Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Complete Bike LED Kit

Hi,
I have been wanting to get a light setup for my bike so I can go out riding at night. I live out in the country where it can get very dark at times and a good light would be a big plus.
I know that when it comes to buying things you get what you pay for but my budget is so tight it isn't funny.
I found this light combo(front and back)for a price that I can afford with free shipping to boot but have a few questions...
Has anyone here bought this light kit? if so what do you think about it?
Are the lights bright enough to illuminate the road/path at night?
How long do the batteries last?
Are the batteries expensive to replace or are they rechargeable?
Has anyone ever bought from this place? Are they a trustworthy business?

I'm sure I can come up with a few more questions for all of you but I don't want to overdo it.

Any input you all can give me on this would be great
Thank You
Les

You forgot to provide a link or reference. We don't know what you are asking about.

...

Ok,here's the link to the kit.
I thought you all wanted to play mind-reader :(

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10363

Sorry about that

No, that front light will not illuminate your way, not even close.

Your budget is $6!?!?!?! That kit is a basic to be seen front/rear light. You will spend more on buying rechargeable batteries than you will on the light set. It doesn't make sense.

They look like the standard entry level light that uses AAA/AA batts. There really isn't much to be said about the lights.

Thanks for the reply tdister,
That's all I needed to know. I'll pass on this and keep looking for something better.

Is it hard to believe operator that not everyone is made of money? I'm on a fixed income as of right now so Yes $6 is tight.
I do appreciate your input and was also thinking about having to replace the batteries alot as well which is why I asked about them.

Thank You

Ok,here's the link to the kit.
I thought you all wanted to play mind-reader :(

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10363

Sorry about that

Use a Flashlight and a combination of rubber bands. I use a 3 celled mag-lite.

Bill

If you are on so tight a budget that the running costs of a few leds figure into it, maybe you should buy a cheap bottle dynamo.

It won't give you hundreds of lumens but you will have a much better chance of seeing where you are going than with cheap led 'be seen' lights.

If your budget is that tight, what happens when you need a new tyre or any sort of repair or maintenance ?

Are you in a 3rd world country ?

If you are maybe someone has some old lights they could donate ?

:)

If I may offer some constructive criticism....

Does that $6 budget for lights carry over to other items/maintenance for your bike? If so, you might want to reconsider how you appropriate your money for it. I understand people often ride to save money on gas, but you still have to invest in your bike for proper usage. It doesn't sound like you're using your bike to commute (or are you?).....but even for casual/recreational riding you still want to buy decent products for it. Saving a bit longer and getting something more useful and more durable will pay off in the long run.

If you're just trying to take a flyer on a cheap set of lights just because that is literally all you have, then go for it. But be prepared to be dissatisfied and/or put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation (even in the country people still need to see you and it helps if you can see as well).

If you are on so tight a budget that the running costs of a few leds figure into it, maybe you should buy a cheap bottle dynamo.

It won't give you hundreds of lumens but you will have a much better chance of seeing where you are going than with cheap led 'be seen' lights.

If your budget is that tight, what happens when you need a new tyre or any sort of repair or maintenance ?

Are you in a 3rd world country ?

If you are maybe someone has some old lights they could donate ?

:)

Wow, I must have started writing my post right after you posted yours. I see you had the same reaction to this.....hopefully he will heed the advice if enough people chime in.

I think you should save your pennies for a few weeks and get 20 dollar ultrafire and some zip ties to lash it to your helmet. You will also need a few rechargable batteries.

Good luck.

Thanks for all the input and Constructive criticism :( guys
I know it sounds bad and it sounds like I am being a cheap skate but I don't buy cheap parts for my bike. I understand that while I don't use the bike to commute(I use it for general recreation and exercise) it is like any other vehicle and needs proper maintenance done on it.
What I was/am getting at is I don't have the funds for extras(Unnecessary)gadgets.
The light is to only be used for lighting my way and not for Safety as where I ride there isn't a chance of coming across any cars or people and the only risk I run of getting run over is by a deer or some other form of wildlife.
I do agree that I should hold off and put my money in the cookie jar and save up for something better and I will go back in the archives here and see what is being recommended.

Thanks again for the input everyone I really do Appreciate it
Les

I know it sounds like I am being a cheap skate but I don't buy cheap parts for my bike.

Erm...$6 lights ?

I don't have the funds for extras(Unnecessary)gadgets. The light is to only be used for lighting my way and not for Safety

I think you need to re-evaluate your thinking as to whether being able to see where you are going is actually an unnecessary extra ?

What do you mean by "only be used for lighting my way" ?

If you mean that you want a headlight to see by (as you said in your first post) then you need to be aware that the LED lights you were considering are more for the purpose of being seen and even then I wouldn't rely solely on a singular set of those, I would have at least two independent rear lights.

Also, any light that puts out enough light to reasonably 'light your way' will be somewhat power hungry and consume batteries, even if you go for a rechargeable system you'll need to judge the suitability of it - how long do you intend to be in the dark ?

Les, maybe you should consider the advice you've been offered as 'constructive advice' rather than 'constructive criticism'.

If you buy a dynamo you'll get adequate lighting, you won't have to worry about run times or buying batteries or charging and you won't be putting as many batteries into landfill.

BTW, what country are you in ?

How can you afford a computer and net access, but can only budget $6 on lighting ?

Are you just kidding us ?

:)

Wow,
Unknown Cyclist,What I mean by having lights are unnecessary...I don't have to go out riding at night I would like to but it isn't necessary.
I don't consider lights as a part FOR my bike a gadget/extra/accessory yes but a part no.
I don't feel the need to sit down here and explain my finances and how I can afford this or that,that isn't what I came here to do.
I do Appreciate the input from those that have given it and will definitely take that and run with it.

Thank You
Exit stage left

the lights i want for my bike exceed the price i paid for the whole bicycle

Wow,
Unknown Cyclist,What I mean by having lights are unnecessary...I don't have to go out riding at night I would like to but it isn't necessary.
I don't consider lights as a part FOR my bike a gadget/extra/accessory yes but a part no.
I don't feel the need to sit down here and explain my finances and how I can afford this or that,that isn't what I came here to do.
I do Appreciate the input from those that have given it and will definitely take that and run with it.

Thank You
Exit stage left

how can you afford to sit down and type anything if you are so short on money?

get a second job

how can you afford to sit down and type anything if you are so short on money?
get a second job

He just explained that he did not want to explain his financial situation. You even quoted that. Not very nice.

The cheapest ready made bicycle light I can recommend for you is going to be the Planet Bike Blaze 1 watt at $40. http://www.rei.com/product/769616

It will allow you to ride fairly safely under good conditions as long as you don't go fast. Others try to get by on less to see with, but they are running more on luck than light. Under some conditions though, even lights brighter than the above will not be enough. Freshly laid black pavement after a shower will make it near invisible. Older faded pavement that is dry will make the light seem several times brighter.

If traffic is only a very minor concern you might get by with a fairly cheap tail light ($10), so long as you aim it properly. Keep your reflectors on too though. A couple bucks more can get you a very decent light though.

Hi all, I'm new to these forums ...

Evans, as far as your budget goes ...Been there, done that.

Probably the cheapest light I can recommend to you is a simple flashlight. Pick any brand you want or already have. There are a few ways to affix a flashlight to a bicycle. In consideration of your limited budget, I will only mention the home made options.

1. Duct tape
2. Rubber bands... I made mine from old inner tube by cutting out a few cross sections. Just loop them around the light, then under the handle bar, and back around the light again. This method actually works quite well.
3. Two hose clamps. Loop one inside the other and secure to the flashlight body and the handle bars.
4. Two zip Ties ... Used in lieu of hose clamps.

Go to this website http://nordicgroup.us/s78/#Flashlights Then scroll down to "flashlights" He illustrates another method using conduit clamps.

Good luck to you...

tdister,Thank you for the help and pointing me towards a light for what I need.

Thank You

Hi bicycleflyer,
Thanks for understanding and for the tips.
Great link to,lots of good reading.

les,

If you are just the slightest bit handy, you can rig up a 15-20 watt halogen mr16 light and a SLA battery. This will give you ample light and decent run times. And if you keep the battery somewhere near a full charge, it can last a very long time. If you run it till your light goes dim, you will kill it quickly.

Overvolting such a setup will really crank out the light at the expense of bulb life, but, bulbs are ridiculously cheap......(kinda like you) *rimshot* :) They run 3-5 bucks.

The alternative is a homebrewed led setup. It is a bit more expensive and you get alot of light per watt which will allow you to run on lighter batteries.

So, you can go cheap and heavy (consider it a training aid) or a bit more expensive and lighter.