Good cheap front light?
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http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page21.htm
There is one large thread about them in the MTB section if you search.
I struggled to get the plastic, adjustable mount to fit my road bike bars, but the cheaper, velcro on works well and gives a few options.0 -
giant mancp wrote:Looking for a good cheap bright lamp
What does cheap mean? £5? £10? £25? £50? £100?
If you're not looking at spending £100s - the Cateye Single Shot Plus are good lights for £700 -
Up to 50 quid shall we say0
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I'll second that Fenix recommendation. It's not the last word in brightness but for something that uses 2 AAs it's amazing, and you can definitely "see the road". I've just got the velcro mount, though I haven't used it off-road yet and I reckon it would probably swivel about with the vibration, so I've just put an order in for the proper bike mount. It still adds up to less than £50.0
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And which Fenix model did you guys go for? I presume you both have road bikes.0
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The URL points to the L2D which takes 2AAs and runs forever, okay then over 10 hours on the normal setting. You won't be able to use the turbo mode on the road as every car will flash you :shock: :twisted: These torches are also waterproof - one review site actually conducts all their testing underwater, so no worries about the British weather.
Be aware though that Fenix have stopped making this torch and there is no direct replacement (yet). It looks like they are focusing their efforts on the new 'T' range which currently needs CR123As. These won't fit in the bike mounts and a set of batteries and charger will set you back another £30.
That said, the L2D is a brilliant (sorry) torch, built like a tank and sooo cute :-) I love mine - it's so small that I keep losing it when I put it down :oops: You won't regret it if you buy one.0 -
[quote="ekimq"]The URL points to the L2D which takes 2AAs and runs forever, okay then over 10 hours on the normal setting. You won't be able to use the turbo mode on the road as every car will flash you :shock: :twisted: These torches are also waterproof - one review site actually conducts all their testing underwater, so no worries about the British weather.
Be aware though that Fenix have stopped making this torch and there is no direct replacement (yet). It looks like they are focusing their efforts on the new 'T' range which currently needs CR123As. These won't fit in the bike mounts and a set of batteries and charger will set you back another £30.
That said, the L2D is a brilliant (sorry) torch, built like a tank and sooo cute :-) I love mine - it's so small that I keep losing it when I put it down :oops: You won't regret it if you buy one.[/quote]
With respect, the URL links for a generic page outlining all the different models but I do see what you're trying to get at. Thanks for the info.0 -
The final words before the pictures:
"OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR MTB
THE FENIX L2D CE PREMIUM Q5. £37.95 "
I use my L2D both on the road and off road, takes seconds to switch between bikes, or helmet.
Has 5 different brightnesses, so you can use them accordingly. For instance in town there is no point using the turbo mode, but in unlit country lanes/roads its great. You can obviously set the angle as you please so as to not dazzle oncoming traffic, or use the button to dip your beam when you encounter oncoming traffic like you would in a car.
I just bought a second one so that I can have one on my bars and one on my helmet for off road, on the road one is fine.0 -
Sounds ideal! Thanks for the info Milese0
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Raph wrote:I'll second that Fenix recommendation. It's not the last word in brightness but for something that uses 2 AAs it's amazing, and you can definitely "see the road". I've just got the velcro mount, though I haven't used it off-road yet and I reckon it would probably swivel about with the vibration, so I've just put an order in for the proper bike mount. It still adds up to less than £50.
Did you get the proper bike mount? Can't see it on their web site now and wondering if they're stll doing it?0 -
I'd go for the lockblock velcro mount. Simple, secure and versatile (you can used it to helmet mount the torch):
http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/lockblock.html0 -
I got the Fenix Bike Mount from the Photonshop last week. On arrival there was some play (and rattle) between the two halves, so Rob at the photonshop sent me a lockblock instead, he said he had received a few similar complaints so was removing it from the site. I reckon I can fettle it to remove the play, but the lockblock works fine, you just have to secure it tightly.giant mancp wrote:Raph wrote:I'll second that Fenix recommendation. It's not the last word in brightness but for something that uses 2 AAs it's amazing, and you can definitely "see the road". I've just got the velcro mount, though I haven't used it off-road yet and I reckon it would probably swivel about with the vibration, so I've just put an order in for the proper bike mount. It still adds up to less than £50.
Did you get the proper bike mount? Can't see it on their web site now and wondering if they're stll doing it?
You will get best performance using rechargable NiMH batteries (Alkalines have less runtime, and go dim quite early, NiMH will give maximum output until the last one or two minutes). I use 2900mah batteries, I had them and the charger already for the Dinotte so no extra expense, but it is well worth getting a set and charger. Avoid 15 minute chargers, they will tend to cook the batteries and reduce overall life. I recommend these Vapextech 2900mah AA's, 8 for £10.45, and the Vapextech LCD,WORLD (110v/240v) ,ULTRA FAST 1 HOUR CHARGER on the same page for £14.55 - it is a smart charger and has individually controlled cells so you can charge any number of batteries and no worry about overcharging.
As far as I am aware the L2D CE Q5 is the current (and brighter) model replacing the Rebel 100 version, and you should have no trouble getting one. I used mine on a 20 mile ride on an unlit railway path last night, on High it was truly excellent and gives 4.5 hours run time (Turbo gives about 2).
It has 6 modes, low, medium, high, turbo, strobe, sos. It is incredibly well made and robust. Low is very useful for general use as a torch for close up work. Medium and high are good for lit and unlit cycling. There is also an accessory diffuser (£2.50 if bought with a torch) that fits on the end and makes it an excellent light to hang up in the tent when touring. :idea:
It clearly outperforms my Dinotte on several counts, its brighter, lighter (about 200g in total), it is in one piece (no seperate battery pack), runs for twice as long, and uses half the number of batteries. I thoroughly recommend it, I don't believe you will find anything better for under £100. As you can tell I am absolutely blown away by it!!!0 -
thank you alfablue, that's a great recommendation!0
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giant mancp wrote:I reckon I can fettle it to remove the play, but the lockblock works fine, you just have to secure it tightly.
When I want to fix anything to my bike I have an old inner tube which I cut up to wrap round bars, frames etc then put the mount on. This forms a good grippy surface for the mount which doesn't need to be overtightened and it doesn't budge.Tarpaullynn0 -
Good idea tarpaullynn!tarpaullynn wrote:giant mancp wrote:I reckon I can fettle it to remove the play, but the lockblock works fine, you just have to secure it tightly.
When I want to fix anything to my bike I have an old inner tube which I cut up to wrap round bars, frames etc then put the mount on. This forms a good grippy surface for the mount which doesn't need to be overtightened and it doesn't budge.0 -
I need a light for the occasional tunnel whilst on tour. These tunnels are sometime pitch black with deep gulleys at the side. Is the fenix L2D good fir this? (run time is not an issue)
Chris0 -
I would say it is ideal, and you also have a flashlight for other uses.CPeachey wrote:I need a light for the occasional tunnel whilst on tour. These tunnels are sometime pitch black with deep gulleys at the side. Is the fenix L2D good fir this? (run time is not an issue)
Chris0 -
Nice one alfablue. I got the proper bike mount... and the play between the two halves is pretty bad. I reckon some string, wound into the gap as if winding up a yoyo, might solve the problem. But anyway it's really fiddly to use, I think I'd only use ot on the mountain bike where vibration is an issue, other than that I prefer the velcro one.0
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No wonder they've stop selling it. The velcro one is the one for me then! just hope it holds the light well enough.0
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Regarding mounting, I use an Exposure Joystick (original version, but I upgraded the LED so it is similar output to the Fenix / Dinotte 200) as my only light for road riding. I simply use a heavy duty elastic band in a figure 8 around the bars and the light, with a bit of pipe insulation between the two - works just fine.0
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~~~~~~Sustrans - Join the Movement~~~~~~0
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Good find Barnesr, though I think this one is a closer equivalent. It runs on 1 or 2 AA's (rather than the potentially awkward CR123's in the one you found Barnser) and has the same Q5 emitter as the Fenix (currently the most efficient available, though output, runtime and beam will depend on the electronics and reflector quality and design). What it loses over the Fenix is multi-mode (it only has one power setting so run time will be around 2 hours probably) and it doesn't have HA III anodizing of the Fenix (more durable), but for the price it is probably very good.
This one is actually more like buying a Fenix L2D CE with an extra L1D body (£12.95) as it converts to one or 2 AA's.
For a 5 mode 1 or 2AA, but with a less efficient LED than the above, there is this one. I think I would go for multi-mode even if max output is slightly less than a Q5 one, as it gives the option for longer run times.
Just to add, I have no experience of Ultrafire lights, they are reputedly (candlepowerforums) not up to the quality of Fenix, but then the prices are exceptionally good. Fenix come with spare O rings, lanyard and holster, and usually alkaline batteries included (though the lights don't do their best on alkalines), At $20 I may even get an Ultrafie just to compare! My touring buddy can always have it.0 -
Well, I couldn't help myself, I just ordered the Ultrafire 5 mode 1/2 AA 3W Cree from Dealextreme, with a 6 inch holster (the bike mounts they do are very cheap but apparently brittle, so I'll use a Lockblock). Total cost including shipping (from HK) £11.60!!! (this is also under the £18 threshold for customs duty and VAT).
If it is any good it will be an incredible bargain. In about 10 days I should be able to compare the Ultrafire with Fenix and report back.
See what you made me do Barnesr?
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Oh I'm a sucker for bright torches ! Do let me know how it gets on !0
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will do Cougie0
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alfablue wrote:Well, I couldn't help myself, I just ordered the Ultrafire 5 mode 1/2 AA 3W Cree from Dealextreme, with a 6 inch holster (the bike mounts they do are very cheap but apparently brittle, so I'll use a Lockblock). Total cost including shipping (from HK) £11.60!!! (this is also under the £18 threshold for customs duty and VAT).
If it is any good it will be an incredible bargain. In about 10 days I should be able to compare the Ultrafire with Fenix and report back.
See what you made me do Barnesr?
Good work Sir! We are all waiting for your report soldier!! over and out :roll:0 -
Definately the cateye single shot pro
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?plid=m2b0s38p320
Ive got the triple version for my mtb and it works like a dream. I barely ride in the day now, its not as fun as the night. And the chinese isnt open during the day.0 -
ooh, that does look good. I agree the two AAs are lots better than the CR123, I'll be interested to hear how it performs.~~~~~~Sustrans - Join the Movement~~~~~~0
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I think I'm about to go for one of the D-X LED lights as a good backup/2nd light to carry along with my Light and Motion light.
Not quite sure if I'll go for the
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/s ... ngle-power setting) or the multi-power http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7938
Essentially what I want/need is the brightest possible LED light as some of my commute at this time of year involves pitch black sections where I can do 30Mph or so and clearly seeign the road surface is a boon !
Additional slight side-topic : are D-X a good source of rechargeable NiMhs also ? I have a Uniross X-Press 300 charger that I could use for the batteries if it's suitable (output for AA x 2 is 2.8V, 285-320mA 0.896VA)0 -
andyrr
The single mode Q5 should be slightly brighter than the multimode on high, with about 2 hours run time, however, if the multimode (which I have ordered) performs almost as well as my Fenix, then medium mode is bright enough (cycling at around 17mph on an unlit railway path) and gives around 4 hours run time. It is also useful to be able to dim it further when there are approaching riders on an unlit path, and offers more off bike versatility.
However, given your speed I think the brightest possible may be the best, not absolutely sure.
I don't think DX batteries have a very good rep - the cell capacities are very much overstated. Instead, I got mine from Vapextech, 4 x 2900mah AA's for £5.50, 8 for £10.45 delivered. (Usually next day delivery from the UK). No batteries give their stated capacity, but these delivered in the region of 2500mah, which is close to the best possible (I have some Powerex 2700's that are probably the best, and they deliver 2500 too).
If your X-Press charger is a 15 minute one I would suggest getting a different charger, like the Vapextech LCD,WORLD (110v/240v) ,ULTRA FAST 1 HOUR CHARGER (on the same page as the batteries), as the Uniross may cook your batteries and quickly reduce their performance. I have used a Sprint 15 in the past and I have dozens of cells that give less than 50% of their stated output now.
By the way, these lights will annihilate Cateye single shot lights (IF they perform as per spec - yet to receive mine to find out!) and are less than 20% of the price.0
