Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Tail light recomendations?

fhgyh

I use the PlanetBike SuperFlash almost exclusively on my bikes without the onboard generation system. I run one in Blinky mode and one in Steady On mode and they do the job very well. They aren't what I consider particularly pricey and use standard rechargeable AA batteries. So in a pinch you can pickup batteries at the corner store.

Aaron:)

The Planet Bike Super Flash is quite popular around here.

Do a search on "tail light" and you'll get many pages of info.

I was looking for a tail light recenlty. I called many bike shops and REI's around the bay area and a trend recomendation seemed to be the Blackburn MArs, 3.0.
It has 2 diffrenent flash modes with side orange LED's too.
On flash mode it last 150 hours. Pretty good!!

Named after a bright red planet visible from afar, the Mars 3.0 has seven super-bright red LEDs inside a sleek water-resistant case.
Lens optics increase visible distance and side LEDs provide 180-degree safety-boosting visibility
Two AAA batteries included ($16.00)
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/496774.jpg

Superflash. When I'm on my commuter in the winter with the battery & stuff mounted, I use an All Electronics amber strobe in the back.

I like the Superflash, too. One on the rack trunk, one on the helmet. It comes with a seatstay mount, too. Very bright, relatively cheap(compared to the DiNotte, anyway). Good company, too.

Superflash. When I'm on my commuter in the winter with the battery & stuff mounted, I use an All Electronics amber strobe in the back.

Yes. I just leave the strobe on all year. Did you have any trouble with the strobe coming apart?

Yes. I just leave the strobe on all year. Did you have any trouble with the strobe coming apart?

Nope. I just kind of like to lighten up the bike in the summer when I'm leaving when it's light enough to see by. I used to leave it on all year but IMHO the PB Superflash is good enough, though I may get another one or two of them.

Superflash FTW.

Cateye Opticube - flash mode and perminent mode. Visible from back and sides. Comes with clip and seat post mount but I modified it to fit single hole on rear rack. Also have a small blinky on my helmet.

I love the Planet Bike Superflash taillight. The Superflash uses a 1/2 watt LED plus 2 regular LEDs. Seeing the 1/2w next to the regular LEDs shows how much brighter the 1/2w is. I use the Superflash because I think it's a good combo of price and brightness. If I had the money to drop I'd go with the dinotte...3w LED in a taillight is pretty cool.

I currently have one Superflash mounted on the rear loop of my trunk bag...I think I'm going to buy 2 more to mount to my rear rack for redundancy. I also use an old Schwinn 4-LED blinky that I duct tape to my helmet for higher risk night rides (3am on a 2 lane road with no shoulders) in conjunction with a tigerlight (my work flashlight) with a red mag lite lens held on top of my trunk bag by the elastic strap.

Along with taillights I would recommend high visibility/reflective clothing of some kind. I use a bright yellow vest with 2 large white reflective stripes that go horizontally around it (got it for $4 at Harbor Freight Tools). I also have a yard worth of 1" red reflective tape on my rear rack and fender, and I have some white reflective tape on its way in the mail.

Schwinnrider...how'd you get the Superflash mounted to your helmet?

My Cateye TLD-1000 has been phenomenal for me... Has two rows of LED's, top and bottom. Each row can be used independently, and in different modes from the other row. I tend to use the bottom on a steady mode, so that traffic can easily judge their distance from me, but one of the flashing modes on top to catch thier eye, and break up the monotony of solid red lights that night drivers are used to seeing... Check out the Cateye TLD-1100, only avail in the U.K. as of now, but is advertised as being %80-%100 brighter than the 1000... I use mine during broad daylight if the situation fits, and it is plenty visible... Battery life has been great. Have used it for months daily, and still puts out a ton of light... I'm going to try the superflash myself on my recumbent trike if the 1100 isn't in the states yet in about a month... Good luck!

+1 Planet bike Superflash. Very bright for the money.

Cat Eye makes a great tail light too LD 1000 Waterproof 10 LED Taillight $35 @ speedgoat.com

Princeton Tec Switchback 2.0 Light $250.00 well worth the investment bright with amazing battery kit even survived my trip over the handle bars the first ride on my 29er Princeton makes a single, double & triple light combos

I like the Cateye TLD-1000, or whatever it's called. I was mainly in the market that used AAs (instead of AAAs) because I have a set of good rechargeables that I wanted to use in the light. It's bright and highly water resistant.

Another SuperFlash fan here. I have mine ziptied to the back of my helmet. I have another blinkie (cheap Trek thing) on my saddlebag.

Try this on for size...er for light, it's way brighter then the SuperFlash: http://www.powerflare.com/

The Blackburn Mars is excellent. But if you want to spend more money, I gues you could find something that would meet that criterion.

Superflash. plus a PB Blinky 3.

I use the PlanetBike SuperFlash almost exclusively on my bikes without the onboard generation system. I run one in Blinky mode and one in Steady On mode and they do the job very well. They aren't what I consider particularly pricey and use standard rechargeable AA batteries. So in a pinch you can pickup batteries at the corner store.

Aaron:)

I also use the PlanetBike SuperFlash. I don't really ride at night often enough to bother screwing around with rechargeable batteries or generators though. I really only need it a couple months during the winter and when riding when it's foggy in the AM.

Oh, and there is no such thing as too bright. ;)

I was looking for a tail light recenlty. I called many bike shops and REI's around the bay area and a trend recomendation seemed to be the Blackburn MArs, 3.0.
It has 2 diffrenent flash modes with side orange LED's too.
On flash mode it last 150 hours. Pretty good!!

Named after a bright red planet visible from afar, the Mars 3.0 has seven super-bright red LEDs inside a sleek water-resistant case.
Lens optics increase visible distance and side LEDs provide 180-degree safety-boosting visibility
Two AAA batteries included ($16.00)
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/496774.jpg

And it's not nearly as bright as the SuperFlash. I have both and since I bought the SuperFlash the Blackburn has gone into backup duty.

+1 for the Superflash. It costs $14.95 CDN which is cheaper then what the USA stores are selling them. I've got mine at MEC (www.mec.ca) which is like REI's in the US of A in a way.

Good price IMHO. I'm considering getting another one for my other bike or just for keeping on the body if the car breaks down or I need to help someone on the side of the road at least I have a beacon for safety.

The Luxeon Rebels are out now in a VERY small package. 85lumens @ 700mA ( 3.57hours run time) brightness if you're not to shy to be a little geeky. Luxeon Rebel (http://lumileds.com/products/line.cfm?lineId=19) they look smaller then the AA battery. 40lm @ 350mA ( 7.15hrs run timeat 1 watt).

subscribed

yeah, go geek! i made a prototype in a couple of hours from a no name 1w power led, over priced at a local electronics shop, the whole light cast maybe $12 and is about 5 times brighter than my best blinky - and it was very rough around the whole lens/reflector issue.
i'd takea photo but i gave it to my girlfriend who lost her light on the weekend.

i've got a few 1w leds and collimators on order so might post some shots once i've made em up...

lance

And it's not nearly as bright as the SuperFlash. I have both and since I bought the SuperFlash the Blackburn has gone into backup duty.

Well, I believe this discussion ends there. You'd have to be Dick Cheney to refute logic like that.

My Cateye TLD-1000 has been phenomenal for me... Has two rows of LED's, top and bottom. Each row can be used independently, and in different modes from the other row. I tend to use the bottom on a steady mode, so that traffic can easily judge their distance from me, but one of the flashing modes on top to catch thier eye, and break up the monotony of solid red lights that night drivers are used to seeing... Check out the Cateye TLD-1100, only avail in the U.K. as of now, but is advertised as being %80-%100 brighter than the 1000... I use mine during broad daylight if the situation fits, and it is plenty visible... Battery life has been great. Have used it for months daily, and still puts out a ton of light... I'm going to try the superflash myself on my recumbent trike if the 1100 isn't in the states yet in about a month... Good luck!


+1 On the TLD-1000. Though on my full dresser cross check I have a dual light set up that takes a Bottle battery and for a tail light I have a velleman 2" amber strobe.

but when I travel on my single speed I use the TLD-1000 and always have it with me for a backup on the full dresser.

"John"

I used a TL-LD1000 for about a year. When I got the superflash, the LD1000 went into the drawer. No comparison. I didn't expect the LD1000 to be supplanted, I just figured I'd use the superflash as a second or backup, but the LD1000 wound up being the backup.

That said, the LD1000 is better built and more waterproof. But the Superflash is pretty good too. The superflash is lighter so I think its bracket may withstand more harsh treatment. The LD1000 is heavy and it always seems to me like its bracket is holding about the max it can.

Blackburn Mars, 3.0. This thing almost gave me a seizure when I turned it on for the first time becuase I was holding it close to my face and checking out the finish. It has three modes: solid, blinking, and all-out strobe.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/496774.jpg

Oh, and there is no such thing as too bright. ;)


Agreed.

Cateye LD1000 here, but I've been planning on getting a Superflash as my next taillight. (I'll probably use both, for redundancy.)

Viewpoint Flashpoint < $20

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/40-2175-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

Superflash on my jersey, and Mars 2.0 on the rack trunk. Topeak Redlight on the rack itself.

Topeak White Lights on the front forks in flash mode.

I use a Cateye TL-LD1000 (attached to my seat wedge) as the primary light, and a TL-LD500 (http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/268) (replacing the reflector on my rear rack) as a secondary. The latter is generally set to blinking mode... it's considerably less bright, but the distinctive triple-blink pattern is rather good at drawing attention.

I also use a pair of ViewPoint FlashBack bar-end lights (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17651&subcategory_ID=4322), just to complete the set.

I have the Cateye LD1000 on my seatpost and the LD150 on my camelbak. I'm thinking of getting the Planet Bike Superflash to add to the mix though. :D

LD 1000 on the seat post and a Superflash clipped on the strap in the back of the helmet. I think the LD 1000 is brighter but the Superflash is more versatile. Lithium batteries will keep the light from dimming.

And rajit, I bet you could find a way on your rack trunk to clip a superflash or two.

I had a motorist who drove up beside me while I was waiting at a red light this morning tell me what a "great idea" he thought my PB Super Flash tail light was. He claimed it was the first thing he noticed. This was in the sunshine with me also wearing a HiVis vest. I think most would notice the vested rider first, but hay, whatever.

I also have the VeiwPoint Flash Point that was previously posted and would say it's just as bright as the PB SF. But everyone I showed it to voted the flash mode on the SF as more attention grabbing in a long distance test. Blink, blink, BLINK. Instead of just a single flash, it has more of a emergency vehicle flavor about it.

I used a TL-LD1000 for about a year. When I got the superflash, the LD1000 went into the drawer. No comparison. I didn't expect the LD1000 to be supplanted, I just figured I'd use the superflash as a second or backup, but the LD1000 wound up being the backup.

That said, the LD1000 is better built and more waterproof. But the Superflash is pretty good too. The superflash is lighter so I think its bracket may withstand more harsh treatment. The LD1000 is heavy and it always seems to me like its bracket is holding about the max it can.

This is exactly my experience! I've had the Cateye TL-LD1000 for over a year now and have been really happy with it. However, after reading so many raving reviews on the Planet Bike Superflash, I decided to pick up two, one for backup to the Cateye and one for my bag.

At least that was my original plan. I was astonished to find how bright the Superflash is! Now, the Cateye is the backup light. If I had known how bright the Superflash was, I would have bought an extra one for my seat stay!!!

I use a cheap rear blinker on my rear rack, but most of the light comes from My Petzl Zipka headtorch (with red filter) monted on my helmet. Yes, I know it's a mountain climbing helmet, but I climb as well, you see.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1242/538283504_16ef18a43d.jpg

Dinotte tail light is what I have. Pricey, but I'm guessing its one of the best.

http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Ultra_Tail_Light.htm

Only downside that I see with the DiNotte, is mounting can be a problem for some people, as using the O-rings on the seatpost doesn't always result in the best angle, so many people rig stuff up to make it aim better.

I have mine mounted on my rear rack, the rack had holes on the end for mounting a tail light, so I drilled holes in a piece of anodized black shelving tubing (matches the color of my rack, haha), then screwed the tube on to the rack, then put the tail light on the tube. Here is a thread where mounting the DiNotte is discussed (where I got the idea): http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=3322990

I ride on a semi rural road late at night sometimes, there aren't any street lights. Using that light, I can hear engines winding down 1/4 mile behind me, and they go WAY around me. I think all that the drivers can see is an a huge red aura. Drivers pass me with wider berth at night then they do during the day, because of that light.

Cateye TL-LD1000 on the seatpost with one bank on rapid flash and the other bank steady on.
Mars Blackburn 3.0 on the back of my helmet, steady on.
Cateye TL-LD500, for the CPSC certified reflector, one clipped on to the rear rack, or two, one on each rear corner of the trailer, if I'm towing a trailer that day, steady on.
And my flashing, lighted reflective vest.

Coworkers tell me I look like a spacecraft coming in.:D

Dinotte tail light is what I have. Pricey, but I'm guessing its one of the best.

http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Ultra_Tail_Light.htm

Only downside that I see with the DiNotte, is mounting can be a problem for some people, as using the O-rings on the seatpost doesn't always result in the best angle, so many people rig stuff up to make it aim better.



This was the other light that I considered. For the price of the light, I wanted a more "substantial" mount, not only in rigidity but also in versatility. If they redesign that o-ring mount to something a bit more versatile, I would easily get that. As it stands, however, I'll have to use more blinkies until Dinotte redesigns the mount. :)

This was the other light that I considered. For the price of the light, I wanted a more "substantial" mount, not only in rigidity but also in versatility. If they redesign that o-ring mount to something a bit more versatile, I would easily get that. As it stands, however, I'll have to use more blinkies until Dinotte redesigns the mount. :)
+1

The horrible mount with no adjustably and so many reports of people hitting it with their leg while pedaling kills it for me.

I wrote Dinotte and asked them if they had any plans to update the mount; here's the response I got:



In addition to a few customers coming up with creative ways as seen in
acidinmylegs.blogspot.com, there is also a device from terracycle to add to
the mix.

We are looking at additional mount options, but today's product is what it
is...

Thanks
Rob



I received the response from Dinotte last December. It doesn't sound like they are very interested in updating their mount. And I'm not about to spend an additional $30 on a mount for a $150 tail light as Dinotte suggested....

planet bike must be loving this...but I have a superflash too...and it can't be beat...(where is my residual check?)

planet bike must be loving this...but I have a superflash too...and it can't be beat...(where is my residual check?)
I'm sure they are. I just bought 4 Superflashes. I was going to by a Dinotte, but the mount issue killed it.

+1 for the PB Superflash. I bought one about two weeks ago and have it clipped to my helmet during rides. I'm considering buying 2 more to mount to my chainstays and another as a spare. If that isn't enough, I keep a huge Vistalite clipped to one of its pockets.

i am a total n00b with lights.
i just picked up two of the planetbike superflashes.

holy crap this thing is crazy attention grabbing!

it definitely will get the attention of motorists, especially in pairs

i have one mounted on my left handlebar, and one on my seatpost

looks like an emergency vehicle light
whenever i see something like that on the road while driving my car, I will always slow down

hope the same of other cagers