kh6idf

This morning as I was driving to work (sun was already up) I noticed a cyclist in the distance ahead of me and he had a BRIGHT blinking red taillight that was very visible and attention-getting even in the bright sunlight. I want one of these on my bike! It made a huge difference in visibility. I knew there was a bike up ahead much further back than I would have with no light. Any recommendations for a light like this? I hadn't been riding with a light because I never ride after dark but I'm convinced a taillight like that would be useful during the day now.

unterhausen

Possibly a Dinotte

Could have been a MagicShine

I use a Planet Bike Superflash (PBSF) during the day. I'm not sure if it's worth it, but in flashing mode the batteries last a long time so I do it anyway.

kh6idf

I may have found an answer to my own question: https://store.dinottelighting.com/sha...t=products.asp

billdsd

The Radbot is brighter than the Superflash. I'll often turn mine on when it's overcast. It just makes me that much more noticeable.

I usually run my Magicshine 900 headlight in high speed flash mode during the day to reduce the risk of left-crosses.

AlmostTrick

The Super Flash (and similar units) are day time visible IF you have them aimed properly and keep the batteries fresh. I have had motorists comment on or ask about mine several times now.

noisebeam

PBSF aimed right and new batteries are visible in the sunny day, but less more noticeable or eye catching than the cyclist. My wife has noted this to me on several occasions. In overcast conditions I do use the PBSF.

ItsJustMe

I have a Dinotte 140L, and have been told twice now that when riding into the sun, they saw the taillight before they saw me, it was able to make me visible very near the sun. I don't think the superflash could do it when riding straight into the sun.

I also want the Dinotte or equivalent in heavy fog, or riding through heavy rain at night or if the storm is making it dark. There's no way I'd trust the Superflash as much in bad weather.

noisebeam

As a user of the PBSF and observer of a Diontte I totally agree.

Giro

One alternative to the very nice DiNotte 140L (or their twice as bright 400L) is the Ultrafire 501B Phillips Luxeon K2 red LED flashlight substituting the Cree XLamp XP-C-R2 5-Mode 90-Lumen Memory Red Light Drop-in LED Module to get three levels of brightness plus a rapid flashing mode and S-O-S.

This has a narrower beam than the DiNotte and will be brighter at a distance. Advantages of DiNotte are it is a complete system including mounting, uses AA batteries, and has a variety of flashing patterns; drawback is cost. The Ultrafire 501B will be brighter a distance and costs less (particularly if you get more than one); drawbacks are you use one of the mounts suggested on BikeForums, uses 18650 Li batteries (so you may not have a charger & batteries), and only two flash patterns. I have and use both the DiNotte and the Ultrafire. Further discussion on the Ultrafire 501B and in several other threads. Beam shots (beams are pure red but central portion so bright the camera's sensor saturates):

powerhouse

I use three PBSF Superflash lights in flashing mode mounted on the back of my bicycle (two at the chainstays and one on the back of my helmet. These have been noticed by almost everyone passing and approaching me from behind. As it has been said, it's important to keep the batteries fresh.

ItsJustMe

I was thinking about the UltraFire, but I just can't get over how awesome the Dinotte's flash patterns are.

I have a MagicShine headlight and an aftermarket 8 cell battery pack, I'm thinking about picking up the MagicShine taillight only with a Y cable from GeoMan for $30, even though I have the Dinotte, because honestly, the Dinotte AA is kind of a pain in the butt and it'd be nice to only have to worry about charging one battery. But I don't expect the MS tail to have the nice flash patterns of the Dinotte.

chasm54

This Cateye TI - ld1100 is a brilliant light, both literally and metaphorically. Various combinations of flashing and constant LEDs that really catch the attention, and bright enough to be visible in daylight. A really excellent light for the money, imo.

rumrunn6

yep good idea - I use one but for when I'm in the shade on a sunny day. I use the Planet Bike Super Flash

aRoudy1

I just made this video: PBSF on the left in 'blinky' mode, Radbot 1000 on the right in 'zZzPOP, mode.

Bekologist

Light in Motion dropped their USB rechargable, self contained taillight and their nifty new helmet light system.

the vis 180 and vis 360.

Its tough to pay those prices for a taillight but the USB rechargeable system makes it a neat taillight for 2010/2011 winter season.

kdiehl

I have a Dinotte 140L tail light and I have had drivers comment numerous times that they could see something flashing waaay up the road in bright desert sunlight.

If you can affort one, you will not be disappointed with it. It is in a completely different class than the PB.

sudo bike

I'm pretty happy with my PB SF. I think it's just about one of the most effective lights for the price on the market. You can do better, but considering how much more you start to spend, I don't think it's that much better (I call it the "Mac Problem" ). Just my personal opinion.

AlmostTrick

For me it’s not even about the money. Yes, the Dinotte is much brighter, but it hardly seems necessary to blast the eyeballs of others with that much firepower under most conditions. (in my experience anyway)

But again, I only consider the PBSF sufficient when properly aimed with fresh batteries.

sudo bike

Absolutely a fair assessment. Myself, I think anything brighter than the PB SF is overkill (ask any cyclist behind you ), but that's just my opinion.

aRoudy1

The Radbot 1000 is the same (or cheaper) as the PBSF and is much brighter.

10 Wheels

Brighter then the PBSF:
Has Three Modes.

10 Wheels

I am not concerned about other riders, it is the autos and trucks that I want to be seen by.

Dinnotte 140L:

Long Run Nick

Recently back riding (5/10) after a 12 yr layoff. I went overboard on lights--and am glad I did. I started with a Trek 6 and PBSF. I do some riding very early on country roads. Didn't want wires so I went for the Exposure Toro and for my helmet the Joystick. Added the red eye to the helmet and to the Toro. All were OK. Then the Magic Shine--had to try. Got the 900. Now 2 lights on the handlebars. Both have great daytime strobes. Wasn't thrilled with my rear lights. Bit the bullet and bought a DiNotte 400 tail light. Without a doubt, the DiNotte exceeded my expectations. Talk about bright--just awesome:day or night--I like the strobe effect for both day or night. I hope I don't read about any new lights on here. Oh, I also have a MS1400 as a back up. I have ridden just over 2,400 miles since May and all lights are a go.
Running is truly a lot cheaper. Oh, if they can't see me--I added an Airzound air horn-- they can hear me. It works!!

ItsJustMe

In many conditions, true. But some of us ride in adverse conditions.

I didn't buy my Dinotte because I felt I needed it when riding on dark clear nights on straight roadways. I bought it for when I'm riding on 55 MPH roads in heavy fog, or in the rain, or during heavy snowstorms, either at night or in the daytime.

I can't ask cyclists behind me. There really aren't any. I see perhaps 2 or 3 other cyclists a week, though admittedly that's up; a few years ago it was 2 or 3 a year.

sudo bike

Glad to see there are some other good lights at a low price point.

For me, I feel anything brighter than the PB SF would be overkill. That's just my personal opinion.

Brighter isn't always better. Just think of those cars with the blinding blue headlights.

I can't really see anyone not seeing the SF, even in fog (Fresno gets really foggy in the winter), but I guess I'd have to have my wife recording me riding to be sure. To each his own. As long as it's brighter than a cheap-o Bell, mounts well, and is reasonably priced, it's OK by me!