Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Any mid-priced ($50ish) rear red lights? (Better than PBSF)

I noticed that there seems to be a big price gap between the Planet Bike Superflash ($30ish) and the high-end Dinotte rear light ($100+).

I myself would love to have a rear blinkie that was bright enough to be seen by day (PBSF is pretty much useless during the day) but not as pricey as the Dinotte.

Is there a midpriced option that would work during the day? I was wondering if FENIX or other tactical flashlight companies make a red-LED flashlight of some sort.

Nope. Such light doesn't exist. $40-$100 is a dead zone for taillight market, manufacturers have crunched their numbers, nobody wants to touch that area.

However, $40 worth of DIY can get you 2x Dinotte 400L taillight brightness. My other suggestion, buy the Dinotte.

I noticed that there seems to be a big price gap between the Planet Bike Superflash ($30ish) and the high-end Dinotte rear light ($100+).

I myself would love to have a rear blinkie that was bright enough to be seen by day (PBSF is pretty much useless during the day) but not as pricey as the Dinotte.

Is there a midpriced option that would work during the day? I was wondering if FENIX or other tactical flashlight companies make a red-LED flashlight of some sort.

Both the Cateye TL-1100 and the Blackburn Mars 4.0 have better daylight visibility than the SF. I own all three lights.

The Nova BULL that mechBgon uses is around $60 online. But you have to provide a 12V power source for it.

Get 2 PBSF. I always advise people that you need to have at least 2 taillights in case one fails. It's even more important with taillights since you might not even notice that it failed.

Get 2 PBSF. I always advise people that you need to have at least 2 taillights in case one fails. It's even more important with taillights since you might not even notice that it failed.

+1. One flasher on each chainstay. One one on the saddle and one on the left chainstay.

I was reading the original MTBR thread on the PondScum light, and I search on the submersible light at Harbor Freight. It comes with different colored lens covers including red. Perhaps this might be a solution? The other thing I was considering was one of these:

http://www.powerflare.com/

The solution seems to be to have two rear lights. One that is always on, and one in flash mode. I still think the Dinotte 140L is the king of tailights, but of course it is very expensive.

I still think the Dinotte 140L is the king of tailights

The king is dead, long live the king (http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=dinotte&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=842342555&Count2=759482979)

Nope. Such light doesn't exist.

Wrong! Read on.

As a bike light addict always in search of a brighter tail light, I was familiar with the usual cast of characters on the lower end of the price spectrum (Planet bike superflash, Mars 3.0, etc.). I already had 2 PBSF and found them bright when viewed from the correct angle (straight behind). Side visibility is not very good. I wanted something a bit brighter and with a wider spread. I kept looking in hope of finding something different, and was willing to spend a bit more without breaking the bank for a Dinotte.

The other day I came upon the Vetta TSL-C with flatpack on Amazon for 25$ What was this? I had never even heard of it. It runs on 4 AA batteries that are in a separate housing connected to the light by a cable. I ordered 2 of them, not feeling bad because I had a gift certificate and the money had already been spent. I thought they couldn't hurt as a supplement to my PBSF.

Well, they came today and holy &^%*&%^! This thing puts my PBSF (which, by the way, has brand new batteries) to shame! It is more intense and has a wider spread. It may not be not in Dinotte territory, but for the price (25$) it is a steal. Most places sell it for around 75$, but even at that price I think it would be well worth it. Amazon must have some overstock or something.

Flash mode is way too slow, but I prefer steady mode anyway so I will leave them on high.

And I do agree that $40-$100 is a dead zone for the tail light market. That's why I had never heard of this Vetta thing. But my point is that it does exist. Try it!

Nice find, Waldo. I just ordered one--it's even eligible for free shipping.

Waldo

If I knew about the Vetta tail light I had forgotten about it. At that discounted price it is a real find. I just ordered one. Thanks.

BTW - I must confess, I am a bike light addict also.

Link to Vetta, please!

Just go to amazon and search on Vetta TSL-C (or Google it).

T Waldo - King of the Forum! :thumb:

Thanks for sharing the find. I just ordered one from Amazon. :D

Amazon price is now $52. I guess too many of you jumped on the deal.

I wonder how that works... if the site automatically detects a selling item and raises the price or what.

I first thought it had sold out and switched to a different vendor, but that doesn't appear to be the case. I didn't really need another light, but I bought the last one that sold at the low price just so I could take some comparison shots, and possibly a video of this with the 140L and superflash.

Amazon price is now $52. I guess too many of you jumped on the deal.

Let's hear it for going online at 5am to do some shopping!! :)

(after I fininshed the thought came to me that I should have ordered two!)

snip

External battery pack? Definitely avoid that. Unless everyone can get it for $25 like you did, it's still a $50 taillight.

I wonder how that works... if the site automatically detects a selling item and raises the price or what.

I first thought it had sold out and switched to a different vendor, but that doesn't appear to be the case. I didn't really need another light, but I bought the last one that sold at the low price just so I could take some comparison shots, and possibly a video of this with the 140L and superflash.

Yeah, I've noticed that happen with Amazon occasionally... rather than a different vendor Amazon may have sold out stock and restocked. I've yet to be able to determine a pattern with Amazon pricing...

The solution seems to be to have two rear lights. One that is always on, and one in flash mode. I still think the Dinotte 140L is the king of tailights, but of course it is very expensive.

I always wondered about this. But wouldn't one be dominant? Does the mind make a decision as to which is more dominant over the other?

I would think like when the police or highway patrol car is in front and pulled over a car. Sometimes their bar lights above the roof is blinking, then it seems to attract my attention more than just a steady flashing light.

Does one play a dominant role and the other recessive? Along with this is the ability of the car behind you to judge your distance. If one is more dominant than the other, which will be of better for judgment by the car behind you?

Amazon price is now $52. I guess too many of you jumped on the deal.

Wow, I am glad that I did not procrastinate like I usually do.

I see powergadget (http://www.powergadget.com/310-404.html) has it on sale for $39.95. You can lower that using their 10% off coupon code. Definitely puts it in the $40-100 range with shipping.

External battery pack? Definitely avoid that. .

Why? I currently run a NiteRider tail light with an external battery with no problem. I'm thinking I'll make some modification and run both lights off the same pack.

Why? I currently run a NiteRider tail light with an external battery with no problem. I'm thinking I'll make some modification and run both lights off the same pack.

For me the issue with an external battery is that it's a PITA to mount and unmount several times a day in the city when it's below freezing. A simple 'click' and go light is much easier, especially with gloves on.

I was reading the original MTBR thread on the PondScum light, and I search on the submersible light at Harbor Freight. It comes with different colored lens covers including red. Perhaps this might be a solution? The other thing I was considering was one of these:

http://www.powerflare.com/

Has anyone tried one of these powerflares, they look super bright.. It looks you have to use a caribiner to attach to seatpack.. I am worried that the weight will eventually pull the tab off the back of the seatpack I use, especially at 7 ounces in weight..

PBSF is the best for its price.
Dinotte is What you Really Want to Be Safe.
You can try the Power Flare.
Let us know.

I just watched the Boring Video.
The powerflares don't seem very bright to me. How would ypou mount one?
Some sites now sell the PBSF for $18.
Two of the PBSF is a good deal.

I use the superflash, but that powerflare is just crazy bright and uses cr123 batteries, no external pack is nice..

here is a video of a couple of the modes

YouTube - Red LED Fast Blink (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-9XBoZKQjQ)
YouTube - Red LED Rotate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DDOTM_Ld78)
YouTube - Red LED Quad Blink (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoJXIVoa68)

The niterider cherry bomb seems like an interesting alternative, although I do not own one. http://www.niterider.com/prod_cherrybomb.shtml

//

Has anyone tried one of these powerflares, they look super bright.. It looks you have to use a caribiner to attach to seatpack..

I first heard about these because someone posted a report on r.b.m. from a trip to Interbike. You would think if they were going to push this at a cycling trade show, they would come up with a mounting system better that just hanging it. It appears that they did at one time from this web page:

http://pfdistributioncenter.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=2'

I inquired about that mount pictured on the page and they said it was an old picture, and that they didn't have that anymore. The other thing that webpage says is that is it visible during the daytime. It is an interesting possibility.

Waldo

If I knew about the Vetta tail light I had forgotten about it. At that discounted price it is a real find. I just ordered one. Thanks.



I got a pleasant surprise today--the Vetta showed up (I wasn't expecting it till after Christmas). What a steal at $26...I think it's still a good deal at $50. It came with four alkalines so I fired it up here at work and that thing is damn bright!!! It appears to be well constructed, and comes with three different straps for mounting the battery pack. According to the package it will run 30 hours on high mode, and 120 on low or flashing. I think my setup will now be the Vetta on steady, the Niterider flashing, and the PBSF flashing attached to my helmet. Once my P7 arrives from HK, it will go on the handlebars with my Romisen in the helmet mount. I think I'll be set for awhile!

[QUOTE=dekindy;8046461]Waldo

If I knew about the Vetta tail light I had forgotten about it. At that discounted price it is a real find. I just ordered one. Thanks.

QUOTE]

I got a pleasant surprise today--the Vetta showed up (I wasn't expecting it till after Christmas). What a steal at $26...I think it's still a good deal at $50. It came with four alkalines so I fired it up here at work and that thing is damn bright!!! It appears to be well constructed, and comes with three different straps for mounting the battery pack. According to the package it will run 30 hours on high mode, and 120 on low or flashing. I think my setup will now be the Vetta on steady, the Niterider flashing, and the PBSF flashing attached to my helmet. Once my P7 arrives from HK, it will go on the handlebars with my Romisen in the helmet mount. I think I'll be set for awhile!

I ordered mine from Amazon.com on the 19th and it got here today via USPS. It was not supposed to come until the 26th.

Man it is bright and lots of mounting options. I might put it on low steady and it will be bright enough. A steal at $26.

Amazon indicated 4 hours on high and 8 hours on low so I was pleasantly surprised to see the longer run times.

Well, if I was impressed in the office...I'm much more impressed after firing this thing up in the back yard. I'm going to use it with two other lights but I'd feel perfectly safe running this thing alone. At the current Amazon price, this is a definite candidate to fulfill the OP's quest.

I'm going to use it with two other lights but I'd feel perfectly safe running this thing alone.
I know what you mean. Even on low mode I would say it puts out more light than a PBSF.

I'm glad that you and dekindy like it! When you make a recommendation, you always run the risk of setting expectations too high. (This one was really a sleeper, though, so maybe there's no danger of that.) But I'm still puzzled as to why we had never heard of it.

I'm glad that you and dekindy like it! When you make a recommendation, you always run the risk of setting expectations too high.

Well, not in this case---you done good! :) My only regret is not buying two at the $26 price!

If anyone can take beamshots, one against a white wall, comparing it to the intensity and spread of the PBSF, would be most appreciated.

If anyone can take beamshots, one against a white wall, comparing it to the intensity and spread of the PBSF, would be most appreciated.

All I have is a crappy old 3.2 mp point and shoot camera--don't know how well that would work. I might be able to take some video with my movie camera and post that--that way you'd see the effect of the PBSF in strobe mode. I'll see if I can get it done. BTW, Amazon was showing just one left in stock a couple hours ago.

Thanks for the offer, I already have a superflash which I run steady most of the time.

The beam of the PBSF is fairly round and decently wide, just wondering how this one compares. The reason I half retired my cateye 1100 is that the vertical coverage is very poor.

Thanks for the offer, I already have a superflash which I run steady most of the time.

The beam of the PBSF is fairly round and decently wide, just wondering how this one compares. The reason I half retired my cateye 1100 is that the vertical coverage is very poor.

This thing has 4 not 2, AA not AAA batteries, and 20 LED's. Think about comparing it to the Dinotte, not a PBSF. I am anxious to compare it to my buddy's Li-ion Endurance Series Dinotte. It is probably not that bright but it is the in between light that riders need.

It makes my MARS 2.0 look anemic. There is just no comparison. Even on low it makes the MARS irrelevant. On bright it may be too bright for group riding. I think I would rather have a Dinotte if the Vetta was at $75 normal retail. At $26 it was a steal. Now that I have seen it I would pay the $52 it is currently selling for and not think twice because of it's brightness and much longer runtime than the Dinotte. I guess there is no long term experience with this light but it looks sturdy enough for me. It even has a holder to keep the battery cap attached to the battery holder to keep it from getting lost while you are changing batteries. That is convenience. You can see it in this picture. It is the bulge on the right side of the battery case as it appears horizontally. At first I thought that was a bracket or strap attachment.

http://vetta.com/productpic/lights/Taillight/big/tsl-c_with_flat_pack.jpg

The Vetta says that it has 220 degree coverage which I am not sure of. The beam it puts out is very wide and bright there is no denying that. This light at $50 would set the standard for tail lights unless the Dinotte Pro Series comes down in price. I will still keep my Mars on pattern for redundancy and my PBSF Blinky 3H on my helmet for up high visibility in city traffic.

Think about comparing it to the Dinotte, not a PBSF.


I definitely wouldn't go that far.

The thing is, the flash pattern is what makes the PBSF a good light. I would never recommend it to someone who wanted to run a light in solid mode. The Vetta has a poor flash mode, definitely a light that should only be run in solid mode. As such, I wouldn't consider them comparable lights at all. Both very functional, but not fulfilling the same needs.

I will try to take shots of all three when I get some fresh batteries for the superflash.

If anyone out there is regretting not buying the Vetta at around $30, let me know and I'll hook you up with mine... not because anything's wrong with it, but because i just don't need another light. I bought one out of curiosity. It's just not worth the hassle of trying to get this and the Dinotte mounted on the same bike.

The thing is, the flash pattern is what makes the PBSF a good light. I would never recommend it to someone who wanted to run a light in solid mode. The Vetta has a poor flash mode, definitely a light that should only be run in solid mode.

I'll go along with that assessment. I much prefer the flashing mode on my NiteRider than the one on the Vetta.

I would have gotten one but the Amazon indicated 4 hours on high and 8 hours on low so I was pleasantly surprised to see the longer run times. put me off.

I disagree on the flash mode. I think the slower pace flash is more appropriate for the Vetta's larger surface area of 20 LED's versus the PBSF's 3 LED's. My routes are in rural farm areas and IMHO the Vetta is more likely to be perceived as a light on a large, slow moving farm vehicle instead of a bicycle hopefully causing cars to slow down more and give us a wider berth. It is interesting that Dinotte chose a slow pulse as the default for their tail light.

It would be nice if the Vetta had 6 instead of only 3 modes to give users more choices. High steady, high fast flash, high slow flash, low steady, low fast flash, low slow flash so users could pick the one they feel is the most effective. However for my purposes, high steady for solo and low steady or low flashing for group rides is is just fine with me.

I am going to be gone for a few days so I will try and compare my MARS 3.0 and Cateye TDL600 to the Vetta and give MHO when I get back. Sorry that I don't have a PBSF. One guy in our group is a veteran night rider and has a PBSF so I will give his and my opinion on that comparison. The weather is supposed to clear up here next week so I hope to get out for a night ride on Tuesday. If he does not ride I will stop by my other buddy's house and compare his PBSF.

I value short distance visibility of the larger surface area of the Vetta versus the piercing single LED of the PBSF and longer distance visibility. Would that account for the difference of our opinions on the flash mode?

I would have gotten one but the Amazon indicated 4 hours on high and 8 hours on low so I was pleasantly surprised to see the longer run times. put me off.

I thought this at first but decided since my longest night ride is 2 hours that it would not be a problem to throw the batteries in the charger after every ride. The battery compartment is easily accessed unlike the MARS models that require a screwdriver and have multiple screws. The Vetta also conveniently holds the battery cap on the battery case so it will not get lost.

I value short distance visibility of the larger surface area of the Vetta versus the piercing single LED of the PBSF and longer distance visibility. Would that account for the difference of our opinions on the flash mode?

Could be. I just didn't think that slow flash was as attention getting at the NiteRider (or the PBSF) but your point of view may be perfectly valid. But if you are running multiple devices, to me it's a no brainer to run the Vetta steady. And I'm putting that sucker on high!!!:)

Nope. Such light doesn't exist. $40-$100 is a dead zone for taillight market, manufacturers have crunched their numbers, nobody wants to touch that area.

However, $40 worth of DIY can get you 2x Dinotte 400L taillight brightness. My other suggestion, buy the Dinotte.

For me, there is a lot more to Dinotte light than just brightness. They use metal housings, o-ring seals, and extremely high quality cables and connectors. I appreciate this more and more when I compare it to the other commercial quality items like Cateye. DIY is woefully short when it comes to being water proof and vibration resistant with top quality connectors with bike specific mounts.

Bob

For me, there is a lot more to Dinotte light than just brightness. They use metal housings, o-ring seals, and extremely high quality cables and connectors. I appreciate this more and more when I compare it to the other commercial quality items like Cateye. DIY is woefully short when it comes to being water proof and vibration resistant with top quality connectors with bike specific mounts.


DIY can exceed commercial quality. In brightness and quality of construction.

Here's an example. This light has better heating dissipation than any light on the market. I can show you a few more from others.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/3058655312_0545ac622e.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/3057819821_66f356bc7b.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/3058656624_100bdf2512.jpg?v=0

DIY can exceed commercial quality. In brightness and quality of construction.

Here's an example. This light has better heating dissipation than any light on the market. I can show you a few more from others.

Thanks, I'm interested. What are you doing for battery, battery mounts, and connectors? What kind of mount is that? It looks small for a handlebar mount. What about helmet mounts?

Bob

DIY can exceed commercial quality. In brightness and quality of construction.

Here's an example. This light has better heating dissipation than any light on the market. I can show you a few more from others.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/3058656624_100bdf2512.jpg?v=0

What is the Blue and Red Thing in the last pic?
Thanks