snowman
Newly Enlightened
I'm always building or thinking of a new bike light. The problem is a bike light does not need to have a symmetric beam shape, nor is it beneficial to be, like a flashlight. The ideal beam shape is open for debate but something similar to a car's headlight sounds about right. Picture two triangles of light, one with say a 10 degree angle and another with a 45 degree angle. The idea is to have down the trail light for spotting obstacles and up close light for navigating around them.
A sharp upper cutoff also helps; because the glare is reduced for oncoming eyes and upward light is essentially wasted as it does not hit the trail or road surface.
I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on generating such a beam shape with off the shelf parts. Would it include multiple types of reflectors or some magic reflector that can move its hot spot to the outside of the side spill. Oh did I mention bikers like things small and light.
Also as an aside what color do you think would be best for biking at night. Stick with white or would Cyan be better due to the eye's response curve under low light conditions.
A sharp upper cutoff also helps; because the glare is reduced for oncoming eyes and upward light is essentially wasted as it does not hit the trail or road surface.
I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on generating such a beam shape with off the shelf parts. Would it include multiple types of reflectors or some magic reflector that can move its hot spot to the outside of the side spill. Oh did I mention bikers like things small and light.
Also as an aside what color do you think would be best for biking at night. Stick with white or would Cyan be better due to the eye's response curve under low light conditions.