Torch lights

louthepoo

After hours scouring the millions of topics on bike lights i'm still not sure with what to go with for my commute to work.

I initailly liked the look of the p7 900 lumen deal extreme lights but after the reviews of poor build quality and the battery pack not being waterproof i decided against it.

I like the look of the torch type lights as you dont need to take a battery pack with you, they fit into the torch.

I was thinking about getting 2 torch lights - one for commuting on the lit roads and the other to use alongside it on the darker country lanes,


any reccomendations?

cheers Lou

Headhuunter

I use a Fenix L2D or L20D or something like that, can't remember the specific model. It has adjustable brightness and flash/constant. Takes 2xAA. I use Vapextech rechargeables with a Technoline intelligent charger and it works well. Never failed in the rain.

Used to use 2 of those Tesco CREE 3 watt torches but within a very short period of time they developed bad contacts internally and would go on and off as they pleased. I can only think due to the bumping the received from the road surface. The Tesco torches cost 9.99 or something each and the Fenix about £40 but the Fenix has lasted for years whereas the Tesco ones failed within 2 weeks.

jairaj

The new version of the Magicshine p7 light is supposed to be better. better mount and better battery. Many people report using it for MTBing in the rain and no issues.

If you're after torches though. I'd say go for something with a Cree XPG led. This has a nice focused beam with more long range punch which is more favourable for road riding. 2 torches pushing out 200 lumen each should be fine, if you can get more then cool but that should be enough.

I can't remember the exact torch models but re-read the threads and look for torches with the XPG and go for that.

The SSC P7 led has a wide flood type beam. While its a good LED with loads of power some of that peripheral light is not needed for road riding and as its a powerful LED it will drain the battery quicker.

bartimaeus

If you want cheap bright lights then see the MTB What Lights sticky - http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... 0#15720460 and the new discussion thread http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12730302

Personally, I go with torches for night riding (and a small bit of commute type riding)... I have a 3 mode P7 on my bars and a 5 mode XRE on my lid. The P7 is VERY bright on full beam, and is plenty bright enough for unlit roads... burn time on full is >1hr. I would get a 5-mode for commuting as HI is a bit bright, and LO a bit dim to see by - though fine to be seen... a 5-mode will have a MID setting which should be a good compromise (I use my XRE on mid on the road).

The other alternative - which might be better for the road - is 2 x XPG torches. These are less floody than a P7 but burn much longer, and they will have a 5 mode version which should be very useful. 2 x XPGs should give you a good spread of light.

ooermissus

I'm planning to give the MTE p7 a try - it's works out pretty cheap even when you add the mount, battery and charger - so I think it's worth a punt. Will, of course, use vaseline to try and make the seals work ok...

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... 0#15720460

craker

I'm nursing a heavily corroded p7 battery at the moment. It's got damp and one of the contacts has rusted away. (It's only had a couple of weeks of use...). Possibly salvagable, need to make really sure it doesn't get wet in future.

Blue Meanie

My Bruv'n'law has had one of those there P7 900 lumen torches from dealextreme, and it's lasted over a year. I was so impressed with it I got one too, and so did my GF.

Very bright, affordable and fixable . Needs to be used in conjunction with another light to be RVLR compliant.

jeremyrundle

http://www.ledco.co.uk/content/productV ... x?prodId=9

They are expensivce but with one on spot and one on wide I have yet to see anything better.

http://sirpatrickmooresales.co.uk/Ourpage.aspx

JohnVilliers

I also have a P7 900 lumen torches - works v well.

louthepoo

Thanks for all the advice, after going through everything again i've decided to go for these from Best offer buy:

2 x Ultrafire 501B cree XPG 5 mode flashlight £12.28 each
Trustfire protected 18650 lithium battery 2 pack £6.01
Digital Li-on 18650 battery charger £5.06

its a cheap enough option and good enough for commuting

unixnerd

I initailly liked the look of the p7 900 lumen deal extreme lights but after the reviews of poor build quality and the battery pack not being waterproof i decided against it.

The new MJ-836 version is fine. It has the new battery pack with LCD charge indicator and it seems a lot more water resistant the the older one. The light head (new one is all silver, no black) also seems to run pretty cool, I believe the old one could get quite hot.

antfly

I ordered one of these this morning http://www.bike24.com/p214244.html after reading a review by a bike lights maven who said it is the best bike light yet, for the road. He said it's much better than a magicshine even though it has a lot less lumens it has more "useable light" and it takes good old AAs .

jeremyrundle

That is only 80 lux which will be rather dull

antfly

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about, with all due respect of course.

cougie

This is interesting - if you can find your torches on it - sadly not all the lights have been tested in the same settings though :

http://fonarevka.ru/indexen.html

jeremyrundle

antfly wrote:

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about, with all due respect of course.

The advert clearly states "Alternatively, the LED light can be used in high-power mode with 80 Lux or in the City-Eco-mode with 20 Lux", in high mode, an LED Lenser P7 torch has a LUX of 2000.

I am only quoting adverts, and, as I have two P7's on the front of my bike I am simply saying an 80 LUX output is relaqtively low.

In fact a small Cree torch produces 80-100 LUX.

check out my "LUX test here"

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=

The LUX meter I have used in my job for many years in lighting is still available on EBAY.

No idea what I am talking about, this is a discussion forum, can people not comment without being abused............ :!:

antfly

The lux is measured outdoors at 10 metres and 80 is a lot, I can assure you an led lenser p7 isn't 2000 lux, more like 10 to 20, if that.