Really powerful 2C flashlights?

[Pierce the Night]

My six-hour winter ride, largely off-road, is often begun in gloom and ended in full darkness. Most of the on-road sections are unlit, narrow and twisty; and unskilled, uncaring, oncoming car-drivers on the wrong side of the road are a danger. So I need long-lasting, really bright lights that can be switched to 'flash' (or 'strobe') on the fly. I'd thought to use LED flashlights (as opposed to bike-specific lights) because, like you, I'm a fan of the technology and have noted the correspondence about them; but also that the brightest use CR123 batteries: a no-no for me on grounds of cost. Next-best are 2AA; but I'd wondered if anyone knows of a make of 2C flashlight available in flood-beam and spot-beam varieties, both of which also offer flash or strobe function. (And speaking of 'flash' and 'strobe', which is better at alerting an oncoming driver round a blind bend at night of an approaching cyclist's presence?) I ask for C-cell size because I suspect that it would offer longer run-times when used with high-capacity NiMh rechargeables. If no such flashlights exist, however, and the answer is to buy a couple of 2AA flashlights and carry extra batteries, do please give your recommendations. Or if the answer is a Dinotte plus a flashing/strobing flashlight, please say.

Thank you (and safe riding),

Pierce.

 

[Wyeast]

Task Force 2C (Cree) on steady + a "conventional" 4AA bike blinkie.

 

[Zero_Enigma]

Task Force 2C (Cree) on steady + a "conventional" 4AA bike blinkie.

Link?

 

[Wyeast]

Link?

Thread here on CPF

I'd suggest that for info on the light. Also, this post specifically shows the packaging, which differs from the LuxIII-powered model (same part #, so it can be confusing to know if you have the right one or not). The LuxIII model (which this is replacing) has black packaging and doesn't say "60x" with a red stripe.

For the accompanying blinkie, I like the Planet Bike Beamer5

For the rear, it's hard to beat the Dinotte, but it's rough on the wallet. For a cheap light that does a decent job of it I'd suggest the Viewpoint Flashpoint from Performance Bike

Lots of people like the Planet Bike Superflash, but I think in this instance you're hurt by the narrow viewing angle. The Flashpoint is about as bright as the Superflash, but with (9) LED's and a larger housing I think it's much easier to spot off-axis than the Superflash is.

That way at least you're safe until you can save your pennies for the Dinotte.

Happy Riding!

 

[Pierce the Night]

Thanks, Wyeast, for the recommendations and for the links (and to Zero Enigma for the prompting for the latter!). Sorry for the lateness of my reply: my work is unpredictable and can drag me away for days at a time without notice: which it did on this occasion.

I note that the Task Force 3W 2C is available from Lowe stores; would you know whether they do international shipping? I'm on a long-term posting in the UK. Wouldn't happen to know of a supplier over here, by any chance? (A web-search didn't turn anything up, alas.)

I'm in danger of simply lashing-out on a 'proper' bike-light. For reasons with which I won't bore you it was a couple of years since I'd been overtaken by darkness on my regular autumn/winter ride – till today, that is. And dearie me, but it seems my eyesight as well as my lights are dimmer than I'd remembered. A CatEye HL-EL500 (1W Luxeon) and a Smart Polaris (5-LED flasher) are just plain inadequate, especially off-road. Thankfully, however, night fell as I was on my last leg – and last legs, so I couldn't have gone much quicker if I'd wanted to. It made for an er, interesting ride. So please, anyone, if you can tell me where I can get a Task Force 3W 2C over here, you'll be helping me out of a corner: an exceptionally dark one!

Thanks again,

Pierce.

 

[NateTheGreat]

I have the task force CREE XL 2C and I find the beam is a bit too narrow for riding at night on trails. The Taskforce will illuminate way up the road wiht a narrow spot though, but not so practical for my night riding on park bike paths. I have modded it with a different lens for biking....and wasted a lot of time getting it right.

I would suggest getting 2 Costco RayOVac HighBeam Luxeon K2 headlamps and mod them for about the same price as the single CREE. The RayoVacs have a more practical spill for night riding and several flash modes. They do not regulate as good as the Lowe's 2C CREE, but they are more practical (3AA) and last a good while with many blink modes.

Nate

 

[Pierce the Night]

Thanks, Nate, for sharing your experience. Would you know if the flashlight you recommend is available in Costco in the UK, please?

Thank you,

Pierce.

 

[Buck91]

While the newer LED lights like the MiNewtX.2 Dual, TriNewt (NiteRider) and Cygolite's Trident X are quite impressive, and extremely tempting for myself, I've found nothing beats what you can see with a good halogen setup. For example, I have a 15w (6v) 24* bulb which would be wonderful if paired with a 20w spot... But I think I'm just going to replace it with a 15w spot (12 degree) since my 'massive' 9Ah battery wouldn't last long pushing 35w.

 

[HEY HEY ITS HENDO]

small, neat, bright, and not that expensive, check these halogen lights...

....http://www.lumicycle.com/pages/default.aspx

........ http://www.lumicycle.com/Pages/CMS.aspx?MIS=18

6 hour ride?? i would get some proper bike lights with a substantial battery pack, not a 2c flashlight......