Light recommendations

Clever Pun

Well it looks like the speed I'm flying along at my cateye shingleshot plus seems determined to peel itself from my handle bars... I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a replacement

your experiences and thoughts are welcome. I@m looking for something that will piss car drivers off with it's brightness (meaning they see me)
Rechargeable unit no batteries
No ruddy great battery pack
Not really prepared to go over £100, but feel free to tempt me

he's a shortlist

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Light_And_Motion_Vega_LED_Front_Light/5360013650/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Hope_Vision_1_LED_Front_Light_2009/5360035056/
ok not rechargable but seen it before on here

Yep.. that's a short list

thanks

biondino

CP, there are maybe a dozen threads over the last month about lights - lots of wisdom and info there which people might not bother posting again.

Headhuunter

Talking of lights, has anyone else had problems with Cat Eye lights flipping off their mounts? I'm not talking about lights like the ones above - just the more standard £20 jobs, I commute in London so I don't need to illuminate a track in front of me.

Anyway, within the space of a month I have lost 1 front and 1 back light because they have simply flipped off the mounts, landed in the road and been run over by traffic behind me. the front one was smashed into tiny pieces, but interestingly enough, the rear one still worked after a large BMW rolled over it, although the clear red plastic covering the LEDs smashed and it no longer turns off, so I have to remove the batts to stop it.

What's the solution? I'm thinking of getting some Blu Tack and wrapping it around the mount every evening to try to secure the lights... Do you think it's worth writing to Cat Eye and whingeing - it's not as if their lights are cheap!

Clever Pun

biondino wrote:

CP, there are maybe a dozen threads over the last month about lights - lots of wisdom and info there which people might not bother posting again.

yeah I know... but I want a moon on a stick with my specific things...

thanks though

alfablue

Headhuunter wrote:

Talking of lights, has anyone else had problems with Cat Eye lights flipping off their mounts? I'm not talking about lights like the ones above - just the more standard £20 jobs, I commute in London so I don't need to illuminate a track in front of me.

Anyway, within the space of a month I have lost 1 front and 1 back light because they have simply flipped off the mounts, landed in the road and been run over by traffic behind me. the front one was smashed into tiny pieces, but interestingly enough, the rear one still worked after a large BMW rolled over it, although the clear red plastic covering the LEDs smashed and it no longer turns off, so I have to remove the batts to stop it.

What's the solution? I'm thinking of getting some Blu Tack and wrapping it around the mount every evening to try to secure the lights... Do you think it's worth writing to Cat Eye and whingeing - it's not as if their lights are cheap!

The trouble with Cateye is that they are distributed by Zyro. I had a light (old model halogen with separate battery pack) and the head unit fell apart and onto the road. On examination of the inside of the light I found the head was held on to the clamp by a square nut, no nylock nut or anti-shake washer or threadlock - appalling design, destined to fall apart. That was the first shock, second was that despite repeated emails to Zyro they completely ignored my gripe (that is, literally refused to respond to my main point), they just repeatedly replied that they could sell me some spare parts. For these reasons (cr*p design and materials, totally absent warranty support) I will never buy a Cateye light again. Strangely I see threads on this forum week after week where members continue to buy these heaps of cr*p - Cateye seem to have a large slice of the market which they do not deserve! :twisted:

Anonymous

Worth a look

Headhuunter

So it's a regular problem with Cat Eye? I think I'll avoid them in future. If lights are regularly going to flip off and get run over, I may as well get the cheapest around.

Another thing I found with the rear Cat Eye that just got run over is that it stopped working in heavy rain. I was caught riding back in really bad rain a year ago and it just stopped working completely and didn't work for about 6 months after that, then suddenly it came back to life. They seem pretty crap...

Stevo C

The Fenix torches that get mentioned many times on these forums are amazing. I've got the LD2 which runs on 2 X AA batteries. I use rechargeables, which I think has advantages over a bespoke battery, you can always lay your hands on a pair of AA's.

This torch is seroiusly bright on Turbo mode. On burst mode (flashing, I've wondered if it could induce an epileptic fit) there is no way on earth someone will not see you coming. I commute from North London - Waterloo and on the way home as I go over Blackfriars Bridge, when I'm in the middle I can see all the road signs at the end flashing like mad. As I go up Farringdon Rd, pedestrians stand and stare because the whole street seems to be flashing.

I initially though it was a bit much for in town, but after 6 weeks of use I think it's fantastic. I forgot it the other day and had to rely on the electron I've got as a back up. I used to think this was a good light, but felt almost invisible without the fenix.

So, Fenix for around £40, velcro mount for £6-7, is my suggestion

cheers

Steve

TheBrogueadier

Aye-Up lights are worth the cost.

Small battery pack will last around 3 hrs and the lights themselves are extremely sturdy and well designed.

Not the cheapest solution, but well worth it - I've been mistaken for a scooter or motorbike a few times!

schlepcycling

TheBrogueadier wrote:

Aye-Up lights are worth the cost.

Small battery pack will last around 3 hrs and the lights themselves are extremely sturdy and well designed.

+1

biondino

A small battery pack lasting three hours or 2 AA batteries lasting 90 hours. How come there's such a huge difference between what lights need? It doesn't just come down to lumens or whatnot as those differences aren't anywhere near as great.

cougie

Its a world of difference having a LED flashing away for visibiiliity compared to something like the P7 thats lighting up the world.

spen666

alfablue wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

..... Strangely I see threads on this forum week after week where members continue to buy these heaps of cr*p - Cateye seem to have a large slice of the market which they do not deserve! :twisted:

I have used cateye lights for the last 7 years and have not had the problems described by you or others.
I personally thoroughly recommend the lights - great value for money - IMHO

alfablue

spen666 wrote:

alfablue wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

..... Strangely I see threads on this forum week after week where members continue to buy these heaps of cr*p - Cateye seem to have a large slice of the market which they do not deserve! :twisted:

I have used cateye lights for the last 7 years and have not had the problems described by you or others.
I personally thoroughly recommend the lights - great value for money - IMHO

Well you may have been lucky, or maybe the older models have been better made. Regarding value for money, for every Cateye light there is a better made, better designed, better performing light for around half the price, or one twice as good for the same price. Cateye are well behind the curve with current LED technology, and the majority of their lights are relatively fragile plastic bodied affairs, they can't hold a candle to the likes of Ayup, Hope, Fenix etc, they fail miserably....IMHO (I have seen the light :idea: )

Surf-Matt

Huge recommendation for the Hope 1 from me.

Strong, compact, 240 proper lumens, decent battery life, takes AAs, good bar mount. Not a lot gets close for the money.

Of course some torches are good but I'm not impressed with their spread of light.

alfablue

I think 2 TK11's (one on the helmet) would be good for off road. Ayups might well be better, and the price difference shrinks if you need to buy batteries and chargers for the TK11. Ayups also have the advantage of being able to select different beam patterns. Fenix have the advantage of being a self-contained unit. However, the newer P7 lights might offer best bang per buck. All of these setups will be far better than what I managed with just 5 years ago however, but the more lumens you have, the more you want 8)

Stevo C

biondino wrote:

A small battery pack lasting three hours or 2 AA batteries lasting 90 hours. How come there's such a huge difference between what lights need? It doesn't just come down to lumens or whatnot as those differences aren't anywhere near as great.

I beg to differ. There's a world of difference. If you're walking down the street and I'm 25m behind you, you know I'm coming with the Fenix on burst mode, even if you're looking the other way. Other cyclists turn round to see what the feck it is approaching from behind.

On turbo mode (2.5hrs run time) I quite happily cycle at 20mph in Finsbury Park (after dark you wouldn't want to go any slower in there!). Under the trees it's about as dark as London gets.

Steve

spen666

alfablue wrote:

spen666 wrote:

alfablue wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

..... Strangely I see threads on this forum week after week where members continue to buy these heaps of cr*p - Cateye seem to have a large slice of the market which they do not deserve! :twisted:

I have used cateye lights for the last 7 years and have not had the problems described by you or others.
I personally thoroughly recommend the lights - great value for money - IMHO

Well you may have been lucky, or maybe the older models have been better made. ...

not just old lights- I have more recent ones as well and have not had the problems some refer to.

I can only call it as it happens to me.

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

Another vote for the Fenix. I bought an LD20 with the LockBlock mount last month and it has been a total revelation. I know it doesn't have the integral battery, but I just keep a charger at work and use rechargable AAs. Really is no bother at all and is always bright.

NB. Stevo C. I have stopped using the Fenix on burst as somebody told me the strobe pattern was illegal on public roads (precisely because it IS potentially epileptic fit inducing for drivers around you - last thing you need is somebody in the oncoming traffic going into a fit).

alfablue

Stevo C wrote:

biondino wrote:

A small battery pack lasting three hours or 2 AA batteries lasting 90 hours. How come there's such a huge difference between what lights need? It doesn't just come down to lumens or whatnot as those differences aren't anywhere near as great.

I beg to differ. There's a world of difference. If you're walking down the street and I'm 25m behind you, you know I'm coming with the Fenix on burst mode, even if you're looking the other way. Other cyclists turn round to see what the feck it is approaching from behind.

On turbo mode (2.5hrs run time) I quite happily cycle at 20mph in Finsbury Park (after dark you wouldn't want to go any slower in there!). Under the trees it's about as dark as London gets.

Steve

Just a few years ago I was riding with a 2x6W smart setup, it weighed over a kilo, and lasted barely 2.5 hours, and didn't really set the world alight either. Today I get a much better light in a package that weighs 100g (Fenix) and has a life limited only by the AA batteries I take with me. There are limits to the output/battery life equation, high quality lights like the Fenix and others maximise this, if you go for lights with significantly longer run times with the same cells you inevitably get much poorer illumination.

spen666

can someone explain the difference between each of the Fenix lights please- seem so many- but what does what?

alfablue

The main contenders (from memory):

The Fenix L2D CE and the new LD20 are AA lights (take two AA's), approx 180 lumens (claimed), run time on turbo, about 2.5 hours. They have 5 modes, low, medium, high (enough for a lot of unlit road riding, 4.5 hrs run time) and turbo, plus SOS and Strobe. The LD20 has an improved beam and a slightly lower high setting. They are available in Orange Peel (smooth beam) or Smooth reflector (Smooth gives slightly ringier beam but better throw).

The TK 11 takes CR123 or 18650 lithium batteries, and puts out a claimed 240 lumens, 2hrs run time (I think). It is slightly shorter than the AA lights. The TK11 has high and low modes (I think).


So TK11 for ultimate output, L2D/LD20 for convenience of AA's.

Anonymous

The TK11 has high and low modes (I think)
Yep, it's high or low. Review here: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... orch-33589

spen666

cheers

cougie

Love my Fenix - L2D and LD20 - complete revelation in cycling lights - and I've seen many over 25 years or so.

I find I can ride on the road on unlit roads with one Fenix on high - so thats about 5 hours ride time. Even on easy off road bits - one light is OK. But as alfa says - you dont just stop at one. So you get another for the helmet - which is good - so you can see round corners.

And then some git has to mention another wonder torch - so you end up with a P7 on the bars - that is completely different. Massive spread of beam but shorter run time and its funny batteries too - but fantastic piece of kit.

Stevo C

[NB. Stevo C. I have stopped using the Fenix on burst as somebody told me the strobe pattern was illegal on public roads (precisely because it IS potentially epileptic fit inducing for drivers around you - last thing you need is somebody in the oncoming traffic going into a fit).[/quote]

When I first started using it on burst mode I felt very conspicuous, I was pointing it down onto the road because I was really aware of people turning around to see what the flashing was. Then I thought, isn't that exactly the point of a light, to be noticed?

I'm concerned about your point above though. Anyone any idea about where to look up the legality/illegality of flashing front lights?

cheers

S

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

Stevo C wrote:

[NB. Stevo C. I have stopped using the Fenix on burst as somebody told me the strobe pattern was illegal on public roads (precisely because it IS potentially epileptic fit inducing for drivers around you - last thing you need is somebody in the oncoming traffic going into a fit).

When I first started using it on burst mode I felt very conspicuous, I was pointing it down onto the road because I was really aware of people turning around to see what the flashing was. Then I thought, isn't that exactly the point of a light, to be noticed?

I'm concerned about your point above though. Anyone any idea about where to look up the legality/illegality of flashing front lights?

cheers

S[/quote]

I think there is something on flash rates for lights in the Road Traffic Act. In any case, see page 3 of this discussion for more.

alfablue

For a flashing light to be legal on a bike it needs to flash between 1 and 4 times per second, I think the Fenix flashes faster than this. That doesn't mean it is illegal to use it, just that it doesn't meet the requirement for a legal light (which it couldn't anyway regardless of strobe as that requires BS approval, something very rare on bike lights). I use strobe especially in twilight city traffic conditions, this is when I think you are most invisible, and it coincides with the animalistic driving that goes with the rush hour. I am sure it has made many drivers think twice before pulling out in front of me. I do aim it slightly downwards but the spread still captures attention brilliantly.

I don't know if the flashing frequency could induce epileptic seizures, but if someone has epilepsy they must be seizure free for 2 years to be allowed to drive. Of course, someone could discover they have epilepsy for the first time...which wouldn't be very good!

cougie

Not sure about the legality of flashing lights to be honest. I know the strobe mode is very visible tho - so i only use it on roads - no need for bike paths. I've ridden past many cop cars without them saying anything - they prob dont know just like we do.

And dont emergency vehicles have strobey type lights anyway ? :?:

Clever Pun

Thanks guys... is the Fenix bike mount man enough for the job?

Edit:
so I'm looking at
http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page35.htm

with lockmount thingy

http://www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv6/thephotonshop.co.uk/wwwroot/page44.htm
AW 18650 and charger

is that the bad boy version of that?

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

Clever Pun wrote:

Thanks guys... is the Fenix bike mount man enough for the job?

Others have said it's a bit plasticky and rattley (though I've not used it myself). I use the LockBlock instead, which I've found to be ace. So ace in fact that it makes me wonder why all bike light mounts aren't this simple and functional...