Magic shinefront light quandry - can you have too much power

mellisr1

hello all,

Have always valued your views in the past. I have two commutes I do, one short but on unlit tracks for about a mile or so and one long (16 miles which I do on my road bike, not the hybrid) This route takes me on some fairly busy roads, rat runs and quite a few totally unlit lanes.

I have a fenix LD2 torch (think that's what the model is) and a couple of the cheap 8 quid tesco cre3 LED ones. However, these are really focussed beams and, especially on the track, I occasionally need more. I also really want to be seen by other road users, especially on the little lanes

I was thinking of buying another Fenix then came accross the Magic shine for not much more - http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25149

Whilst I understand that some of the power figures are always hard to prove, some of the pics on-on line (http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/t ... magicshine) show a massive amount of light. reviews seem favourable, considering the cost.

However, will this be too much for the road?

I even on half power it looks bright. I really want to be seen and this sems like lots of power for the money. However, I'd appreciate views of you guys as to whether I'd actually experience road or pedestrian rage with this? Is it really only a off road mountain bike riders night time dream light???

Many thanks guys, opinions welcome
Matt

mudcovered

mellisr1 wrote:

However, will this be too much for the road?

I even on half power it looks bright. I really want to be seen and this sems like lots of power for the money. However, I'd appreciate views of you guys as to whether I'd actually experience road or pedestrian rage with this? Is it really only a off road mountain bike riders night time dream light???

Well as long as you rig it up so its not pointed in car drivers faces you shouldn't have a problem. I use an Exposure Maxx Race (about 50% of the power output of the magicshine) on road and apart from the occasional 'thats a bit bright' comments from a couple of pedestrians I've never had any problems. I don't get flashed by oncoming car drivers because its too bright and they always dip their headlights as well.

Mike

cee

mellisr1

I commute every day, but also ride offroad at least twice a week.

I have ordered on e of these dx bike lights, but I do not think I will use it on my commute. my commute is all street lit, so the reality is i do not need a light to see where i am going. only so people can see me coming.

I will add that this light does seem to give a wide spread, so even angling it down to the ground...it may still annoy other road users...but this is speculation..havn't received mine yet....

Perhaps for the unlit section of your commute it would definately help, but I do think that it is just too bright for oncoming traffic....

never mind annoying them...it is dazzling them that scares me...if all they can see is white with purple spots, then who knows if thye will just collide with me or not!

If that doesn't make sense....well its friday!

C

dav1

you can take the reflector off the tesco torch to make it flood rather then give a focused beam. I have 2 of these for commuting, one with and one without the reflector, make for a good combo on unlit roads.

mellisr1

thanks guys

may think twice but will certainly try the removal of the reflector in one of my tesco torches.

Might just do the trick!

cheers again
Matt