SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
I need some advice from the experts here please. I want to buy a light for my bike. Who has the most lumens per dollar? I want to spend around $100.00 thats it. Thanks guys.
Help me spend $100.00
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Szemhazai
Enlightened
Add 30$ and you can get :
Niterider MiNewt + SSC P4 U-bin upgrade.
Sometimes :
Niterider MiNewt.X2 - SSC on board.
DiNotte 200L-AA - SSC on board.
Niterider MiNewt + SSC P4 U-bin upgrade.
Sometimes :
Niterider MiNewt.X2 - SSC on board.
DiNotte 200L-AA - SSC on board.
Zero_Enigma
Enlightened
Are you planning on doing a little DIY upgrade or just want to buy an off the shelf unit?
SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
Well I'm thinking about trying Allens plans out but am not too sure I could pull it off. I was also kicking this idea around in my head yesterday, could I use two malkoffs on the outsides (for the increased spill) and a BOG (in the center) for the throw? I know that would be WAY more than my 100 budget but how do you think that would work? Otherwise I'm thinking, "off the shelf" and hopeing some new (LED) light hits the market and makes the one that's all the rage right now (Q5) fall in price. Also do they make a rechargeable battery that will fit securely in a water bottle holder? Or I was thinking I have some 7.2V rechargeables from my R/C hobby, could I use those?
Szemhazai
Enlightened
The best solution will be to put battery pack to the bottle. I'm not aware of any new light's that are going to hit the market - most of the suppliers still have many lights based on Luxeon III / Luxeon K2.
What about a Fenix L2D Q5 and a TwoFish lockblock, plus a couple pairs of 2700mAH Sanyo NiMH? Self-contained, probably 150+ lumens, very lightweight, and I even discovered it makes a good flashlight too
Its runtime on full output won't compare to a system with a big external battery pack, however.Based on my experience with the textured reflector having mediocre throw on my L2D, I would pick the smooth reflector if I were doing it again. If anyone can suggest an alternate 2AA Q5 light with improved throw, go ahead
SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
Part of me wants to try the DIY route, part of me wants to buy off the shelf.
Szemhazai
Enlightened
So buy old MiNewt and update the led to SSC P4 - both parts will be happy :buddies:
SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
You know what? That IS a good idea!
SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
Bump. What has changed in the last month?
Szemhazai
Enlightened
Zero_Enigma
Enlightened
This is my image website.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49184877@N00/
Right now you're seeing the raw guts of the build. I have a 90% complete Allen cube light as you can see. The feet are just not even thus why I bought a cheap cheap sander (what timing too for that internet -$10 coupon. Taxes off!
) which I have been wanting a sander for some time as there are many uses for that.Sanding is a total -
- Takes so long and you can never quite cut a clean straight cut with a hacksaw IMHO unless you're using a power saw.My first build I had the following tools.
-Portable drill (lost the Dremel in the house and could not find it :shakehead)
-Hacksaw
-Some drill bits
-LOTS OF SANDPAPER!!!
-Soldering iron
-Saw guide (yellow cheapo from Home Depot or freehand it as you'll have to do the sanding)
I was able to build my light but man a lot of time was spent on the sanding. A Dremel tool would be preferred for ease of moving around but I managed with the portable drill I had dispite it's not too proper positioning for the work I'm doing. One good thing about using a portable drill is the electric brake. With the Dremel tool you'll have to wait for the spin down to change bits or if anything gets caught (clothing, etc).
You could make do without a soldering iron if you have a long screwdriver. I've read before some MacGuyver builders without a soldering iron sharpened up the end of a long thin small screwdriver then heated the tip on a stovethen worked real fast to maintain the heat. You can always aquire some solder from the local college if you're in a pinch. Just swing by the electronics area and see if anyone can give you some of go to the RadioShack and ask.
You can not do without a hacksaw.
SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
Bump. Well this is what I did. I went with Geoman and a majic shine/CREE X-ML. I guess because of a bad battery recall they are out of business. So now I'm looking at Amazon and I see whats LOOKS like what I have for half what I paid. My guess is the battery pack isn't as good as what I have. What is new here? I'm looking to buy some more (4) lights. Thank you for reading and Thank you for any help you can provide
SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
90% on road. 10% dirt. I would say mostly mild conditions. I guess I have a case of too much light is just enough.
FWIW: I just got one of these majic shine clones & am impressed by the Chinese lumens:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QQX3C4/?tag=cpf0b6-20
I don't care for the rubber band mount, though.
SAVAGESAM
Newly Enlightened
That "Looks" exactly like what I paid almost $100.00 each for. Even if it's "Only" 700 lumens, at the speeds I ride (not very fast) and with one on the head and the other on the bars, they work great. Thanks for the link. btw does yours have a glow in the dark O-ring? It looks like it does.
