A flashlight for a biker

[Charius]

Hey, found these pages a few days ago, as well I found DX, so I'm pretty hyped right now!

I have been looking for a flashlight for quite a while now, and in here, all 30$ will get you is a crappy 1W led market-torch.
So, I have been looking things out for a while, and I'd like you guys to help me out here.

As I said, I'm looking for a flashlight, that would fit this mount.
I'd like it to have flood-to-throw and atleast a hi-lo switch (no need for strobe) and batteries do not matter that much (I will most likely buy a li-on charger)



Option 1:

• Torch
• Mount

Option 2:

• Torch & Mount set

Option 3: (No flood to throw.....)

• Fetin Torch, 3-mode memory
  
  OR

• Trustfire F20, 5 mode memory

And with those, a Charger (Model 1 or Model 2
+Batteries, and a flat to round power plug converter(As I live in Europe)

The price category should stay around 20$ for the torch, and I prefer DX as they deliver worldwide without any costs.

So what do you think? All options will be considered

 

[DM51]

Welcome to CPF, Charius.

As your thread is specifically about bicycle lighting, I'm moving your thread to our Bicycle section.

I would add that DX items generally have a poor reputation for reliability/durability.

 

[yellow]

all 30$ will get you is a crappy 1W led market-torch.

absolutely correct,
as well as the lights linked are the same crap,
which I would never recommend to anyone not knowing what to expect and what to do when that crap fails.

to make the long story short: one can buy one of these and be lucky, but most likely one has to order three, to receive one that runs for long time + is machined + rugged enough to stand the abuse ...
... or get one from a respected maker - a light that works for sure - to start getting info on that topic and to learn what to look for, what to expect and what to mod when it fails.
That will also cost about three of the DX things, but ...


PS: I have one of these focusing lights (the "better" version, thats the one running on one 18650 cell). The general idea sounds nice, but is not good, a light with reflector excels better in every aspect. Only in total extreme throw, here the aspheric wins.
But having typed this, for the price (and compared to usual DX-offering) quality is really good.

 

[herulach]

I'd second comments about flood to throw - its pretty useless. Theres tonnes of threads in the bike section about good front mounted flashlights. Short answer is it depends what you want them for. My experience with DX lights is pretty good, but then again I'd never want to really rely on one.

As a starter you might tell us what kind of riding you do?

 

[fightnut]

Pay no attention to these guys. Those flood to throw lights are great for biking. Too many people use them and like them to believe anything else.

I don't like the mounts you chose though.

This is a good one if you have smaller diameter bars. If you have oversized bars you can use a zip tie in place of the bolt.

I also like this one. Easy on and off.

 

[43X16]

Some great ideas on another thread

here

 

[Charius]

Well, first of all, thanks for all the answers!
I do realize that the quality in DX is not really that close to those "better" manufacturers, but it also is a budget-thing.

I seriously do not want to pay 50-100€, (~75-150$) for a light, that would do the job. I live in finland, and most of the mid-price torches sold, even in better shops are using AA/AAA, and I'm tad a enhusiast on gadgets, so they are not giving enought light for the price.

Flood-to-throw, is the main thing I'm hyped about. I think it is pretty hard to find, even in higher price categories. Most (in DX) are under 20$...

My use for it will be pretty versaile, I've got a hybrid bike, that I use to move around, shord distances in the city (3-mode for not blinding people everywhre I go), longer when I'm doing it for the sport. Parking it in the city means someone just might steal those stands that don't require any tools, seems to be some kind of trend here(altho the kaidoman one seems interesting). And also when going out to the forest on foot, this is where pretty much most is required from it.

So, if you have any other lamps to suggest that would have atleast Hi/Lo modes, and flood to throw, uses a li-ion battery(CR123, 10440, 14500, 18650 etc), I'm sure as hell interested

I could also add these to the comparison
Light using 18650 + extra crap

Focus & 3-mode with CR123


Most likely the combo I'd get at the moment would be:
Torch
Batteries
Charger
Mount

 

[yellow]

flood to throw, or not, is a matter of personal taste, so just try it
(I have both and reflectored lights simply are way better, but again: might be personal taste)
no spill - and that is granted with them - is not a matter of personal taste, especially when biking.

do not want to pay 50-100€, (~75-150$) for a light, that would do the job.

problem (for You): these "better" produced lights are for sure rugged enough to DO the job,
while there is a 1/3-2/3 chance that the cheap things wont.
I know what to do when that happens, but ...
Thats why I dont dare to recommend these lights, or at least tell the tradeoffs one has to think of, when choosing them.


PS: as both are rugged and cheap enough, get the torch You think about now, and try a light with reflector also,
like the Xtar Cree (that one is a nice "entry" light, that I can recommend, at least the model I have is done nicely)
best way to compare aspheric and reflectored lights.
dont forget to order the power adapter for Europe wall plug.

PPS: that holder seems not to be able to be adjustable sideways, so is useless imho.
That homemade one here has been copied very often, works for years now,
have not gotten any negative replies so far

 

[yellow]

hmmm :thinking:
I just come back from a nice nightride. Lent a buddy that focusing 18650 light and something like the Xtar (installed both and wanted him to switch between and tell me his opinion).

Even when I still think a reflectored light is better, he was totally crazy about the focusing light.
In fact he has it now, and I have to order charger + cells for him (hes not that internet guy)
seems what I typed above does not apply to anyone, Sorry.

at very slow speed and difficult terrain, the light in wide focus was nice, I agree
(but thats what I have my helmet light for)


PS: our helmet lights were good for nothing. It was just a bit foggy, but we had to turn them off. Absolutely not good and way better without them - in the fog

 

[Charius]

Gee, this is getting harder and harder. But, I've pretty much made up my mind about that I really do want the flood-to-throw light, so thats what I'll order. Now a new proble, a light I might want is 4cm in diameter, so it won't fit the mount I was planning.. Your mount might just do the job.

Is it just two, diffrend sized tube holders together, and a washer between? Atleast you'll get the exact right size.. Does it move a lot, if you hit a bump or anything?

These are the ones I'm into now:

[links removed - DM51]

< Not sure if they fit...

 

[corvettesR1]

Here is a mount that should workout well for you. It offers a wider margin of mounting options. I just bought a mountain bike and was thinking of mounting up one of my lights for some night riding.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CJXB5E/?tag=cpf0b6-20
Also, $30 will get you a decent AA light. Check out Romisen lights.They are bright with decent throw and good flood. ps I have that variable light you have and I doubt id use that. Throw offers no flood and flood is not too strong. in my opinion.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-By-Manufacturer/Categories

 

[yellow]

imho the twofish dont work - one can not adujst them sideways and on most
bikes the place of the light ist not at right angels to bars
If You dont want to build one: atm I have these here on order: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24355, others from DX were of cheap plastic, cracking while 1st use, or not be able to be tilted, so ...

Is it just two, diffrend sized tube holders together, and a washer between? Atleast you'll get the exact right size.. Does it move a lot, if you hit a bump or anything?

yup, just 2 clamps in the suitable size from electronics installation dept of the next big Home Depot style market.

my holder works nicely. It does not move at all (sometimes its more a problem to get the clip off the bars) (and thats heavy terrain mtb trail biking)
but normally I put an additional rubber band around light + bars, just to be on the safe side.
32 mm is for newer oversized, 25 mm is for normal bars.
Has been copied quite a number of times and everyone likes it.

The washer is to help the screws staying tight when turning the holder --> when not in use I turn it to flat position to ease pocketing.
Ensure that the screws do not scratch light or bars, some extend too much and have to be filed down.


PS: I use my holder exclusively, that holders ordered are for ppl who not like to build for themsleves, but no premade holder has convinced me so far.

 

[100g2]

I have 3 of the zooming x2000 in 18650 and love them. I have used an R2 light together with the x2000 as I purchased them together. I rode on a twisty bike path mostly unlit, I realized that day that narrow beams don't work so have stuck to using the zooming lights. I also have used 5~7 Fenix lights and a surefire light, but the zooming lights is what is needed for biking, only wish there was brighter versions.
I have been using them for almost a year and 2 of them managed to survive in 15min of downpour even before I put a proper O ring in them. Sure the quality is poop so only open them when putting an O ring in. I had bad luck/bad experience with most of my Fenix lights even though they were heaps more expensive so I would rather buy lights from DX in the future.

 

[Linger]

Shiningbeam sells a Rominsen flood-to-throw, two mode light that is imho higher quality. Shiningbeam is also excellent with same-day shipping and your light will arrive clean, lubed, and generally looking very good. It's 16340 (cr123) so while run-time is listed as 1h on high and 3h(?) on medium.
I also have the expensive dx x2000 flood to throw. x2000 has artifact free beam, very even pattern through the range of focus. It was my partner's cycling light until we were trail-riding one day and it came out of the holder and logged in her spokes on a twisting wooded down-hill, sending her axle over tea kettle.
Best asset of flood-to-throw - no hot-spot in the beam pattern. Also occasionally tightening up for distance spotting but that's the least of its qualities.
+1 twofish blocks. An option of you don't have a perpendicular section of handlebar is to use one of the two parrallel twofishblocks (lockblock, cycloblock? there are many models) and put the light on your frame just after the front fork

 

[100g2]

Hi, I have also had the x2000 come of the cheap DX mount, I think I didn't put it in the mount 100% right but I will also blame the cheap mount. However it has only happened once and the X2000 didn't even hit the ground as I looped the lanyard included with the x2000 around the h/bar so I just stopped for a few seconds to fix it...no probs