Magicshine or P7 light advice

badgerman26

So having read the reviews think this is the one for commuting on road and towpath.

A couple of questions if get 3 mode, is low still dazzling bright for other road users?

Is the flashing full beam?

Is it best to get from DX or Geoman in terms of quality of kit think the battery pack and 5mode is only difference for $20? Or even UK sellers?

What is best rear light to go with it?

Any advice as guess a few people have got these or the P7 kit.

Did someone say these were getting an refresh soon?

Cheers

landrew

I have a 3 mode P7 and the low setting would be fine on the road. The high setting is very bright and the battery life is around 1 hour (you can carry spares to extend the life. If you are riding on towpaths you may be better with the 5 mode torch on medium (it will run for longer).

I went with DX and the quality seems OK, not had it for long so not sure about the long term performance. If this was my only commuting light I would probably buy 2 or have another back-up light.

Here is a good review of the MTE P7 light. http://www.mtbbritain.co.uk/mountain_bike_lights_review_led.html

Cateye and mars make good rear lights. I use 3 lights to make sure I am seen (on the seatpost, rack and helmet). Also don't underestimate the effectiveness of reflectors and high-vis.

badgerman26

Cheers for thoughts. Perhaps 2 x p7 kits is way fwd? Rather than a magic shine or is that ott for commute?

Yep will get high viz wastecoat.

thistle_

I think I was getting more than an hour out of my magicshine last year on full power. I've not really done a test on it though.

Full beam is fine on the road although unless you're on unlit country lanes with no other traffic you won't really need it. Just have it pointed down a bit to stop it dazzling anyone (too much anyway) or put your hand over it to dim it when someone comes the other way.

Full beam would be pretty useful for the towpaths.

Flashing mode is on full beam.

Mine came from DX and it was fine, just took 6 weeks to get dispatched (2 days to arrive after that).

Not sure about rear lights as I'm in the same situation. I had a Blackburn Mars 4 which was great but a bit directional, then I lost it in Llandegla forest somewhere. I got another one and it's just not as good as the old one - not watertight and the switch and electronics are knackered so I won't be getting another one.

Tom Butcher

I use 2 P7s. Had them two years - one has gone on the blink - but I do use them quite a lot for camping etc as well as bike lights. I like having two anyway - use one as a backup in case I'm riding further or one goes on the blink - if I was on some very dark lane and was riding fast then I've got the option of having two on together.

Use a lockblock off ebay to attach them to the bars and make sure you get the best power cells - some are less good than others - and don't forget the charger.

seataltea

badgerman26 wrote:

So having read the reviews think this is the one for commuting on road and towpath.

A couple of questions if get 3 mode, is low still dazzling bright for other road users?

Is the flashing full beam?

Is it best to get from DX or Geoman in terms of quality of kit think the battery pack and 5mode is only difference for $20? Or even UK sellers?

What is best rear light to go with it?

Any advice as guess a few people have got these or the P7 kit.

Did someone say these were getting an refresh soon?

Cheers

My commute is road and towpath, sometimes at 3am when the towpath is a very very dark place.

My setup consists of.......

2 x http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15739

2 x http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274 (replace the screw with a cable tie) the Auroras fit perfectly and never move

2 x http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6979 (two in the torces, two as backup)

1 x http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251

They turn night into day, with a couple of extra mounts I use the torches on the MTB, torches have a high and low mode. A battery on high runs for about 75mins, on low they are still been on after 8hrs. Only misted up once in two years after a huge, sustained downpour, really good build quality, tight tolerances.

Put an X2000 on your head and you are done.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14450