Commuting - Helmet Headlight Recommendations

I have a Light & Motion ARC LiIon and plan to use that as my handlebar light. I am looking for a helmet light to use to peek around corners and to get cagers attention. I would like something very light and with a well focused beam since the spread on the L&M is so big. Ideally I would like some type of blinky for the rear also mounted on my helmet. What do you guys suggest?

TIA

Tim

I have a Light & Motion ARC LiIon and plan to use that as my handlebar light. I am looking for a helmet light to use to peek around corners and to get cagers attention. I would like something very light and with a well focused beam since the spread on the L&M is so big. Ideally I would like some type of blinky for the rear also mounted on my helmet. What do you guys suggest?

TIA

Tim

Don't know the model I got so cannot help you. When I bought mine though- I went to a hiking/ camping shop that had a good range of lamps. I also took my helmet to make sure it would fit. Main priority I had was a low level LED to see the bars and Computers with and a spot light of respectable power. I finished up with a 3 level low leds and a 1 watt spot that had a distance of 50 metres. It also took AA batteries so that I could carry spare batteries if required.

Then there are the cycling specific lamps that are available. One Of my friends has just bought a Use lamp- Link as below, and this is a good bright spotlight with a sensible L Ion battery life. He likes it, but As I have a powerful Main light- I can get by with the 1W spot

http://www.use1.com/exposure/products/exposure_joystick/index.php

I'm using a CatEye Double Shot based upon this review written by fellow BF member, acidinmylegs.
http://www.gearreview.com/2006_led_lights.php
This light is a pure spot light as it doesn't have a lot of spill but is the brightest LED light on the market and it has a 5 hour burn time. (Selling point for me for my 24 hour adventure races) I don't beleive it is as bright as your Arc as I've heard that those are like the surface of the sun. However, I've been using the DoubleShot as my primary light without any problems. Its not a super light lite as it is cased in an aluminum housing but it is tough. I've accidentally knock my hemet off of my bike a couple times and it landed right on the light and nothing is broken. Try this with a Halogen or HID. Some folks are raving about the HID lights from this site, maybe something there will workout for you. http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp

The rear blinkie is a "turtle" that I picked up at MEC for $3. It runs on 2 quarter sized Lithium Ion batteries (included) and is increadibly bright. In fact, it is brighter than all of my blinkies that were purchased 2 years ago. It mounts with a rubber loop. It is very light.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/TequilaJoe888/Commuting%20Helmet/IMG_2390.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/TequilaJoe888/Commuting%20Helmet/IMG_2391.jpg

The new DoubleShot Pro is on the way too, look for that as well. Better everything, from what I've heard. More infos on the Pro versions of the DoubleShot and TripleShot... lessee here... http://jeffkerkove.blogspot.com/2006/09/first-look-cateye-double-and-triple.html

The Pro versions are easy to tell apart, the housing is dark-colored instead of silver.

Another nominee is a Light & Motion Solo Logic MV, which has adjustable focus and apparently is pretty powerful. Check the beam pattern at Eddy's: http://eddys.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=493 Make sure to look at the shot of the Solo Logic and not the base Solo.

He guys, I'll chime in....

I raced all season on the Pro lights. People are asking me the differences almost daily. The run times between the Pro's and first generation Shot lights is very similar. The only real big differences are the following....
brighter light output.
high and low settings
li-ion batteries
battery charge indicator

There is more discussion on this light at this other mtb resource.....CLICK HERE (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=218824).....AND HERE (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=229548)

Thanks Mech ... The new Double Pro sounds perfect, except for the cost. Maybe I should run 2 L&M ARCS since they're almost the same price as the duo pro?

I'm still considering your Nova for the rear. ;)

Thanks Mech ... The new Double Pro sounds perfect, except for the cost. Maybe I should run 2 L&M ARCS since they're almost the same price as the duo pro?There's a certain attraction to having two systems with interchangeable chargers and batteries (not to mention extreme amounts of power).

I recently put my HID on my helmet, and it's the same story as when I had a 15W halogen on my helmet... it's easy to accidentally blast people with it who don't deserve being assaulted by a direct HID attack. You look around even a little bit in traffic and you're wielding this dangerous beam of HID all over the place.

That could be an advantage of the DoubleShots, they're LED so they're instant-on, instant-off. And they don't get degenerated from being switched on & off, unlike an HID that's good for something like 700 ignitions, give or take. So you could turn it off when necessary. Or I suppose you could put one hand over your helmet light when looking around, I never thought of that before. Just don't burn yourself ;)


I'm still considering your Nova for the rear. ;)Ahhh, I have infected someone with my evil designs!!! :D

. . .Main priority I had was a low level LED to see the bars and Computers with and a spot light of respectable power. I finished up with a 3 level low leds and a 1 watt spot that had a distance of 50 metres. It also took AA batteries so that I could carry spare batteries if required. . . .
I agree. A small LED be-seen light on your helmet will help the cars see you and help you see the road. It's also great if you have to fix something. If you want the most bang for your buck, get a spare battery for your HID so you'll never be without power and get an LED for your helmet.

If you want more power, focus on small lights without big battery packs. Of course, if you want real power, get another of what you have.