. According to FLR the throw numbers are 44.27 for the X03 and 54.58 for the L2D-CE. Looking at the L1D-CE, the throw on max drops to 36.

Looking at overall output, the Fenix trumps the Inova.

Once the weather breaks, I will be using a handlebar mounted L2D and a helmet mounted L1D. Should be a good setup for my style (recreational) riding.

 

[KWillets]

Elly from Dealextreme.com + Cree LED from Dealextreme.com + 1 Nimh AA

Ditto on that. Also the Kai Venture is a good 700 mA/18650 light, but it may be too bright for off-road, dark conditions (the low is equivalent to the Elly, though). I'm looking for a textured reflector for it to avoid wash-out in the spot.

 

[yellow]

I've got a P1D CE coming so I'll try that first.
Then pick up an L1D CE if needed.

You know that the P1D-CE is brighter than a L1D-CE, yes?

 

[Unbreakable]

I like this one

http://www.brightguy.com/products/Princeton_Tec_Switchback_3.php

Thought about getting one for my four wheeler

 

[lenny]

You know that the P1D-CE is brighter than a L1D-CE, yes?

Well, now I do!
Duh!

And whoever mentioned the Joystick, that thing looks sick.
A little steep though.
Lenny

 

[bwaites]

HOLY SMOKES BATMAN!

Bike riders are crazier than us!! I looked at the prices and specs on the lights for biking above, and WOW!

Many of these lights have specs that aren't as good as our lights that cost half or even less! Their only advantage appears to be mounsting systems, and those are relatively easy to come by elsewhere!

Bill

 

[Bomo]

PRECISELY ROBIN!

Thats why I was holding off until the CREE led's became available. They look like a good candidate for doing double duty as a bike light. I figure if the L1D doesn't do well mounted on the helmet, I may get a 2AA tube (when they become available) and mount 2 L2D's on the handlebars.

 

[lenny]

I guarantee you that none of your flashlights can put out like this thing: http://www.bikelights.com/Products/Arc.htm

Lenny