Is there a front light with permanent beam & flash at the same time?

russboy
russboy Posts: 436
edited October 2016 in Road buying advice
As above really?

Reason is i'd like something to light the road surface ahead to watch for pot holes etc, but a flash at the same time for the oncoming traffic?

Hoping something like this exists & under £50 of poss, really dont want to go down the 2 light route.

Cheers all,

Russ
«1

Comments

  • de_sisti
    de_sisti Posts: 1,283
    Such a light doesn't exist. I'm surprised you haven't seriously considered a normal light and an additional small flashinglight. Now they do exist. This is the only real option until the light you cherish is created.
  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    De Sisti wrote:
    Such a light doesn't exist. I'm surprised you haven't seriously considered a normal light and an additional small flashinglight. Now they do exist. This is the only real option until the light you cherish is created.

    I have considered it but trying not to use up all my handlebar space with the Garmin already on there, I don't like clutter!

    Fitted a rear moon light yesterday for a 60 mile ride to Oxford & was well impressed so may have to get the same for the front & live with it.
  • spatt77
    spatt77 Posts: 324
    cateye volt has a hyper constant mode which sounds like it could do the job!
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    edited September 2016
    I think my Exposure Diabolo has a strobe flash. Mind you, I've got an old Exposure Joystick with a Exposure White-eye auxiliary light which plugs into the SPT port on the Joystick. The white-eye is basically the lens and bulb head from the Joystick, minus the internals and long machined alu body, and has a bracket that places both the White-eye and Joystick lenses side by side. The beauty is that you still use the Joystick bar (or helmet) bracket so no more bar space is needed. The other cool thing is that, whilst you can only have the White-eye on constant, you can set the Joystick to strobe flash, so best of both worlds. I use it a lot due to that feature, as it combines a "be seen" light in dull conditions, with a decent beam to see the road by when it gets darker. I wouldn't use it if setting off in pitch black, but early evenings when it might be dark by the end of the ride no problem.

    https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=joyst ... p6zs3vM%3A
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • andy9964
    andy9964 Posts: 930
    Get one of these as a flasher, and stick it on the head tube vertically.
    https://www.aldi.co.uk/aluminium-white- ... 7067464001

    This offer for magazine/light combo, for the bars
    http://www.bikeradar.com/blog/article/s ... hts-47894/

    And you still have change for fish and chips
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Exposure strada has it. Permanent beam on one lense, pulsing mode on the other.
  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    Andy9964 wrote:
    Get one of these as a flasher, and stick it on the head tube vertically.

    Err, won't it point up in the air if you do that? I don't know of a road bike with a vertical head tube...

    PP
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    It's a flasher. It's not like a torch.
  • ytchi
    ytchi Posts: 61
    cateye volt as mentioned above. I've just bought the volt 800 for £70 from pedal pedal and it has this feature
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dMDA10L2o0

    There you go, Cateye Volt 1200. Quality should sort itself out shortly. Will last 14 hours in that mode
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Exposure Cirius has a constant beam with a pulse but over budget.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • andy9964
    andy9964 Posts: 930
    Pilot Pete wrote:
    Andy9964 wrote:
    Get one of these as a flasher, and stick it on the head tube vertically.

    Err, won't it point up in the air if you do that? I don't know of a road bike with a vertical head tube...

    PP
    Up in the air like this??

    headtube2_zpsjno4kioy.jpg


    Yes, that's a Merida stem on a Cannondale
  • warrior4life
    warrior4life Posts: 925
    This does.
    I have one and its very good.
    One beam flashes and the other stays on.
    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/ ... ront-light
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    De Sisti wrote:
    Such a light doesn't exist. I'm surprised you haven't seriously considered a normal light and an additional small flashinglight. Now they do exist. This is the only real option until the light you cherish is created.
    hmm - I think you're a bit behind the times.

    The Cateye Nanoshot+ did this - and that's a few years old and been superceded by the Volt - which has similar features.

    Other brands also do similar.

    To the OP

    I would seriously consider having a second front light if you're going to be doing a lot of night riding/commuting - should one fail you have a backup ...
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    A 2 light route does make sense - then if one fails - you have a back up ?

    Two cree torches and lockblock mounts. Either can do full beam or flash - and you can swap if one fails. And the same battery for charging.
  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    Ok so a 2 light route may be the most cost effective answer I guess.

    Currently I am using this:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-micro-dr ... led-light/

    Never had it on the full power when riding home but as I'm in the office tonight until 7pm it's the perfect chance to try it out.

    So long term I keep this to light the road & get a flashing light, or if this isn't strong enough to light up the road use this as the flasher & get a more powerful until to show me the way!

    If existing is good enough to light up the road that would be the cheapest option as a light to just flash is fairly cheap as apposed to something to light up the road.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Use that for flashing, then can you stretch to this for the main light?

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-macro-dr ... ont-light/
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,814
    redvee wrote:
    Exposure Cirius has a constant beam with a pulse but over budget.
    I think all the Exposure lights do that, I think they are almost all over budget as well.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    Veronese68 wrote:
    redvee wrote:
    Exposure Cirius has a constant beam with a pulse but over budget.
    I think all the Exposure lights do that, I think they are almost all over budget as well.

    My Exposure Joystick certainly does, but I don't think the constant beam is good enough to pick out road features (such as potholes etc), rather a 'be seen' strength of light. If I'm going into a darker area, such as tree cover during darker hours (ie this morning!) then I'll knock it onto a brighter fixed light. It is a great light though - light but powerful enough for road riding without street lighting, well worth the money.
  • wolfsbane2k
    wolfsbane2k Posts: 3,056
    I was going to suggest the Volts from Cateye, have this feature ( hyperconstant), but slowbike beat me to it. (I've got the Nanoshot + and use this regularly when really annoyed with idiots not seeing me)

    I was also going to suggest the aldi Moon Comet (or even the nebula ) knock off on the head tube, but andy9964 beat me to it, as a secondary "be seen/backup light". ( I have just started putting this on the commutes whenever I'm near sections with side roads etc)

    So Both of those.
    Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
    Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...
  • janwal
    janwal Posts: 489
    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Izone-ARC-450-R ... _87258.htm
    Got the 400 version of this last year,think this replaces it.It is a seriously bright light and very well made.
  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    janwal wrote:
    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Izone-ARC-450-Rechargeable-Front-Light_87258.htm
    Got the 400 version of this last year,think this replaces it.It is a seriously bright light and very well made.

    Have to admit these seem to have a high spec for the money, prob overkill this one but a good price:

    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Izone-ARC-850-R ... wod3xsB1A#

    Are they easliy removable when you need to charge? Not keen on undoing a rubber strap everytime as on some lights as eventually that strap will snap. My commute is less than 20 mins but on dark country roads so bright is good & can chuck on charge when I get in the office.
  • janwal
    janwal Posts: 489
    Afraid it is a strap.It is not flimsy though,needs a good pull to get it on but is very secure once on and doesn't move on the bars.
  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    janwal wrote:
    Afraid it is a strap.It is not flimsy though,needs a good pull to get it on but is very secure once on and doesn't move on the bars.

    Hmm, still tempted.

    The mount is what I like about my rear moon comet rear light, makes it so much easier when charging.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    If a light is bright enough to light potholes properly (particularly on already lit roads) then it is strong enough to not need a flash mode anyway!

    I have an Exposure Joystick and Race. Currently just using the Joystick - on flashing mode on lit streets but I just switch to fixed beam when on the unlit or badly lit stretches.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • thekooman
    thekooman Posts: 55
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/e ... -prod73909

    have this and one stays on (2 full beam modes) AND/OR the other flashes (as well as the 2 on as well!)... it likes 2 seperate lights on the 1 battery. great light. there are 3 modes (full, half, flash) on each light so great combinations
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Rolf F wrote:
    If a light is bright enough to light potholes properly (particularly on already lit roads) then it is strong enough to not need a flash mode anyway!
    Ah - we could argue all day about just how bright your light has to be - but I'll stick with the reasoning for the flash (IMHO of course)

    A steady light - in traffic - can get lost in the crowd - yes - you can be seen - but that doesn't mean you'll be seen - a white flash - which is not a feature of any other vehicle - should get you seen and recognised for what you are.

    This is also why I use flash on the rear rather than (just) constant - a flash tells the driver that it's a bike - as that's the sorts of lights we have these days ...
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Slowbike wrote:
    Rolf F wrote:
    If a light is bright enough to light potholes properly (particularly on already lit roads) then it is strong enough to not need a flash mode anyway!
    Ah - we could argue all day about just how bright your light has to be - but I'll stick with the reasoning for the flash (IMHO of course)

    Indeed we could! it probably depends most on how busy your unlit roads are and how many side turnings there are. Thinking about it, mostly mine have been relatively quiet and straightforward - a side effect of W Yorks where there are so many towns and cities in proximity that it is quite hard to find unlit roads never mind busy ones!
    I do make a point of only using the fixed beam on unlit stretches but at least half the reason I otherwise use the flash mode by preference is that it takes longer for the battery to run out so I am less likely to find I forgot to charge the light and am now running on vapour!
    Faster than a tent.......
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Rolf F wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    Rolf F wrote:
    If a light is bright enough to light potholes properly (particularly on already lit roads) then it is strong enough to not need a flash mode anyway!
    Ah - we could argue all day about just how bright your light has to be - but I'll stick with the reasoning for the flash (IMHO of course)

    Indeed we could! it probably depends most on how busy your unlit roads are and how many side turnings there are. Thinking about it, mostly mine have been relatively quiet and straightforward - a side effect of W Yorks where there are so many towns and cities in proximity that it is quite hard to find unlit roads never mind busy ones!
    I do make a point of only using the fixed beam on unlit stretches but at least half the reason I otherwise use the flash mode by preference is that it takes longer for the battery to run out so I am less likely to find I forgot to charge the light and am now running on vapour!

    Ah - now you see - I'm partly the opposite - most of my night riding is on unlit roads - but still relatively quiet and straight forward - so I just use fixed beam - however, 2 occaisions I've "needed" the hyperconstant has been riding through a city (once in London) in the dark and wet - where there's a lot of lights about and vision isn't great - hyperconstant mode just cuts through all that so I can be seen...
  • Chinn39
    Chinn39 Posts: 17
    Just seen this
    http://www.lightrider.co.uk/collections ... ight-range
    which addresses the beam and flashing function plus lights the rider.
    Would be interested in people's experiences of it as the idea looks good.

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