Commuting - Cateye EL500 Headlight - No Blinky?

I just got this light to replace my EL400 and I noticed that it has no blinky option like the 400???
If so, I'm kind of dissapointed. Or am I missing something?

Nope looks like the EL500 is Constant.



I have to have at least a 10-and 20-watts halogen
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_1599.jpg

I've been looking at that light (EL-500). How do you like it in constant mode? I know it's LED, do you think it's bright enough?

I'm very disappointed in the one I bought for my daughter. It's brighter than other Cateye LEDs but more expensive, very directional and doesn't blink. I don't think it fits either "seeing" or "being seen" very well. I'm thinking of making it red and using it as a tailight. My daugher says she will use it as a flashlight.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I was really considering it but now I think I might be going for the Micro Halogen instead.

I found it reasonably good for a see-the-road headlight in dark areas, but sure wouldn't use it offroad or as a be-seen light. The new EL-510 looks promising, though...

I find two work reasonably well to see by. Agree with eveyone on the single el500 opinions though.

The new EL-510 looks promising, though...

I wasn't aware of this model, so I looked it up.

It looks like the same 1w LED with ventilation for cooling, unless I'm missing something. Any improvement over EL500?

I haven't found ANY LED light to be bright enough for my needs

I haven't found ANY LED light to be bright enough for my needs
Have you tried this one?
http://cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=44&catId=7&subCatId=1
9W of LED lighting power. Should be brighter than most halogens and small step down from most HIDs.
I havn't tried it yet but may consider it at sometime.
Craig

I wasn't aware of this model, so I looked it up.

It looks like the same 1w LED with ventilation for cooling, unless I'm missing something. Any improvement over EL500?


Flashing mode, smaller housing, and allegedly 30 hour run time, over the 5 to 8 of the el500. We'll see....

I'm very disappointed in the one I bought for my daughter. It's brighter than other Cateye LEDs but more expensive, very directional and doesn't blink. I don't think it fits either "seeing" or "being seen" very well. I'm thinking of making it red and using it as a tailight. My daugher says she will use it as a flashlight.

I have added to mine another led that blinks. The two together work good. I am seen by cars that pull out of driveways; pull away from the curb; approaching from my left or right, etc. etc. I'm almost shocked by the right of way they give to me. It's a pleasing feeling after all.

the el510 is basically the el510 squeezed into a smaller package. the only real differences are the size and the 800 candlepower instead of the el500's 1000. it has high/low, not blinking mode. here's an email i just got from cateye:
The EL510 will be available approximately one month from now.

It is similar in length to the EL500, but the lens is slightly smaller
than the EL500. The EL510 will have a push button switch instead of the
magnetic switch on the EL500. The EL510 will have high and low beam
options.

i was asking about the switch to see if it was waterproof as well, and from the wording, i'm guessing not.

Flashing mode, smaller housing, and allegedly 30 hour run time, over the 5 to 8 of the el500. We'll see....


Hate to break it to you but cateye advertises the el500 as having 30 hours runtime as well. I think they are the same except for the size and flashing, the 510 will likely have a different lense as well since it is smaller and all.

Well THAT's irritating! You're absolutely right on both the run time and teh lack of blinking... that'll teach ME to believe retailers instead of going straight to the manufacturer!

I have Planet Bike Super Spot also has 30 hours burn time(I actually tested it). Those 1w LED lights don't have enough intensity to light the road but makes a great emergency unit for slow riding home when main lgiht fails. With a burn time of 30 hours, you can eventually catch a day light, unless you are going west bound real fast. ;)

EL500 is ok. I use one in town, where there are streetlights.

It's no fuss, unlike lights with separate battery and lamp assemblies. And with long run times, it's better than halogen for minimal lighting. But it's not the best be-seen light, it's true. The point-source light does not jump out at oncoming traffic. If you're moving, and not among heavy traffic, you will be seen, though.

I have an EL-300, and it's great for a "be seen" light. Aimed above the road it's extremely bright. It's not as bright as the EL-500.