Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - The best headlights under $50 thread

I see some suggestions that I might purchase in this thread, but what about weather resistance? I'm in Florida, where rain shows up out of nowhere, and the humidity tends to be a bit high on occasions (94% this morning). The lights I would use are mainly for daytime, or perhaps dusk and dawn when the time changes, so the lights I choose are more for the "to be seen" category.

So are pretty much all of these water resistant, or should I be looking for some specific types?

Water resistant, you ask? (http://tinyurl.com/6ek222)

General demo (http://tinyurl.com/6ypwa4)

Darn, can't view youtube, I'll have to check it out tonight when I get home.

Darn, can't view youtube, I'll have to check it out tonight when I get home.

Suffice to say, the Fenix is water resistant. :)

I know from personal experience too.

I went riding on some bad roads today and noticed a problem with my MTE P7 light. Every time I hit a large bump, the light cycles to the next mode.

Does anyone else have this issue?

This is a concern. I have one on order that I plan to use for off-road riding.

if you really want the light, then the 2 mode version sounds like it would be better.

This light with a Two Fish holder would be great. You'd have enough money leftover for a charger and batteries too.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail

Thanks for the heads-up. I bought that light, 5 of the Rayovac batteries, and the charger for under 50 bucks shipped, and it came in 3 days. I am quite satisfied with it's performance.

I went riding on some bad roads today and noticed a problem with my MTE P7 light. Every time I hit a large bump, the light cycles to the next mode.

Does anyone else have this issue?

It sounds like your mount isn't stable enough. Either tighten that or use duct tape to secure the light to the mount and bars.

It sounds like your mount isn't stable enough. Either tighten that or use duct tape to secure the light to the mount and bars.

I'm using a Twofish Lockblock. The mount is fine.

If the problem persists, I'm going to have to mount the light on my helmet.

I went riding on some bad roads today and noticed a problem with my MTE P7 light. Every time I hit a large bump, the light cycles to the next mode.

Does anyone else have this issue?

Sounds like the batteries are loose and momentarily loosing contact, switching modes.

I went with the MTE SSC P7 flashlight. I am not sure if it is the best one for my use and the quality of the flashlight but we will see! There is another 900 lumen flashlight by Aurora that sounds like it has better throw. I might get that one next to augment the MTE, or I might buy one that is called the Super Thrower. I would just like to see who the set up works initially before I go out and spend over a $100 in flashlights. I think I am going to pick up a front rack before I buy a second light. That way I will have something to strap both flashlights to and my light will be lower and further ahead, spacing them apart and reducing shadows. With or without the second flashlight, the MTE will be better than my sigma bikelight.

I plan to use this light mainly for trail riding and some limited street riding.

This probably won't apply to this thread because the price exceeds the original question, but since I got one of these at a pretty good discount and am getting the flashlight either way, I'm probably going to give it a go as a bike light (at least to test it).

In any case, the specs on this light make it an awesome consideration several types of use. Whether it's got enough spill as a bike light, I don't know...but it could always be coupled with another light for spill, because this would certainly deliver the throw at less than $100 (I got one for right at $71, a few lucky people on the CandlePower Forums got one for less than $50). Supposedly incredible runtime and will take several battery types (2xCR123A, 2xRCR123A, 2x16340, 1x18650, or 1x17670). And with the Olights, you're getting something that I associate with Fenix, too, and that's outstanding quality (for those with concerns about that sort of thing . . . ;)).

Olight M20 Warrior PREMIUM Tactical LEDFlashlight w. Cree R2 - 250 Lumens (http://www.batteryjunction.com/premium-olight-m20-warrior.html)

Couple of modes and runtime specs:

7 lumens, 150 hours
90 lumens, 12 hours
250 lumens, 4 hours
Strobe

Pre-orders are being taking at 4sevens.com and batteryjunction.com. Check it out if for nothing more than to see what the new technology is bringing us. :thumb:

I went with the MTE SSC P7 flashlight. I am not sure if it is the best one for my use and the quality of the flashlight but we will see! There is another 900 lumen flashlight by Aurora that sounds like it has better throw. I might get that one next to augment the MTE, or I might buy one that is called the Super Thrower. I would just like to see who the set up works initially before I go out and spend over a $100 in flashlights. I think I am going to pick up a front rack before I buy a second light. That way I will have something to strap both flashlights to and my light will be lower and further ahead, spacing them apart and reducing shadows. With or without the second flashlight, the MTE will be better than my sigma bikelight.

I plan to use this light mainly for trail riding and some limited street riding.

I've bought one too -- should arrive in a week. I see DX is selling the bare emitter units The new listing has a note --

Correction: this page showed that the emitter features an output of 900 lumens while these are really B-Bin emitters (as in BSYPI). The correct output rating should be 570~740 lumens. If you have purchased this product expecting it to have 900 lumens output, you may either cancel your order (if it's not shipped), or return the product to us for a full refund + reimbursement.

570 lumens is still OK with me!

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail
ENTER CPFuser TO GET 6% OFF

Holy crud!!!

My 2 Romisen RC-N3 Q5's from Shiningbeam.com just came in. These babies are bright. I work in Law Enforcement and we often sit around comparing flashlights rated around 50-70k candle power. I can not tell you how high these rate because I am not an engineer. However I know for sure that when I get to work tonight I will be bragging about my flashlight that is just a hair less bright that cost 1/4 of the other guys lights.

The only con was that the beam can not be focused. However at 3pm when it was 100* out I could see the spot light on the ground from 4 feet away in direct sunlight. I would highly recommend these. I have 2 Duracell Rechargeables 2400mAh-AA/HR6/DC1500 NiMH/1,2V in them. I would highly recommend these flashlights even if you dont use them on your bike. I will use these at work. They will blind someone for sure.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-60/MF-PL1-18650-Cree/Detail

I bought this light from Shiningbeam. Great thrower, good quality.

Update on the MTE P7 switch problem: I unscrewed the tailcap slightly and the problem goes away.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail
ENTER CPFuser TO GET 6% OFF

Holy crud!!!

My 2 Romisen RC-N3 Q5's from Shiningbeam.com just came in. These babies are bright. I work in Law Enforcement and we often sit around comparing flashlights rated around 50-70k candle power. I can not tell you how high these rate because I am not an engineer. However I know for sure that when I get to work tonight I will be bragging about my flashlight that is just a hair less bright that cost 1/4 of the other guys lights.

The only con was that the beam can not be focused. However at 3pm when it was 100* out I could see the spot light on the ground from 4 feet away in direct sunlight. I would highly recommend these. I have 2 Duracell Rechargeables 2400mAh-AA/HR6/DC1500 NiMH/1,2V in them. I would highly recommend these flashlights even if you dont use them on your bike. I will use these at work. They will blind someone for sure.

I just received my Romisen RC-N3 Q5's last week and I admit they are bright. Haven't had a chance to try them on the bike under nighttime or twilight conditions, but maybe tomorrow (I have the day off) I'll go for an early morning ride and see how they perform.

This light with a Two Fish holder would be great. You'd have enough money leftover for a charger and batteries too.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail

OK, now that I have been using that light for a dark am commute for a while, I have to say I am impressed and pleased with my purchase. It is bright enough for me to commute to work on an unlit bike path at 17-20 mph. I mounted it with a twofish lock-block on the handle-bars, and am more than pleased. I am going to get another one for when it is winter and dark on the way home as well, and mount it on my helmet.

:thumb:

These MTE P7s sound great, but their battery life seems to only be around 65-70 minutes? Our morning rides are usually 90-110 minutes and will soon be all in the dark, and we ride on some really dark roads so I need something seriously brighter than the dinky 7 LED Cat-Eye that I have now.

Are there other similarly bright lamps (P7 I guess?) that might have a longer battery life?

Thanks!

These MTE P7s sound great, but their battery life seems to only be around 65-70 minutes?

They start to dim after an hour on 500 lumens, but you can always pop in a second battery. If you use it at medium mode (about 250 lumens), they should last for at least three hours on full brightness before starting to dim. That said, I think there's someone on the candlepower forums who sells P7s that take two 18650s, which would result in 2h at 500 lumens...

Yeah, there are several on Deal Extreme that take two 18650s, I actually ordered one yesterday then cancelled when I realized the thing was 9.5 inches long! That'd look a little funny on the bars.

When are we going to see the CygoLites, Dinottes, or NiteRiders with these technologies?

maybe you could attach it to the top tube instead? Personally I prefer it when my lights are lower.

In a Performance Bike catalog I just received, I saw bike headlights that were selling for over $400! :eek: If I recall, it was advertised as 3 LEDs outputting 500 lumens for 7 hrs.

In a Performance Bike catalog I just received, I saw bike headlights that were selling for over $400! :eek:

You're shocked at a $400 light system? Ok, no one tell him about the Lupine Betty 12 ;)

The problem with the flashlights changing modes when hitting bumps might be the battery momentarily losing contact.

You're shocked at a $400 light system? Ok, no one tell him about the Lupine Betty 12 ;)

The problem with the flashlights changing modes when hitting bumps might be the battery momentarily losing contact.

LOL, I guess in the era of 5-figure bicycles, a light that costs half a grand shouldn't surprise me that much. But it still does. :eek:

Ok, I have stayed away from this forum, but have fallen in deep.

I have read quite a bit....so hear are my questions:

I believe in the economic theory of tanstaafl (there ain't no such thing as a free lunch) althoug technology can minimize some of this

So what are the tradeoffs between a 200 lumen led light like the romisen and a 200 lumen bike specific Dinotte?

Is it mainly run time?

is the overall illumination the same? Reliabiliyt? or ???

All in all for my needs (not heavy duty nightime guy, but want more than my current little led) from my reading here itis seems like the romisen would be fine and going to the P7 might be overkill. Any thoughts here?

thanks
'

I just got my UltraFire C3 Q5 last night, and rode in with it today. I went with a single 14500 cell for today's test. The light output was sufficient (not wonderful, but sufficient). The big problem was that it cut out at about 30 minutes. I could turn it back on again but it'd shut off again quickly. Then I put it on medium output instead of high, and it lasted the remaining 10 minutes of my ride.

Tomorrow I'm going to try it with two AA cells. The light output is a bit less but should still be acceptable, and two AA NiMHs have nearly twice the watt hour capacity of a single 14500, so it should have plenty of run time.

I'm not totally happy with using flashlights as headlights. From MY point of view, sure, they're great. But they have no cutoff and in my testing this little flashlight gave more glare to oncoming drivers as both low beams of a car. I think I may wind up going with an Ixon IQ primary and using this flashlight as a backup.

BTW, I did some beam comparisons last night, click here to view (http://www.hauntedfrog.com/gallery2/v/hobbies/cycling/lighting/?g2_page=2).
My 3-year-old, 13W TrailTech HID and the UltraFire with all 3 battery options.

I bought a Planet Bike Superflash for the rear, and a Planet Bike 1 W white Blaze headlight. Any opinions on these?I've got them both. I'm very happy with them.

They're both very bright, and I've found both to be more than bright enough for my night road riding.

Follow-up on the UltraFire C3 Q5. With 2x AA NiMH, it's still bright enough, and it lasts at least long enough for my 42 minute commute.

I did have some problems with the switch though. It seems erratic. I went over a bunch of gravel road, fairly rough, with minimal problems, but then it just kicked into strobe mode while riding on smooth pavement. Also at several points the output level dropped down a bit, and went back up when I whacked it. So, power is OK, but the switch, not so much. The build quality on my sample is otherwise excellent, but if that switch doesn't mend itself (I've seen switches get better after a little use) it's going to be a problem.

I bought the flashlights as an experiment, and they seem to be a good solution weight-wise. But IMHO if I were going to spend $50 on a headlight solution, I'd go with DIY halogen again. When my HID bulb dies, I'm putting my MR16 fixture back on the bike and using the flashlight as a backup.

How are you guys mounting these flashlights to your helmets?

The UltraFire was OK for a 2nd day on the same set of AA NiMHs. However, the switch is quite erratic. I probably had to whack it 20 times on the 40 minute ride to get it back up to full brightness, and one time when I hit a bump it jumped about 3 modes.
I think the Q5 is an acceptable headlight, but I'd probably go for a single-mode, more durable switch model next time. But if I had to go with something like a Fenix at $60 to $70, well, I can buy a NiteRider MiNewt USB for about $80 and get a hell of a lot more runtime and better mounting options.

How are you guys mounting these flashlights to your helmets?

I wonder if Velcro would work well.

Does anyone know if the Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 LED torch is waterproof?

How are you guys mounting these flashlights to your helmets?

Here's my method: fairly large O-rings. The photo below shows my Fenix L2D Q5 attached to the side, but I currently have a different light (Olight M20) attached to the top-center instead. Anyway, O-rings are one option to look at.

http://www.mechbgon.com/L2DQ5_2.jpg

Does anyone know if the Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 LED torch is waterproof?

The description says "Water resistant design". By that, I take it that in rain: OK; deep sea diving: not so much.

How are you guys mounting these flashlights to your helmets?

I just use rubber bands.

I got my two Fenix L2D's, a few days later I got my Romisen RC-N3 Q5, finally today I got my TwoFish lock blocks. Since I had the Fenix, and it gets dark at the end of my after work ride.....I had to 'engineer' my own mount. Just used two thick hairbands, they did a great job too!

Can't wait to try the lights out with fresh batteries. I had taken the only AA's I could find in the house from my BOB (for when the real one is out of town, which is far too often) The batteries were a little weak, but compared to my BF's MiniNewt I was very pleased. Now that I have TWO for my bars with new batteries AND the Romisen for my helmet....well, let's just say, I intend to be dragging some dead deer home every night. :D

Thanks for all the great advice in this and other threads. I'm thrilled with my purchases. Especially since they can double down for use dry caving.

Just wondering if anyone has any direct comparisons between the following lights:
Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5
Ese AF2 Cree Q5
Ultrafire C3 CREE Q5
UltraFire WF-606A Cree Q5-WC 230-Lumen

Not looking to spend much more on a light, just trying to get the best for the money. I would like one that has a little more "floody" hot spot if possible.

Thank you,
Chris

Rode with the Romisen tonight on a new cr123a battery. Loved it. So bright I nearly got a few deer too. Damn things just froze like a deer in a headlight........roflmao

Did notice that the RC-N3 has a nice hot spot in the center. I can see getting addicted to flashlights.

I purchased and just recieved my Princeton Corona. It was on Amazon for 46.99 with free shipping. Will use it as a helmet light and I have an old Night rider 15W light that will be in the handle bar. Right out of the box I've been pretty impressed. Good quality construction and it even came with batteries! I played with it in my back yard last night and it throughs a good beam on high. When day light savings is over and I start commuting in the dark I will write again on my thoughts on this light.

Rode with the Romisen tonight on a new cr123a battery. Loved it. So bright I nearly got a few deer too. Damn things just froze like a deer in a headlight........roflmao

Did notice that the RC-N3 has a nice hot spot in the center. I can see getting addicted to flashlights.

Pennypue: What kind of run time (before any dimming) are you getting with the 2 x AA and the CR123a?

Thank you,
Chris

Pennypue: What kind of run time (before any dimming) are you getting with the 2 x AA and the CR123a?

Thank you,
ChrisChris, I wish I could say. I've only gotten to ride with the new batteries once. Bout an hour on the cr123a. Didn't notice any dimming. The fenix on turbo with well loved batteries didn't seem to have faded, but once I dropped new batteries in, I could really see the difference.

I hope to get a better feel for battery life once we're riding in more dark after day light savings time hits. I ride mostly on a MUP, so blinding light isn't very important unless it's to startle the deer. :D (the possum was NOT impressed)

I placed my order with Shiningbeam on Friday--got it yesterday (with an LED keychain light thrown in-nice touch). I threw together a quick mount by using the bottom half of a cheap light. I used the clip on the flashlight and a zip-tie to secure it. My commute is seven miles mostly on an undivided four-lane with varying amounts of street/ambient light along the way. I was "ok" with a $12 AA halogen since my needs lean more towards being seen rather than needing the light to navigate; however, it was great to be able to see so much of the road surface on the darker sections. I ran it with two AAs--I'm going to pick up a CR123 just to compare.

Terrific "bang for the buck"--hard to beat for the price!!

I

I received my Ultrafire C3 Cree Q5 today, shipping was pretty darn quick (a week from order day). Haven't had a chance to use it, I'll report back soon.

Also picked up a new bell and a Plant Bike blinky for the rear, holy crap that thing is bright, do not look directly into it!

http://www.rei.com/product/750565

This is what I have at the moment. They were 25$ at REI.

The front light is bright enough to see with and to be seen with, and the way it attaches to the handlebars is great. It is tight enough, and it takes literaly, like 2 seconds to remove.

The cuberider in back is bright anough, and has the blinking option which is nice, but i dont really like the attaching method. There are rubber rings that im afraid will break/fall off. While i havn't had any problems yet, ill probably just get some good ol' duct tape and mount it using that ;)

overall, a great buy!

This light with a Two Fish holder would be great. You'd have enough money leftover for a charger and batteries too.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail

+1

I took your advice and I'm loving mine. If you don't need batts/charger, you could almost get two for $50.

First good ride with a helmut mounted Princeton Corona. With all 8 LED's on the trail was lit up pretty well. My 90min commute from work starts before the sun sets and it's nice to be able to choose how many LED's you want on either all 8, 4, 3 or 1 with dimming and blinking modes. I started my ride with one LED blinking then all 8 come on when I hit the woods. My main light was an old Nite Rider 5 D cell 15W handle bar mount that has served me well for many years died last night. I just ordered another Corona for the handle bar through Amazon, it was $52 with free shipping. It would be nice to have a Q/R mount and to be able to unplug the cord from the light. But over all I'm pleased.

After reading this thread. I went with the Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 LED Flashlight. I've had my eye on the Fenix L2D. But I went with the Romisen instead because of costs. Before, I had the Cateye Opticube HL-500 and the flashlight is like night and day. It lights up the road ahead of me like I've never seen before. I'm extremely happy I bought it thanks to you guys. I'm still in the process of reviewing it to see how the runtime is. So far I've used it for three days on my 45 min morning commute using Ray-O-Vac Hybrids and its still going strong. I would recharge the batteries in the Opticube about every 5 or 6 days. So if the Romisen last that long then I'll be satisfied. The best part is the wide flood and the bright spot on it. The spot does'nt get washed out in streetlights. I've ordered the mount featured on DealExtreme. But for now I've used this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfZhEzjWwg So far, so good.

After reading this thread. I went with the Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 LED Flashlight. I've had my eye on the Fenix L2D. But I went with the Romisen instead because of costs.

Yep, great bang for the buck!! If you're concerned about cost, this DIY mount will cost pocket change and I think is actually better than many/most of the commercially available ones:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=482839

trustfire TR-801 cree Q5-WC is brighter than a 200L dinotte head light, but has about half the run time.

I received my Ultrafire C3 Cree Q5 today, shipping was pretty darn quick (a week from order day). Haven't had a chance to use it, I'll report back soon.

I was excited to use this light. It worked great, I used the strobe setting more than anything else (since the mornings have more light after the time change.

Recently I pulled it off the bike to assist with some auto repair with my d-cell maglite died. Quickly I noticed a problem, as the light wouldn't turn on. Changed the battery, and it still wouldn't work. I'd shake it, and sometimes it comes on. I don't know what the problem is, I figured the mechanics of a flashlight aren't too difficult to get right, but sometimes I shake it and it works, other times it won't come on at all. I'm disappointed. I think I'll go with the Romisen next time.