Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Helmet Mounted vs. Handlebar Mounted Lights

What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?

What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?
if you are considering lights, likely, they will be for night use, as opposed to looking more like a motor vehicle

in that case night riding, more light is better

generally handlebar lights are meant to be more of a flood, while helmets are for spot
with the helmet you point the light where you are looking
downside is it may blind people if you look at them

i use (am going to be ) using both

as well as the addition of a front flasher for more attention from cagers

would rather not have a broken arm and cracked ribs thank you

So...

1) NiteRider Classic Plus Handlebar
2) Fenix L2D CE for helmet
3) BLT Flare DX as ultra bright flasher

What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?

I use both. The bar light is easier for other road users to see but the helmet light has more utility. If you ride with a helmet light, you soon learn how you really ride a bike. You lean corners and you look into them as you go around them. The bars are pointing off into the weeds...as is your light. Since the helmet light is attached to your head, it goes where you look too. This makes it easier for you to light things you really want to see, like pot holes, road cracks, debris, lions and tigers and bears... Oh my!

If you have to fix a flat or do a drivetrain repair, a helmet light frees your hands to do the work.

You'll find another advantage if one of them happens to malfunction. You have a back up. If I lose my helmet light, I'll do what I can to get it functioning again over the bar light.

Finally, if some one tries to pull out in front of you at a stop sign, you can sweep the light across their face to get their attention. If they keep coming you look them right in the eye...they'll stop:D

if you are considering lights, likely, they will be for night use, as opposed to looking more like a motor vehicle

in that case night riding, more light is better

generally handlebar lights are meant to be more of a flood, while helmets are for spot
with the helmet you point the light where you are looking
downside is it may blind people if you look at them

i use (am going to be ) using both

as well as the addition of a front flasher for more attention from cagers

would rather not have a broken arm and cracked ribs thank you

So...

1) NiteRider Classic Plus Handlebar
2) Fenix L2D CE for helmet
3) BLT Flare DX as ultra bright flasher

Are there any lights specifically made for helmets?
The fenix is just a flashlight. Do you attach it with tape?

Actually the L2d is a little long for a helmet light.. I would opt for an L1d for AA use or preferably the P2d or P3d for max brightness.. You can attach using a zefal doodad plus mount + velcro strap or using a Twofish Bikeblock works great.. I second having both a handlebar mounted light + helmet light..

I use the P2d fenix light + bikeblocks.. http://www.boomerdirect.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/1719053/1152782.htm

The picture below is of the L1d light, the p2d is a little shorter..

The fenix is just a flashlight. Do you attach it with tape?
lol just a flashlight lol

you reading this solcal? lol lol

get the P3D @ 160 lumens, just a flashlight, but pumps out twice as many lumens as a Vega bike light

I think it is size matters crowd with there 6d maglight, then you blow them away with something that fits in the palm of your hand..

I agree the p3d has the best bang for the buck.. You can run on primaries in high mode for 5.5 hours or 3+ hours if you go with rechargeables.. I am using the p2d on primaries and getting close to 3 hours on high mode..

Finally, if some one tries to pull out in front of you at a stop sign, you can sweep the light across their face to get their attention. If they keep coming you look them right in the eye...they'll stop:D
This is why I prefer a helmet light in the city.

Does the P2D have a flash mode (or is that stroke?) and if it does how long will that last on one battery?

The p2d has 6 modes// low-med-high-sos and then turbo and strobe.. The strobe is an attention grabber.. Here is an index of runtimes.. http://lights.chevrofreak.com/runtimes/Fenix%20P2D/

3 hours of runtime on high mode.. 1 hour in turbo mode using cr123a primary battery..

For years I used just a vistalite attached to my handlebars. I kept having people pull out in front of me all the time despite the fact that this light is really bright.

One day I pulled up beside a bank that has mirrors all along its sides and realized that NO light was visible from the sides:eek:

I have since bought a 1 watt LED light from walmart for $18.00 that is brighter then any other LED headlights I have seen. It has a headband that works great around a helmet.

I have noticed a huge difference with people pulling out in front of me. You can shine this thing right inside their car and light the whole cab up. Its awesome. :)

So I would recomend both but if you can only afford one I would get the helmet type.

+1 helmet mounted.

I have also noticed a huge improvement in terms of people not pulling out in front of me when I turn my helmet to the sides as I approach cross streets. I bought a cheap Duracell brand light for strapping around your head. I made the strap really big, and it fit on my helmet perfectly. It was around $10 at Walmart.

Does the P2D have a flash mode (or is that stroke?) and if it does how long will that last on one battery?
you would use the p2d on solid only, no sense in using the flash mode because it flickers too fast just as a strobe it could cause accidents

put a solid light p2d on your helmet

i recommend p3d

you would use the p2d on solid only, no sense in using the flash mode because it flickers too fast just as a strobe it could cause accidents

put a solid light p2d on your helmet

i recommend p3d

This is an excellent thread! Thanks! :)

This is an excellent thread! Thanks! :)
in answer to your other question

the P3D is not only brighter, but lasts longer than the P2D

the P3D pumps out 160 lumens, and lasts around 70-80% longer than the P2D

it runs at max at around 1h 40 minutes i presume to 1h 50min

if you run out of juice, put in some new batteries

I use both.

A Cateye 3 LED light on top of my helmet for spotting stuff on the trails.
A Raleigh 5 LED light on the handlebar to spot all in front of me and as a road going headlight.

I would've used the Raleigh on the helmet but it only has a regular handlebar clamp. The Cateye has a rubber band type of mounting which also works well on a bike helmet.

I use both.

A Cateye 3 LED light on top of my helmet for spotting stuff on the trails.
A Raleigh 5 LED light on the handlebar to spot all in front of me and as a road going headlight.

I would've used the Raleigh on the helmet but it only has a regular handlebar clamp. The Cateye has a rubber band type of mounting which also works well on a bike helmet.


HOLY----! Look at the bike in Zeuser's sig. Reminds me of a sport bike!
I just had a customer that wanted lights for both bars and helmet. He bought a 420 lumen Wilma for the helmet, and a 830 lumen Wilma for his bars. Sounds like he's pretty happy :)

With all the lights I have, sometimes I set them to blink, people really look at me strangely. So I guess it works, the whole point is for motorists to see me... and they do.

HOLY----! Look at the bike in Zeuser's sig. Reminds me of a sport bike!
I just had a customer that wanted lights for both bars and helmet. He bought a 420 lumen Wilma for the helmet, and a 830 lumen Wilma for his bars. Sounds like he's pretty happy :)
no one is waste money on wilma

for say it, buy 5X P3D and less than half price wilma, and 800lumens for fenix p3d


wilma much price! :mad:

wilma is use 3W led

fenix is use Cree Edition LED
is for newest techn. cree edition

What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?
When I used to rely on battery light, I'd actually clamp my lights to the top half of my front fork. Getting the light lower helps illuminate the road surface a little more (bumps and cracks appear as shadows) but keeping it higher on the fork doesn't sacrifice visiblity to cars. It also allows you to mount a handlebar bag without blocking your lights.

I also have and still do use a helmet mounted Petzl Tikka LED as my backup/field work/street light illuminator. It has a strap that fits around the inside of my helmet.

no one is waste money on wilma

for say it, buy 5X P3D and less than half price wilma, and 800lumens for fenix p3d


wilma much price! :mad:


those are some mighty big words there buddy... doesn't seem like we are having any problem selling them...

whats with all the hate?

The wilma is a great light but out of the budget of many people.. It just shows you how much led technology has evolved and is going to be getting better over the next few years. I see led lights like this becoming more popular than hid lights very soon..

wilma is use 3W led

fenix is use Cree Edition LED
is for newest techn. cree edition
Do you actually have one of the Fenix lights? If so, could you please post some beam photos? Thanks.

The wilma is a great light but out of the budget of many people.. It just shows you how much led technology has evolved and is going to be getting better over the next few years. I see led lights like this becoming more popular than hid lights very soon..


I can understand it being out of some peoples price range, but I def. see LED's taking over, and with that happening the overall prices should come down making it easier for more people to get into hi-preformance systems.

I have an old vista light system that came with a handlebar mount and a helment mount/strap. I'd love to use it but it used the old nicad batteries that are way too heavy.

So here is what I am looking for in a new light system:

- Both Helmet / Handlebar mounts
- Able to run on regular batteries (AA or C)
- Multiple bulbs in the light so if one burns out you aren't suffering.
- Reasonable price.

Any recommendations?