Best light for seeing

runny · June 2014

Hello

I commute on a regular basis. A large part of my journey is down an A road which is unlit for a good few miles so I need a good light to see where I'm going. I borrowed my boyfriend's Moon light which was really good but that was part of a set and I only need a front light to see, I already have rear lights.

Any recommendations? My budget is about £70-80.

Thanks

The Rookie · June 2014

Depends on how bright you really want, I commute on a dark country lane and use a 300lumen Lezyne Macro which is plenty enough, but on my MTB I use a circa 800lumen lamp, which to be honest is a bit anti social with oncoming traffic.

NeXXus · June 2014

C and B seen commuter kit

Kieran_Burns · June 2014

People will tell you to go for cheap chinese clones with cree xp-g LEDs in them. I prefer the Magicshine 808e that I use. Stupidly bright and you can get a lens replacement for a couple of quid that throws the light out in a broad sweep across the road.

Even on low power it puts out enough light to see by. On full power it's basically a car on dip beam, you REALLY need to angle it correctly so you don't blind oncoming traffic.

DrLex · June 2014

Philips SafeRide 80 @ £55.02 + delivery. Shaped beam like a car/motorcycle headlight, single unit, USB rechargeable, yet 4x AA batteries in case you can't recharge. Downside is that the run time on high is not that long (quoted 2.5hrs), whereas the battery packs on the MagicShine clones can give hours.

(Love the irony of tipping commuting lights on the longest day)

supersonic · June 2014

Have a look at this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=10002&t=12967618

bigmonka · June 2014

I'd recommend the Cateye Volt 300, it's fairly compact and very well built. The 'hyperconstant' mode is really good for around town as it is provides a steady beam whilst also flashing.
I, personally, didn't like the idea of a CREE type lamp where you can't guarantee the quality, and I didn't want a separate battery back.

chris_bass · June 2014

I have always used cheap cree torches (from dx.com or ebay) mounted to the handlebars, i have a few of them, have 2 on the bars and one as a spare but not had any issues with them

anthdci · June 2014

Cheap cree ones off ebay have done well for me over the winter.

2 Flashlights like this (10.99 x 2)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UltraFire-1800LM-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-502B-Flashlight-Torch-Remote-Pressure-Switch-/141315744276?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item20e7132214

2 Batteries like this (£12.59)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-GENUINE-PAN ... 2a330f9431

2 Handle Bar mounts (£1.24 x 2)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Black-Bicycle-Bike-Handle-Mount-Holder-for-Flashlights-Torch-Gadgets-/290802609745?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item43b52fae51

Battery charger (£12.99)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nitecore-i2-CR123A-26650-18650-AA-AAA-Intellicharge-Universal-Battery-Charger-/271414815334?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item3f31956a66

Total £50 ish

Having two independent lights gives you good control over how much light your actually putting out so you can be seen but are not blinding oncoming traffic. I think it looks better on the bike having it even and having one light either side, but that is more my OCD than anything important. 2 of these on full power is plenty to see where your going when there is no street lighting and it is pitch black, but switch them down or dip them if there is a car coming the opposite way.

runny · June 2014

Thanks guys, all food for thought, it is difficult deciding without being able to try.

symo · July 2014

Hope Vision One, I am done fannying around with Chinese tat.

chris_bass · July 2014

symo wrote:

Hope Vision One, I am done fannying around with Chinese tat.

I wonder where they are made!?

fossyant · July 2014

Hope is made in Barnoldswick from lumps of machined aluminium.

I have 2 Hope 1's for the commute and have loads of Chinese mega powered lights, but these are for off road. Way too bright for the road.

supersonic · July 2014

The Hope internals are not made here. They don't make LEDs or circuit boards.

Quality of 'chinese' stuff varies. Check my link earlier for a good piece of kit. The low mode is about as bright as Vision one on full blast, but will give you about 10 hours run time. For a third the price.

trooperk · July 2014

This may be worth looking at,some reviews.
http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/bike-light-database.html

And some he sells
http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/blog-page_20.html

Best light for seeing

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