Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Looking for a great headlight under $50!

Hey guys I'm new here and this is my first post. I've managed to read through several forums and I've decided I need a good headlight. In the morning I ride through a field to get to work and at night I do the same. I usually just hold a plastic flashlight, but at times it can get pretty cumbersome. The field has no path, so I'm just making my own. The path is only about a half a mile, but it is pitch black.

After reading several posts I narrowed my choice down to a Nashbar Brilliant II because I originally wanted to get a light for under $25. I'm not sure if this will be bright enough so I've doubled my budget to $50. I've been looking here:

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?subcategory=60001067&category=6000101&browse=&storetype=&estoreid=&brand=&searchbox=&start=1&orderby=price1&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Front%20Lights

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=4320

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I can possibly spend a little more if it's worth it.
Any suggestions, thoughts and tips would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Not sure how bright that Nashbar light is, but at Lowe's you can get a 2 c cell flashlight for $30.00 that is very bright. Just use 2 seat post or handlebar reflector mounts to mount it & your good to go. Also, not sure if Target still has it, but they did have a headlamp setup that runs on 3 aa's. The battery "pack" is in the rear, & also has a read led you can turn on/ off independant from the headlamp. Just take the elastic band off the light, & get a roll of double sided velcro from Michael's craft store for like $8-9.00 & mount it on your helmet. The headlamp isn't as bright as the Lowe's f.l., but wherever you look you have light with it mounted on your helmet.

Good luck,
Chris

The simplest solution is using this
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10727
and mount i using:
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=274

There are two different flashlights at Lowes with the same UPC. You want the one where the pkg says Lowes Task Force 3W "CREE" 2C 150+ lumens . I think it also says 60 times brighter. Many stores still carry the older model at the same price. I have used one as a backup and occasionally as my main light. They work well. I just velcro strapped mine to the stem and used some pipe insulation foam to get the aim correct.

Zagnut

I say suck it up and drop the $55-$65 for a Fenix. Ok, you'll have to tack on another $35 for a LaCrosse battery charger to make it all super sweet, but it's totally worth it. I suspect that the Nashbar brilliant would look like a toy next to the Fenix - if you just want a front blinker, it would probably suffice, but if you intend to do any true self-lighted night riding, you'd best go with Fenix or comparable.

For the money, the Princeton-Tec Eos is good. It comes with handlebar and helmet mounts. If you do much night riding, you'll probably eventually want more light than $50 will buy. If you upgrade to a more powerful handlebar headlight in the future, you could use the Eos on the helmet in combination. I bought mine for less than $40 shipped on ebay.

http://www.princetontec.com/products/index.php?id=37&type=&use=4

Or you could pick up a used halogen light from ebay and have lots of light. The only caveat I would say is to be aware that battery packs decline with age and can be expensive to replace.

All you guys are awesome! These are the best responses I have ever had from a forum. I will be researching all your responses - I have a Lowe's nearby, so I will check for the light that has the correct packaging, I've ordered from dealextreme and that light has some awesome reviews and power for the price, I've heard nothing but great things about Fenix from friends and this forum, and I can get the Princeton-Tec Eos light for $33.99 from amazon.

Thanks for all the input! When I decide and get everything hooked up I will post pics!

Netbug,

Sweet light for $20.00! Great link!

Cudwortho: I did forget to mention there was 2 different lights in the same pkg. As the old one phased out, the new one came in (twice as bright!) with the same sku & almost identical pgking! It will say "60x Brighter" on the pkg. Thank you Zagnut!

Here is the Target/ Costso light I mentioned: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=338733

Good luck,
Chris

You won't get the intense lighting of a Niterider system; but, the Cyrgo Lite NigtRover system is a decent system for a reasonable price. The dual lighting gives you a broad beam, if not a beam that penetrates longer distances.