Commuting - Quick Bike Headlight Recommendations

I think I am going to head over to my local Performance Bicycle to buy a headlight and a couple of mini tail lights for some nighttime commuting. Does anyone have experience with the Cat Eye EL120 Sport OptiCube LED Headlight? I am wondering if I should just spend the $30 for the Cat Eye EL410 Compact OptiCube Headlight instead. I am really just looking for something that will let drivers see me before they turn right into me; not so much wanting to actually see where I am going, especially since I know the roads so well where I will be riding.

I think I may even have one of those nifty $20 off purchases over $50 coupons somewhere around here, which will make it even better. :D

Cheers!

I have not seen either of the lights you are asking about, but I have seen the Cat Eye EL530. I think this is a great light. In some cases I think it is a light to see by, but it is very easily a "to be seen" light.

Billy

I decided to give the Cate Eye EL120 Sport OptiCube LED Headlight a try, so I will post what I think about it after a test ride later this evening. :)

If you really want to be seen in traffic get yourself an amber blinkie to mount up front to use along with your light. A white light gets lost in traffic when in the presence of many other brighter headlights so even if you have a bright bike light no one will really notice you. Adding a bright blinking amber light will get you noticed in traffic. I use a Mini Mag-Lite with the 3-watt LED powered by two AA batteries, which produces an impressive amount of focusable light considering it's an LED light and only cost $24. It's not however a good light for being seen as it has no side light ports allowing traffic to see your light from the sides. Adding an amber blinkie solves this problem and makes you even more noticeable than a bicycle light.

I have not seen either of the lights you are asking about, but I have seen the Cat Eye EL530. I think this is a great light. In some cases I think it is a light to see by, but it is very easily a "to be seen" light.

Billy

I have the EL530 and love it. It is definitely bright enough for cars to see it.

If you're concerned about not being seen by a car that's going to turn right 'into you' you might want to consider tire flies. Regular lights whether it being a headlight or blinkies radiate their light back and forward. (Relatively). Getting some tire flies (which is a little light mounted on a spoke), makes you noticeable from the very side. Another suggestion is the regular 'spoke' reflectors.

i got my lights from eBay sellers. they have flashing modes (7) on the back and sides, red led. I have a helmet mounted led light, 2 front power-beams (led) and 1 central led light that also stands out (white). i have been told that i am not the most lit-up rider in area and am waiting for my 4 sets of x-mas string lites (led x 12 string lights each) to change that. i'm hoping for a real spectacle!
if you ride at night, light it up!

i have been told that i am not the most lit-up rider in area and am waiting for my 4 sets of x-mas string lites (led x 12 string lights each) to change that.

I'd love to see a picture! something I can aspire to ;)

I use several Cateye lights: A 510 for max light output or a 220 for a bit less output but a bright, intense flash mode (for dusk or dawn). I also use a 125 flashing with either of the bigger lights or by itself (I leave that one on the bike all the time)

I have CatEye EL410. It's a spot rather than a flood, so it doesn't light up the road very well, but it sure as hell get noticed. Especially in the flashing mode. That baby's bright. It's probably considerably brighter than EL120. I'd go with the 410, although 120 would probably also do the job adequately. Hell, I see people running nothing but the teeny-tiny $3.50-dollar Turtle lights (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442588127&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1177112467421), and sure notice them. But a brighter light will probably get you a bit more space and respect.