CHEAP light advice please - ebay lights?

IceQubed

Hi there, I'm looking to get some cheap lights for a new hybrid bike, and have found a couple of ideas on ebay. I think I should probably focus on getting a light with more of a 'flood' than 'throw' for the front light.

I found these two for example - they both seem good, and come with (probably awful) rear lights too.

2xCree Q5
or
CREE XM-L T6

The first one's major advantage is simply that there are two big light sources, however the second one may win here because it comes with a rechargeable battery which means I won't have to replace 2 x 3 AAA batteries every time they run out. I'm a bit worried that they will both be too directional, as I will mostly be riding around reasonably lit town streets.

Any thoughts or suggestions on better lights in the <£20 price range?

turnerjohn

I got one of these for my night rides http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-1800-Lm-Bicycle-bike-Head-Light-Headlamp-Rechargeable-Head-/251288567677?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item3a81f73f7d well not the same seller but from china.
The light is insanely bright, rechargable and with different modes / power settings is everything you could want.
Highly recommended......only thing is the bracket isn't great so I replaced with a Hope one (with a small amount of work with a Dremel :-) )

IceQubed

Thanks, I am leaning toward that Cree XM-L one - does anybody know of a good bracket which would fit this light without having to modify it?

turnerjohn

IceQubed wrote:

Thanks, I am leaning toward that Cree XM-L one - does anybody know of a good bracket which would fit this light without having to modify it?

its only where the cable goes that needs a small tweek....nothing realy. Someone on ebay was selling the Hope bracket modified but was charging like double !

wishitwasallflat

The wisdom on bike lights is here -

viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12660193

IceQubed

I looked at that but it runs about £50 whereas this could be only about £20

oxoman

I have a cheap cree LED set off ebay and its ok apart they are too bright on full or strobe in town. You need to direct the light on the floor or get one with a narrow beam. They are good, the one i use has the remote battery pack. Once the red light comes on to say its running out of charge it goes downhill very quickly so always carry a back up or a spare battery pack.

monkimark

I have the pair of Q5 lights for commuting - lights are OK, brackets feel cheap but have lasted fine so far. Back light was very fragile but once I glued the cover on it's been fine as a backup light attached to my rucksack.

They're more than bright enough for commuting - I put one on constant & one on flashing when riding in the dark. I have loads of rechargeable AAA batteries anyway so that's not a problem - having 2 means that you have a back-up if you run one of them down completely.

wishitwasallflat

IceQubed wrote:

I looked at that but it runs about £50 whereas this could be only about £20

It may well be but that set up works and is tried and tested