Commuting - Superflash vs. Blackburn 2.0 (or others); Which makes more sense? Which is better?

I'm looking for a really good, really bright rear safety light as a Chrismas gift to my aunt. Besides being a commuter cyclist, she has some long distance experience, too. When she asked for a rear blinkie or safety light to attach to the back of her bicycle, I wasn't sure which type suited her needs the best. Was she referring to one of the smaller, brighter lights like the PB Superflash? Was she asking for something larger and dorky like the Blackburn Mars 2.0, or something else? I do know that she doen't have a rack on the back, nor does she do her riding at night.

Which would you recommend? Which makes more sense? Please give me your feedback. There isn't much time left.

Thank You,

Powerhouse

I have both and the Superflash is the brighter of the two.

Superflash FTW!

I have several of both. Both are good lights. The Superflash is hands down the best. Want a test? Tape one of each to a road sign post at night at look at 'em from two blocks away.

Do her a favor and buy her two superflashes. :D

The Superflash is brighter to the rear, and the Mars (the 3.0's even better) is a good side-facing light with its amber LEDs.

The Mars 3.0 is a pain due to the tiny screws which need to be removed to change the batteries.

The SuperFlash is good.

The best I've used is the new Cateye TL-1100. It's a lot more visible than the SF, especially during low light times such as dawn and dusk. It takes AA batteries and doesn't need any tools to change them.

BTW, I own and have used all the light mentioned above.

Is it just me or is the SF mount really weak? I just bought a SF tonight, mounted it to my seatstay and when I clicked the light body into the mount, I found it was held there really weakly.. like it could pop out of its mount if I hit a sharp bump or something. I'm returning the thing for this reason but I wanted to see what others have to say.

If you want a big bright light here is what I use, only this one is a rechargeable version . Its 4"x6" and bright as heck. Mine last about 30 hours on flash but if it was rechargeable I wouldn't have to worry

http://www.ledsafetylights.com/safety_light_details.asp?ProductID=41
http://www.ledsafetylights.com/images/products/SL182_red_rechargeable(1).gif

I ride with people that use the superflash, and I have the Mars 3.0. It's definitely brighter than the Mars 2.0, and definitely not as bright as the superflash, however in its own right, it's pretty bright. As mentioned prior, the amber side-facing LEDs give it good side visibility as well. The brightness difference isn't enough to make me ditch the Mars for a Superflash. My next tail light will be something ridiculously bright, like the DiNotte 140R

The best I've used is the new Cateye TL-1100. It's a lot more visible than the SF, especially during low light times such as dawn and dusk. It takes AA batteries and doesn't need any tools to change them.

Interesting, that's what I have, and assumed with all the talk of the PB Superflash, that it must be superior and I should get one (though perhaps I should have both).

You say "new" - has it changed? I've had mine a couple of years (or perhaps it's not a TL-1100, just looks the same).

I have problems with battery connections though - I'm planning to stick some magnets (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4248) on my batteries to force a tight connection.

Interesting, that's what I have, and assumed with all the talk of the PB Superflash, that it must be superior and I should get one (though perhaps I should have both).

You say "new" - has it changed? I've had mine a couple of years (or perhaps it's not a TL-1100, just looks the same).

I have problems with battery connections though - I'm planning to stick some magnets (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4248) on my batteries to force a tight connection.

The TL-1100 is a newer and much brighter version of the TL-1000, which is what you have. They look almost identical.

Is it just me or is the SF mount really weak? I just bought a SF tonight, mounted it to my seatstay and when I clicked the light body into the mount, I found it was held there really weakly.. like it could pop out of its mount if I hit a sharp bump or something. I'm returning the thing for this reason but I wanted to see what others have to say.

Have been using the seatpost mount for over a year on my daily commuter,as well as a couple other bikes. No probs. I have seen 2 or 3 Blackburn mounts break,however.

The Mars 3.0 is a pain due to the tiny screws which need to be removed to change the batteries.

The SuperFlash is good.

The best I've used is the new Cateye TL-1100. It's a lot more visible than the SF, especially during low light times such as dawn and dusk. It takes AA batteries and doesn't need any tools to change them.

BTW, I own and have used all the light mentioned above.

+1
Imagine needing batteries while on a ride or commute and not having the tiny screwdriver needed to install the batteries. I had a mars 3.0, but someone stole it from my bike....maybe they did me a favor?
Now i am using the SF, and it is great.
That cateye is interesting, 10 LEDs:eek:! Never seen one except for in the packaging, but i imagine it is bright.

I have a Mars 3.0 and have seen many people with the SF. The SF is a bit brighter from directly behind and the batteries are a bit easier to change. The Mars 3.0 however is bright from most angles and seems to be built a bit tougher IMHO. I have had it fall off my belt loop many times while going 20-30mph and it just slides down the road still flashing. It barely even gets scuffed.

+1
Imagine needing batteries while on a ride or commute and not having the tiny screwdriver needed to install the batteries.

Yeah, that's true. It stays together better than a snap-together light, but it's correspondingly more difficult to open up once the time comes.

Really, the amber side lights are just about the only reason I still use it. I'm not aware of another blinky that has the same setup.

Our local commuter group is meeting Dec 14th to do some vidoe testing of a bunch of different front and rear lights. I'll post thoes results when we get them.

Is it just me or is the SF mount really weak? I just bought a SF tonight, mounted it to my seatstay and when I clicked the light body into the mount, I found it was held there really weakly.. like it could pop out of its mount if I hit a sharp bump or something. I'm returning the thing for this reason but I wanted to see what others have to say.

I think it might just be you. ;) I've used the SF and its predecessors for 4 [5? 6?] years, and have yet had one eject from the bracket. Winter, summer, on road or dirt - no problems.

Is Cateye TL-1100 available in the states? I tried to google for it and all the sites are in UK.

Is Cateye TL-1100 available in the states? I tried to google for it and all the sites are in UK.

Yes.

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=LT4070

Yes.

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=LT4070

Thanks!