Best bike light?

[joe1512]

I am considering getting bike lights for my wife and myself's bicycles. I dont plan on riding real late at night, but Dusk comes earlier and earlier so I want to be prepared.

I am thinking about spending about 50 bucks for the both of us, as I don't want to heavily invest in this since it will be relatively low usage.

My xtar outrider is out of commission due to tailcap issues and my itp A1 would get too hot on 200+ lumen mode and 30 lumen mode wouldn't be enough.

My first option is the shiningbeam Romisen RC29 and bike mount x2. That is a 1xAA XP-G light.

OR, I can buy 4 deal extreme specials for the same price. They use outdated emitters and 3xAAA and comes with bike mounts. They are $12.50 each so could put 2 on each bike which would likely more than make up for their inferior quality.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26800



Which of the above seems like a better plan? Boht are flood to throw for the biggest area and even coverage. Will these be enough light to ride at night, or would it only be enough for supplimental light at dusk?
Would it be enough for dusk riding?

Rain won't be a problem since we wont ride in the rain. We ride round the neighborhood and have bikes with suspension so it won't be too rough riding.

I know there are nicer P7 kits with 4x18650 packs, but Id really like to not spend that kind of cash unless it is absolutely worth it over the flood2throws.

Opinions are definitely appreciated!

 

[amigafan2003]

My first option is the shiningbeam Romisen RC29 and bike mount x2. That is a 1xAA XP-G light.

That would be about 70 lumens and about 50mins run time - is that enough for you?

I have a Shiningbeam MG P-Rocket for a nice bright floody beam - runs for about 1.5hrs on max before I notice the light dropping off or 4hrs at med mode.

I also run a 4Sevens Quark Turbo - 0.9v-4.2v head with an 18650 body for a "thrower" - get about 2.5hrs run time on max.

I'm looking at the Xtar A01 to replace the Turbo as I like the idea of the charge port and charging at work via the USB on the compute -I just want to know a bit more about the charging method first.

 

[RedForest UK]

Actually the XP-G version isn roughly 130lumens for an hour or so. But I would say definately go for dealextreme Romisen RC-2R4 on 18650's, it puts out pretty close to 300 otf lumens, definately over 250, for close to 3 hours from a single red and black trustfire 18650 cell. By far the best and most cost effective way to go, it is listed as an XP-C light on the site, but believe me it is an XP-G, and incredibly bright even for that.

 

[darthaniel]

I second the MG P-Rocket. Built well and very bright flood. Plus the small form factor is great.

 

[joe1512]

You think that is a better approach than the full-floodiness of the other lights?

I like the P-rocket idea but at 70 bucks a pop per light, that is a bit out of budget.

Ill have to consider the 1x18650 lights though cuz I have 2 AW ones laying around useless at the moment.
Do you know if they need nubs on the top, as AW batteries are flat-tops.

I dont really need huge run-time other than for convenience, but I am unsure exactly how much light I will need to effectively bike at Dusk.

 

[jacktheclipper]

Check out the bike subforum

 

[nanoxd]

How will you mount the bike to the light?

 

[joe1512]

Bike subforum? Oh....

Heh, didn't know that existed.

Right now, my current plan is the $20 MC-E light from DX. Uses 1x18650, small (13 cm long), and was gonna use one of their universal mounts for 3 bucks to put it on my handlebar or the frame of the bike.

For 50 bucks shipped Ill have 2 bikes equipped which is pretty good. Then Ill add another 8 bucks for 2 of those 5-LED rear-red lights.

 

[RedForest UK]

Seriously, get the Romisen RC-2R4, they're $18 each and I'm serious about the 250 otf. That is most probably brighter than the MC-E and at a much lower drive current. The beam profile is a very bright hotspot but with a smooth transition from hotspot to a very bright flood, perfect for a bike. The modes 'High 3hrs, Med 6hrs and Strobe/beacon' are also perfect for any bike rider.

I use my nailbender nw xp-g drop-in primarily but I bought a Romisen RC-2R4 for my dad as we often go out on fast, off road, downhill rides, and I have been incredibly impressed with the power and utility of his light!

I cannot imagine any better, especially at this stupidly low price they are offered at right now..

 

[xamindar]

Seriously, get the Romisen RC-2R4, they're $18 each and I'm serious about the 250 otf.

This one right? How have you confirmed the output? The page on that only states 180 with an XP-C.

I am looking for a good 18650 light for my bike as well without spending an arm and a leg. Also, while on the subject, what is a good mount to use? They all look a little cheap to me and I am afraid they will not hold the light securely on a bumpy trail.

 

[jacktheclipper]

Twofish lockblock at 4sevens

 

[xamindar]

Twofish lockblock at 4sevens

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=92&products_id=274
That one? So I get 3 for $16? Not bad. I need two so that might be the best route to go.

 

[RedForest UK]

This one right? How have you confirmed the output? The page on that only states 180 with an XP-C.

I am looking for a good 18650 light for my bike as well without spending an arm and a leg. Also, while on the subject, what is a good mount to use? They all look a little cheap to me and I am afraid they will not hold the light securely on a bumpy trail.

Yes, that one. I have not confirmed it with official equipment, but in comparison tests and ceiling bounce tests it holds up very well to my lightbox measured 280 OTF nailbender light, I would say it was 250 lumens, you will be impressed.

However, there are rare occasions when dx has two products under one name and sends maybe an xp-g model to some people and an xp-c to others. However with this model I have been confident to order another for a friend who also cycles regularly, that one is yet to arrive, but with the name clearly suggesting that it is an R4 flux bin I really can't see how Romisen would have made some with XP-C leds.

I got way more than I payed for when I ordered one for my dad, and hopefully i will do again when my friends one has arrived.

 

[RedForest UK]

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=92&products_id=274
That one? So I get 3 for $16? Not bad. I need two so that might be the best route to go.

Also, if you do go for the lockblocks, you can pick them up at dx as well for ~$2.50 each, they may not be the original ones however.

 

[xamindar]

Thanks RedForest UK, I think you sold me. I'll give this light a try and get a couple of those mounts while I am at it. Only one mode but oh well. As long as it is bright enough.

By the way, a little off topic but is there a simple list somewhere that will show which led emiters are better than others? Like a list from brightest to weakest? I guess there might be other important factors like heat generated.

 

[mellowman]

Do a search on DX for "mc-e warm" and pick any of the first 4 (I like that later 2). You'll get plenty of light, a much better tint for outdoors and a host that you can upgrade in the future.

I'd go with the 9-led DX light, much better than the 5-led. Also if you search for "red 501b" on DX is a nice red, 18650 flashlight (host is also upgradable) that if I had to chose only one rear light I'd go with that..much brighter than any blinking light.

The lockblocks on DX and Kai are a bit taller than those on 4sevens, work just as good. Only worth the extra to me if you plan on helmet mounting.

You might want to try some wheel lights too.

 

[RedForest UK]

Thanks RedForest UK, I think you sold me. I'll give this light a try and get a couple of those mounts while I am at it. Only one mode but oh well. As long as it is bright enough.

By the way, a little off topic but is there a simple list somewhere that will show which led emiters are better than others? Like a list from brightest to weakest? I guess there might be other important factors like heat generated.

Great, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it! It is actually 3-mode: High-Med-Flash. High will run for 3 hours, med for 6 and flash I'm not so sure, but thats more useful in well-lit areas like a city.

Remember to pick up the red and black trustfire 2400mah cells from dx if you need extras as they are the only decent ones on sale there which actually deliver rated capacity.

And led's don't exactly go from 'brightest to weakest' some are more efficient, but others which are less efficient can be run at a higher current and so have the capability of being brighter. The XP-G is the most efficient and can be run up to 1.5A, which gives you more than enough lumens for practically any situation, as such it is most peoples preferred led choice. However there are other factors such as beam angle to take into consideration as well..

Efficiency of led's is measured in it's 'flux bin' which is the letter and number given to an led e.g. Q5/R2/R5 but the difference between different types of led is generally in size and beam profile. For a basic list of modern emitters however on 'what is usually in any given light setup brightest' then here you go:

5mm
XR-C/XP-C
XR-E/XP-E
XP-G
MC-E
SST-50
SST-90

However the lights putting out more light than an XP-G will be drawing much higher currents in general and be overall less efficient than an XP-G light.

 

[jebejava]

Ok, you guys have got my palms all sweaty...

I've been using my trusty 3-year old L2D as my bike light and have been looking for something a bit brighter. This thread has me quite convinced to go for the Romisen, the Trustfire sku20392 batteries and the sku6105 charger. It all comes in at USD36 which keeps the tattered wallet happy. Any reasons or recommendations for alternatives?

As far as mounting is concerned, I went the cheap route with this :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfZhEzjWwg

It has worked very well for me for road and bike path rides with the addition of rubber bands.

 

[xamindar]

Dang, two days after I order my light DX has a sale. Oh well, not on the light I ordered anyway.
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2245111&p=32622803&highlight=flashlight#post32622803

EDIT: Nevermind. There is no deal. Only one is 33% off and it is a terrible light. Wish I could delete this post heh.

 

[VietPho]

Dang, two days after I order my light DX has a sale. Oh well, not on the light I ordered anyway.

EDIT: Nevermind. There is no deal. Only one is 33% off and it is a terrible light. Wish I could delete this post heh.

Dangit. Got me all excited ~_~