Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Skater looking for help with night skating...

Hi everyone. Sorry for invading your forum...but I saw how much info you guys had on night cycling and thought I might ask some experts:

I'm a long distance inline skater. I skate on a 45 mile paved trail that's dedicated to bikers/skaters/walkers. I go to work at 8am and get home at 5:30, so the only times I can skate now are in the dark! I usually just switch to running in the winter and run in the dark, but I've seen some of the helmet light setups that are out now and was wondering if they'd work for a skater.

The big issue with a skating light is that I have to have a REALLY well illumined area right in front of me, because small pebbles could cause a trip.

Is there a cheap light that would do what I would need? I don't really care how bright the light makes the surroundings or how much total area I can see, I just need one that I can focus on the 10-15 feet of ground in front of me to keep an eye out for rocks. Would something like the $30 Princeton Tec Quad be enough for what I need or would I need to look into an H.I.D.? I really didn't want to spend more than $50.

Thanks for any help!

Still think the $50 Fenix + a Jakstrap Headstrap is by far the best way to go. I use it for running fairly fast as well as bike commuting, and it's orders of magnitude better than any headlamp on the market (I've tried 5 of the priciest, including MyoXp). If you were running 9min/mile, I'd say headlamp ok, but at 6mi/mile approx, you definitely will need Fenix power (180 lumens) to ride.

You will need really bright lights. Here is few suggestion.

Petzl Ultra.
Dinotte 400L.
Lupine Wilma.
Princeton Tec Apex.

If those are too expensive, there's a DIY. At minimum I would stick with Princeton Tec Apex.

For inline skating, you will want lights brighter than the hiking/camping offerings, they don't move as fast or need as bright light as you do.

Edit:
This forum may help you out better.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=6

This is my headlight setup, 700 lumens, extremely bright. 120 grams. For headlamps, you want to keep the weight below 200 grams, otherwise it's too heavy. For lights over 120 lumens, avoid shining it at people's face, it's extremely rude and distracting.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2712763539_0561f35981.jpg

..

One of the problems with helmet mounted lights is that they don't cast a highly visible shadow (hard to explain, but the shadow is directly behind the object from where you are looking, so the shadow doesn't show)

Having said that, I'd be tempted to go with the Princeton Tec Corona for its wider beam...report back on how it goes, I've been tempted to get a set of quad skates myself.

You will need really bright lights.

Yeah, but a skater is a lot slower than a bicycle. Not sure about the speed - maybe 5-8mph.

I just got a Niterider mini-newt usb, and it can be helmet mounted. The thing I like is that the battery can be charged from a USB port, so when I ride to work I can recharge at the office without buying another charger. This thing is only 100 lumens though, but it only runs about 100$.

If you don't want rechargeable batteries, then there are cheaper solutions. Fenix comes to mind.

ok skater

you want a light that works, is found everywhere, company has good support
if there is a problem, super compact but really dang bright, all in one package

niterider minewt x2

Yeah, but a skater is a lot slower than a bicycle. Not sure about the speed - maybe 5-8mph.


Wrong. Inline speedskaters can keep it up alright, they are not as fast as roadies but they are fast.

-1 on Niterider Minewt. For lightweight and cheap. I would go for Princeton Tec EOS, by far the most versatile headlamp out there, lots of excellent reviews. $35. Plenty of light to see 10-15 feet in front of you.

I still vote for FENIX. If you compare lumens (I tried ALL of these headlamps and more in my quest to find something that would work for running/biking - returned all except the FENIX.)

Petzl Tikka: 38 lumens, $35
PrincetonTec EOS: 50 lumens, $38
Petzl MyoXP: 84 lumens, $85 (This was not even bright enough for me to run at 9 miles per hour - was not adequate for even bike commuting here in LA.)
FENIX: 180 lumens, $55

Don't know how bright a current-gen MiNewt is, but it is similar to a FENIX - for $200+, plus much more bulk in terms of wires and battery pack. The FENIX is drop-dead simple - small as your hand, runs on 2xAAs with NO wires, never overheats even after hours of continuous use, and mounts/uninstalls in seconds to helmet or bike with rubber bands or a $6 twofish lockblock.

I did also try the PrincetonTec Apex with its fancy "3-watt LED" light that is allegedly super-bright. Problem with this as well as all other similar headlamps, is that the max bright setting with that 3watt LED is focused in a 1-2 foot circle of light, which is nearly useless for riding. You need a bright, broad cone, which the FENIX fulfills perfectly. (The fenix is still a LOT brighter than the Apex.)

In my experience in both running AND cycling (an inline skater would probably be at my bike commuting pace), you can't go with anything less than a FENIX and expect to ride at a reasonable speed. If you use a Princetontec, you will have to heavily rely on street lighting or ride slower than 10mph (6min/mile) for sure unless your roads are absolutely wide open and smooth with no debris. The Fenix will suffice to 15 and even 18 miles per hour - for the light per dollar cost, there is no comparison in my opinion.

Search the thousands of FENIX threads on this forum to see how satisfied people are with it. It really is that good.

Thanks for all the info, everybody. To answer a few questions: yes, I'm slower than a biker, but I still move at a pretty good clip (usually around 10mph, but up to 20mph on downhills when I'm pushing it). And I don't have to worry about cars at all. Only another occassional crazy person on the trail, working out in the dark.

I saw the new headband that has 2 clips for lights on it...would it be better for me to buy that ($25) and buy 2 small, bright lights or to buy an already assembled kit? The Princeton Tec EOS sounds great.

I'm just worried about buying something and then finding out after one skate that it's not bright enough.

Also...there's NO light on this trail. AT ALL. So I'd have to get all of my illumination from my light(s).

Agarose2000: which Fenix flashlight are you talking about (what model)? If I was able to get a serious workout in on the pitch black trail with the Fenix headstrap and 2 of the $55 lights, I would consider investing $140 in the equipment. (I might not need the headstrap, either, if I just tie them onto my helmet.)

Here's what I use and it ROCKS for me and will definitely work extremely well for a skater, in my opinion. (I do run sprints at night routinely at similar speeds to a skater.)

FENIX L2D $58

Twofish lockblock $6 (to mount on a bike helmet)

If you're going helmetless (not recommended unless running), Jakstrap headband works well. $10

Rechargeable AAs x 2 of at least 2000mA + a charger. The Lacrosse Charger has been well reviewed and sells on amazon for about $45 including 4 x AAs at 2400mA which work great.

That's it. Super simple, and super sweet.

-Interestingly enough however, you MAY be able to get away with a Princetontec EOS if there is NO light on your trail. The darker it is outside, the weaker lights you need since your eyes adjust well. If there are cars at any point though, you will definitely need a Fenix-powered 140+lumen light, as your night vision will wash out repeatedly. Still, I wouldn't ride at 15+mph unless I had Fenix or brighter lighting, for sure. You could try buying a headlamp at a good sports store, and returning it if it doesn't work out for you. I did that with 5 of the lights above, before the Fenix arrived, and I literally "saw the light!" Compared to the Fenix, the brightness and throw of any LED headlamp under $200 (likely $350) is a joke.

Last thing - I bought two FENIX lights, but in practice, I only ever use one on my head. A handlebar mounted 2nd one is ok, but I'd guesstimate only adds 10-20% more visibility to your ride since the light isn't necessarily where you want it. One FENIX on the head is totally fine for bike commuting up to 15mph in traffic, and higher without traffic. For sure, I can run as fast as I can (sub 6min miles) without any problems. Running with two FENIXs is also counterproductive - the second light waves all over the place and is just a waste. Just stick to one on your head.

Since going FENIX, commuting and running fast in the dark have been a complete non-issue.

With helmet, go for the flashlight.

I'd go for this instead of the Fenix. Not as bright but close, and way cheaper. $21 with free shipping.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7938

Dealextreme's got some cool stuff. Just know that if you're ordering from them, shipping can take awhile (6,8, even 12 weeks!), and even more importantly, the quality control is variable. Lots of reports of flashlights that have batteries spaces that are slightly too small, or other small but annoying defects. If you get lucky though, great! The FENIX lights are rock-solid with their QC and back it up if any defects are found. I'd shell out the extra bucks for a bombproof primary light any day, but I'm definitely intrigued by the DealExtreme stuff for backup lights and stuff just to mess around with.

6 weeks? I ordered products from them a plenty, none of which takes more than 2 weeks (plenty of others will tell you the same). QC isn't that great, but it's flashlight that's going to be bashed around, I wouldn't care much about how nice the QC is except that it works, that's all I care about.

Here's a setup I use for rollerskiing. I used the O-ring method.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/prenex/Photo123.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/prenex/Photo124.jpg

Rechargeable Cree P4-WC 3-Mode 100-Lumen LED Headlamp with Battery and AC Charger Kit (1*18650) $28.50 free ship.
http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_18477_5.jpg
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18477

Wrong. Inline speedskaters can keep it up alright, they are not as fast as roadies but they are fast.


When I lived in Schaumburg, IL, I used to cycle and skate in Busse Woods, a nice four-mile MUP loop. There was a group of semi-pro skaters who sometimes trained there, and they were FAST! I would estimate they were usually running 15-20mph.

One fenix on each skate, one on the helmet.

Again...thank you ALL for being so helpful. Agarose2000: how about this: amazon has the Fenix P3D (215 lumens) for $59.95 AND a kit of 4 CR123A rechargeables with charger for $26.99 (the P3D uses 2 batteries, so I could carry the other 2 on me for emergencies...I usually skate 10-12 miles, never longer than an hour and 15 minutes). That would be a little less than $90...I'm guessing this P3D is even brighter than the one you recommended.

Honestly, I was hoping to spend $30-$50, not $100...but if this Fenix would allow fast skating in total darkness, I might be willing to shell out the dough.

One fenix on each skate, one on the helmet.

Each skate: (1) Dinotte 800L & (1) Dinotte 140R, battery pack on ankle.:D

With helmet, go for the flashlight.

I'd go for this instead of the Fenix. Not as bright but close, and way cheaper. $21 with free shipping.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7938

I second the dealextreme thing - I've bought stuff from them twice and it's always come within three weeks.

I have this (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14909) thing, which is probably comparable in brightness to the Fenix, and it's only (also) $21, though it does lack multiple modes. But at this price, you could buy three for the same price as a Fenix.

I still go for DX's 2AA flashlights. When you run out of battery, you are not going to find CR123A at cornerstores. For the price compared to Fenix, you can get two flashlights on your helmet and still pocket change.

One of the problems with helmet mounted lights is that they don't cast a highly visible shadow (hard to explain, but the shadow is directly behind the object from where you are looking, so the shadow doesn't show)


+1 for this. The little pebbles and rocks a skater needs to look out for need a light that is not near your eyes. If the light is near your eyes, you will not see the shadow, which is really the only way to see a pebble at night.

Lights on skates is too low, you want to see the obstacles some distance ahead.

I'd suggest a helmet light and another about waist level, or even in your hand.

Thanks again, all. I think I'm going to go for 3 of the DX lights (for $63 total). I'll strap 2 to my skates and one to my helmet. Hopefully, that should be enough light...and it won't break the bank for me...it's closer to $30 than to the $100+ I'd be looking at for the high-quality lights.

I picked up a coleman led headlamp from walmart:

* 105 lumens
* Two red LEDs for enhanced night vision
* Multiple settings: White High, White Low and Red
* Six-hour run time on High; 20 hours on Low; 25 hours on Red
* Weather-resistant
* Beam distance: 58m
* Requires 3 "AAA" batteries (included)

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10196615

I use it for around the house almost every day. I really like it and for $24.88 it does a nice job compared to some of the other low priced led headlamps I have seen and might be worth a look. It lights up the back yard nicely and the reach is pretty good.

And if I want need a serious headlamp I use my Lupines.