Now it's summer I need bright lights. (?)

Zippy

(I'm not going to leave it till autumn to get properly kitted-out.)

My weekend ride is up to six hours, along bridleways, thro' woods and on unlit, winding country lanes (ab)used by discourteous, unskilled and speeding motorists. For the road sections I need a front light or lights that I can switch into 'not-even-Stevie-Wonder-could-miss-it (and-what's-he-doing-driving-anyway?') strobe-flash mode; and for the off-road bits it just needs to be a nice bright flood. (I don't go fast.)

I'm kind-of taken with the idea of Cree LEDs. Anyone recommend a good, reliable make and supplier – that preferably is having a Sale on?

Thanks.

Zip'.

dirtbiker100

sure you don't want to wait till autumn and maybe till the new hope 2 led?
for the rear i'd recommend http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=13420 you won't get missed with that flashing away.

GOLDGPR

Can recomend the Fenix L2D Q5 torches with LockBlock mounts for the handlebar and helmet I have two and am able to off road comfortably in the dark they are small light and can carry loads of spare batteries should i wish to be out longer
180 lumens each and take two AA batteries which last for around the 2.5 hour mark on full or all night on flashing and low modes.

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches ... 2d_q5.html

G

dirtbiker100

how good is the flood on those? i'd have thought with them being torches they'd be quite narrow?

GOLDGPR

I did think that they do have a spot in the middle but spread enough flood light around to be able to see branches hanging down and the sides of the trail right up to the edge of the flood area.

hard to photograph actual light output but there are plenty of vids on you Tube/ candlepower forums for these lights. I got them cos they have massive output for very little money probaly wouldnt compete with the £500/£600 lupine's or L&M's but is plenty for me and if i wanted another one so i could run a two on bars and one on helmet then would only cost another £40 bargin!

g

The Spiderman

My mate uses the Fenix and it outperforms my Blackburn X3.He reularly uses it as his only front light on his roadbike for night rides along dark country lanes and it is more than good enough.

scak456

Do you think a couple of Fenixs would do me for 24hr Sleepless event?

Larok

anyone idea how the felix stacks up against these in terms of real world performance?

Hope vision 1 £80

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... nt%20Light

and

Exposure Joystick Maxx Front Light £160

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... nt%20Light

dirtbiker100

In my eyes a fantastic combo is the 2led and the joystick shown above.
I've got the 1LED shown above and its really nice. i'm happy with it but can't compare it to the fenix's

ratty2k

I have a USE Exposure race turbo that I use, the flash mode is brilliant. I can see the reflective bits on road signs flashing 100's of yards away. Soild mode for the unlit roads gives a good light to see by and its all self contained on the bars... They have a newer better version of it out as well now that'll be even better.
No problems of reliability with mine. Another on to consider is the range from On-One- Dinotte. Very small lights with a seperate battery pack thats small enough to mount on the stem Great flashy mode and again bright enough to see on unlit roads and tracks.

USE light

uk_mr_brownstone

I have the fenix + have some dealextreme torches- one thing that's important is that the Fenix works way better on quality non-rechargeable batteries. Not to say it doesn't work with rechargeable, it just works very well with good disposable AA's designed for high output stuff (sorry I've no technical knowledge, just the experience of trying both types). Saying that- it is still acceptable with good rechargeable batteries, just not as good.

Try Dealextreme.com - they have some good deals. I got one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.9631 and one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10637

Both are very good torches- probably not enough on their own for night riding, although I found that something like one or two of those on the bar's and the Fenix on my helmet gave a couple of hours of more than adequate light- the Fenix on it's own was 'safe' for night riding on known trails at a reserved pace.

cant remember the exact batteries I got- something like these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3287 + you can get chargers on there.

To be honest- you could get an Exposure Joystick for about twice the cost but half the hassle- if I had the money at the time I'd have probably gone for the joystick.

For mounting- this http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274 worked well with some electrical tape to seal the torch in place. This one would not work off-road http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.792

I'd recommend the second dealextreme torch more, as it has a low 'setting'. On low it's an excellent 'constant' communiting light.
For close on £20 to your door, including 2 rechargeable batteries and a charger you can't go wrong as long as you know it's a very good torch, rather than expecting a specialist night riding light! Basically, way better than an Maglight at half or a third of the cost

Larok

I'v been looking up lights and I reckon one of these systems is the way to go;

For on road only; 1 of the Fenix L2D's with mounts. £46

For off road; 2 of theFenix L2D's with mounts. (?one bar, one helmet mounted) £91

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches ... 2d_q5.html
http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/lockblock.html

or

The Ayup MBK kit for £250 for the more committed nightrider!

http://www.ayup.com.au/uk-shop-kits.html

edit: UK distrbuter www.ayuplights.co.uk

and

For the rear £8 Smart 1/2 Watt 3 LED Rear Light

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ar%20Light

GOLDGPR

Cant compare actual light outputs with other systems as only have the fenix ones but a lad at work has they ayeup lights only problem was that he had to get someone who went to oz to get them for him. Look a good set and comes will a full array of batteries and mounts.

G

Larok

the Ayeups are UK distrubuted now

GOLDGPR

Just as you replied was looking at there website have to say they look very nice

Zippy

Thanks, everyone.

I was in Tesco today, absently musing on the brace of Fenix L2Ds I was going to treat myself to over the weekend, when what's this? high-power LED torches?! I had a look: a 2AA 3W, at £10; a 2C 3W, £12; and a 2D 4W, £18: each including batteries. They were in that maddeningly close-fitting blister-pack-style placcy packaging that needs a craft knife to open and which is, essentially, destroyed in the process. What I could see of the matt black anodizing, though, was that it is of very poor quality; but if the beam's any good...?

So over to Customer Services to ask if I may return them for a refund if the beams turn out to be not what I'm looking for. And do you know what they said, campers?

"No – if you've opened them you can't have a refund."

"Well, how will I know if they're any good without opening them?" I countered, reasonably, I thought. But their attitude remained as was: and torches went back on the shelf.

Not good enough, Tesco. So Fenixes it'll be, then.

Zippy.

Larok

Hi Zippy. your post inspired me and I got a couple myself. Just got back from a ride, here's a pic of two running. The L2D Q5's. One on the handlebar and one on the helmet.

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2193890

Trippy nite riding .. :shock: :P

Zippy

Thanks for that, Larok. Whew – the power of technology, eh? One minute Billy No-Mates here posts on a website his musings about what torch to buy and, seemingly within seconds, some kind soul goes out, buys a couple, takes a photie of how they light-up the trail at night and bingo! Mr Glowgadgets has just got hisself another customer. For the Lone Poster here this website lark is like having friends but without the commitment; and without the laughs, the going down the pub, the pulling daft practical-jokes on one another . . . . Hmm: so it's not all up-side then.

Only kidding. Thanks so much for the shot, Larok. Those Fenix L2Ds look just the ticket. (Still wish I could see beamshots of those Tesco torches, mind: £12 for a 2C 3W? Tempting, innit?)

Zip'.

Larok

It is, I'd take them back if I didn't like them anyway. I reckon you where misinformed in the shop.. I would also check to see what the runtime was.

I got mine from www.fenixtorch.co.uk got next day delivery from royal mail on the free post option. Don't think it was gaurenteed though.

The mounts are definately worth getting. Not perfect but good and light/stashable in a bag.

SGT74

I was thinking of getting a Joystick MaxX in a couple of months time, but now you've got me thinking that a couple of these L2D Q5's might be better value for money - the light in that photo seems pretty impressive for a bit over £80.

Max Travel

What about the old school Night suns?

http://www.night-sun.com/htmldocs/civilian.html


As far as I know no longer imported into the uk, but youcould do that yourself, some new products since I used their lights in the mid 90s.

Zippy

A bit more on Tesco and their LED torches (for use on bikes): I went to another branch and their lady at Customer Services couldn't have been more helpful.

"Of course you may return the torch for any reason whatever within 28 days of purchase – with the receipt," she said; and added, "but could you cut-open the package as carefully as possible?"

Fair enough. So I lashed-out all of £12 on their 2 C-cell jobby with the 3-watt Cree LED. When I got it home I opened the pack with a scalpel and coaxed the torch out of its form-hugging placcy prison and bunged-in a couple of Lidl's finest 3,500 mAh NiMh rechargeables. Whether the LED is the famed 'XR-E' variety (as used in the highly-rated Fenix L2D CE) I cannot say; all I can say, though, is that so far I'm impressed. It hurls a wide pool of white light 80' down the garden and there's plenty of peripheral 'spill'-light not to induce tunnel-vision. Please be aware that I've not yet used it on my bike; and when I do – I'll have to work out how to mount the (b)light(er) first – I may revise my opinion.

Two initial demerits as I waggled the torch about to simulate going over rutted ground on my bike, however, were that the batteries rattled and the light kept going out. Easily put right, mind: I muffled each battery in duct-tape, pushed 'em back in and lo! steady, bright light.

In fact, what I may do is go out to my favourite bridleway and try to take a beamshot: Larok's good turn deserves another. Bear with me, though: never taken a beamshot before; my digital camera is an off-eBay cheapie that's all-automatic; and I don't know how to post a pic in the first place. Those apart, no problems.

So it's looking good. The £12 Tesco torch chucks-out a heck of a lot more light than my was-£40-several-years-ago, CatEye EL-500. (Unsurprising, as it's three-watt against the Cat's one.) Perhaps it's not a good or fair comparison, but I've always had to make-do with the cheap option: I'm just hoping that for once I've got it right.

Zip'.

GOLDGPR

Larok wrote:

It is, I'd take them back if I didn't like them anyway. I reckon you where misinformed in the shop.. I would also check to see what the runtime was.

I got mine from www.fenixtorch.co.uk got next day delivery from royal mail on the free post option. Don't think it was gaurenteed though.

The mounts are definately worth getting. Not perfect but good and light/stashable in a bag.

Another fenix fan welcome to the club

FCE2007

I have an L2D with the Twofish mount but noticed yesterday The Photon Shop have another bike mount available now. Looks good. I've ordered.

Also, the new Fenix E20 looks good value.

GOLDGPR

Did see them new brackets, let us know what you think dont know if they look too bulky compared to the LockBlocks

Also found this for a small emergency (even has a rear red light) or night repair light bargin at £12.50 and 52 lumens too
http://www.alpkit.com/gamma/

FCE2007

Size comparison
With light attached
On the bars
On the bars(2)

It seems fine although the twofish is perfectly adequate.

GOLDGPR

Hmmm dont think that would fit on my riser bars so well. i'll keep with the Twofish lock blocks but thanks for the pics.

G

Larok

Does the new mount stop the small amount of wobble you get with the twofish mount when on bumpy terrain?

And Zip, how you getting on with those torches?

Mind you look at these monsters;

http://thephotonshop.co.uk/page21.htm

bit on the large side though

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2232109/

Zippy

Thanks, everyone who's posted.

Larok, you asked about the Tesco torches. I've only tried the 2C 3W Cree (£12) so far; I may give the 2D 4W Seoul a go (but not as a bike-light) if the £18 price comes down.

As regards the 2C, I suspect its sheer mass might be too much for handlebar-mounting, unless said mount is over-engineered. Besides, just walking with it the night I tried (and failed, sadly) to take beamshots convinced me that it just isn't enough for off-roading. And with its run-time of just 3 hours (on 3,500 mAh NiMh rchargeables) it's not right for my cycling needs. I'm out for six hours, so really need a torch (or torches) that have a good 'low' setting to eke-out the power. (I don't want to have to change batteries half-way, you see. I'm lazy, to be honest, and right at the start would rather lash-out the lolly on a really bright light that runs for yonks.)

You and others have certainly given me plenty of food for thought. I'm wondering whether to go for the Joystick Maxx and perhaps supplement it with Fenices if required, as one correspondent suggested. (Sorry: can't call the name to mind.) Just out of interest, does anyone know the lumen output of the Joystick Maxx?

Has anyone used a Fenix TK torch on an mtb with any success? And can that Romisen 4-Cree monster be mounted really securely to the 'bars without being knocked off-aim clattering along the rutted bridleways?

Fun this torch lark, isn't it (even when you're not using one)?

Zip'.

Larok

its a fair size the Romison. 400 lumens is bright though

the ayups are very nice http://www.ayup.com.au/uk-shop-kits.html

forgotrafe

After reading this thread I bought a Tesco AA Cree torch. As others have said, it's very very bright and I'm going to look at either buying or making a handlebar mount or ripping out the electronics/LED and fitting it into existing cheapo handlebar light.

But for off-road night riding I reckon I'll still prefer my DIY halogen light which is simply absurd in the amount of light it chucks out. Because I can't justify buying a LiIon battery it's pretty heavy but I reckon it'd be a serious challenger to any other bike light.