Video: SuperFlash and Swerve in the dark

[mechBgon]

So I got my camera back from my sister...

...but she forgot to bring back the 2GB memory card! So I had to shoot a very short pair of clips using my tiny 16MB card. Here's the video some of you have wanted to see, either to see the Swerve's flash pattern, or to see how it compares to the ubiquitous SuperFlash. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96AYhdwr4r4 Draw your own conclusions.

If I get my big memory card back soon, I'll also make a comparison video in a visually-busy downtown nighttime environment.

 

[Coop]

Looks likeI made the right choice in buying a Superflash last week

 

[sfCyclotourist]

Looks likeI made the right choice in buying a Superflash last week

Er, yeah, totally!

 

[f22shift]

owned hehe

 

[chimo]

Thanks for posting the video. It is very telling for the relative outputs of each light.

 

[varuscelli]

Cool! Thanks for getting that out there, mechBgon.

You've certainly done more than your fair share to document your findings on the Swerve, especially in the comparative sense.

Thanks for all your efforts! This is good info for all interested parties, I think.

 

[greenLED]

Looks likeI made the right choice in buying a Superflash last week

SuperFlash :rock: (proud and satisfied user for a year or so).

I like the fact that the Swerve's flashing seems to be visible, whereas the 5mm LED's on the SuperFlash may be too dim to always be visible. Where the SuperFlash owns the Swerve is in both the flashing pattern and intensity.

You've certainly done more than your fair share to document your findings on the Swerve, especially in the comparative sense.

Thanks for all your efforts!

:twothumbs Mech! :thanks:

 

[vkan]

Thanks for posting the video. It is very telling for the relative outputs of each light.

But does it tell the whole story?

I have two SuperFlash lights and like them a lot.

The video does not show how the two lights look at off angles, e.g. as if you're riding on the right edge of the road and around a bend, a motorist coming up behind you does not get the full-on, straight back view of the SuperFlash in all its glory.

How does the Swerve fare in that scenario? Maybe it's giving up intensity when viewed directly in exchange for a wider angle of visibility (not that the SuperFlash is a slouch when viewed from the side).

 

[varuscelli]

But does it tell the whole story?

No...but then again, he had only a small memory card available for the clips he did. I'm sure mechBgon would have done a much more thorough job if he'd had more recording ability at the time. Sounds like he's going to work on a more detailed look next go-round.

 

[mechBgon]

The video does not show how the two lights look at off angles, e.g. as if you're riding on the right edge of the road and around a bend, a motorist coming up behind you does not get the full-on, straight back view of the SuperFlash in all its glory.

How does the Swerve fare in that scenario? Maybe it's giving up intensity when viewed directly in exchange for a wider angle of visibility (not that the SuperFlash is a slouch when viewed from the side).

I did mention some subjective off-angle observations in the Swerve thread, post #60, as well as a discussion of their attempt at a flood beam at various points in that thread. In my opinion, they would've been better off using a wide-angle optic, instead of attempting to make the lens surface a diffuser.

No...but then again, he had only a small memory card available for the clips he did. I'm sure mechBgon would have done a much more thorough job if he'd had more recording ability at the time. Sounds like he's going to work on a more detailed look next go-round.

My sister has my camera again. If I had a camera, I'd do some more tests to satisfy peoples' curiosity about the beam pattern, visibility, etc. But keep the big picture in mind: I find that this light swivels downward in real-world use, and now it sometimes requires a SMACK! to get it to light up

 

[g36pilot]

Darn, I have two Swerves.

Straight on the SF wins. The Swerve is very adequate, but doesn't catch your attention like the Superflash.

 

[Trashman]

The Swerve is the new one we've been waiting to be reviewed, right? The one with the 1w flasher? If that's the case, they're not doing something right. I'd say, either, it's under driven, or they've not got the right optic on it. (or none at all) By that video, the Superflash stomps it.