Comments on this HID?

[RobW]

I'm a newbie here, and have just started playing around with lights/batteries, and in my quest to build a light for mountain biking stumbled across this thing. It seems like a great price, what do you more knowledgeable guys think?

http://www.trailtech.net/helmet_mounted_light_kits.htm

 

[McShawn]

I could be mistaken, but it seems I remember reading about these awhile back and they are a flood and not great for flashlight mods because one wants more of a spot. Guys correct me if I am wrong.

 

[StEaLtH_]

I don't know these lights, but with reflectors that small you don't really have much throw.

 

[cheesehead]

If you're using them for mountain biking then maybe a spot throw is not what you want? On the other hand, if you are a CPF member, then they have to have a tight focus of 5 degrees or less, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif Sorry, I don't have those lights, but to actually add something useful to this thread, HID lights are most efficient at about 21 watts and above, so to split two 13 watters makes no sense. It would be better to use a single 21 watt or 35 watt auto HID than 2 low powered bulbs. So, I would wait for the 21 watt lights to come out or use a 35 watt auto HID.

cheese

 

[JimH]

IIRC Trailtech offers both a spotlight and a floodlight version. Get one of each, add a small battery pack, and you'll have the bases covered - the best of both worlds. Believe me - with two ten watt HIDs, you'll be the envy of the bicycle crowd, and you will definitely not be lacking for light.

 

[RobW]

I think most of the commercially available HID lights for mountain biking are rated at 13 watts. I use a halogen light with a 10 watt MR11 spot bulb which actually works pretty well. My main complaint with this system is what occurs when somewhen using a HID is behind me. It causes my light to kind of wash out, and actually seeing anything can be tough, so it seems that if I want to survive these night rides, I'm gonna have to adapt. There are plenty of commercially available HIDs built for biking but they are all in the $350 range. I'm not bad on the fabricating side of it, am capable of making a housing and building batteries, but making an HID work is beyond my ability. I thought this light head might be a viable option.

 

[NikolaTesla]

I have to agree with Cheese- more watts is a LOT brighter. My 10 watt WA is only 500 lumens but the D2S X990 at 35 watts, 3200 lumens is incredible. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Put this on your bike and ride with daylight at night! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/BrightBikeLight/X990Bike9


NikolaTesla /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

An Arc lamp is the Spark that takes away the Dark--HID Forever!

New Lights

 

[JimH]

[ QUOTE ]
NikolaTesla said:
I have to agree with Cheese- more watts is a LOT brighter. My 10 watt WA is only 500 lumens but the D2S X990 at 35 watts, 3200 lumens is incredible. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Put this on your bike and ride with daylight at night! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

Great use of an X990. Most cars don't put out that much light. I thought mine was really impressive (actually it still is) until I got my 50 watt HID spotlight with a 7" reflector. It was custom made by cmacclel. He could probably give some tips on building your own HID.