Two lights vs one
#1
Will ride anywhere
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Louisvlle, KY
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2009 Trek XO-1, 2006 Trek 7000
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Two lights vs one
Is having 2 medium intensity lights similar enough to having a really bright single beam? For example, two 250 lumen lights comparing to one 400-500 lumen light. I ask this question because of the cost of lights such as the Cygolite Miticross 400. It's $250 but for $120/250lumen light I can get a "combined" 500 lumens for $240. Or am I just being ignorant? I also think having 2 lights is better because one can be run at the full 250 lumens to see while the 2nd can be run at the normal lower setting as a "see me" light, thus ensuring you'll rarely, if ever, deplete both batteries on the same ride at the same time.
#2
Pretty much, you're right. A lumen is a measure of total light output. So given one light with 400 lumens and two lights with 200, the the two will product the same total light output as the one. If all three have the same light distribution pattern, the two will work like the one...except that with two you can aim each differently if desired. And you have redundancy. If you think that's worth having the added complexity and dealing with two light setups, go for it.
#3
Will ride anywhere
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Louisvlle, KY
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2009 Trek XO-1, 2006 Trek 7000
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
thanks. that's all I wanted to know. and it can't be any more complex than having to have that external battery pack for cygolites and niteriders. either scenario you have two pieces of equipment. though you do have to charge two batteries in the one i'm going for.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: La Verne CA
Posts: 5,049
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
I would also try and use different style lights if you want to ride at a decent speed.. Mixing a floody light for closeup illumination and more of long distance thrower light at the outer edge of the floody beam to give you the best of both worlds.. Niteriders original lights use to do this.
I currently do this using flashlights on the bars..
I currently do this using flashlights on the bars..
#5
Senior Member
For the same price I'd definitely go for the option with two lights. The redundancy is a real plus and you can set one up as your 'be seen' light aimed for the distance with the other light aimed more for seeing road obstacles - or have one head/helmet mounted with the other on the bike.
And in the event of an accident the usual excuse of 'I didn't see him' would be less believable if you have two lights on at the time - even if a single light would put out just as bright a beam.
And in the event of an accident the usual excuse of 'I didn't see him' would be less believable if you have two lights on at the time - even if a single light would put out just as bright a beam.
#6
I am a caffine girl
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Pretty much, you're right. A lumen is a measure of total light output. So given one light with 400 lumens and two lights with 200, the the two will product the same total light output as the one. If all three have the same light distribution pattern, the two will work like the one...except that with two you can aim each differently if desired. And you have redundancy. If you think that's worth having the added complexity and dealing with two light setups, go for it.
All this will depend on what you are looking for. Before deciding, I would look at the beam pattern of the Mitycross and compare that with the two other lights to see if the beamshot is satisfactory to your need beside just the total lumen of the lights.
#7
The Left Coast, USA
A non-scientific answer, but I use two lights at slightly different angles and believe I get more of a 3-D illumination of the terrain. On smooth flat I can turn one off to conserve, if necessary.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rural Missouri - mostly central and southeastern
Posts: 3,019
Bikes: 2003 LeMond -various other junk bikes
Likes: 0
Liked 46 Times
in
37 Posts
I also think having 2 lights is better because one can be run at the full 250 lumens to see while the 2nd can be run at the normal lower setting as a "see me" light, thus ensuring you'll rarely, if ever, deplete both batteries on the same ride at the same time.
So a key part of any lighting system is the maximum distance of user-acceptable surface lighting. In this case, a light system that uses two emitters side by side in a single case should not claim to double all aspects of the lighting patterns associated with a single emitter......
Last edited by Richard Cranium; 03-30-11 at 04:23 PM. Reason: It's not how much you can see - its how far can you see.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 2,470
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Liked 326 Times
in
226 Posts
Is having 2 medium intensity lights similar enough to having a really bright single beam? For example, two 250 lumen lights comparing to one 400-500 lumen light. I ask this question because of the cost of lights such as the Cygolite Miticross 400. It's $250 but for $120/250lumen light I can get a "combined" 500 lumens for $240.
Spending more doesn't even guarantee better life - I was going through a $150+ Nite Rider every few years before I gave up.
Or am I just being ignorant? I also think having 2 lights is better because one can be run at the full 250 lumens to see while the 2nd can be run at the normal lower setting as a "see me" light, thus ensuring you'll rarely, if ever, deplete both batteries on the same ride at the same time.
You still want two because lights break.
#13
2 Fat 2 Furious
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: England
Posts: 3,996
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc, 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport RIP
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Is having 2 medium intensity lights similar enough to having a really bright single beam? For example, two 250 lumen lights comparing to one 400-500 lumen light. I ask this question because of the cost of lights such as the Cygolite Miticross 400. It's $250 but for $120/250lumen light I can get a "combined" 500 lumens for $240. Or am I just being ignorant? I also think having 2 lights is better because one can be run at the full 250 lumens to see while the 2nd can be run at the normal lower setting as a "see me" light, thus ensuring you'll rarely, if ever, deplete both batteries on the same ride at the same time.
If you're riding unlit trails after dark you'll need a lot of light, thrown forwards and sideways. You may be better off with two lights so you can use one to light the path ahead a long way and another to throw light out sideways so you can see if, for example, there's an animal near the side of the trail that might move into your path.
If you're riding on roads that have street lights you're probably going to be more interested in being able to see potholes, while also making sure you are seen by other road users.
Depending on just where you want the light you might be better with one light or multiple lights. If you want high visibility then a dozen relatively dim lights will make sure you are seen. If you want to cast light a long way then you will most likely need a small number of powerful lights rather than a large number of weak lights (for comparison think of a single focussed beam from a krypton bulb and compare the results to the output from as many dim bulbs as you can imagine)
My night riding tends to be the latter situation - urban roads and lit MUPs so my lighting solution is a front flashing light and a flashing head torch. If I go through a section that isn't well lit I put the head torch onto its bright/steady mode, then put it back to flashing when I'm back under street light coverage. The beauty of a head torch is it illumates wherever I'm looking.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rural Missouri - mostly central and southeastern
Posts: 3,019
Bikes: 2003 LeMond -various other junk bikes
Likes: 0
Liked 46 Times
in
37 Posts
You still want two because lights break.
Part of any serious, any thoughtful discussion of bicycle lighting systems should be: How much money is left for my backup "emergency" light and or extra "all night" battery power. It does little good to have an exotic 1000 lumen light head if you are constantly running low on battery power.
Two of my strategies for all-night riding are using a low-power light on "strobe" mode until complete darkness so as to spare my main light's battery for really dark roads. Custom made "AA" battery packs serve as additional redundant power as well.
You see: When you're as big a weenie as Richard Cranium, you have to have TWO types of battery sources as well as TWO light heads to see where the sun don't shine.
#15
Will ride anywhere
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Louisvlle, KY
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2009 Trek XO-1, 2006 Trek 7000
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I never thought about the "throw" power. I'm riding exclusively roads. I'm just wanting to avoid having that external battery unless it's a 2+hr ride. Commuting to school taking of an external battery is just an extra step I want to avoid. Having two smaller lights is still easier to take off than an external battery pack (because to avoid cable dangle I had to wrap it around the stem and strap the pack down). I do feel more drawn to the 400+ lumen lights.
#16
Dog Chaser
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 520
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Seven Evergreen, Merlin Cyrene, Trek TCT 5000, Trek Checkpoint
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#17
Will ride anywhere
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Louisvlle, KY
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2009 Trek XO-1, 2006 Trek 7000
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I disagree with keep adding more lights. That's just more lights I have to take off when I get to school/work, reattach, and more weight to my bike. If I did get an external battery light I wish I could bolt the light itself to the bike and then simply just take the battery but I have one hole on the front of my frame just above the fork. Unfortunately every light I have seen that is bright enough for me is either clipped on or strapped on.
Last edited by cyclist5; 03-31-11 at 08:01 AM.
#18
You Know!? For Kids!
I like having two lights as well. I ride with a magic shine and a MTE SSC P7. Usually put the MS on the helmet for weight reasons and the P7 on the bars. It is nice to be able to direct the helmet light where the light is needed. Once you ride with a powerful helmet light, you will love it, and if you take your helmet with you, you just unplug the battery and leave it strapped to the helmet.
__________________
Are you a registered member? Why not? Click here to register. It's free and only takes 27 seconds! Help out the forums, abide by our community guidelines.
Are you a registered member? Why not? Click here to register. It's free and only takes 27 seconds! Help out the forums, abide by our community guidelines.
#19
I am a caffine girl
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Having a 2nd light on the helmet makes a lot of sense. Beside the obvious of aiming it where you want to see while riding, it also makes one heck of a good repair lights when you have to replace a tube in the dark.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rural Missouri - mostly central and southeastern
Posts: 3,019
Bikes: 2003 LeMond -various other junk bikes
Likes: 0
Liked 46 Times
in
37 Posts
Having a 2nd light on the helmet makes a lot of sense.
#21
Unlisted member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
Yep. One of my neighbors was asking me if my light was "one of those new bright 100 lumen lights the cops use" last fall. I had the magic shine and a LD2 on the bars, and a 2000 lumen light on my helmet then and he was surprised at how many lumens I had. It's hard to give them up once you've got them too.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cthenn
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
26
11-06-15 08:39 AM
jralbert
Commuting
92
08-16-13 10:02 AM
PaulRivers
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
14
06-07-11 08:37 AM