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The best headlights under $50 thread

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The best headlights under $50 thread

Old 12-04-18, 04:41 PM
  #876  
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Originally Posted by radroad
What is this a review for?
It's referring to post #864, a couple of posts up:

I just ordered a N N.Oranie, front 700 lumens & rear light from Amazon for $27. I figured with 28 5 star ratings it was worth a shot. I do not plan to ride at night. I ride in the deep woods with low light and lots of turns though. I wanted something to make my bike more noticeable. I was looking for something that charged via USB and was easy to remove from a solid mount for recharging. May buy a flashlight mount for one of several USB flashlights, if I actually decide to ride at night. I have a USB charging “station” for: phone, iPad, flashlights.....adding a couple more is practically no trouble.
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Old 12-05-18, 08:41 AM
  #877  
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Originally Posted by KingOfTheHill
With small lights such as the Lumina micro series and the Swift series, one would be well advised to not rely on acceptable "to see by" brightness for more than 45-60 minutes if run on the highest setting. While I like lights such as these for size, I really only use them as high-powered to be seen lights in flashing mode or as a backup to my main light (carried in a jersey pocket, pack, etc.)
Even expensive lights rarely run much longer than an hour on the highest setting, like the top of the line Luminas and this Volt 6000 ($800 please). If someone is to purchase one of the best single beam lights right now, I'd recommend Volt 800.

I agree with what you said and thought it went without saying. After all, the thread is "the best headlights under $50", not the best headlights overall, or the best magic under $50. I use the Swift only in flashing mode as a secondary light paired with Cateye Volt 700. I wouldn't expect any magic from a budget headlight; they cost less for a reason.
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Old 12-06-18, 03:59 PM
  #878  
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by noglider
I read all threads about lights. I'm obsessed with knowing how each light works.
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Old 12-06-18, 04:10 PM
  #879  
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Originally Posted by angerdan
It's weird, and I don't remember saying that. Aha, I wrote it a year ago! Well to you, too!
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Old 12-09-18, 04:35 AM
  #880  
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Light & Motion has dropped the price on some older models after introducing some newer lights with more power and/or longer run time. So the Urban 350 is now around $30-$35. Very good value. Several friends use those.

If the Urban 500 drops to the sub-$50 mark it'll be another good value for this thread. Now that Light & Motion has basically upgraded the Urban 500 to the Rando 500 with longer running battery, they might drop the price on the original version.
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Old 12-14-18, 02:04 PM
  #881  
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Hmm.

I'm seeing Shimano DH-2N30-E 6V 2.4W dynamo hubs on ebay for $35 (free shipping), and Foxeye StVZO 40 Lux dynamo headlamps on ebay for $13 (free shipping).

$35 + $13 = $48. Dynamo hub energized headlamp system.

You'd still need spokes and a rim - but a bike needs those anyway.

Hmm.

(Understand, this is not a recommendation. I haven't used this set up and don't know anyone who has. I was looking for other things and surprisingly stumbled across this. I had been under the impression that a hub generator & StVZO headlamp combination would begin at 2.5X our $50 limit on this thread.)

Last edited by tcs; 12-15-18 at 09:04 AM.
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Old 12-15-18, 01:08 AM
  #882  
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Originally Posted by tcs
Hmm.

I'm seeing Shimano DH-2N30-E 6V 2.4W dynamo hubs on ebay for $35 (free shipping), and Foxeye StVZO 40 Lux dynamo headlamps on ebay for $13 (free shipping).

$35 + $13 = $48. Dynamo hub energized headlamp system.

You'd still need spokes and a rim - but a bike needs those anyway.

Hmm.
That sure would suit a dedicated errand bike. Even if I decided to sell it later that would make a good selling feature.
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Old 12-15-18, 01:18 AM
  #883  
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@tcs, wow! Thanks!
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Old 12-17-18, 02:52 PM
  #884  
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True. One can purchase conventional bike lights for around $30-$50, but if you have some duct tape and you're looking for 360 degrees of visibility, you can find some decent cheap flashlights under $5 that should last for a few years in moderately dry locations. I'm also a fan of a light or two on my helmet; again, not hard to go cheap if budget is an issue.
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Old 04-05-19, 12:26 PM
  #885  
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Originally Posted by newenglandbikes
True. One can purchase conventional bike lights for around $30-$50, but if you have some duct tape and you're looking for 360 degrees of visibility, you can find some decent cheap flashlights under $5 that should last for a few years in moderately dry locations. I'm also a fan of a light or two on my helmet; again, not hard to go cheap if budget is an issue.
So you're suggesting to duct tape lights to your bike and to your helmet? great idea!
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Old 04-06-19, 12:42 AM
  #886  
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Pick up the light. Advise inexpensive.
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Old 04-22-19, 01:47 PM
  #887  
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NiteRider Lumina 900 boost is currently on sale at Bike Closet. Just $43 for a really bright and well built headlight.
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Old 04-28-19, 01:53 AM
  #888  
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I have the Redi x2 from virtualbikelane. Happy with it and looks pretty cool
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Old 05-22-19, 09:35 AM
  #889  
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Originally Posted by spacemaniss
NiteRider Lumina 900 boost is currently on sale at Bike Closet. Just $43 for a really bright and well built headlight.
Sold out already
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Old 05-22-19, 09:38 AM
  #890  
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What do people think about getting a cheap ebay flashlight, like an inexpensive CREE XML-T6, that uses 18650 batteries, can be focused and mounted in a flashlight holder? I am worried that I'd end up with a oncoming blinding device, because there wouldn't be any nice cut-off...
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Old 05-22-19, 01:59 PM
  #891  
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Originally Posted by rantoie
What do people think about getting a cheap ebay flashlight, like an inexpensive CREE XML-T6, that uses 18650 batteries, can be focused and mounted in a flashlight holder? I am worried that I'd end up with a oncoming blinding device, because there wouldn't be any nice cut-off...
You can learn to aim it out of people's eyes. My eyes gravitate to a round beam's hot spot which is in the center, not where I want to be looking. But they work for some people.
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Old 05-22-19, 02:04 PM
  #892  
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Of the cheap headlights I've tried, the best one by far is one of the cheapest, the Xanes XLF-01. You can get it for $16.60 on Amazon or for $9.89 on banggood. It might be worth it to pay the extra on Amazon, because you can get a refund if it doesn't work right. I like it so much, I got two. I keep one in my bag as a spare. It makes a beam shape like the one required by German law. It's plenty bright for me. It's tiny and cheap.

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Old 05-23-19, 07:11 PM
  #893  
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Originally Posted by noglider
Of the cheap headlights I've tried, the best one by far is one of the cheapest, the Xanes XLF-01. You can get it for $16.60 on Amazon or for $9.89 on banggood. It might be worth it to pay the extra on Amazon, because you can get a refund if it doesn't work right. I like it so much, I got two. I keep one in my bag as a spare. It makes a beam shape like the one required by German law. It's plenty bright for me. It's tiny and cheap.

Thanks, that light has been on my Amazon wish list for months. I've been looking for a decent cheap spare light or helmet light. That should do the trick.
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Old 05-23-19, 07:27 PM
  #894  
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Originally Posted by rantoie
What do people think about getting a cheap ebay flashlight, like an inexpensive CREE XML-T6, that uses 18650 batteries, can be focused and mounted in a flashlight holder? I am worried that I'd end up with a oncoming blinding device, because there wouldn't be any nice cut-off...
No idea about the flashlight without seeing the beam. Most of those types of flashlights I've tried have very even beam patterns but not as much light on the road ahead. Okay for walking/hiking, maybe cycling around 10-12 mph. Some might be better than others.

BTW, the Two Fish holder with rubber block and Velcro straps works well. I used it to replace the broken rubber band strap on one of my bike headlights.

Most dedicated bike headlights for the US market tend to concentrate the beam in the center, with falloff toward the edges. It's an unevenly distributed semi-flood pattern. My Light & Motion Urban 500 and NiteRider Lumina Micro have nearly identical beams -- hot in the center, dimmer toward the edges. Probably helps to get more reach from lower power to get a reasonable compromise between apparent brightness and battery run time per charge.

To minimize spill I use a homemade hood/diffuser on my L&M Urban 500. It's just an empty translucent white pill bottle, cut to shape with scissors and a craft knife. The plastic is soft but tough, easy to cut to shape. Flexible enough for repeated reuse without cracking. I'll attach the hood/diffuser for riding the MUP at night, or group rides. Puts the light where I need it most, minimizing spill that might blind or annoy other folks. On solo rural rides I remove the hood -- easier to see overhanging trees, etc.

Homebrewed diffuser/hood made from white translucent plastic pill bottle.


Hood helps minimize blinding oncoming cyclists/joggers on the local MUP.


Black tape over the top helps protect my dark adapted eyes at night. I leave just a little of the translucent hood bare toward the bottom. It glows like a light bulb and enhances my visibility to cars from the sides.
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Old 05-24-19, 08:22 AM
  #895  
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Originally Posted by canklecat
Thanks, that light has been on my Amazon wish list for months. I've been looking for a decent cheap spare light or helmet light. That should do the trick.
It takes a long time to receive it after ordering. I highly suggest buying two.

They are cheaply made. One of mine has a USB charging port that is a little crooked. Don't expect it to last like a well-made light. But it's a great value, and I like to keep it as a spare or giveaway.

It has a useless taillight mode which is the second press after turning it on. It is not bright enough to be useful.
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Old 05-27-19, 09:42 AM
  #896  
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Originally Posted by canklecat
Light & Motion has dropped the price on some older models after introducing some newer lights with more power and/or longer run time. So the Urban 350 is now around $30-$35. Very good value. Several friends use those.

If the Urban 500 drops to the sub-$50 mark it'll be another good value for this thread. Now that Light & Motion has basically upgraded the Urban 500 to the Rando 500 with longer running battery, they might drop the price on the original version.
See my review of the 500 here - https://www.bikeforums.net/electroni...00-review.html

Just one man's opinion.

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Old 07-18-19, 02:58 PM
  #897  
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This is great info! Thanks!
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Old 07-22-19, 11:57 PM
  #898  
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Thanks!
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Old 09-06-19, 04:25 AM
  #899  
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Cateye EL-500
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Old 09-09-19, 12:51 PM
  #900  
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Originally Posted by dwmckee
Ah, not true! Here is a great light for less than $8 (+ free shipping) that puts out 600 lumens and in a shaped reflector with a horizontal cutoff so you do not blind everyone heading towards you. The light puts out more light at the top of the beam too so you get more light further down the road for overall even illumination and better night vision retention. Just like the headlights on your car!

This bike-specific light is outstanding and even has a decent rechargeable battery.

https://www.banggood.com/XANES-600LM...r_warehouse=CN

Buy these three items and ride happy at night. I have many of these on my various bikes, tandems, and riding mowers without a single complaint. Larger battery sets are available if needed (these have 8 each 18659's instead of 4)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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