For those with solid beam lights

iwearshorts

How long do you spend fiddling with them when you set off?

aaargh, I must spend at least half my commute fiddling with the beam ... too high, too low, bit too the left, well maybe it should have been a bit higher so then buses will see it better, etc etc.

I'm hoping it will get better as winter progresses

Mr Plum

I never feel the need to fiddle (oooh errrr...) with my lights. The majority of my commute is through fairly well lit areas though, and I also have some flashing knogg lights on my helmet in addition to other reflective strips on my bike so I'm not overly concerned about not being seen... I do dip the beam on my lights when I don't need them to see though - put it on the lower setting rather than max power just so I don't get so much random abuse from drivers telling me I'm blinding them - my lights aren't even that bright!

What lights are you using?

squibnocket

Must disagree with the not been seen remark, don't give irresponsible drivers the opportunity to say they couldn't see you . I use 2 torch style lights on the front large rear light on the bike flashing red LED on my helmet and plenty of reflective clothing..

Be Seen Be Safe always springs to mind

Clever Pun

I spend about 1 second turning it on.. done

everyone can see me I love my front light

itboffin

Mine cut out 5 miles from home, both backup lights barely lit a few feet in front of me.

squibnocket

Carry some spare batteries they dont take much space 5 miles is along way with not much lighting to help you on the way.

jds_1981

I've got two bespoke front lights. One has started to turn itself off while I cycle, the other I broke the end off trying to adjust it downwards once and the front has now started to pop off as I cycle along. I seem to be doing quite a bit of fiddling as I cycle now. I leave my light mounts on the bike though so no need to fiddle before I leave, just slide the lights on..

Valy

What kind of alight is that? Does it literally not have any spread at all - just a beam?

itboffin

Squibnocket wrote:

Carry some spare batteries they dont take much space 5 miles is along way with not much lighting to help you on the way.

Its a magicshine P7 with battery pack, costs as much as the unit. I have a Fenix P7 torch on order, still takes 18650 rechargeable batteries which I have lots of thanks to many dead laptops.

Valy

itboffin wrote:

Squibnocket wrote:

Carry some spare batteries they dont take much space 5 miles is along way with not much lighting to help you on the way.

Its a magicshine P7 with battery pack, costs as much as the unit. I have a Fenix P7 torch on order, still takes 18650 rechargeable batteries which I have lots of thanks to many dead laptops.

Can't you buy a battery pack for about £20 for a magicshine?

itboffin

Valy wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Squibnocket wrote:

Carry some spare batteries they dont take much space 5 miles is along way with not much lighting to help you on the way.

Its a magicshine P7 with battery pack, costs as much as the unit. I have a Fenix P7 torch on order, still takes 18650 rechargeable batteries which I have lots of thanks to many dead laptops.

Can't you buy a battery pack for about £20 for a magicshine?

If I could be arsed to search my old posts I'd show you what those cheap batteries do, it's not cool and hurts.

antfly

I have one of these on the way. It's supposed to be the best light yet for road cycling and it's not that expensive.
http://www.bike24.com/p214244.html

craker

itboffin wrote:

still takes 18650 rechargeable batteries which I have lots of thanks to many dead laptops.

Do you need some sort of charging circuit for li-ion batteries?

I searched ebay & I found this Not quite sure what it does though. :oops:

soundninjauk

I just stick it on and turn it on. It's bright enough so that as long as it's facing vaguely forwards, I can see/be seen. Go go gadget Hope.

prawny

antfly wrote:

I have one of these on the way. It's supposed to be the best light yet for road cycling and it's not that expensive.
http://www.bike24.com/p214244.html

Let us know how that turns out. 80 lux is bright and them german laws make for really good road lights.

I've got a magicshine that I leave on the bars all the time so no fiddling really, I do get worried I might dazzle drivers though, but no complaints last night on high down an unlit lane, maybe I could go a bit higher?

antfly

I think this Philips one focuses most of the light on the road where you want it, the Germans are quite strict about not dazzling other road users and I wouldn't want to either. I bought it after reading this guy. http://www.xs4all.nl/~swhs/fiets/tests/ ... ml#Philips LED bike light

See the bit headed "Lamps that are battery powered and/or that have no cutoff:"

Mr Plum

Squibnocket wrote:

Must disagree with the not been seen remark, don't give irresponsible drivers the opportunity to say they couldn't see you . I use 2 torch style lights on the front large rear light on the bike flashing red LED on my helmet and plenty of reflective clothing..

Be Seen Be Safe always springs to mind

I think you've made a few assumptions - I didn't really give you much to disagree with. I don't worry too much about not being seen because I use a Smart 1W constant beam, a Smart 1/2W flashing, and a flashing knogg light on the front, in addition to reflective strips in various places on my bike. On the back I use a BS approved constant beam light, a Smart 1/2W flashing, as well as a flashing knogg. If I can't be seen, then we're all in trouble...

georgee

My P7 SSC Superfire 900 lumen beauty turned up today, so i'll let you know..!

squibnocket

Mr Plum wrote:

I never feel the need to fiddle (oooh errrr...) with my lights. The majority of my commute is through fairly well lit areas though, and I also have some flashing knogg lights on my helmet in addition to other reflective strips on my bike so I'm not overly concerned about not being seen... I do dip the beam on my lights when I don't need them to see though - put it on the lower setting rather than max power just so I don't get so much random abuse from drivers telling me I'm blinding them - my lights aren't even that bright!

What lights are you using?

Appologies for making an assumption, I hope I didn't offend, with the array of lights you have I must agree with your last quote. My wife tells me tonight I looked like a christmas tree on the bike !! Well at least I can be seen.

Mr Plum

Squibnocket wrote:

Appologies for making an assumption, I hope I didn't offend, with the array of lights you have I must agree with your last quote. My wife tells me tonight I looked like a christmas tree on the bike !! Well at least I can be seen.

Tiss the season...