Bike light recommendations?
11-08-18, 07:35 PM
#76
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I've been using a fenix pd35 double hoseclamped to the handlebars for about two years now (though I've only been commuting by bike since september 22). The mounting for my helmet is equally hillarious, but they've been awesome. I usually run them on the middle setting. I like self contained lights with easily replacable batteries but I'm kinda odd like that. 
11-09-18, 09:31 AM
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Looked up the Fenix PD35, I have a no-name light similar to that, and I like it very much. I see some of the PD35s on amazon are shown with 18650's, and some with CR123A. I've never seen those before. Are two stacked CR123A equivalent to an 18650? (like apparently 3 bundled AAAs are)?
11-09-18, 04:17 PM
#78
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Looked up the Fenix PD35, I have a no-name light similar to that, and I like it very much. I see some of the PD35s on amazon are shown with 18650's, and some with CR123A. I've never seen those before. Are two stacked CR123A equivalent to an 18650? (like apparently 3 bundled AAAs are)?
11-09-18, 05:06 PM
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Looks like they might sometimes be interchangeable but not always
Can a 18650 battery be used in place of 2x CR123 batteries? | BudgetLightForum.com
Can a 18650 battery be used in place of 2x CR123 batteries? | BudgetLightForum.com
11-10-18, 01:57 PM
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I ordered a second one. I'll probably regret it, as I am ultimately dissatisfied with cheap stuff, especially when it ships directly from Asia. But I can't find much fault in the banggood light, at least not yet. It's amazingly small and light, too.
Now one of my favorite headlights is the B&M Eyc (pronounced Ike). I wrote a little review of it here. It requires a dynamo to power it. I love dynamo lights, and I generally prefer them, but not everyone can use them, and I can't put them on all of my bikes.
Now one of my favorite headlights is the B&M Eyc (pronounced Ike). I wrote a little review of it here. It requires a dynamo to power it. I love dynamo lights, and I generally prefer them, but not everyone can use them, and I can't put them on all of my bikes.
11-10-18, 03:00 PM
#81
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Or they fall off lol. (I didn't want that planet bike blinker anyway!) Lately I've been using a Lezyne strip drive 150 with good results!
11-12-18, 09:52 AM
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11-12-18, 10:15 AM
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I've had more bad experiences with the cheap stuff than with the expensive bike-specific lights, so I prefer the latter, but others have different experiences.
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11-12-18, 11:52 AM
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How is that holding up? I didn't order one earlier because I didn't need one then, but since then the generic Chinese copy of the Magicshine battery pack failed and my Vis 360 may be failing too, and that's all I need to order another light.
11-12-18, 11:57 AM
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I hardly use it, but I carry it with me as a spare. So far, so good. I have a second, too. I'm pretty impressed, and I've been disappointed with all other cheap lights.
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11-12-18, 04:33 PM
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Looked up the Fenix PD35, I have a no-name light similar to that, and I like it very much. I see some of the PD35s on amazon are shown with 18650's, and some with CR123A. I've never seen those before. Are two stacked CR123A equivalent to an 18650? (like apparently 3 bundled AAAs are)?
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11-12-18, 04:42 PM
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I think I remember I used to own a camera that took a CR123A (back in the days of film)
01-11-19, 12:44 PM
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@cyccommute, you should be glad to know that, with @DWMkee's help, I now have a cheap Chinese light I like. It's $9, and it has a shaped beam. The seller claims it complies with German law. I don't care if it complies. The beam shape is good enough for me. It's a bit brighter than my dynamo light, which isn't hard to achieve, so it's bright enough for me. It's still new, but in my initial test, it lasted two hours on high output.
01-11-19, 12:51 PM
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I'd like to see if I can figure out changing the silicone mount for a cygolite-style mount which is all rigid plastic and easy-to-turn steel bolt.
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01-11-19, 04:15 PM
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It's been many years since I was a daily bike commuter. (San Rafael <=> San Francisco.) Obviously, technology is MUCH better today.
However, I came to realize that it was a necessity for me to have two headlights at night, one on my handlebars and one on my helmet. When I left the well-lit urban areas, I was on curvy unlit roads. When I went into a corner, the road went one way and my handlebars (and the light on them) went the other way. It's a bit sphincter-tightening to be descending in a corner and not being able to see the road at all.
With another headlight on my helmet, I could look into the turn and see where I was going.
I also realized another benefit from this. When going straight even in well-lit areas, when I would look at drivers approaching on side streets, I could instantly tell that they saw me when my light lit up their faces.
However, I came to realize that it was a necessity for me to have two headlights at night, one on my handlebars and one on my helmet. When I left the well-lit urban areas, I was on curvy unlit roads. When I went into a corner, the road went one way and my handlebars (and the light on them) went the other way. It's a bit sphincter-tightening to be descending in a corner and not being able to see the road at all.
With another headlight on my helmet, I could look into the turn and see where I was going.
I also realized another benefit from this. When going straight even in well-lit areas, when I would look at drivers approaching on side streets, I could instantly tell that they saw me when my light lit up their faces.
01-11-19, 04:33 PM
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Which don’t you like, the mount on the cheapie or the cygolite type? I don’t like the cheapie one, which shows it’s sometimes worth it to pay the premium to get something good. On the other hand, I keep the cheapies as spares, and they work as flashlights, so it was worth the small investment. It’s no less convenient as a flashlight than those $10-20 flashlights that take a 18650 cell, and they’re easier to charge.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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01-11-19, 06:07 PM
#94
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I use the Knog Blinder MOB Mr Chips V since 2015, the year in which it has been released.
01-12-19, 02:33 AM
#95
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I use the Knog Blinder MOB Mr Chips V since 2015, the year in which it has been released.
01-12-19, 02:59 AM
#96
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Two words: Cateye Volt. I would suggest the 800 due to full time night riding you want light. I no longer use the 800 as my primary light but it is still mounted to my helmet.
01-12-19, 09:20 AM
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Which don’t you like, the mount on the cheapie or the cygolite type? I don’t like the cheapie one, which shows it’s sometimes worth it to pay the premium to get something good. On the other hand, I keep the cheapies as spares, and they work as flashlights, so it was worth the small investment. It’s no less convenient as a flashlight than those $10-20 flashlights that take a 18650 cell, and they’re easier to charge.
01-12-19, 10:21 AM
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Here’s a not so good picture of the latter
DSCN0308 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
01-15-19, 02:25 PM
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i use a cygolite explilion 850 (850 luments on high) with an Orphos FLare pro (980 on high) on the front. I would not mind adding a light to my helmet but i switch back and forth depending on the temps.
01-15-19, 10:18 PM
#100
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The mounts I linked to above has a very nice helmet mount. It velcros through the vents and has a low profile. You might use the same converter for the MagicShine lights so that it can be tilted downward properly.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!