Author Topic: Lights.  (Read 2424 times)

Jon

Lights.
« on: 06 December, 2017, 11:02:43 pm »
Is there already an up-to-date thread on front lights for night cycling? I'm searching but not finding one...

I'm getting increasingly chubby and think night cycling might be the answer to my lack of free time during normal hours!

I'm also rubbish at following through on these plans so don't want to drop hundreds on front lights then not use them... So what I'm after is an inexpensive (but good) light I could use for a bit of night-time exploration (on the mountain bike probably)...

Any input will be most welcome!

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Re: Lights.
« Reply #1 on: 06 December, 2017, 11:55:56 pm »
My favourite rechargeable lamp is the remix bc30, which can be had in various battery configurations. I tend to use the 500lumen setting rather than the highest and it's fine for riding dark lanes at that. Plus the beam shape is better than the mtb floods. May not be cheap enough though?

Off road one of the super bright Chinese lamps and a couple of pictures-ion cells is probably the biggest band for your bucks. There is a recent thread on these.


Re: Lights.
« Reply #2 on: 06 December, 2017, 11:57:19 pm »
Here it is, actually power bank lamps

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=105703.0

Jon

Re: Lights.
« Reply #3 on: 07 December, 2017, 09:37:01 pm »
Crikey that's a thread.

I'm more confused having read that then I was before!

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Re: Lights.
« Reply #4 on: 07 December, 2017, 11:39:53 pm »
I would recommend the Nextorch B10 as a relatively inexpensive but capable and well engineered AA powered front light.  https://www.heinnie.com/nextorch-b10-bike-light
Most of the stuff I say is true because I saw it in a dream and I don't have the presence of mind to make up lies when I'm asleep.   Bryan Andreas

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Lights.
« Reply #5 on: 08 December, 2017, 12:01:57 am »

I have a hope vision 1, which takes 4 aa batteries. When doing silly speeds down hill on country lanes, I augment it with an LED Lenser p7.2.  It takes 4 aaa batteries.

The combo works well together.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Lights.
« Reply #6 on: 08 December, 2017, 06:31:23 am »
What it really comes down to is writing a wish list and seeing which lights fit that

For instance, a light that would run for an hour's commute will be brilliant.... if you only ride for an hour

Longer will require something with a bigger battery, or that you can reduce power in exchange for longer life


Jon

Re: Lights.
« Reply #7 on: 08 December, 2017, 07:36:37 am »
What it really comes down to is writing a wish list and seeing which lights fit that

For instance, a light that would run for an hour's commute will be brilliant.... if you only ride for an hour

Longer will require something with a bigger battery, or that you can reduce power in exchange for longer life
Thanks all!

The above makes sense.

I'm looking for a light that's good for about an hour or two and that's rechargeable - I think that's about the only criteria I can think of!

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mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
    • Didcot Audaxes
Re: Lights.
« Reply #8 on: 08 December, 2017, 01:25:52 pm »
I would recommend the Nextorch B10 as a relatively inexpensive but capable and well engineered AA powered front light.  https://www.heinnie.com/nextorch-b10-bike-light
From reading around, that looks pretty good for the money, thanks! (£30-£40)   But ... is it just me (and/or our work image firewall), or does that website simply not display in any remotely coherent manner?? Might try a non-IE browser tonight ...
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

Re: Lights.
« Reply #9 on: 08 December, 2017, 01:39:23 pm »
I would recommend the Nextorch B10 as a relatively inexpensive but capable and well engineered AA powered front light.  https://www.heinnie.com/nextorch-b10-bike-light
From reading around, that looks pretty good for the money, thanks! (£30-£40)   But ... is it just me (and/or our work image firewall), or does that website simply not display in any remotely coherent manner?? Might try a non-IE browser tonight ...
  I've just tried in IE and the site won't load, though it's fine in Chrome
Most of the stuff I say is true because I saw it in a dream and I don't have the presence of mind to make up lies when I'm asleep.   Bryan Andreas

Re: Lights.
« Reply #10 on: 09 December, 2017, 10:47:54 am »
Fine in Firefox too.

I'm a bit hesistant about rechargeable AA these days - some of them are a bit oversize and can get stuck in battery slots that are 'close tolerance'.

I'd go for something powered by a Li-ion battery which has a much better energy density.
I've something similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-model-Fluxient-U2-Mini-1100-Lumen-rated-Cree-XM-L-U2-led-2-6Ah-battery/292331105079

Have a look at that ebay seller's blog too.  This page for example:http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/bike-light-database.html
 

Jon

Re: Lights.
« Reply #11 on: 09 December, 2017, 12:19:02 pm »
For ease I went for something from Halfords! Lezyne Macro 1100xl. Seems to do the job. Thanks for all the advice though.

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quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Lights.
« Reply #12 on: 09 December, 2017, 12:28:05 pm »
I'm a bit hesistant about rechargeable AA these days - some of them are a bit oversize and can get stuck in battery slots that are 'close tolerance'.

Conversely, I really like AA powered lights, especially for more than just commuting. Because if my batteries and my spare batteries die and I'm in the middle of nowhere, I can spend a small fortune on a pack of AA at a garage somewhere.

USB rechargable lights are great for commuting if you work in an office where you can plug them in when you get to work etc... But not everyone does, I used to work in a brewery, unless I could plug my light in to a 3 phase 32A socket, there was no way I could charge it... Hence AA's.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Lights.
« Reply #13 on: 09 December, 2017, 01:32:56 pm »
unless I could plug my light in to a 3 phase 32A socket, there was no way I could charge it...

That sounds like a challenge...  :D

(Sad fact of life that Ceeform plugs aren't very bike-portable.  Even a 16A one takes up most of the volume of an e-bike charger.)

Re: Lights.
« Reply #14 on: 11 December, 2017, 12:01:13 am »
I'm a bit hesistant about rechargeable AA these days - some of them are a bit oversize and can get stuck in battery slots that are 'close tolerance'.
It happens with lithium 18650 batteries too.
Mostly it's extra length caused by the protection PCB in the + end (2 to 5 mm), but they can be a tight fit widthways as well.

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Lights.
« Reply #15 on: 11 December, 2017, 08:36:39 am »
I'm a bit hesistant about rechargeable AA these days - some of them are a bit oversize and can get stuck in battery slots that are 'close tolerance'.

Conversely, I really like AA powered lights, especially for more than just commuting. Because if my batteries and my spare batteries die and I'm in the middle of nowhere, I can spend a small fortune on a pack of AA at a garage somewhere.

USB rechargable lights are great for commuting if you work in an office where you can plug them in when you get to work etc... But not everyone does, I used to work in a brewery, unless I could plug my light in to a 3 phase 32A socket, there was no way I could charge it... Hence AA's.

J
My thinking too!
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.