Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Aha! Seca 700 beam shot

For those interested in off-the-shelf lights: I found a beam shot of the Seca 700, which is Light & Motion's new upper-end light. http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-you-want.html This might be what I've been looking for, for road riding. Ordered one in the Ultra version (5 hours @ 700 lumens), hope I don't regret it :p

Update: I found another beamshot at the MTBR forums (http://forums.mtbr.com/showpost.php?p=4978951).

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z98/chalshus/seca700.jpg
sweet, I love these slalom courses! :) ...but don't toilet plungers usually have handles?

If that photo is representative of the real-world performance, then it looks pretty good for road riding; the foreground illumination doesn't overpower the mid-range illumination, they're balanced nicely. It also appears to have an acceptable throw distance for an all-around bike light. I would probably still bring along my Dereelight DBS as the long-range "driving light," since it can lay down useable illumination as far out as 400-600 feet on pavement, even with the textured reflector (and considerably further with the smooth reflector). You can't have too much throw for road riding... hitting a porcupine at 45mph can ruin your whole evening ;)

Still waiting for my Seca... but it should be here in a day or two now :)

The Seca looks like it has a much better beam pattern than the DiNotte 600l. There is really no comparison between the two, especially concerning throw.

It is about time that Light and Motion caught up! What about price? Is it competitive with other offerings?

It is about time that Light and Motion caught up! What about price? Is it competitive with other offerings?

Of course, the Dinotte does put out less light, but...

Seca 700: $650 at Competitive Cyclist
Dinotte 600L: $400 at Dinotte's website

What's more, the Dinotte runs for 7 hours on 2 batteries at full power vs. 5 for the Seca at full (higher) power. In addition, based on my usage pattern (i.e., don't ride for >3 hours per ride), I'll rather have two batteries so there is redundancy and flexibility. YMMV.

Of course, the Dinotte does put out less light, but...

Seca 700: $650 at Competitive Cyclist
Dinotte 600L: $400 at Dinotte's website

What's more, the Dinotte runs for 7 hours on 2 batteries at full power vs. 5 for the Seca at full (higher) power. In addition, based on my usage pattern (i.e., don't ride for >3 hours per ride), I'll rather have two batteries so there is redundancy and flexibility. YMMV.

Competitive Cyclist is the last place to use for price comparisons. They are damn near always the most expensive shop.

Here's the Seca 700 for $455. http://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=details&PageID=30&SKU=LT1162

Of course, the Dinotte does put out less light, but...

Seca 700: $650 at Competitive Cyclist
Dinotte 600L: $400 at Dinotte's website

What's more, the Dinotte runs for 7 hours on 2 batteries at full power vs. 5 for the Seca at full (higher) power. In addition, based on my usage pattern (i.e., don't ride for >3 hours per ride), I'll rather have two batteries so there is redundancy and flexibility. YMMV.

I already have the DiNotte 600L. Its floody beam pattern makes it a great off-roading light, and a good buy at $400 for that purpose (especially with two batteries), but it doesn't have the long-distance beam pattern I'd like for on-road riding. It appears to me that DiNotte painted themselves into a corner by putting their emitters so close to the front of the light head, because that doesn't leave them the depth required for a spot-beam optic. L&M doesn't use an optic, they use a reflector. It's not about the lumen count, it's about getting the lumens where I actually need them.

If I need more than 5 hours of runtime on the Seca, I'll just have to pick up a second battery. Anyway, I'm told it'll ship in the first week of October, so I'll have to be patient :) In the meantime, my 600L is getting help from a Dereelight DBS V2, which has incredible throw.

For those interested in off-the-shelf lights: I found a beam shot of the Seca 700, which is Light & Motion's new upper-end light. http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-you-want.html This might be what I've been looking for, for road riding. Ordered one in the Ultra version (5 hours @ 700 lumens), hope I don't regret it :p

You're getting to be worse than me! ;)

You're getting to be worse than me! ;)

Oh, I seriously doubt that...

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff237/mechBgon/Insane.jpg

...but dang it, I'm trying! ;);)

^ Hardcore. I'm never going to have more than two headlights on my bike. I like being able to take them with me when leaving. Incidentally, that's also why I only invest in the most powerful lights I can find. One 500-lumen flashlight is easier to remove and use than two 250-lumen lights, for example.

^ Hardcore. I'm never going to have more than two headlights on my bike. I like being able to take them with me when leaving. Incidentally, that's also why I only invest in the most powerful lights I can find. One 500-lumen flashlight is easier to remove and use than two 250-lumen lights, for example.

There's more to power than raw lumen counts, however. If what I want is to see 500 feet ahead of me, (and for road riding, I do), I'm better off with a 250-lumen light that throws (http://www.dereelight.com/dbsv2.htm), than a 500-lumen flooder (or even a 600-lumen DiNotte). Even the DBS's little brother, the pocketable CL1H, will outthrow a premium-quality Wolf Eyes P7, and will do so for about twice the runtime too. Different lights for different roles, eh :beer:

^ Agreed. It all depends on what your needs are. :beer:

Oh, I seriously doubt that...
...but dang it, I'm trying! ;);)

:lol::lol::lol::lol: You get an "A" for effort.

You might have missed these...... on second thought, I guess you're right..(sigh)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwtsVjKwq5c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o3YI0LZYCI

Updated original post with a yummy new beam shot :)

Updated original post with a yummy new beam shot :)

Not great throw, how much $$$ for that? But yeah,--yummy.:)

Below, very old school, 2003 maybe?

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7663/14965483zx3.png

Not great throw, how much $$$ for that?

Oh, wouldn't you like to know :thumb: *hastily shreds the employee-purchase form*

As for the throw... judging from user comments at MTBR, the throw is at least a step up from what I've been using (DiNotte 600L). And I also have the DBS, which gets a Cree R2 emitter (next step above Q5) installed tomorrow. More output, same runtime. Now if only the runtime were more like 2.5-3 hours on that puppy.

Oh no, I said PUPPY! :eek: *braces for cute attack*

its good to see the L&M stepped up to the plate with a better LED offering, but they brought the price tag with them. Awesome beamshots BTW

Oh, wouldn't you like to know :thumb: *hastily shreds the employee-purchase form*

I understand. :)


As for the throw... judging from user comments at MTBR, the throw is at least a step up from what I've been using (DiNotte 600L). And I also have the DBS, which gets a Cree R2 emitter (next step above Q5) installed tomorrow. More output, same runtime. Now if only the runtime were more like 2.5-3 hours on that puppy.

Oh no, I said PUPPY! :eek: *braces for cute attack*

This attack specifically aimed at an ex Corgi owner.... :D

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8832/baileyandcharliethinkinpc5.jpg


We now return you to your regular thread about lights......

:roflmao: