Bike lights - what is bright?

Burghley

Hi All

Looking to buy myself a new front light, but am confused by "lumen" "candlepower" and "watts" in the descriptions. How do I compare one unit of measurement with another? Presumably, the higher the measurement the brighter the light?

My second question - what do you recommend at around £70 - £100 for commuting on country lanes (would prefer rechargeables), giving a good spread of light?

Your experiences would be appreciated

Rgds

Pete

fearby

I will say it first - Dealextreme Magicshine P7.

You will hear those words repeatedly over the next few weeks. Do a search for them and you will be amazed

wakemalcolm

I've just used a MiNewt Mini USB with a Lithium Ion rechargeable cell for the 1st time tonight. My commute takes me down unlit backroads and canal tow paths.
I'm far from disappointed in its perfromance (and weight).

zedders

You need to look at the mountain bike section / what light. In summary you need the magicshine or the MTE P7 or similar.

I can vouch for the MTE 5 mode P7 touch. It is truely amazing. Trust me. Been using it the last few weeks. My mate has a Light in motion £300 jobbie. It's almost as bright as that but mine cost £25! :shock: Only downside it the 50 min run time. But I take a couple of spare batteries with me.

My mates that impressed he's already ordered a couple of the P7's and is ebaying the Light in Motion?

Anonymous

P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7

Dazzza

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12660193

cougie

Magicshine is great. P7 is also good - but 1 hour or so on full. I didnt find that a problem to be honest, and its handy for other things too - whereas the magic shine is only for the bike.

Both amazing lights though - you'd be touched to look elsewhere.

Wooliferkins

Ixon IQ hands down. On my third rural winter commute with mine, bloody marvellous.

Monty Dog

900 lumens is about the 'going rate' for a bright LED light without going stratospheric in terms of price - Planet-X doing a clearance on some for £100, or likewise the MagicShine. FWIW most of the LED emitters come from the same factory in Korea - you're often only paying for a premium in terms of the fancy machined housing - the 'guts' are pretty well the same.

bompington

NapoleonD wrote:

P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7
P7

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
...

de_sisti

Deleted, no longer relevant.

hammerite

With these P7 torches, what do people do for a helmet mount? I see there's a velcro mount available, is this most commonly used? http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php/6854/4703/fenix_straight_velcro_fit_light_mount_bracket

flasher

maander wrote:

Are Magicshine and P7 one and the same?

No the P7 is the LED emitter, as used in the Magicshine (bike specific kit) and the MTE (or others) torch.

cjw

I'll answer your first question.

Candela (old name was candlepower) is the unit of luminous intensity and, simplistically, the light out put of a source in a particular direction. The Lumen is related to the Candela but takes into account the 'spread' of the light beam.

The Watt is a unit of power (energy per second), however just because a light has a higher wattage (meaning it consumes more energy), this doesn't necessarily mean the light will be brighter as the energy could be lost in heat rather than visible light.

High lumens are good - my light is Lupine and is 900 lumen - cars coming towards me dip their lights and move over thinking I am a truck with only one light working 8)

cougie

hammerlite - i just loop some hair bands through helmet vents, and some old innertube under the torch. Simples.

Burghley

Hi All

I really appreciate all of the comments made.

As a result I will be getting a P7!

Rgds

Pete

Anonymous

cougie wrote:

Magicshine is great. P7 is also good - but 1 hour or so on full. I didnt find that a problem to be honest, and its handy for other things too - whereas the magic shine is only for the bike.

Both amazing lights though - you'd be touched to look elsewhere.

Magicshine is a P7 in't it?

I have the torch and the magicshine. I'm very happy with my levels of illumination!

andyrr

Quick Q on the Magicshine / MTE : The beam on the Magicshine is pretty wide, wonder what the torch versions are like, ie would a torch be a good companion for the bikes-specific light ? I like the fact that the light has better runime with it's own v.neat batterypack but a more focussed beam would suit me more (only road riding)

hammerite

cougie wrote:

hammerlite - i just loop some hair bands through helmet vents, and some old innertube under the torch. Simples.

Sounds easy enough, thanks for the tip. I may be making some purchases!

brownleather

Do you have to pay any extra sort of important taxes when you ordered the Magic shine from Deal Extreme?

Anonymous

Only if customs are in a particularly fussy mood...

brownleather

What's the weatherproofing like?

Anonymous

Seems fine, been out in torrential rain with no mither at all!

soveda

andyrr wrote:

Quick Q on the Magicshine / MTE : The beam on the Magicshine is pretty wide, wonder what the torch versions are like, ie would a torch be a good companion for the bikes-specific light ? I like the fact that the light has better runime with it's own v.neat batterypack but a more focussed beam would suit me more (only road riding)

I use the Magicshine on the bars and a P7 MTE torch on my helmet, the torch has a more focussed beam (not quite a spot though) and they make a good pairing.

triggmiester

Can anyone comment on whether or not there are going to be extra customs charges on this item, what have peoples experiences been like?

Anonymous

I never got charged...

giant_man

Waiting for mine at mo, been 2 weeks so expecting something soon ....

prawny

No customs charges for me. Customs dec from hong kong said the parcel contained second hand electrical goods as a gift with a value of less than $10

Seriously great light, I'm using it for a daily commute, not been flashed at so I don't think i'm dazzling people but headlights are being dipped and cars are waiting at pinch points until I've gone past, it's great. I run it on low almost exclusively.

mik82

I have the MTE 2 mode P7 torch from DealExtreme and I'd definitely recommend it. I found it mentioned on a "what light to get" page - torch, batteries and charger all linked off page. It's bright enough to cycle down unlit roads at a good pace. It also dazzles cars coming in the opposite direction and I tend to switch it to the low setting when traffic's approaching. It's also excellent as a general use torch too. I can imagine it'd be excellent when fixing a puncture at night.

Runoutofgears

No taxes, mine was identified as a gift (from DX!!!) and valued at less than the cost and the tax threshold. :roll:

cougie

I've had a couple of deliveries from them and no taxes either.