Best road biking light for darkness

[freq18hz]

I need someone with experience to recommend a light.

I need it to meet the following criteria:


1. Under $250 dollars

2. Run time of at least 2 hours

3. Brighter than my quark mini 123 or my surefire minimus

4. Bar or helmet mountable

5. rechargeable, or able to use rechargeable cells

6. Small/light weight


I already have an assortment of tiny blinky lights, and a 40 lumen rechargeable light. I ride every night for at least a couple hours on very dark roads, at high speeds 20-40 mph. I currently use the BlackBurn Flea USB front light to see, and a Knog Frog for blinky/front visibility to cars. I keep the Quark Mini 123 stowed away for emergencies, as I can wedge it into my helmet and use it to get home.

Can someone please recommend an awesome light? Thanks so much!


-Freq

 

[Offroad'Bent]

I need someone with experience to recommend a light.

I need it to meet the following criteria:


1. Under $250 dollars

2. Run time of at least 2 hours

3. Brighter than my quark mini 123 or my surefire minimus

4. Bar or helmet mountable

5. rechargeable, or able to use rechargeable cells

6. Small/light weight


Can someone please recommend an awesome light? Thanks so much!


-Freq

Umm, I take it you didn't read this thread here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=291940

Check out my recommendation at post #30. Meets all your needs. Tiny, very powerful, under $250.
http://amoebalight.blogspot.com/

 

[Darell]

So my quest is for the best "self contained" light. Meaning batteries onboard. Specifically two or four AA batteries. An easy commute light that can be a real touring light backup if the main fails. I have big, bad lights with external batteries that take some fussing to set up. What I want is something that I can grab in seconds and slap on the bars for a ride into town on unlit paths (at relatively high speed ~20 mph). Something that I can easily remove at the other end to prevent theft.

I don't much care about cost. I care about quality of build and of beam. I care LOTS about a good mount. AA batteries a must.

I've heard great things about this unit:
http://harriscyclery.net/product/bu...ight-with-charger-and-nimh-batteries-2692.htm

It can be had for $110 without batteries or charger (will work with Alks or NimH - great for touring/brevets!).

The problem is, it came out in 2006! Which in LED years is like 400 AD. If this thing as as good as folk say in reviews from 2007, imagine what it could be like today with a modern emitter. But nowhere do I see the emitter type listed. They claim 40 lux... but of course we don't know how that is measured.

If any of you smart folks know more about this light or if it is due for a refresh, I'd sure like to hear about it!

 

[freq18hz]

Umm, I take it you didn't read this thread here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=291940

Check out my recommendation at post #30. Meets all your needs. Tiny, very powerful, under $250.
http://amoebalight.blogspot.com/

Yeah I read it. I didnt think the OP of that threat was looking for the same thing I was, so I posted separately. I'm looking for an awesome light, and I bike every single night in the dark.


-Freq

 

[freq18hz]

Any other ideas folks?


-Freq

 

[panicmechanic]

So my quest is for the best "self contained" light.

If you're talking about a roadworthy beam, the Philips LED Bike Light may be the one. Check here for comparative shots.
First pic is the b&m, second and third the Philips on low (8hrs) and high (2hrs).
There's a thread in here discussing this light.

 

[freq18hz]

I'm not specifically looking for a self contained light.

Can we stop the thread jack? No offense to anyone involved at all, I'm just really trying to find the best light for my criteria above. The entire reason I decided to make my own post, is that I am in dire need of the right light, and everyone else seems to want different things than what I'm looking for.

I'm looking for the brightest, lightest, smallest rechargeable (or capable of running off rechargeable cells), quality bike light for my dollar.

The night rider's seem not bright enough for the cash, and the light and motion and lupine lights cost almost as much as a bike. I'm really stumped here, I don't want to waste any more money on lights that aren't working for my situation.


Thanks much!


-Freq

 

[Darell]

I'm not specifically looking for a self contained light.

Can we stop the thread jack?

Sorry! I thought the pointer to the other thread where your criteria was covered was going to end this one. My bad.

 

[freq18hz]

No sweat at all, I probably should have used different wording than "thread jack", I hope I didn't sound abrasive or anything. Sorry to have so many questions, the other thread(s) just seem to be full of people wanting different things than what I want. Lot's of things are getting mentioned that won't do me any good. I already have a blackburn flea, its not bright enough. I need something with some serious power, but I don't want to shell out $1000, or $500 for lights that use older emitters.

Regarding that Bush and Miller:

How many lumens is 40 lux?



Also does anyone know of a quality light that meets the above criteria, that features the newest cree emitters like the XP-G R5 or the XP-G S2?





Thanks for responding! I appreciate it a ton,


-Freq

 

[betweenrides]

Hi, Freq:

I'm new to the forums, but I have some experience with night riding and am in the process of researching a new lighting system. I currently have a NR Sol (~180 lumens), which i supplement with a Fenix flashlight. I'm looking for brighter and am trying to stay under $300 or so. I ride primarily road, with light trail on a cross bike in the fall/winter/early spring. So here's what I've narrowed down the search to:

Baha Designs Stryker: $299, 700+ honest lumens, Hi(3 hours), Med (6 hours), Low(12 hours) runtime. 520g, but very rugged, lifetime warranty. ***SPECIAL Trade-in available now for $199: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=661850

Amoeba XPG: $240 with Bar mount, 600+ lumens, 3.5 hour runtime (Hi only), 159g, very small. Has options for extended run time batteries.

JET Lites A51: $279 with Bar mount and smart charger, 700+ lumens, Hi(3 hours), Low(5.5 hours) run time, 359g.

Trail LED 5L: $175 with Bar mount, 550 lumens, 5 hour runtime (Hi only), 375g. very small. Has extended run time battery options. 4X model is $300 for 900 lumens.

Specs are very similar to yours. If you want to stay under $250, probably the Amoeba or Trail LED fit your bill. They are both DIY builders working out of their homes. Both are highly praised by mtbr forum members.

Myself - I am leaning towards the Stryker. It's bulletproof, very well made, independent testing says the lumens are actually higher than claimed, and the lifetime warranty is appealing. It's an established company that specializes in supplying accessories for rugged offroad, but this is their first foray into bicycle lights (but they've been supplying motorcycle lighting for some time).

Hope this helps. Let us know what you end up getting. I would also suggest you check out forums.mtbr.com

Dave

 

[BrianMc]

No sweat at all, sorry to have so many questions, the other thread(s) just seem to be full of people wanting different things.

I understand completely. (I think! :laughing My impression is that given the criteria and that he is using XP-G's or one XP-G and an XP-E if you wish, that you might be very happy with the Amoeba. Scar who makes them has a lot of customers and seems the sort you can talk your needs over with and he may have users who can advise what they like/would do differently.

Regarding that Bush and Miller: How many lumens is 40 lux?

It depends how it is measured. Lumens is total output of the light in all directions, Lux is brightness of a defined area a defined distance from the bulb. You can read in Wikipedia definitions and get a crude handle on a conversion. But my understanding is: it will be approximate.

Did you read the thread on the Phillips all in one light? You'd have to order it from Europe as there weren't any NA distributors but there was a happy user in that thread you may wish to PM and see what he thinks of it now its been in use a while (less than $170, in the end). The OP of that thread considered the best all in one light he has seen for road use. YMMV, of course.

Also does anyone know of a quality light that meets the above criteria, that features the newest cree emitters like the XP-G R5 or the XP-G S2?

The S2 is overdue. Samples have been available, but Cutter hasn't announced it, nor have it listed, so I guess the yield of these has been less than expected in production, or all production is going OEM somewhere. :thinking:

I am amazed at how long it takes the MFRs of bike lights to release lights with the newer LEDs. I suppose the die increase in size from the XP-E to the XP-G messed up the optics requiring new designs, testing etc. So they are released first in lights above your price ceiling.

This seems to be a major driver for DIY. You can't get the newest LEDs and optics for as much as 24 moths from the main bike light mfrs.

The Phillips light can be forgiven fir using their own in-house recent if not quite cutting edge, LEDs. Cree is their competitor. :sigh:

Thanks for responding! I appreciate it a ton,
-Freq

A year ago, I gave up and built my own and ended up spending not quite twice as much as you propose, and I had the battery and charger already, so it can be worse!

Mind you, 6 XPG R5's make a great helmet and fork crown pair of lights. I have the same very dark roads to ride.

 

[Matt King]

Is a Magicshine bike light too obvious an answer? The only failing would be the beam pattern if you are worried about dazzling oncoming traffic, but legally it's OK outside of Germany...

 

[znomit]

I've heard great things about this unit:
http://harriscyclery.net/product/bu...ight-with-charger-and-nimh-batteries-2692.htm

It can be had for $110 without batteries or charger (will work with Alks or NimH - great for touring/brevets!).

The problem is, it came out in 2006! Which in LED years is like 400 AD. If this thing as as good as folk say in reviews from 2007, imagine what it could be like today with a modern emitter. But nowhere do I see the emitter type listed. They claim 40 lux... but of course we don't know how that is measured.

Im guessing 100lux in 2010 :twothumbs
http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html

 

[freq18hz]

Is a Magicshine bike light too obvious an answer? The only failing would be the beam pattern if you are worried about dazzling oncoming traffic, but legally it's OK outside of Germany...

How are these in wet weather? And it seems there are different models now?


-Freq

 

[Matt King]

My two have been fine with one winter of riding just completed. Only fault has been a broken Y cable, due to the stiffness of the connectors; means you have to yank on it pretty hard to disconnect. Eventually the wires frayed where I had it cable tied to the brake line. Lights themselves have been faultless.

There is a new model with an enclosed battery, and one with a removable mounting clamp, I don't know if there are any internal differences.

 

[znomit]

Im guessing 100lux in 2010 :twothumbs
http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html

Edit:
Sorry thats the double head option. Normal is 50lux.

"If the IXON IQ Speed is installed as double headlight (only one battery pack!), the bike "burns" brightly through the night brilliantly illuminating the route with 100 lux for five hours. The biker can rely on 10 hours at 50 lux, or the IXON IQ Speed can be switched down to the 10 lux output required by German road traffic regulation standards (StVZO) for a full 50 hours."

 

[Darell]

Thanks for the translation, znomit!

 

[Darell]

There is a new model with an enclosed battery

Meaning an internal battery? Not remote on a cord? Do you have a link for that? I don't see it on the site?

 

[panicmechanic]

Meaning an internal battery? Not remote on a cord? Do you have a link for that? I don't see it on the site?

No, an external pack as before, in a better housing.

 

[Whitedog1]

Hi freq18hz!

If you want to get really a lot of light i can show you these:

Lupine Piko3: 550L
http://www.geomangear.com/index.php...ducts_id=215&zenid=qs5nl6f3oq11rb6he5lftc33q7


Troutlight Lumen Liberator: 2000L
http://troutie.com/?page_id=633

Dinotte 800L+
http://store.dinottelighting.com/sh...reType=BtoC&Count1=958828151&Count2=875968575

Mytinysun Sport900
http://www.mytinysun.de/shop/catalog/details?shop_param=aid=SL900SS001OLE&

Hope Vision 2 Led
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/hope/vision-2-led-light-system-ec008730


Ok, just to show you some more options!! :candle: