Cateye HL-EL300 LED bike headlight *boo*

[Handlobraesing]

I've had it for a few months and all I can say is :tsk: I shouldn't of bought that thing.

1. Output sucks. Five 5mm LEDs connected in parallel, then connected to 4 x AA through a 10 ohm resistor. A less expensive 3.5 watt halogen light is a lot brighter.

For costing $30, I'm seeing no obvious improvement over a cheap 8 LED generic one I lost last year.

2. Over-rated lens/reflector assembly.


3. This thing is bulky.

4. Battery lasts "110 hours" before whatever point they deem to be less than usable. I really don't care. I don't ride my bike more than an hour a week, and 1/3 that at night even that much.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

Multi-LED bicycle headlights are good for being seen; they're worthless for letting you see. Serious front lighting requires 10 watts, which requires a rechargeable battery.

The best value in a rechargeable 10W headlight is Nite Hawk. The best prices for a Nite Hawk 10W headlight can be found at Bike Nashbar and on eBay.

 

[monkeyboy]

Hey, I have one of these too. I also have the 3 LED version which I think is better because:

1. The light is more spread out which makes you more visible to cars.

2. The throw of the 5 LED is useless anyway so what's the point of trying to collimate this small amount of light?

3. Going off on a tangent... the 3 LED is much better for reading at night. It's not too bright and lasts forever. I keep one by my bedside since my SL 4AA blinds me when I get up at night.
I got these before Luxeons became available so I wasn't too disappointed by them. You do know there's a Luxeon version of the Cateye? I haven't tried it yet. Seems a bit expensive for what it is.

 

[BentHeadTX]

You do know there's a Luxeon version of the Cateye? I haven't tried it yet. Seems a bit expensive for what it is.

A friend at work purchased the Cateye Luxeon and it is uhhhh.... interesting. The $40 hunk of plastic is rather bulky but as a basic light it works. The only problem with it was when he compared his Peak Mediterranean 2AA against the Cateye. 🙁 To make it worse, he fired up my MillerMods (Fenix) 1.7 watt L1P that is affixed to my helmet 🙁

To be fair, I let him borrow a stock Fenix L1P and that just irratated him more! He then wanted to trade the L1P for the Cateye and that idea was met by explitives.... 😀 It is my strong view that bicycle lighting should have basic regulation if it is LED based....

Go with a Streamlight Propoly 4AA Luxeon and those twofish lock block things to attach it to your handlebars. Much, much, MUCH brighter, regulated and with the lock blocks... cheaper than the Cateye.

 

[TimeConsumer]

I bought the 5 LED Cateye and a year later the Luxeon version when it was available here in Germany.
I used both for a long time because I do a lot night cycling.

When I had only these lights, they were fine. But today I have a 25 W halogen bike light. In comparison the LEDs are totally useless for cycling in a dark environment. They are way too dim. You only see what's in the spot. Not enough side spill.
But they are good to be seen.

 

[mpk]

But today I have a 25 W halogen bike light.

That must consume quite a bit of power. Do you use a sealed lead acid battery, or NiMH's ?

 

[TimeConsumer]

That must consume quite a bit of power. Do you use a sealed lead acid battery, or NiMH's ?

Yes it's very hungry!
But it can be dimmed to 60% or 30%. 25 W is full power.

I use li-ion battery packs - 7.2 V, 4,5 and 6,5 Ah. It's always good to carry an extra battery. Today I was on a night ride for almost 3 hours. For the last hour I had to run the light with the spare battery.

 

[kpt]

SPAM

edited by kiessling
http://www.kpt.net.cn