Commuting - Headlight recomendations

I already have a 3-LED light for my bike, which is good so cars can see me, but i would like to see the road, and my light isn't strong enough for that. What light recomendations can you guys give me so that i can see the potholes in the road BEFORE i run them over? Most strong halogen lights come with battery packs, but i am sort of a bike-locking saftey freak; i take no chances with my bike or anything ever getting stolen, so i take EVERYTHING off it. How easy is it to remove a battery pack, or the lights that come with it?

I have a dionitte on my helmet, easy to take on and off, lightweight and a good beam. I have the most recent cateye 5100?? on my bar, and I think I need one more. The catyeyes each take 4 AA and slide right off there mount. The are supposed to be waterproof, so far for me that is true. I say I am going to add another because I week ago I went over the bars because of a pothole.
Good Luck! Stay safe!

I picked up a Blackburn System X3 for about $85. Works great. Can see very well in the dark and it uses a smart charger.

FYI, there is a whole lighting forum under the main area. Might be more help.

Agree with the helmet mount suggestion. It allows you to put light where you need it. Additionally, if you take your helmet with you, you don't even need to worry about removing the light to prevent theft.

You didn't say what your budget is. Planet Bike has a totally self-contained HID with a rechargable LiIon battery built in.
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3060.html
Should remove as fast as your current light.
Run time is 2.5 hours so you'll have to recharge it probably at least every other day, but since it's so easy to snap off and on that shouldn't be a problem.

It is a lot of money though.

Dinottes. Easy on, easy off whether on the bike or helmet.

Again, how is your budget?

I looked at http://nowbikes-fitness.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=2206 with the guy I know there. We took it outside at night and he blinded me from across the parking lot.

It was kewl!! I just have a night rider lead/acid battery and light (about $110 a few years ago). Would love the new one, but it's not in the budget! Studded tires first... LOL

Thanks guys. My budget is about $150 tops. Would like to stay about $100, but i'd spend more if i thought it would make a diference in performance or ease to take off. I guess i never really considered a light on my helmet because i never thought they'd be as strong as lights for the handlebars. Is that wrong? Also, I know the difference between LED and Halogen, but what is HID exactly? And which style (halogen, Led) is in general stronger than the rest?

For $150 I'd pick up one of the $15 dollar LED headlamps that Costco/etc have, and then a good handlebar headlight (the 200L by Dinotte during their recent sale would have been perfect)

Dinotte is still having their sale on the 200L with a lithium-ion battery

http://www.dinottelighting.com/

I ordered one the other day for $159 shipped.

As others have said, Dinotte!

And I will add: Consider Fenix. for $150 you can get 2 lights, 2 holders, batts, etc. And very flexible: both on bars, one on the helmet, different power levels. great products.


https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_69_71
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_65

Thanks guys. My budget is about $150 tops. Would like to stay about $100, but i'd spend more if i thought it would make a diference in performance or ease to take off. I guess i never really considered a light on my helmet because i never thought they'd be as strong as lights for the handlebars. Is that wrong? Also, I know the difference between LED and Halogen, but what is HID exactly? And which style (halogen, Led) is in general stronger than the rest?

DIY. Look at some of my posts over on the Electronics forum or at the Singletrack thread here. I'll try to put together a cost sheet tonight.

Lamps

Optronics QC-777 $20 JC Whitney (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000201439/mediaCode-ZX/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000201439)

Hampton Roads Pin Back track lamp $20 Home Depot

MR16 12V 12° bulb $3 each Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2210)

Wiring

Remote switches $4 Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2656)

Dean’s connectors $ (http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/625085.asp)4 Hobby Town

Polarized Speaker wire $10/spool Radio Shack

Mounts

Helmet mount $10 Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2080)

Handlebar mount $ 10 ea Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3098)

Space Bar $20 Performance (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22874&subcategory_ID=4323)

1” aluminum tube (fits lights better ) for Spacebar $4 Local hardware store

Batteries

3.3 Ahr batteries $19 ea Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1298)

Cage Rocket holder $10 ea REI (http://www.rei.com/product/723319)

Chargers Maha C777 Plus II (http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/MAHA-MH-C777PLUS-II-MULTI-CHARGER_p_278-504.html) $70 (I have 3! But you can get cheaper ones at Battery Space)

Misc

Velcro – sticky back and regular - $10 Local hardware store

Misc nuts and bolts $5 Local hardware store


For my 3 lights with all the stuff except the chargers, I have $294 in it plus shipping and tax.

In all honesty, however, I had the batteries, the Spacebar, the battery holders, the wire, connectors, the bulbs and, finally, the chargers. I have another full set of lights that are based around Niterider lamp heads (similar to TrailRats) but juiced to 14.4V. They put out around 700 lumens per lamp which is very respectable. The Death Rays are just a fun experiment in how far over the top I can go;)

Here's another DIY called the Pond Scum (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=245737) that's pretty slick too. Mine are a little more robust because they are metal housing. Price is about the same per lamp.

I've got a Night Rover that is pretty decent, although I haven't used other systems to compare it. The NMH battery goes in a bottle holder and the headlight clips to a little band on the handlebars, so it is easy to take off and take with you, leaving only the little band on the bike. It has a 6 watt wide light and 10 watt more focused light. Lighting level is okay for me for what I do (riding on suburban streets and paved bike trails at about 15 mph max). I haven't tried it, but I wouldn't want to use it for mountain biking at anything over a walking speed.

People's night vision can vary, so your results may vary.

That's a pretty nice setup cyccommute. What's your average runtime between charges?

Lamps

Optronics QC-777 $20 JC Whitney (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000201439/mediaCode-ZX/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000201439)

Hampton Roads Pin Back track lamp $20 Home Depot

MR16 12V 12° bulb $3 each Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2210)

Wiring

Remote switches $4 Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2656)

Dean’s connectors $ (http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/625085.asp)4 Hobby Town

Polarized Speaker wire $10/spool Radio Shack

Mounts

Helmet mount $10 Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2080)

Handlebar mount $ 10 ea Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3098)

Space Bar $20 Performance (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22874&subcategory_ID=4323)

1” aluminum tube (fits lights better ) for Spacebar $4 Local hardware store

Batteries

3.3 Ahr batteries $19 ea Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1298)

Cage Rocket holder $10 ea REI (http://www.rei.com/product/723319)

Chargers Maha C777 Plus II (http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/MAHA-MH-C777PLUS-II-MULTI-CHARGER_p_278-504.html) $70 (I have 3! But you can get cheaper ones at Battery Space)

Misc

Velcro – sticky back and regular - $10 Local hardware store

Misc nuts and bolts $5 Local hardware store


For my 3 lights with all the stuff except the chargers, I have $294 in it plus shipping and tax.

In all honesty, however, I had the batteries, the Spacebar, the battery holders, the wire, connectors, the bulbs and, finally, the chargers. I have another full set of lights that are based around Niterider lamp heads (similar to TrailRats) but juiced to 14.4V. They put out around 700 lumens per lamp which is very respectable. The Death Rays are just a fun experiment in how far over the top I can go;)

Here's another DIY called the Pond Scum (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=245737) that's pretty slick too. Mine are a little more robust because they are metal housing. Price is about the same per lamp.

That's a pretty nice setup cyccommute. What's your average runtime between charges?

For the 3.3 Ahr battery, it's around 2 hours. That's enough for my commute in the darkest part of the winter with a little to spare. I have a 3.5 Ah and a 4.2 Ah pack that give me a bit more time.

cyccommute,

I completely respect your abilities but I have to tell you that not everyone is as mechanically inclined as yourself. I wish I was.

As others have said, Dinotte!

And I will add: Consider Fenix. for $150 you can get 2 lights, 2 holders, batts, etc. And very flexible: both on bars, one on the helmet, different power levels. great products.


https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_69_71
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_65

I don't understand what so hot about the Fenix light besides that it is small and now has a bar mount available. It is certainly a great little flash light for being seen but it is too weak to light up the road. The P2D's maximum output when not in S.O.S or strobe is only 40 lumens.

I bought a NiteRider TrailRat with a 15w halogen bulb and that put out probably 300 lumens. And it's on sale at Performance for $109.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23918&subcategory_ID=4320

But the thing is it only last for 1:45 hours.

I doubt very seriously that the Trail Rat (or any 15 watt halogen) puts out that kind of lumens.....I could be wrong. I just bought a Cygolite Dual Cross Li-ion (not the pro) and it puts out around 125 lumen for each light....and it absolutely blows away my 15 watt Marwi Nightpro.

cyccommute,

I completely respect your abilities but I have to tell you that not everyone is as mechanically inclined as yourself. I wish I was.

I'm not a real mechanic, I just play one on TV;)

Not much involved in it at all. The hardest thing was the wiring...and that's pretty simple. The light units are premade, the battery holders are off the shelf, the switches are prewired and the mounts are all commercial units. All that was involved in putting them together was attaching some bolts. Really simple. If I can do it, so can anyone.

I doubt very seriously that the Trail Rat (or any 15 watt halogen) puts out that kind of lumens.....I could be wrong. I just bought a Cygolite Dual Cross Li-ion (not the pro) and it puts out around 125 lumen for each light....and it absolutely blows away my 15 watt Marwi Nightpro.

A 15W 6V MR11 puts out 300 lumens at 6 V. A 10W MR11 puts out 180 lm. Increase the voltage to 7.2V and the output about doubles.

Sam's Club is selling two waterproof 80 lumen LED flashlights for $28. No flashing capability, just on or off. They use 3 AAA batteries rather than what I prefer, AA. They have fairly narrow beams but using two seems adequate.

Get two fully adjustable (so you can aim them just how you want to) flashlight mounts with quick releases for your handlebars.

A 15W 6V MR11 puts out 300 lumens at 6 V. A 10W MR11 puts out 180 lm. Increase the voltage to 7.2V and the output about doubles.

How do I increase the voltage to 7.2? Would that kill the battery life and bulb? As you can see, I am like a woman when it comes to technical stuff.

How do I increase the voltage to 7.2? Would that kill the battery life and bulb? As you can see, I am like a woman when it comes to technical stuff.

You build a pack with 6 cells in series instead of 5. Bulb life is shortened but bulbs are cheap for the amount of light you gain.

What about battery life?

Light and Motion Vega.

Self contained. battery packs suck. It's really bright. You should be able to find it within you rbudget.

I love mine

I don't understand what so hot about the Fenix light besides that it is small and now has a bar mount available. It is certainly a great little flash light for being seen but it is too weak to light up the road. The P2D's maximum output when not in S.O.S or strobe is only 40 lumens.


Well, most people get the premium version that puts out 175 or 180 lumens. Two of these small self-contained flashlights are certainly a lot brighter that the 15 watt halogen that I had.

What about battery life?

A 7.2 volt pack will last as long as a 6 volt pack.

Thanks guys. My budget is about $150 tops. Would like to stay about $100, but i'd spend more if i thought it would make a diference in performance or ease to take off. I guess i never really considered a light on my helmet because i never thought they'd be as strong as lights for the handlebars. Is that wrong? Also, I know the difference between LED and Halogen, but what is HID exactly? And which style (halogen, Led) is in general stronger than the rest?

Go to http://www.brandscycle.com and click on 'lighting systems' There you'll find the Niterider Trailrat 2.O w/helmet/hb mount for 99.00 and the universal taillight for 55.00. Free shipping. I've got 2 of them. The hl is 10w halogen which is plenty for most situations. The UNVTL is visible from 1000 ft and can be seen VERY well during the day. I also use a Cateye Opticube Sport 1.0 LED on blink mode for daylight riding and emergency backup to the TR. Also, I've got a couple of generic blinkies from my lbs for about 9-10.00 each. Under 200.00 for a pretty broad system. You can change out the bulb in the TR for a 15w, but it'll cut your run time by about 1/3. Also, for the holidays I've added some lights I found at Target last year which string rather nicely around the frame of my bike w/small zip ties. 3 AA batteries and the pack is zip tied to my seat bag. All in all a pretty well lit rig. This year, however i'm getting one of these guys w/a rechargeable battery: http://www.powerflare.com 50-80.00US.

How do I increase the voltage to 7.2? Would that kill the battery life and bulb? As you can see, I am like a woman when it comes to technical stuff.

Buy a (bigger) battery pack and a charger to replace the one that came with the light. Two small electrical connections and you're done.

Edit: This would almost double your light output AND give you a bit longer runtime:
Nimh
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2933

Li-Ion (about twice the battery life):
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2424

Wow this is great help, thank you. So let me get this right, it comes with a charger and it replaces my factory NiteRider battery and I dont have to buy any kind of adapter to connect this batter to the light?

Wow this is great help, thank you. So let me get this right, it comes with a charger and it replaces my factory NiteRider battery and I dont have to buy any kind of adapter to connect this batter to the light?

It comes with it's own cable that you could splice into the cable that's with the light now.... or permanently attach the cable into the light.

So no, you wouldn't need an adapter, but you do need to connect the new cable to the light. I'm not sure what kind of connector the NiteRider uses... on my Cygolight, the cable plugs into the light... I could either cut the connector off the cable and splice it to the one that comes with the new battery, or open up the light itself and permanently attach the cable into the light head....

The third choice is to take your NiteRider battery to Radio Shack or someplace and see if they have a matching connector... put THAT on the end of the new cable and you COULD just plug it in.

So, no... it's not as simple as just plugging in the new battery, but it is about a 5 minute job for someone that has any idea what they're doing with electricity or electronics.

Someone that actually has a NiteRider light could probably help you out a little more with exactly what you need. (I'll try to look it up and see what I can find for you, though...)

Edit: Ok... looking at stuff online, no, you're not going to find a connector that will just plug into what's on the light now... however, it looks like you could easily open the light head and replace the cable. That would probably be the easiest, fastest, and most reliable way to connect the light.

This is what the NiteRider connector heads look like:

http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/product/niterider_surlok_extension_cables.jpg

Edit: Ok... looking at stuff online, no, you're not going to find a connector that will just plug into what's on the light now... however, it looks like you could easily open the light head and replace the cable. That would probably be the easiest, fastest, and most reliable way to connect the light.

I am going to buy this battery/recharger set tonight. I am just a little worried about opening up the light housing and soderring the new connection on. I have never done anything like this before. I does come with both male and female cables I see.

EDIT:

Actually do you think I should go for a 13.2volt battery and buy like a 30w lamp? Or would that just drain away too much battery too fast?

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2884

I am going to buy this battery/recharger set tonight. I am just a little worried about opening up the light housing and soderring the new connection on. I have never done anything like this before. I does come with both male and female cables I see.

EDIT:

Actually do you think I should go for a 13.2volt battery and buy like a 30w lamp? Or would that just drain away too much battery too fast?

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2884

You'd want this set: http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2838

Includes the charger. Also, you'd have to make sure you buy the new lamps... I don't think there's a problem to converting to 12v...


I -THINK- that battery would last for about 2 hrs with a 30 Watt bulb... cycommute could probably figure the time better than I could... I haven't had to work with the formulas in a long time. Not sure on how the light output would compare... cycommute probably knows a lot better than I do how the light output would look.

I think the 14.4v would probably be a better choice if you want to go to a 12v system... it over volts by the same amount as going from 6v to 7.2v ... increasing your light output a little more for about the same price: http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2462

Oh... a 14.4v system with the 30 watt bulb should give you something like 4x as much light as what you're getting now.... might be overkill!


15W halogen 4.8 hrs


So... yeah... 2.4 hrs or so run time at 30W

Oh... a 14.4v system with the 30 watt bulb should give you something like 4x as much light as what you're getting now.... might be overkill!



Oh that sounds awesome! I dont mind 1200 lumens!

Oh that sounds awesome! I dont mind 1200 lumens!

The problem then becomes optics... If I were going to do it I'd get both a flood and a spot and see which one I liked better (The bulbs are only like $3)

I think the spill from a spot would probably be plenty...

I've got a dual light system... I can put a spot in one and flood in the other and have at it. ;)

I'll probably do the same conversion at some point when I have some extra money.

I was thinking about going with a flood lamp and using a blinky on well lit roads. It turns out that they don't make 30w bulbs but 35w at 12v. Do you know if that would make a difference? Actually, I do not know if standard MR11 lamps are compatible with the NiteRider systems. I bought a 15 watt the other week from the NiteRider website and it was $20!

http://www.niterider.com/store_bulbs.shtml

A spot would throw the light further down the road... for higher speeds. Flood spreads the light more... allowing you to see to the sides and stuff better.

And as far as the specific lights... I honestly don't know. :eek:

Might have to do your own research on that. -MY- light takes standard MR-11 bulbs.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15780-225_CYGHF6-2-Accessories-35-Lights/Cygolite-Hi-Flux-100-LED-Bike-Light.htm -- Cygolite HiFlux 100 ($55 + shipping)
+
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=323 -- smart charger + 8 C NiMH batteries ($55 + shipping)

Should come in nicely under the $150 budget for a decent light. I'm thinking of picking up a pair of these myself (I'm looking at about $250 =).

Go to http://www.brandscycle.com and click on 'lighting systems' There you'll find the Niterider Trailrat 2.O w/helmet/hb mount for 99.00 and the universal taillight for 55.00. Free shipping. I've got 2 of them. The hl is 10w halogen which is plenty for most situations. The UNVTL is visible from 1000 ft and can be seen VERY well during the day. I also use a Cateye Opticube Sport 1.0 LED on blink mode for daylight riding and emergency backup to the TR. Also, I've got a couple of generic blinkies from my lbs for about 9-10.00 each. Under 200.00 for a pretty broad system. You can change out the bulb in the TR for a 15w, but it'll cut your run time by about 1/3. Also, for the holidays I've added some lights I found at Target last year which string rather nicely around the frame of my bike w/small zip ties. 3 AA batteries and the pack is zip tied to my seat bag. All in all a pretty well lit rig. This year, however i'm getting one of these guys w/a rechargeable battery: http://www.powerflare.com 50-80.00US.

The Trailrat (or even cheaper, the Roadrat) are good choices if you don't want to DIY. I'd suggest not going with the Niterider taillight but something a bit cheaper. There are lots of them out there that are just as bright and a lot less. The Planet Bike Superflash, for example, is around $24. That way guitardude7889 could run two of them. One on steady and one on flash.

I'd also suggest at least 2 lamps or, at the very least, a back up light. The Roadrat uses a lead acid battery but it is cheaper. You can easily upgrade the battery (and get more light) for around $20 per lamp. If you were to use 2 Roadrats, mount one on your helmet. Far more useful and helpful than the bar mounted lamp.

At the brandscycle site, they also carry Light and Motion lamps. Not a bad choice either.

cyccommute,

What do you thik I should do if I get 14.4v system battery system? Which bulb should I use? I have a Trail Rat right now. Thanks.

Cateye HL-EL530

Battery Powered
Long runtime
Good beam