Is this light too good to be true?
#26
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I have that, or a similar one.
After the first time it drained the battery, I soldered a robust toggle switch inline.
Bite the bullet and buy a larger battery pack on Amazon. It's worth it
It's nowhere near 1200 lumens, more like 8-900, except that it's likely brighter when you first turn it on. Until it heats up.
For the narrow beam, something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WLCLQY/ wide angle lens helps a bit.
After the first time it drained the battery, I soldered a robust toggle switch inline.
Bite the bullet and buy a larger battery pack on Amazon. It's worth it
It's nowhere near 1200 lumens, more like 8-900, except that it's likely brighter when you first turn it on. Until it heats up.
For the narrow beam, something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WLCLQY/ wide angle lens helps a bit.
Do you have a link to your larger battery pack?
Thanks.
#27
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Some folks might be tired of hearing me say it, but I love my dynamo lights better than any battery light. I have them on the bike I ride the most. I also put them on both of my wife's bikes since she can't remember to charge batteries. She doesn't normally ride at night, but it's good for her to be prepared in case she finds herself out at night. Charging a tail light is no big deal, but a headlight is different, because it draws so much more power. I've often thought my headlight was properly charged when it quit mid-ride. It's a huge relief to know with fully certainty that my lights work every time I get on and roll the bike. I leave the switches in the "on" position. In the long run, it does not cost more than a battery powered light.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#28
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but this is similar https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-.../dp/B01MSP9XE6 It's going to be cheap off-brand (maybe crappy) batteries but still, bigger than the one that comes with. You just have to be sure that the connectors match your light, not both male or both female, and that the light wants 8.4 volts. There are some strange ones, that look exactly the same, that use 5 volts.
PS, dynamo lights would be great if you don't mind the up-front cost, and it's kind of like making a commitment. Someone like me, I only run the lights when it's dark and this cheap stuff works great and lasts (when it doesn't die right away) so I'm 100% happy with the battery lights and cheap headlights like you have. I have a second one that I take off my road bike until winter and I use the original battery pack on that.
Last edited by wphamilton; 08-23-18 at 07:13 PM.
#29
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REI has last year's NiteRiders on sale for $50-65. I just picked up the 1100 from the sale bin. Only used it once (this smoke has me staying indoors) but I am impressed. No magic, but it strikes me like a solid light. The 450 lumen mid-setting had plenty of light for most riding. (The 225 setting is brighter than what I was riding the past 8 years 90% of the time,) The 900 is too bright for any kind of courtesy to others.
Ben
Ben
#30
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For those Chinese CREE lights, look up "Waterproof 8.4V battery pack" on E-Bay (or probably Amazon).
You'll find either hard plastic refillable battery cases, or hard plastic cases with batteries (that are sealed, and not openable).
You'll find either hard plastic refillable battery cases, or hard plastic cases with batteries (that are sealed, and not openable).
#31
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#32
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Many of the Shimano hubs are hitting the market, at least on E-Bay, pretty cheap.
A hub like SON is a bit more expensive, But, you could probably get a cheap dynamo setup for $100 or so, with no batteries to replace, and hopefully fewer worn out parts to deal with than a battery system.
Hopefully I'll get my dynamo running this fall... then just hoping the thieves will ignore it.
Of course, one limitation of the dynamo is that is will be mostly mated to a single bike, so if you tend to ride a half dozen bikes, it could be a bit of a hassle.
A hub like SON is a bit more expensive, But, you could probably get a cheap dynamo setup for $100 or so, with no batteries to replace, and hopefully fewer worn out parts to deal with than a battery system.
Hopefully I'll get my dynamo running this fall... then just hoping the thieves will ignore it.
Of course, one limitation of the dynamo is that is will be mostly mated to a single bike, so if you tend to ride a half dozen bikes, it could be a bit of a hassle.
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I've gone through a couple of aftermarket battery packs for my Magicshine lights, and the next pack I get is going to be one I fill with decent cells.
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I'm wary of the driver circuit not having overvoltage protection and cell balance on the ones that you can refill. It may be no worse than the cheap sealed multi-battery packs, but something about that concerns me and I'd be reluctant to try a generic case, maybe look for a known reliable product even if it means pay a little more.
#36
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#37
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I've been looking around for new headlights and come across these 2400 lumens lights for 24 bucks. Comparing to other lights from more well-known producers, these seem waaay too cheap. Are these too good to be true, or are reputable light producers overcharging us? Have anyone had a good experience with these lights?
Now with all this said I can't really say not to buy one. For $24, a lamp head and two cell battery...that's pretty good bang for the buck. ( assuming of course that the lamp works and has no problems ) Please note that 20% of the buyers rated the product two stars or less. That's a significant number of dissatisfied buyers. Doesn't mean you won't get something that works but you will be rolling the dice as I like to say. Likely the tint of the beam pattern will have some blueness to it which is typical of cheap Chinese lamps using T6 emitters. The seller claims this lamp provides a "flat beam pattern". I'm assuming this is Chin-english for a cutoff beam pattern. None of the photo's or video I viewed showed this but judging from the ad photos the lamp might be using an optic to help narrow the beam pattern.
For $24 I say go for it. If you are a member of Amazon Prime you can return the item if something is wrong with it. If you use this lamp on the highest mode, are able to see very good for 100 ft. and have the run time ( on high ) last two hours, I would say you got your monies worth as long as it lasts a year.
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