Commuting - Specific helmet light request

Hi everyone,
I'm a regular lurker on the commuting forum, but I haven't seen a headlight thread that quite matches what I want to do. Here's the story.

Commute: 3-5 miles in Boston down heavily trafficked roads. Always ride home in the dark. Often ride there in the semi-dark. The light also needs to be my backup light on longer pleasure rides (2 hours is the longest I've done so far).
Current lights:
-Niterider Classic Plus on the bar
-Niterider taillight on the rack (This is the hi-power one that plugs into the NiMH packs, but I'm a bit worried that the bag obscures it at many angles.)
-Niterider 6V/10W on helmet. (Forget the exact model, but it's the one like the Trail Rat except helmet-mount). Non-smart charger.
The dilemma: I'm going to get a PB Superflash for extra rear paranoia (will mount it on the rack bag so it has a higher angle of view). The issue comes with the helmet mount. I like having a helmet mount so that I can flash cars which seem to want to turn in on me from side streets. However, I hate having to hook up the helmet light each day...mounting the light, threading the cable through the helmet hole in the back and then up the one in the top, plugging it in, zipping all my jacket stuff in and then slipping the battery pack into a pocket, only to do the reverse when I get home. Also, charging it is a pain because it's neither quick-charge nor auto-shutoff.
The perfect light: I'd like a small light that mounts to my helmet, uses AA's (ideally, as I already have a great charger and batteries), but is powerful enough to get the attention of cars 20-30 feet away when directed towards the driver's side window. I imagine flashing would be best, although right now I just waggle my head and that seems to work quite well. Price needs to be less than what I could sell the NR for ($80 hopefully, given how new it is), but would ideally be under $50. I've seen lots of spot-beam solutions for helmets, but most are $100+ and have separate battery packs, which I don't want. I've considered buying one of those $35 flashlights that use Luxeon Stars and just mounting that with some serious velcro, but I'd like to see if there's a better solution out there before I do that.
So basically this means:
-AA's (AAA's less good but acceptable) in sets of 2 so that it's convenient to charge. I don't mind the weight.
-Reasonably bright, spot beam
-Fits entirely on helmet
What I've seen so far:
-$40 Princeton Tec EOS (there doesn't seem to be a helmet mount, though, and it runs on AAA's, not AA's).
-$55 Nite Hawk Emitter AL-X (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619908&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1169650073569) (AA's are good, bright, but requires separate battery pack)
-$65 Princeton Tec Yukon (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442618910&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1169650073568) (separate pack, bulky)
-$39 PB Super Spot (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18046&subcategory_ID=4320) (there are plenty of good cheap lights like this, but they aren't helmet mount. Something similar with a helmet mount would be ideal)
-$20 AA LED Maglite (http://www.quality-items-flashlights.com/product_info.php/products_id/11884) (3W, adjustable beam means can be used as a spot which is what I want, have to mount it myself)
-$30 Streamlight (http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_propolyluxeon.htm)(1W, spot beam, 4AA, weathersealed, well-regulated)


Does my perfect light exist?

Thanks,
Ari

Have you looked at the Planet Bike Sport Spot (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3028.html). Bar or Helment mount, flood, beam, both or flash settings. Runs on 3 aaa batteries. I have one and I use it on my helmet is bright enough help cars see you, supplement 15w halogen on bars, etc. Worth a look.

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/3028.jpg

Have you looked at the Planet Bike Sport Spot (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3028.html). Bar or Helment mount, flood, beam, both or flash settings. Runs on 3 aaa batteries. I have one and I use it on my helmet is bright enough help cars see you, supplement 15w halogen on bars, etc. Worth a look.

Hi jsharr,
I saw it, but it seemed a little on the underpowered side. Right now, I shine 10W in their face and they never fail to see me. How bright is that sucker?
Thanks,
Ari

Petzl Tikka XP. 3 AAAs, very long runtimes. I use a shorter velcro strap I that thread through the helmet vents. 1-watt LED, 3 power settings plus flashing mode, and a diffuser that slides away for spot light duty. If this doesn't get their attention, nothing will.

There is a bike version of the Eos. See HERE (http://www.princetontec.com/products/index.php?id=37&type=0&use=4).

I took a look at it some time ago HERE (http://gearreview.com/led_lights.php#Eos).

I believe that it's what you are looking for.

Hi jsharr,
I saw it, but it seemed a little on the underpowered side. Right now, I shine 10W in their face and they never fail to see me. How bright is that sucker?
Thanks,
Ari
Hey Ari:

It is basically just a 4 led flashlight. Bright enough to be use as a backup but that is about it. I thought that was your objective. I find that if I run mine in flashing mode, I get tons of attention. Honks, etc. So it is being seen. I did not enjoy that attention, so i run it in the combo spot/flood mode and use it to point at cars entering the road from side streets, parking lots, etc. I would not use it as my main light.

I guess I misunderstood what you wanted. If you want a bright, blinding light, this is not it.

Jeff

Just one other comment: Yes, you do want to get their attention, but I really don't think you want to blind them. Not sure how motorists aren't seeing you with your NiteRider setup. Sometimes you can't do much about moronic driving behavior...

I have used the EOS bike light. It's a good light. I found I needed more light in situations with lots of ambient light. The EOS will not cut deep shadows from street lights for example. Otherwise. It's light, surprisingly bright, gets decent battery life, simple to use. On the downside, the older models have a clip that tends to break off when you drop it. Princeton Tec replaced both of mine that suffered this malady. It can also be difficult to change the batteries without a screw driver. The thumbscrew gerneally works but on occassion I need a screw driver or a dime to get it started.

My advice is to head over to REI and check out their non-bike specific LED headlights. They've got some AA powered ones which should be easy to attach to a helmet.

I agree that having a directable light can be usefull when dealing with drivers, particularly in a tight, congested city like boston.

The niterider taillight is really good- you should try to figure out some kind of mounting where it isn't obscured by the tailbag- perhaps sew a mount onto the back of the bag?

I should have clarified a bit: people see me just fine with 10W up top in their eyes; I don't want any more, I just feel like it's overkill and I hate setting it up for a ~10 minute commute, and it's a dumb charger. So something self-contained that takes standard batteries that I already have a great charger for, but still lets me put a decent beam of light in their window to get their attention is the ideal. This makes spot patterns better than diffuse ones, and puts my light requirements at least at a 1W LED, I think.

It does look like the EOS is cool (although the 3 battery thing is annoying given that my charger only does groups of 2). The flashing mode is particularly nice for battery life and attention-gettingness.

I'm still on the fence about the 3-cell thing though. I have this charger:
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/Item.asp?idProduct=352&cur=specs#mid
which is great, but only charges in multiples of 2. :-(

Ari

The niterider taillight is really good- you should try to figure out some kind of mounting where it isn't obscured by the tailbag- perhaps sew a mount onto the back of the bag?

There's a mount on the bag, but the NR taillight doesn't have a good mount for that kind of situation. Plus since it's wired, it means when I take the bag off I have to detach it, although that doesn't happen much since I got a luggage lock for my bag.... Not a bad idea. I'll look into it.

Ari

I'm in the same situation. I have a L&M Arc HID on my bars. Swank setup and running HID, I have never had a car NOT see me. What I want is a helmet-mounted light with the following:
-stays on the helmet all the time, light AND battery
-has a low setting to see HRM/computer/gear combo and some extra visibility
-can get me home as a backup (no wuss multi-LED deal)
-has a light color similar to HID
-uses AA batteries in multiples of 2
-suitable for use with NiMH rechargeables (some are not, apparently)

There are 2 options that I have identified:
1. Dinotte Ultra 3W or 5W - cashey, but sweet
2. Princeton Tec Apex, modded for helmet use - it's dellivered with a headstrap, but I think it can be done

The Dinotte is outta your budget too, so maybe you can be the beta tester for the Apex! I think all you need is a couple of basic velcro straps to lash down the light head and battery pack to the helmet vents. It has a 3W Luxeon with 2 output levels and 4 little LEDs with flashing, low, and high modes. I think this is the dope setup and it's designed for NiMH rechargeables to boot! Unfortunately, I emailed PT and they informed me that no, there is no bike-specific version of this light planned (like the EOS). The Apex is around $70.

The Dinotte is outta your budget too, so maybe you can be the beta tester for the Apex!

Good to know someone else has the same problem. The Apex doesn't flash on the main LED, though. Plus it seems like it's not going to be amazingly easy to helmet mount. The Dinotte is scary expensive.
Bungeeing a 3W mini Mag-lite is starting to sound awfully appealing right now :-P.

Ari

I currently use a petzl myo xp on my helmet. Requires a little duct tape and plastic ties to hold it and the battery compartment onto helmet. The diffuser lens is a major benefit in spreading the light out in ~45 degrees. My 3 AA nimhs last a long time on flash.

I used a pt eos before the petzl. IMO it is vastly inferior due to a. weaker led and b. very narrow beam typical of led lights.

I also use a pt quad mounted to front of bike. Built just like the eos, but uses 3 AAAs. Nice light for the money. I like it better than the more expensive eos. The light spreads out in a broad angle.

Petzl Tikka XP. 3 AAAs, very long runtimes. I use a shorter velcro strap I that thread through the helmet vents. 1-watt LED, 3 power settings plus flashing mode, and a diffuser that slides away for spot light duty. If this doesn't get their attention, nothing will.

I've got this one too, and use it for all my non-biking lighting needs: camping, working around the house, using the BBQ at night... it's fantastic. It's truly excellent doing all that, as would be great as a "be seen" light, but wouldn't project enough bright light far enough to work as a bike light.

It's quite bright, and would be hard to miss when it's flashing. Plus, it adjusts up-and-down and stays put, which would make it nice for on the helmet.

My dos centavos...

It's truly excellent doing all that, as would be great as a "be seen" light, but wouldn't project enough bright light far enough to work as a bike light. It's quite bright, and would be hard to miss when it's flashing. Plus, it adjusts up-and-down and stays put, which would make it nice for on the helmet.

The Petzl looks nice, but again the same 3-battery issue. I just don't have any way to charge them except in sets of 2, and I'd rather not spend $70 on the charger that can....

Ari

The Petzl looks nice, but again the same 3-battery issue. I just don't have any way to charge them except in sets of 2, and I'd rather not spend $70 on the charger that can....

Ari

I'm thinking that most new NIMH chargers are more like $10-15, and can charge 4. Just rotate out the batteries with the 4th one. It's a good way to extend their life.

Princetons' are nice, but the Petzl's electronics and build are better. Yeah, I'm a fanboy.

I went to an outdoor pursuits shop (Walking and Rock Climbing) and just got a basic Head lamp that would fit my helmet. It has 2 forms of light- 3 leds that can be 1-2 or 3 for various intensity and a halogen spot. Pleasant surprise to find that the Halogen will give a good spot for 50yards, and the 3 level leds are good enough to see the Bar controls or repair the bike by. Can't tell you the name or the model, but look at the Camping/ walking shops and see if there is anything that is suitable. Take the helmet along to see if it will fit though.

This is always on the night rides with me and is powerful enough on spot to see the trails by as backup lamp.

The Petzl looks nice, but again the same 3-battery issue. I just don't have any way to charge them except in sets of 2, and I'd rather not spend $70 on the charger that can....

Ari

I think selecting lights based on your charger constraint is a very limiting, bad way to choose lights.

Bike lights are nothing but compromise, in one way or another. The charger/battery type is the easiest thing to solve. They're relatively inexpensive. For example:

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=243

Good luck with lights.

I used to ride with a HID on the helmet (had one on the bars too which is still there) but since I got tired of riding with a Camelback I'm doing without it. I picked up a Cateye EL410 which works very well for situations where a helmet light helps me to be seen. It has solid and flashing modes and a twistable base that works great for getting it set up right on a helmet. The switch is great, it's real easy to reach up and go to on-blinking, steady and off.
Errr... This takes three AAAs so your battery constrants won't work with it.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/40-3704-SIL-ANGLE.jpg

I use the Princetontec EOS headlamp and just wrap the headstrap around my helmet. Nothing simpler.

I think selecting lights based on your charger constraint is a very limiting, bad way to choose lights.

I'm taking a lot of heat here for the charger decision, but by the time we're talking new set of good batteries ($10), plus high-quality charger (at least $30), plus the light ($30+), I may as well just keep what I have since it's two-or-more times brighter and about the same price. Good chargers for AA(A) batteries are expensive, and if I'm going to have a bad charger I may as well stick with what I've got.

That said, I'm a lot more enlightened ( ;-) ) than I was this morning. I'll have to give this some serious thought.

Ari

Dinotte 3w ultra can be had in the 140 range on sale.(I paid 139 on sale at nashbar last fall , but right now its $149 (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=5282&sku=18230&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Brand%3A%20DiNotte)) It is expensive, but I have mine permanently attached to my helmet, with the battery pack on the back of the helmet. Its all self contained and works exactly like the light you described as perfect. The only issue is the $60.

http://www.danolite.com/

The Dinotte's too expensive. That danolite, however, looks pretty cool. If it were $80 without the battery/charger included I'd buy it right now. Still looks pricey compared to a $30 Maglite though....
Tempting, tempting...

Thanks,
Ari

I do not own the danolite but have been thinking about getting one because it weighs so little and puts out pretty good light.

I know everyone is having sticker shock about the Dinotte but it really is a nice helmet light. This is a 5W Dinotte that I always have attached to my helmet. I run it in the flash mode (6 flashes, 1 second pause, 6 flashes) and with a good set of batteries I've usually managed to catch people's attention including drivers and pedestrians that look like they're about to step out into traffic against the light.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k15/lurker1999/Dinottehelmet-1.jpg

The Maglite would work, sure, but there's no way to fine-tune the aim. Maybe my experience is clouded by off-road racing, but in endurance racing night laps, it seems like I end up fine-tuning the angle of the light head pretty often. Maybe commuting it's not so big a deal. If you go the LED Mag-lite route, NiMH rechargeables apparently don't work well so that may also be a problem. I forget if you mentioned why you want a flashing feature but the Apex does have it on the 4 smaller LEDs. Someone mentioned their non-bike version of the EOS fit around their helmet. My Black Diamond quad LED lamp straps aren't even close and I am a pinhead (size S helmet). If that's the case, the Apex might just slip on. I'm not sure if it would stay put, but a couple zip ties would probably fix that.

The Maglite would work, sure, but there's no way to fine-tune the aim. Maybe my experience is clouded by off-road racing, but in endurance racing night laps, it seems like I end up fine-tuning the angle of the light head pretty often. Maybe commuting it's not so big a deal. If you go the LED Mag-lite route, NiMH rechargeables apparently don't work well so that may also be a problem. I forget if you mentioned why you want a flashing feature but the Apex does have it on the 4 smaller LEDs. Someone mentioned their non-bike version of the EOS fit around their helmet. My Black Diamond quad LED lamp straps aren't even close and I am a pinhead (size S helmet). If that's the case, the Apex might just slip on. I'm not sure if it would stay put, but a couple zip ties would probably fix that.

There's a bike version of the EOS that includes a helmet strap. Someone mentioned it earlier in this thread.
I find I don't fine-tune my Niterider's angle. Therefore I don't think I would mind the flashlight solution. The Streamlight is supposed to work well with NiMH. Plus, as this light is mainly for commuting, and my commute is only 10-30min long depending how lazy I am that day, even a poorly-regulated light would work ok I think.
That said, I'm not sure there's a problem (http://forums.caves.org/viewtopic.php?p=27005&sid=860f1e0f95fd7145d2d8ae9f20701be7) with mini-Mags and NiMH.

Ari

What I've read about MagLite LEDs is they have an overheating problem. The bulb dims after an hour of use in order not to fry itself.

Edit: Terrible English!

What I've read about MagLite LEDs is they have an overheating problem. The bulbe dims after an hour of use in order not fry itself.

Yeah, the more I read the less good they seem. This Streamlight (http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_propolyluxeon.htm), however, seems awesome. Hard to mount, though, and I'm worried about the weight as well.

Ari

I wonder if you could adapt the twofish light mount (http://www.twofish.biz/bike.html) to work on a helmet?

I wonder if you could adapt the twofish light mount (http://www.twofish.biz/bike.html) to work on a helmet?

I was thinking that originally, but the 90 degree twist in them is hard to overcome.... Maybe just big strips of velcro. May have to glue the velcro onto the light if there's not enough grabbiness to hold it on. Other option is to use the lanyard hole at the back and then put a velcro strip at the front (which is another strike against the mini-mag, as it has no lanyard hole at the back in the LED version).

That PTec Aurora is truly a work of beauty, but I don't know if I'm willing to shell out that much given that I'll have to muck around to mount it.

Ari

Just realized that the Cateye HL-EL410 (http://cateye.com/en/product_detail/341) can be attached to a helmet. Would that work? Rats, still 3 AAs...

Someone mentioned their non-bike version of the EOS fit around their helmet. My Black Diamond quad LED lamp straps aren't even close and I am a pinhead (size S helmet).

I have 2 petzl and 2 p-t headlamps - none of their straps permit helmet mount (need a looong rubber strap for this).

You have to remove straps and use plastic ties and duct tape to mount them. Not pretty but they're not heavy so they do stay put.

Just realized that the Cateye HL-EL410 (http://cateye.com/en/product_detail/341) can be attached to a helmet. Would that work? Rats, still 3 AAs...
Ooh, that's exciting, but again the 3-battery thing. I must seem like a nut for caring so much, but words cannot describe how annoying it is to charge an odd number of batteries. Have to figure out rotation patterns and such, which is the exact opposite of the whole simplification that moving to this light should represent.

OTOH, with 60-hour runtime in blinking mode, who cares about rechargeables? But with those runtimes, it's certainly not burning the watt or more that the bright ones do. Oy.

I think the danolite may be perfect, except for the price. Oy.

Ari

See my photo above. That is indeed a Twofish Cyclopblock mount holding my Dinotte light to my helmet. The mount is slightly lower profile than the provided Dinotte helmet mount making it easier to handle the helmet when I'm not wearing it.

Edit: I just realized how much Photobucket shrunk the photo so it's hard to see what I'm referring to. I changed the link above to a larger version now.

See my photo above. That is indeed a Twofish Cyclopblock mount holding my Dinotte light to my helmet. The mount is slightly lower profile than the provided Dinotte helmet mount making it easier to handle the helmet when I'm not wearing it.

Cool. How did you get the two parts to not be at right angles to each other?

Ari

Cool. How did you get the two parts to not be at right angles to each other?

Ari

looks like they are at right angles to each other. look below the front of the light and you'll see the strap going in the helmet. notice the light is off center on the helmet. Now look at the helmet area in the foreground. you can see how he ran the twofish strap through the two holes and perpendicular to the light.

looks like they are at right angles to each other. look below the front of the light and you'll see the strap going in the helmet. notice the light is off center on the helmet. Now look at the helmet area in the foreground. you can see how he ran the twofish strap through the two holes and perpendicular to the light.

Ah yeah, missed that. Mine has no such mounting option.

Thanks,
Ari

Petzl Tikka XP. 3 AAAs, very long runtimes. I use a shorter velcro strap I that thread through the helmet vents. 1-watt LED, 3 power settings plus flashing mode, and a diffuser that slides away for spot light duty. If this doesn't get their attention, nothing will.

+1 more. I've been using one this winter, and it rocks! I use it in flash mode as my "be seen" light (the handlebar mounted NightSun's provide primary illumination).

Not sure why anyone would bother with rechargeables for the Tikka - with 3 AAA's on flash mode, it runs a long long time. Plus, I've heard the rechargeable batteries will reduce the power output.

Cool. How did you get the two parts to not be at right angles to each other?

Ari

The two parts remain at right angles but as someone rightly so pointed out I simply looped one part of the fastener through the helmet and used the other part to hold the Dinotte light down.

I use NiMH rechargeables in my Tikka XP and haven't noticed a big drop off in brightness from alkalines. The reason I use NiMHs is because it's my small way of helping the enviroment. Since I use the light a lot, I think it's cheaper in the long run also.