Bike light of mounted flashlight
#1
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Bike light of mounted flashlight
I'm looking at cycling headlights but me being me, I want to be multifunctional. I could either get a really good cycling light for 80$ or, I could get a really good flashlight and mount it to my backpack or handlebars for 110$. Thoughts?
#2
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Thoughts:
A flashlight is no substitute for a "shaped beam" headlight which has a cut-off to prevent blinding oncoming drivers and makes the most of avalable lumens by putting them in a useful shape on the road ahead.
But most bicycle headlights are not shaped (at least in most countries) so from a projection standpoint there is no "penalty" for using a flashlight over a bike light,
There are plenty of inexpensive clamps-things available specifically to mount a flashlight to a bicycle, but I think a dedicated bike light may have the edge ergonomically.
You may have to pay a little more to get a flashlight that's tough-enough and water-proof enough for bike duty; dedicated bike light may achieve this at a lower price point since they are designed for the task. However there are plenty of bike lights that are not up to the task themselves.
As far as being "multifunctional" when my cell-phone light isn't enough, or I need light for longer for a task around the house I grab one of my bike lights, so my bike lights are multi-functional as well.
A flashlight is no substitute for a "shaped beam" headlight which has a cut-off to prevent blinding oncoming drivers and makes the most of avalable lumens by putting them in a useful shape on the road ahead.
But most bicycle headlights are not shaped (at least in most countries) so from a projection standpoint there is no "penalty" for using a flashlight over a bike light,
There are plenty of inexpensive clamps-things available specifically to mount a flashlight to a bicycle, but I think a dedicated bike light may have the edge ergonomically.
You may have to pay a little more to get a flashlight that's tough-enough and water-proof enough for bike duty; dedicated bike light may achieve this at a lower price point since they are designed for the task. However there are plenty of bike lights that are not up to the task themselves.
As far as being "multifunctional" when my cell-phone light isn't enough, or I need light for longer for a task around the house I grab one of my bike lights, so my bike lights are multi-functional as well.
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Get a bike lights that detaches easily from the mount so it can double as a flashlight. I have something like this that I routinely use as a flashlight around the house.:
Planet Bike Blaze 650 XLR Review - The Bike Light Database
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I don't know how you'd use a light attached to your backpack as a headlight... but for my gravel/commuter/beater bike I bought a super bright small flashlight from Home Depot and attached it to my handlebars using a mount from a different headlight I had which just wasn't bright enough. I don't know if flashlight handlebar mounts are available anywhere, but you may be able to 3D print one if you know someone who's got a 3D printer.
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I feel like flashlight-as-headlight was a "thing" here years and years ago... at least, I'm pretty sure I remember that from my early days on the forum. I read the idea somewhere that had me considering it briefly, and I think this is the only bike forum I've ever been on.
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many good bike lights, can be removed for use handheld