Best bike tail light / blinker?
- Thread starter John N
- Start date
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MY
Enlightened
Wally World has some surprisingly inexpensive ($4.00) but effective 5 led - 5 function, 2 AAA blinkers. I use it when running and have them on all my kids bikes. Works great.
Darell
Flashaholic
Where'd you find those? Somewhere in the sporting goods section, I'd guess? I haven't been able to turn them up yet, and I just get blank stares from the sales folk.
D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
The best quality and brightest blinkers I've
found are the Cateye brand. The clothing clip is strong. Also good is Vistalite. You can get these from nashbar.com
found are the Cateye brand. The clothing clip is strong. Also good is Vistalite. You can get these from nashbar.com
I've noticed most of the 5 LED ones are very bright if you look directly at them, but have a very narrow viewing angle.
I would think this would work pretty well if it was mounted on a bike, but on your person there would be a high chance that they wouldn't be angled exactly right and as such much less visible.
-john
I would think this would work pretty well if it was mounted on a bike, but on your person there would be a high chance that they wouldn't be angled exactly right and as such much less visible.
-john
bikeNomad
Newly Enlightened
So is this the time for the (drum roll)...
Luxeon 140° 55 Lumens Ultra-Flasher??
Luxeon 140° 55 Lumens Ultra-Flasher??
JollyRoger
Enlightened
I second that, bikenomad!
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> I've noticed most of the 5 LED ones are very bright if you look directly at them, but have a very narrow viewing angle. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Good point. Even on a bike they tend to provide a false sense of security since there's a good chance that the LED is not aimed at the car that's coming up on you. I'd like to see them aim the LEDs into a diffuser or into the reflector assembly somehow. The light would project less but IMHO would be more likely to be visible.
Good point. Even on a bike they tend to provide a false sense of security since there's a good chance that the LED is not aimed at the car that's coming up on you. I'd like to see them aim the LEDs into a diffuser or into the reflector assembly somehow. The light would project less but IMHO would be more likely to be visible.
JollyRoger
Enlightened
FYI, Specialized Fireball tail light. Originally $49.99. Now only $10! Limited...
http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?section=11359&browselevel=top&JServSessionIdroot=k0tl51t9bl.j17005
http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?section=11359&browselevel=top&JServSessionIdroot=k0tl51t9bl.j17005
JollyRoger
Enlightened
Well, in my opinion, some of the more "advanced" or "evolutionized" (if that's a word) bike tail lights have several red leds that are not all pointing in the same direction. Take Vistalite's "Total Eclipse" tail light (I think that's the name). It uses 7 or more led's with mirror-like reflectors. Another vistalite tail light I have has led's pointing back *and* to the sides for more coverage.
A good blinker is the Energizer Beacon, however....I remember a test done by Norwegian Bicycling Org. The winner was Vistalite Super Nebula. Look:
Cat eye tl-ld 120
Brightness: 3
Run time: 2
Price: 4
Total: 9
Cat eye tl-ld 500
Brightness: 3
Run time: 5
Price: 3
Total: 11
Vistalite Super Nebula
Brightness: 6
Run time: 6
Price: 2
Total: 14
Smart rl 603
Brightness: 4
Run time: 4
Price: 4
Total: 12
Energizer Beacon
Brightness: 6
Run time: 3
Price: 2
Total: 11
Cat eye tl-ld 120
Brightness: 3
Run time: 2
Price: 4
Total: 9
Cat eye tl-ld 500
Brightness: 3
Run time: 5
Price: 3
Total: 11
Vistalite Super Nebula
Brightness: 6
Run time: 6
Price: 2
Total: 14
Smart rl 603
Brightness: 4
Run time: 4
Price: 4
Total: 12
Energizer Beacon
Brightness: 6
Run time: 3
Price: 2
Total: 11
JollyRoger
Enlightened
To add something, believe it or not, I actually use a red Photon III (set to fast blink). It's taped onto the bottom of my seat. It's great for emergencies...when I find myself riding home in the dark. And boy is it bright!
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bikeNomad:
So is this the time for the (drum roll)...
Luxeon 140° 55 Lumens Ultra-Flasher??
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hmm. Since viewing angle seems to be the largest issue, perhaps just a normal Luxeon Star w/o the optics might work pretty well?
-john
So is this the time for the (drum roll)...
Luxeon 140° 55 Lumens Ultra-Flasher??
Hmm. Since viewing angle seems to be the largest issue, perhaps just a normal Luxeon Star w/o the optics might work pretty well?
-john
vcal
Flashlight Enthusiast
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John N:
I'm looking for an LED blinker to wear on my coat while out walking my dog on dark country roads.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
-john<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> www.allelectronics.com has a 5 LED variable clip/wearable one for $4.95-extremely bright (2-AA) item #FSH-6. -chaser/steady/flash options.
I'm looking for an LED blinker to wear on my coat while out walking my dog on dark country roads.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
-john<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> www.allelectronics.com has a 5 LED variable clip/wearable one for $4.95-extremely bright (2-AA) item #FSH-6. -chaser/steady/flash options.
