What tail light do you use for long, long rides?
01-23-17, 05:39 PM
#26
bill nyecycles
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Cygolite Hotshot 2 good for ~15 hours on triple-flash.
Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 good for ~10 hours on triple-flash.
So either will do a century with no problem, but the Pro 150 is probably about 3x as bright. I would reckon the Hotshot 100 would fall somewhere in between the two, but I'd just spend the extra couple of bucks on the Pro 150. It is ridiculously bright.
Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 good for ~10 hours on triple-flash.
So either will do a century with no problem, but the Pro 150 is probably about 3x as bright. I would reckon the Hotshot 100 would fall somewhere in between the two, but I'd just spend the extra couple of bucks on the Pro 150. It is ridiculously bright.
but it doesn't have a lumen measurement on it - looks like there is a newer version out there now too.
I don't want to have to order another mount and screw it around my seatpost though
I use it currently on my 2 commuters (switch between 2 mounts - had to order a second one to do this, so this would make 3 mounts now? lol)
01-23-17, 05:43 PM
#27
bill nyecycles
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The Knog Kid Grid is outstanding. Easy to mount, light, rechargeable and super bright: https://www.amazon.com/Knog-Blinder-...=knog+kid+grid
Looks like they've upped the game a bit?
Is it a typo on the amazon description that says it lasts 58 hours on "eco flash" - and does "eco" mean "less brightness", or "it uses less battery because it flashes"
I own this light.
The cover to the USB port fell off and I can't get back on.
It also grows dim as it runs out of charge. I think it lacks the circuitry of other lights which keep brightness steady until the battery is completely discharged. The charge doesn't last very long on full brightness, less than two hours.
I don't regret buying it given the price. It goes on the non-drive side seat stay in steady mode and augments rear facing seatpost and helmet lamps for night riding only. The light it gives off is extremely visible in the way those car tail lights with millions of little LED's are.
If it lasts a couple of years then I'll be happy. Just another tool for being visible and the price is right. Someone said there is an unbranded version shipped from China for $12 or $13.
Bottom line - it should not be your first light but as a second or third light it is a decent enough. Would make a great second light for a commuter bike.
-Tim-
The cover to the USB port fell off and I can't get back on.
It also grows dim as it runs out of charge. I think it lacks the circuitry of other lights which keep brightness steady until the battery is completely discharged. The charge doesn't last very long on full brightness, less than two hours.
I don't regret buying it given the price. It goes on the non-drive side seat stay in steady mode and augments rear facing seatpost and helmet lamps for night riding only. The light it gives off is extremely visible in the way those car tail lights with millions of little LED's are.
If it lasts a couple of years then I'll be happy. Just another tool for being visible and the price is right. Someone said there is an unbranded version shipped from China for $12 or $13.
Bottom line - it should not be your first light but as a second or third light it is a decent enough. Would make a great second light for a commuter bike.
-Tim-
thanks!!
01-23-17, 05:54 PM
#28
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Dinotte Quad Red
Uber bright, very visible day or night
Charge lasts forever, easily makes it through a double century
Rechargeable
I ride a lot in the dark but quite literally trust my life to this light.
The only drawback is the expense but if something happened to this one, I'd replace it in a heart beat. Worth every penny.
Uber bright, very visible day or night
Charge lasts forever, easily makes it through a double century
Rechargeable
I ride a lot in the dark but quite literally trust my life to this light.
The only drawback is the expense but if something happened to this one, I'd replace it in a heart beat. Worth every penny.
01-23-17, 05:56 PM
#29
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I have the Flare R and have had no issues with it.
I've ridden in the rain with it.
FWIW, I flipped the light so that the USB cover is facing up.
This gets it out of the area of constant water kicking up from the tire and shields it a little being under the saddle.
I use it on blinking mode, so, it doesn't go through much juice.
It shines brightly during the day and I could tell cars were going farther around me after I got it.
Super happy with it, at this point.
I would recommend flipping it, so the USB cover is in the "up" position.
S
I've ridden in the rain with it.
FWIW, I flipped the light so that the USB cover is facing up.
This gets it out of the area of constant water kicking up from the tire and shields it a little being under the saddle.
I use it on blinking mode, so, it doesn't go through much juice.
It shines brightly during the day and I could tell cars were going farther around me after I got it.
Super happy with it, at this point.
I would recommend flipping it, so the USB cover is in the "up" position.
S
01-23-17, 07:25 PM
#30
Senior Member
I also have the Cateye Rapid X2, and am very pleased with it. I use crazy flash mode, and it's good for over 10 hours, and I haven't tried to use until the low battery light turns on, but from reviews I read online, of all cateye lights, Cateye's stated battery life times are usually correct.
01-23-17, 10:23 PM
#34
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Another vote for the Dinotte. I have the earlier version. It's built like a tank, totally waterproof, easily stays lit on double centuries in blink mode. I've had drivers stop and thank me for running this light and making them feel safer. At night, it should be pointed one notch toward the ground, so as not to blind overtaking drivers. I usually leave it that way in daytime, too. USB, self-contained, incredibly well made. And the best mounting hardware I've used. It could save your life, which makes it pretty cheap.
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01-23-17, 10:27 PM
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Another vote for the Dinotte. I have the earlier version. It's built like a tank, totally waterproof, easily stays lit on double centuries in blink mode. I've had drivers stop and thank me for running this light and making them feel safer. At night, it should be pointed one notch toward the ground, so as not to blind overtaking drivers. I usually leave it that way in daytime, too. USB, self-contained, incredibly well made. And the best mounting hardware I've used. It could save your life, which makes it pretty cheap.
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01-23-17, 11:30 PM
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58hrs seems about right. The shorter-lasting flash has LEDs on all the time, but not the same ones. Eco flash has short periods with no light being emitted.
01-23-17, 11:35 PM
#37
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FWIW, my Bontrager Flare R let in water while helmet mounted (and the USB cover pointing down).
01-23-17, 11:42 PM
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Permanent? Screwdriver and the mount is off in 30 seconds after the century.
01-24-17, 11:17 AM
#39
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The Blitzu Cyborg 168T for $18 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Blitzu-Rechar...f_rd_i=desktop is exactly the same light as the RayPal 2266 for $12.25 on the same site https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-...Pal+2266+light. The only difference is the Blitzu brand name stamped on the light. I own one so I know. Take apart a Blitzu light and you will often find the RayPal name on the internals. RayPal is a large Chinese manufacturer of bike lights. It is bright enough you don't want to look directly at it for long. Very uncomfortable to do so.
This light is based upon the newest LED technology - chip on board or COB. They are brighter than the comparable lights using single LEDs for the same current draw.
This light is based upon the newest LED technology - chip on board or COB. They are brighter than the comparable lights using single LEDs for the same current draw.
01-24-17, 11:38 AM
#40
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02-22-17, 10:07 PM
#41
bill nyecycles
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Finally getting around to getting this.....so doing some last minute reasearch reading.
Looks like the max lumens a lot of lights boast are on the high steady beam, but some are on the flashing.
Lights I'm looking at right now:
- serfas thunderbolt 2.0: 50 lumens on only brightest flash
- cat eye rapid x3: 50 lumens on brightest flash, 100 on brightest steady
- knog blinder r70: doesn't say what mode produces 70 lm - complaints about the charger and dongle
- cygolite hotshot 100: says 100 flashing but not what modes - also don't really want an attached mount.
Right now leaning toward the serfas light.
Looks like the max lumens a lot of lights boast are on the high steady beam, but some are on the flashing.
Lights I'm looking at right now:
- serfas thunderbolt 2.0: 50 lumens on only brightest flash
- cat eye rapid x3: 50 lumens on brightest flash, 100 on brightest steady
- knog blinder r70: doesn't say what mode produces 70 lm - complaints about the charger and dongle
- cygolite hotshot 100: says 100 flashing but not what modes - also don't really want an attached mount.
Right now leaning toward the serfas light.
02-22-17, 11:46 PM
#42
Uber Goober
Planet Bike Superflash, x3 on the Sojourn, x4 on the tandem, fifth one often on stoker's helmet, one has sometimes been swapped out with a Princeton Tec Swerve.
I normally put new batteries in before anything 300k or over. Yeah, it's a couple of bucks for batteries, but I'm spending 15-20 hours on the bike, driving 120 miles, going through $50 worth of convenience store food and ice, in some cases paying for a motel room, so the cost of fresh batteries to avoid getting run over is pretty inconsequential. That said, get the little 36-battery tub of Ray-O-Vacs at Walmart, seems to be the best option. For local night riding, I run them all on flash, batteries last a long time that way, and I don't usually need to change them out until the next 300k. On the 300k+ rides, I run one solid, rest on flash.
I normally put new batteries in before anything 300k or over. Yeah, it's a couple of bucks for batteries, but I'm spending 15-20 hours on the bike, driving 120 miles, going through $50 worth of convenience store food and ice, in some cases paying for a motel room, so the cost of fresh batteries to avoid getting run over is pretty inconsequential. That said, get the little 36-battery tub of Ray-O-Vacs at Walmart, seems to be the best option. For local night riding, I run them all on flash, batteries last a long time that way, and I don't usually need to change them out until the next 300k. On the 300k+ rides, I run one solid, rest on flash.
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02-23-17, 12:14 AM
#43
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I use this one when I use one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B13A29E
Very easy to mount, plenty bright (without being some crazy blinding thing) and lots of battery life.
Not rechargeable though...
I've been through probably 4 or 5 cheap-o tail lights and most broke after a handful of uses... This one still going strong (so far..) And hey, it's pretty cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B13A29E
Very easy to mount, plenty bright (without being some crazy blinding thing) and lots of battery life.
Not rechargeable though...
I've been through probably 4 or 5 cheap-o tail lights and most broke after a handful of uses... This one still going strong (so far..) And hey, it's pretty cheap.
02-23-17, 12:10 PM
#44
Portland Fred
It literally takes one minute to loosen that one screw, move the mount, and tighten it on the new bike
02-23-17, 12:23 PM
#45
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The Fly6 light/camera will last a century if you hustle.
02-23-17, 01:46 PM
#46
bill nyecycles
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its inconvenient? and i'm trying to get out the door to work so i don't have time to mess around with little nuisances like that. I just want to grab & go.
02-23-17, 02:30 PM
#47
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Might not be what you are looking for but PDW's RADBOT 1000 (1 watt led) is a great rear light. Then get some eneloops and you are set for life.
- Three-mode, 1.0-watt red LED taillight made for biker safety
- 30-hour runtime in flashing mode; 15-hour runtime in steady mode
- Precision Euro reflector; weather resistant build; 1.5-second hold switch
- Comes with batteries, backpack clip, and New Stayputnik™ seatpost mount attaches without tools
- zZz, zZzPOP!, cornea blitz, and rock steady modes; lifetime warranty against defects
02-23-17, 02:33 PM
#48
bill nyecycles
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Might not be what you are looking for but PDW's RADBOT 1000 (1 watt led) is a great rear light. Then get some eneloops and you are set for life.
- Three-mode, 1.0-watt red LED taillight made for biker safety
- 30-hour runtime in flashing mode; 15-hour runtime in steady mode
- Precision Euro reflector; weather resistant build; 1.5-second hold switch
- Comes with batteries, backpack clip, and New Stayputnik™ seatpost mount attaches without tools
- zZz, zZzPOP!, cornea blitz, and rock steady modes; lifetime warranty against defects
Right now this is my on-the-shelf backup light.
02-23-17, 02:34 PM
#49
Senior Member
Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150. For each mode, time varies depending on the mode adjustment button setting. And it is BRIGHT.
Steady: 2~210 (not a typo)
Zoom: 3~7.5
SteadyPulse: 4.5-6
Triple Flash: 29-75
DayLightning: 6.5~37 (not a typo)
Random Flash 5~30 (not a typo)
Steady: 2~210 (not a typo)
Zoom: 3~7.5
SteadyPulse: 4.5-6
Triple Flash: 29-75
DayLightning: 6.5~37 (not a typo)
Random Flash 5~30 (not a typo)