Headlight Washout
01-31-19, 01:34 PM
#1
Very Slow Rider
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Headlight Washout
It's dark on my commute both directions so I rely heavily on my headlight this time of year.
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem.
Any suggestions?
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem.
Any suggestions?
01-31-19, 01:45 PM
#2
LET'S ROLL
You might need a more powerful light(s):
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
01-31-19, 01:47 PM
#3
Banned
It's dark on my commute both directions so I rely heavily on my headlight this time of year.
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem.
Any suggestions?
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem.
Any suggestions?
If not, I would start by reading this:
https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/te.../index_en.html
Why would a streetlamp mitigate this problem?
A more "powerful" beam is a poor answer for both you and oncoming traffic.
01-31-19, 02:08 PM
#4
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Do you have a proper StVZO-approved headlight with proper beam orientation?
If not, I would start by reading this:
https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/te.../index_en.html
Why would a streetlamp mitigate this problem?
A more "powerful" beam is a poor answer for both you and oncoming traffic.
If not, I would start by reading this:
https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/te.../index_en.html
Why would a streetlamp mitigate this problem?
A more "powerful" beam is a poor answer for both you and oncoming traffic.
OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights.
01-31-19, 02:11 PM
#5
LET'S ROLL
Here I made a comparo with a German approved Edelux II with a modern USB rechargreable light. If you only had the
Edelux II with it's shaped beam; one might think you're getting a good beam. It's only when you have a side by side
comparison that you see the more expensive light that meets European standard is lacking:
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
01-31-19, 02:14 PM
#6
Banned
It depends what is being used now. If Op is using older tech/lite(s) using AA powered batteries; current tech might help.
Here I made a comparo with a German approved Edelux II with a modern USB rechargreable light. If you only had the
Edelux II with it's shaped beam; one might think you're getting a good beam. It's only when you have a side by side
comparison that you see the more expensive light that meets European standard is lacking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUay...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
Here I made a comparo with a German approved Edelux II with a modern USB rechargreable light. If you only had the
Edelux II with it's shaped beam; one might think you're getting a good beam. It's only when you have a side by side
comparison that you see the more expensive light that meets European standard is lacking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUay...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
01-31-19, 02:15 PM
#7
Very Slow Rider
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OP's in "E Wa" - if I read it correctly, east Washington, the good old US of A where bigger is better and there are no rules. Anything goes on bikes, even blue lights.
OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights.
OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights.
01-31-19, 02:16 PM
#8
Banned
OP's in "E Wa" - if I read it correctly, east Washington, the good old US of A where bigger is better and there are no rules. Anything goes on bikes, even blue lights.
OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights.
OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights.
The OP needs a focused beam (lux) directed where they are heading toward.
A shear blinding light is upscaling a light-based war that helps no one.
01-31-19, 02:16 PM
#9
Very Slow Rider
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Mom bought it for me for xmas at Dicks.
Pretty cheap to get a USB rechargeable light with 2,400 lumens, like under ~$30... seriously considering....
01-31-19, 02:21 PM
#10
Banned
If the lamp doesn't provide a proper measurement in lux than it's a waste of your time given your conditions. That would be the bare minimum I would expect.
01-31-19, 02:51 PM
#11
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If that's a true 1500 lumens, I'd say that's a plenty bright light and HTFU, learn to look away from oncoming headlights.
01-31-19, 02:53 PM
#12
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It's dark on my commute both directions so I rely heavily on my headlight this time of year.
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem.
Any suggestions?
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem.
Any suggestions?
01-31-19, 03:04 PM
#13
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I wouldn't know where to begin assessing which is an appropriate and which is an inappropriate unit of measure for brightness and am equally as lost knowing what quantity is sufficient.
01-31-19, 03:05 PM
#14
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I was in the south part of the county, Garberville, though.
01-31-19, 03:14 PM
#15
Senior Member
I’ve found that two Niterider Lumina 1200 lumen lights are enough to overcome car headlights. Toward the end of my commute, the bike lanes I ride on are on the left side of the roadway, so oncoming traffic is literally blinding. Also, it’s way less than 2 x 1200 lumens by the time I’m there and the lights have discharged somewhat.
01-31-19, 03:27 PM
#17
01-31-19, 03:31 PM
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Euro-spec lights are overpriced garbage with non-existent North American support.
01-31-19, 03:31 PM
#19
Senior Member
01-31-19, 03:44 PM
#20
Banned
Anyways, I hope that OP takes the time to at least read the information and make an informed decision ... can lead a horse to water ... and all that ...
01-31-19, 03:54 PM
#21
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No european light company has ever offered to pay shipping. Any problems and an American end user is in the hole at least $60.
Meanwhile niterider/specialized will pay shipping or send replacements free of charge. Euro lights are literally garbage because that's where they end up when people bring them in for service, find there's nothing we or the internet retailer can do and end up buying something better.
"Speak some German"
Meanwhile niterider/specialized will pay shipping or send replacements free of charge. Euro lights are literally garbage because that's where they end up when people bring them in for service, find there's nothing we or the internet retailer can do and end up buying something better.
"Speak some German"
01-31-19, 03:56 PM
#22
Banned
No european light company has ever offered to pay shipping. Any problems and an American end user is in the hole at least $60.
Meanwhile niterider/specialized will pay shipping or send replacements free of charge. Euro lights are literally garbage because that's where they end up when people bring them in for service, find there's nothing we or the internet retailer can do and end up buying something better.
"Speak some German"
Meanwhile niterider/specialized will pay shipping or send replacements free of charge. Euro lights are literally garbage because that's where they end up when people bring them in for service, find there's nothing we or the internet retailer can do and end up buying something better.
"Speak some German"
01-31-19, 04:00 PM
#23
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01-31-19, 04:00 PM
#24
Senior Member
Cygolites are good too. Although I had a Cygolite mount break and the store wouldn’t replace the mount, but would refund the entire purchase. So that made me a Niterider customer.
01-31-19, 04:04 PM
#25
Senior Member
I know extactly what the OP is referring to, as it happens to me every day. The oncoming lights literally blind you and you cannot see anything ahead of you for a few seconds. If there’s a line of oncoming cars, it can get downright dangerous. This is most pronounced in areas where there are no street lights.