Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Superflash - Motorist Approved

I finally bought and mounted a Planet Bike Superflash tail light after seeing so many recommendations here. Wow, it's bright. Tonight's ride home from work was the first time I used it. As I was riding up a hill, a car came up beside me and the lady driving yelled out "I like your light!"

I've had people comment on my headlights before but this was a first regarding tail lights. I was thinking of getting a Dinotte tail light but now I'll just stick with the Superflash.

Superflash definitely gets notices, it is quite the light

It does the job of two taillights. You get the multiple flash, alternating source effect in one compact unit. I actually replaced two taillights that I was running on my commuter; now I kinda feel like a low flying Cessna with all the anti-collision lights ablaze! I still carry one of my brighter Cateye units as a "backup" unit just in case.

The bracket assembly seems kind of flimsy. A more positive "lockwasher" interface would keep the light in position without having to really crank down on the through-bolt. I hate having to overtighten the clamping through-bolt, just to keep the light from tilting down, due to road vibration/bumps.

I've got a MARS 3.0 - is the Superflash much better than it?

I've got a MARS 3.0 - is the Superflash much better than it?

Yes

I was thinking of getting a Dinotte tail light but now I'll just stick with the Superflash.

I have the both of them, and I use them together on my early pre-dawn country road commute. Depending on what I'm doing otherwise, usually dawn/dusk runs through the city, mostly in bike lanes, I often use just the SF on my helmet. It's lightweight and self-contained unlike the Dinotte + battery pack, and I find it's plenty adequate. Not to mention, a lot more convenient without feeling like I'm compromising my visibility at all.

Though if anybody is doing nighttime rural roads (sometimes in the rain/fog) with inconsistent shoulders like me, I definitely suggest the combination. SF on blink, Dinotte on high steady. Take that moon!

Love my superflash. But I'm a big believer in having 2 taillights, so I run the superflash plus a cheap blinkie. The problem with taillights is that one could quit or you could drop it, and never know while riding.

(sound of hand slapping forehead). I will retract my statement about the bracket not holding its position. I took another look at my PB SF installation and figured out I had the shim positioned incorrectly. The rubber strip needs to wrap in the opposite direction of the bracket clamp; ie the gap between the shim ends needs to be on the "front" of the seatpost. Then as the bracket is tightened, the tabs don't pull in together as much, and the light assembly stays put...

I bought one of these and installed it last week on my first commute, mounted on one of the seat stays as I have a small bag under the seat. Found that cars gave me some decent room when passing. Thinking of getting a second for the other side for more visibility and as a backup. I even run it during the day. Can't hurt!

Word to SuperFlash AND .5watt Blaze from PB. I likey.

I get a lot of compliments on my SuperFlash. Anyone know how to mount one on a helmet?

now I kinda feel like a low flying Cessna with all the anti-collision lights ablaze!

I just got this image of a bike with red lights winking from one side and green on the other! That would be kinda funny...

http://bp3.blogger.com/_m2_YJYFcr3I/R0HM18PF4sI/AAAAAAAAClw/y2xcxxVorO8/s320/cornu3.jpg

I get a lot of compliments on my SuperFlash. Anyone know how to mount one on a helmet?

I just slid a PB SF onto my Giro Pneumo horizontal Roc-Loc strap, after being unable to find anywhere else to strap it on the back. It rides a little low, so may not be good if you have a backpack on or high collar.

I just slid a PB SF onto my Giro Pneumo horizontal Roc-Loc strap, after being unable to find anywhere else to strap it on the back. It rides a little low, so may not be good if you have a backpack on or high collar.

I take it this is a built-in blinky mount strap. Mine didn't come with a strap, unfortunately.

I'm contemplating upgrading from my MARS to the Superflash. Asides from the improved battery changing aspect (you need freaking screwdrivers to get at the AAAs in the MARS!), anyone actually side-by-side tested these out there? (The MARS is pretty freaking bright as well...)

I still have a Blackburn Mars 3 at home, as well as a few Superflashes. Short answer: the Mars 3 is stored, the Superflashes are used.

– The Superflash is slightly more compact. It's especially thinner, so if you attach it behind a rear rack, it takes a bit less space.

– The collar around the Mars 3 might give one more flexibility. However, the bracket is less sturdy. I had two Mars 3 behind my trailer, but lost one because of vibrations, I assume. Other down aspects: the collar is hard to fix, the light can't be bolted in place.

– In steady mode, the overall brightness is fairly similar. When I used it daily, the rechargeable batteries used to last less than a week, whereas they last 1-2 weeks in the Superflash. I assume that the 7 LEDs end up using more than 0,5 W.

– In spite of the tiny yellow LED of the Mars, the side illumination is fairly similar Ditto for angle illumination.

– In flashing mode, the Superflash is definitely better. Generally speaking, I would NOT use the Superflash in flashing mode at night, but I do use it quite often in fog, sun-in-my-face or other low-visibility situations. In these situations, the Superflash definitely wins.

Just got my superflash and all I can say is "WOW"!!!

I get a lot of compliments on my SuperFlash. Anyone know how to mount one on a helmet?

I asked planet bike, they said they just use zip ties. Works perfectly on my helmet.

Zip ties unfortunately didn't hold on my helmet (A Bell Citi), since the vents aren't in the best location for mounting. Since Planet Bike doesn't make a helmet mount, I picked up a self-leveling blinky with a helmet mount built in; I leave a superflash on my rack.

On my 'night-riding' helmet, I have a Black Diamond LED headlamp stretched around the perimeter of the helmet. I have a Superflash clipped onto the headlamp strap on the back side of the helmet. It all works perfectly.

I lost a superflash after going over some rough pavement. It popped out of the bracket and i didn't realize it until i got to work. Fortunately i had 2 of them on my bike. :) I wrapped a ziptie around the remaining one just to be safe.

[superflashes are on the left seatstay while Cateye LD1000 is mounted on the seatpost]

What kind of batteries does the Superflash take? I have a pretty bright blinkey but it takes watch batteries and it burns through them quickly. I'd love a light with the same LEDs but AA or AAA powered...

PB Superflash uses 2x AAA's. Love mine! I run it in blinky mode and my old-*** cheap-o Bell that I've had for 8 yrs in steady mode during my low-light commutes/rides.

There's a new Superflash Stealth, black body, clear lens with red LEDs. I just may have to change out my original White/Red Superflash.

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/3034_1.jpg

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3034_1.html

Looks a bit too "Euro" for me. Looks like it belongs on the rear-end of a riced-out Honda Civic. I'll keep my recently old-school white/red SF.