Designshine DS-500
#1
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Designshine DS-500
Hello folks.
I am planing to do some long range cycling when the wheather gets better.
I have ordered myself a headlight with a cutoff but i need some good taillight.
Was researching on the web and found designshine ds-500 as a perfect candidate. Unfortunetly its not in production anymore and i cant find it anywhere.
If anybody is selling it perhaps, knows someone who is,or can point me to somewhere i can get it, i would be most gratefull.
Or if you know a good alternative, pls do tell.
I want to be safe on the road, not any cheap light will do.
I am planing to do some long range cycling when the wheather gets better.
I have ordered myself a headlight with a cutoff but i need some good taillight.
Was researching on the web and found designshine ds-500 as a perfect candidate. Unfortunetly its not in production anymore and i cant find it anywhere.
If anybody is selling it perhaps, knows someone who is,or can point me to somewhere i can get it, i would be most gratefull.
Or if you know a good alternative, pls do tell.
I want to be safe on the road, not any cheap light will do.
#2
Senior Member
Which specifications should a good taillight offer for your requirements?
High luminous flux (400lm) and running time (USB powered) is offered by the OrfosPro:
orfos.us
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1106047-orfos-flarepro-bike-light-good-bad.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1012752-orfos-flare-throw-distance.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1046604-new-orfos-tail-light-wow.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1006578-orfos-light-any-users-forum.html
High luminous flux (400lm) and running time (USB powered) is offered by the OrfosPro:
orfos.us
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1106047-orfos-flarepro-bike-light-good-bad.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1012752-orfos-flare-throw-distance.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1046604-new-orfos-tail-light-wow.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1006578-orfos-light-any-users-forum.html
#3
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Orfos Flare pro is a interesting light. I have read about it and actualy like the fact that it powers from USB battery. Batteries die much sooner than LEDs do. Like the mount also, perfect for the seatstays. Just think it needs maybe another tail with more focused beam for distance viewing.
Anyway they dont have any lights for sale atm except some blemished versions. They have some trouble with silicon overmolding tools i believe.
DS-500 would still be my first choice coz of programability and real optics but this could be a good alternative.
To bad ds500 is out of production.
I did ordered seesense Ace from kickstarter as a brake light,looking forward to try it when it arives, but thats still far away.
Thx for the links btw, apreciate you took the time to reply.
Anyway they dont have any lights for sale atm except some blemished versions. They have some trouble with silicon overmolding tools i believe.
DS-500 would still be my first choice coz of programability and real optics but this could be a good alternative.
To bad ds500 is out of production.
I did ordered seesense Ace from kickstarter as a brake light,looking forward to try it when it arives, but thats still far away.
Thx for the links btw, apreciate you took the time to reply.
#4
Senior Member
Well, then thre's the Niteflux Red Zone 8:
niteflux.com/buy/red-zone-8/
Mode output Runtime
Solid 2.4W 120 lm 3hrs
Solid 1.2W 60 lm 6hrs
Solid 0.6W 30 lm 12hrs
niteflux.com/buy/red-zone-8/
Mode output Runtime
Solid 2.4W 120 lm 3hrs
Solid 1.2W 60 lm 6hrs
Solid 0.6W 30 lm 12hrs
Last edited by angerdan; 02-16-18 at 07:08 AM.
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Hmm, the light is bright but has integrated batery, not a lot of run time and comes with no mount. I mean you pay so much money for a light and i have to buy the mount separately, which also is inpractical and limited and i dont like it. Tbh orfos pro has a much lower footprint.
Last edited by BashChelik; 02-16-18 at 06:14 AM.
#6
Senior Member
12h runtime are not enough for a day?
There's also the Lupine Rotlicht with 8h at 40lm:
lupine.de/products/tail-lights
lupine-shop.com/en/led-lightsets/taillights/
There's also the Lupine Rotlicht with 8h at 40lm:
lupine.de/products/tail-lights
lupine-shop.com/en/led-lightsets/taillights/
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Its 12 hours but at the lowest setting and then there is also the battery and mount which i dont like. I am considering those blemished Orfos lights they said they still have.
Still i want that ds500 badly. Why dont they make anymore such a great light...
Still i want that ds500 badly. Why dont they make anymore such a great light...
Last edited by BashChelik; 02-16-18 at 08:40 AM.
#8
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Mounting options are good, nothing's really missing.
Dinotte Quad RED offers 15h at 50lm:
2018 Quad RED Taillight with built in battery ? DiNotte Lighting USA Online Store
Handlebar and Helmet Mounts ? DiNotte Lighting USA Online Store
Last edited by angerdan; 02-18-18 at 07:33 AM.
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Redzone has integrated batery which honestly i dont like on such a expensive light.
For the similar concept, i like orfos much more just for the external battery. USBs are so cheap these days with big capacity.
I never had LEDs die on me but had plenty of bateries that did.
And orfos also costs less than the red zone.
For the similar concept, i like orfos much more just for the external battery. USBs are so cheap these days with big capacity.
I never had LEDs die on me but had plenty of bateries that did.
And orfos also costs less than the red zone.
#10
-
Hello folks.
I am planing to do some long range cycling when the wheather gets better.
I have ordered myself a headlight with a cutoff but i need some good taillight.
Was researching on the web and found designshine ds-500 as a perfect candidate. Unfortunetly its not in production anymore and i cant find it anywhere.
If anybody is selling it perhaps, knows someone who is,or can point me to somewhere i can get it, i would be most gratefull.
Or if you know a good alternative, pls do tell.
I want to be safe on the road, not any cheap light will do.
I am planing to do some long range cycling when the wheather gets better.
I have ordered myself a headlight with a cutoff but i need some good taillight.
Was researching on the web and found designshine ds-500 as a perfect candidate. Unfortunetly its not in production anymore and i cant find it anywhere.
If anybody is selling it perhaps, knows someone who is,or can point me to somewhere i can get it, i would be most gratefull.
Or if you know a good alternative, pls do tell.
I want to be safe on the road, not any cheap light will do.
2018 Quad RED Taillight with built in battery ? DiNotte Lighting USA Online Store
This taillight uses a proprietary rechargeable cell, so at some point it will become useless; however, Dinotte's product description suggests this cell will be long-lived. I've owned Dinotte taillight and can attest that their CS is pretty good. If you get this light consider talking Dinotte into selling you a spare Li cell - then you could probably solder-in replacement cell years later after original fails.
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Lezyne Zecto Drive Max rear light
Review: Lezyne Zecto Drive Max rear light | road.cc
Lots of manufacturers are starting to include daytime modes to their lights and this is what Lezyne have done with the Max 250. You get two 'day flash' options both of which flash in bursts of two, gap, two flashes, gap etc. The fourth flash is the brightest – an attention getter if you like – at either 125 lumens or 250 lumens. The other three are around 35 lumens. You get nine hours run-time at the 250-lumen setting and 14 hours at 125 lumens.
Review: Lezyne Zecto Drive Max rear light | road.cc
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Gemini Iris 180L Rear Light
Gemini Iris 180L Rear Light | Chain Reaction Cycles
Lumens / Flash Mode / Pulse Mode
180L / 1 hour / 2 hours
100L / 2 hours / 4 hours
50L / 4 hours / 8 hours
30L / 6.5 hours / 13 hours
10L / 11 hours / 22 hours
180L / 1 hour / 2 hours
100L / 2 hours / 4 hours
50L / 4 hours / 8 hours
30L / 6.5 hours / 13 hours
10L / 11 hours / 22 hours
Gemini Iris 180L Rear Light | Chain Reaction Cycles
#16
Senior Member
There's also the Lupine Rotlicht with 8h at 40lm:
lupine.de/products/tail-lights
lupine-shop.com/en/led-lightsets/taillights/
lupine.de/products/tail-lights
lupine-shop.com/en/led-lightsets/taillights/
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DS 500 is listed in their website but its not in stock.
Thx to everyone for your sugestions.
Btw, its not i am looking something that never existed, they just discontinued it
I didnt said it before but would like for the tailllight to be waterproof.
Il look into your recommendations.
I contacted Orfos about their red flare pro but they arent responding.
Thx to everyone for your sugestions.
Btw, its not i am looking something that never existed, they just discontinued it
I didnt said it before but would like for the tailllight to be waterproof.
Il look into your recommendations.
I contacted Orfos about their red flare pro but they arent responding.
#18
Senior Member
The Orfos FlarePro is the only waterproof one, all the other models on the market usually are only water resistant.
Just curious, for which use do you need a waterproof taillight?
Just curious, for which use do you need a waterproof taillight?
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My bad, thats what i meant, water-resistant. I am stil not trying to cycle underwater 😊
Before i backed seesense ace i wanted to get bontrager flare r tailight but many people reported of water ingress. Same fault was reported for some other good lights i was considering. I just want it to work even if rain surprises me on my ride.
Before i backed seesense ace i wanted to get bontrager flare r tailight but many people reported of water ingress. Same fault was reported for some other good lights i was considering. I just want it to work even if rain surprises me on my ride.
Last edited by BashChelik; 02-19-18 at 01:41 PM.
#20
Senior Member
There are more options:
Lights - rear | road.cc
Also a review of the Lupine Rotlicht:
Review: Lupine Rotlicht rear light | road.cc
Lights - rear | road.cc
Also a review of the Lupine Rotlicht:
Review: Lupine Rotlicht rear light | road.cc
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I had a DS500 and sold it. It's just ridiculous overkill IMO, you can't even use the brightest mode except in direct sunlight or you'll blind people. Also a separate battery is just irritating and more stuff to break and connectors to rattle loose.
I'd get a Dinotte Quad Red or a Red Zone.
Also, my philosophy is that if you need one taillight, you need two. You never know if your taillight is working so in case one fails you should be running two.
I'd get a Dinotte Quad Red or a Red Zone.
Also, my philosophy is that if you need one taillight, you need two. You never know if your taillight is working so in case one fails you should be running two.
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I had a DS500 and sold it. It's just ridiculous overkill IMO, you can't even use the brightest mode except in direct sunlight or you'll blind people. Also a separate battery is just irritating and more stuff to break and connectors to rattle loose.
I'd get a Dinotte Quad Red or a Red Zone.
Also, my philosophy is that if you need one taillight, you need two. You never know if your taillight is working so in case one fails you should be running two.
I'd get a Dinotte Quad Red or a Red Zone.
Also, my philosophy is that if you need one taillight, you need two. You never know if your taillight is working so in case one fails you should be running two.
#23
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I read one post about bycycle lights and it made sense to me.
The points were that you should have one steady light so drivers can estimate your distance, one flash light for getting their atention and 2 lights on seatstays to give you width and also help drivers to estimate your position.
Thats what i want to do, seesense ace for smart flashing with its sensors,
DS-500(orfos flare pro) as a steady flood light for added side visibility and 2 lights for seatstays. I would only like more if i could find a light to mount it on my drop handlebars as that would give me max width presence on the road.
The points were that you should have one steady light so drivers can estimate your distance, one flash light for getting their atention and 2 lights on seatstays to give you width and also help drivers to estimate your position.
Thats what i want to do, seesense ace for smart flashing with its sensors,
DS-500(orfos flare pro) as a steady flood light for added side visibility and 2 lights for seatstays. I would only like more if i could find a light to mount it on my drop handlebars as that would give me max width presence on the road.
#24
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I had a DS500 and sold it. It's just ridiculous overkill IMO, you can't even use the brightest mode except in direct sunlight or you'll blind people. Also a separate battery is just irritating and more stuff to break and connectors to rattle loose.
I'd get a Dinotte Quad Red or a Red Zone.
Also, my philosophy is that if you need one taillight, you need two. You never know if your taillight is working so in case one fails you should be running two.
I'd get a Dinotte Quad Red or a Red Zone.
Also, my philosophy is that if you need one taillight, you need two. You never know if your taillight is working so in case one fails you should be running two.
I consider an economical, widely available separate battery an advantage. It is not hard to find a Magicshine-capable battery, and since I use the same batteries for Magicshine, Gemini, etc headlamps it is relatively simple and economical (compared to cost of replacing entire devices when built-in battery inevitably fails).
I agree that you always need to equip more than one taillight. In addition to DS500 I keep a PDW Danger Zone on a rear-facing customized helmet strap, which perhaps helps get some light over roofline of shorter motor vehicles. PDW DZ requires 2 AAA cells, which I fill with rechargable Panasonic (Sanyo) Eneloops. I also use the PDW DZ as a taillight for summer night walks around the neighborhood, fitted to a Black Diamond Spot headlamp strap.
#25
Senior Member
The main selling point of DS500 was the fact that it seemed capable of delivering adequate output to make one more conspicuous during sunny days. I find that even at 800 lumens it doesn't necessarily attract the attention of motorists distracted by audio, conversation, phone or sleep deprivation. As you know, with virtually infinite output capability you can reduce DS500 to 100 lumens or less for responsible nightime use.
What you really need is a light capable of being noticed at a distance of ~0.5mi. Being visible farther away than that is almost irrelevant because 99% of the time, you will be obscured behind traffic, corners, elevation and other obstacles.
That means that basically any ~200-300 lumen rear light is equivalent. Beyond that you're just needlessly blinding people.