What are the brightest taillights at reasonable price now?
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Hard to say, since they vary so much with the mode and with the temperature. With the Cygolites, my preferred mode is called (I think) "Zoom," which is a rather gentle flash -- the light gets steadily brighter until it hits max brightness, then dims until it is completely dark, over and over again. (It's a nice compromise between obnoxious, seizure-inducing flashing and a steady beam.) In this mode, you can only adjust the speed/frequency of the flashing in this mode, not the max brightness -- and subjectively, the 150lm model (five yrs old) seems to last longer than the 350lm light (six months old) even though the brightness seems about the same. Now that the weather is cold, I've had the 350 die on rides of under 3 hrs, while the 150 lasts only a bit longer.
I think the 350lm model, with its two LEDs, is not really much brighter than the 150lm model -- I think Cygolite is kind of fudging it, perhaps by adding together the lumen values of the two LEDs -- which, if I remember my physics, is not how it works.
My best bang-for-buck tail light is a 100lm Bontrager that I won at a race a few years ago. The lens gives a good focus for the beam, there are useful sidelights, and the battery life is still excellent.
I think the 350lm model, with its two LEDs, is not really much brighter than the 150lm model -- I think Cygolite is kind of fudging it, perhaps by adding together the lumen values of the two LEDs -- which, if I remember my physics, is not how it works.
My best bang-for-buck tail light is a 100lm Bontrager that I won at a race a few years ago. The lens gives a good focus for the beam, there are useful sidelights, and the battery life is still excellent.
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I just got a new Aduro 168 lumen tail light and am really impressed for the price. Both for brightness and construction. It has six settings and USB rechargeable. On high today it lasted well over 2 hours and then I was back from my ride so not sure how long it would last if left on. I'm sure on medium or low settings it would last most of a day based on my other lights that I paid much more for and appear to be equivalent in comparison so far. Time will tell. Maybe it won't last long and then I'll end up disappointed, But for now, I'm impressed.
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The Dinotte Daytime Only Taillight is the brightest taillight manufactured. If you run it on slow pulse it will run for around 35 hours between charges. I have had mine for more than 5 years. It as made in the USA.
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https://store.dinottelighting.com/da...ount-p188.aspx
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The battery looks bulky, but a better image of it on a 700c might give it a better light.
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$289 and requires a separate battery pack? That's a pretty niche product. though I'm sure it's nice.
https://store.dinottelighting.com/da...ount-p188.aspx
https://store.dinottelighting.com/da...ount-p188.aspx
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The light was 249.95 a little over 5 years old. I have mine mounted on my Tubus rack. It sets above my busch&muller taillight. The light set comes with an extension and several brackets for different diameter tubes. I used a tubus fender bracket upside down and a nitto light mount. Nitto makes Two light mounts. One with a 5mm mounting bolt and one wath a 6mm mounting bolt. The tubus fender support has a 5mm hole.
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$289 and requires a separate battery pack? That's a pretty niche product. though I'm sure it's nice.
https://store.dinottelighting.com/da...ount-p188.aspx
https://store.dinottelighting.com/da...ount-p188.aspx
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It boasts 400+ lumens though.
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The light was 249.95 a little over 5 years old. I have mine mounted on my Tubus rack. It sets above my busch&muller taillight. The light set comes with an extension and several brackets for different diameter tubes. I used a tubus fender bracket upside down and a nitto light mount. Nitto makes Two light mounts. One with a 5mm mounting bolt and one wath a 6mm mounting bolt. The tubus fender support has a 5mm hole.
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much bigger than I would like for a drop bar bicycle. Reminds me of the vintage SUV high mount 3rd brake lights you'd see on those old shows exploring Australia or Africa.
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The tail light isn't very big. The battery weighs more than the tail light. I currently have drop bars. Bar type or wheel size has nothing to do with a tail light. Dinotte makes their products for people who ride rode bikes. Their brackets are designed to mount the taillights on the seat post.You can put the battery in a bag on the rack or even a pannier. My primary concern is to be seen hopefully even by people who are texting The position of the taillight was done intentionally so the view of it is not blocked from the rear.
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The tail light isn't very big. The battery weighs more than the tail light. I currently have drop bars. Bar type or wheel size has nothing to do with a tail light. Dinotte makes their products for people who ride rode bikes. Their brackets are designed to mount the taillights on the seat post.You can put the battery in a bag on the rack or even a pannier. My primary concern is to be seen hopefully even by people who are texting The position of the taillight was done intentionally so the view of it is not blocked from the rear.
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Will brightness solve that? Certainly longer warning must help
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[QUOTEphysical size is a concern for my use, not to be confused with physical weight. Weight is what it is, but stuffing something bulky in a prime prime real estate area on the bicycle is not going to attract my eyes to make the large purchase. Also, how something mounts is another conscious thing I will think about. Never was nor will be a fan of those rubber "straps" to be a main way to mount something. A durable slim hard mounts seem like a thing of the past...][/QUOTE]
The battery is mounted with a velcro strap. As stated before there are many places to mount the battery. I have found that you get what you pay for. After being thrown to the shoulder by a texting moron over 5 years ago. I looked for a solution to the problem. My taillight can be seen in bright daylight at over a mile away. Even texters look up from their cell phones occasionally. I like to ride my bicycle and I like being alive also. What prime real estate are you referring to. My solution works for me. Pretty and dead vs ugly and alive.
The battery is mounted with a velcro strap. As stated before there are many places to mount the battery. I have found that you get what you pay for. After being thrown to the shoulder by a texting moron over 5 years ago. I looked for a solution to the problem. My taillight can be seen in bright daylight at over a mile away. Even texters look up from their cell phones occasionally. I like to ride my bicycle and I like being alive also. What prime real estate are you referring to. My solution works for me. Pretty and dead vs ugly and alive.
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My concern is being run over by a Tesla while the lazy idiot behind the wheel is playing video games
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The battery is mounted with a velcro strap. As stated before there are many places to mount the battery. I have found that you get what you pay for. After being thrown to the shoulder by a texting moron over 5 years ago. I looked for a solution to the problem. My taillight can be seen in bright daylight at over a mile away. Even texters look up from their cell phones occasionally. I like to ride my bicycle and I like being alive also. What prime real estate are you referring to. My solution works for me. Pretty and dead vs ugly and alive.
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the other components of that light system are the bigger evils to combat. I can figure out where to tie off a battery pack, but a bulky midpoint connection & shoebox like light, nope. again, I'm speculating what id what based on provided photos.