Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - 2009 LED Bike Lights Review

14 bike lights (no flashlights - sorry) in three price/performance categories ranging from $120 to $590 are compared at gearreview.com (http://www.gearreview.com/LEDs09_intro.php)

but no (comparison) beam pattern shots?

looks like the light and motion seca has one of the best beam patterns of the lot, but that was a lot page switching.

would prefer that they did the shots on a paved or unpaved trail instead of into the brushes on grass.

http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/blog/category/led-light-shootout/

Between this review and the OP's reference you can certainly get a lot of information on bicycle lights.

I can't imagine spending $100 on a headlight, let alone $1000 (http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/blog/led-lights-shootout-lupine-betty-12/)!

I can't imagine spending $100 on a headlight, let alone $1000 (http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/blog/led-lights-shootout-lupine-betty-12/)!

When you're doing a double or triple century and it's the middle of the night you what all the light you can get. It's nice to be able to light up a technical descent and get off it safely.

When you're doing a double or triple century and it's the middle of the night you what all the light you can get. It's nice to be able to light up a technical descent and get off it safely.

Those are all battery powered. If I was riding a double or triple centuries, I'd go with generators pumping out 1000 lumens.

The days of battery powered bike light are over, for me anyways until the efficiency goes way up.

Though I really like what this guy has done with a newer mini LEDs.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=482205

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa46/amticoman/XPE%20LIGHT/XPELIGHT014.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa46/amticoman/XPE%20LIGHT/XPELIGHT043.jpg

I bought a Cygolite Trion about 2-3 months ago and love it.

Cost-around $300

Super bright 600 lumens. Several intensity modes including blinking.

Easily mounts to handlebar

The best feature is the LiIon battery is built in to the unit. No wires, no straping the battery pack to the bike. Bad news is with the battery built in, it is too heavy for people who want a helmet
mounted light

The only thing I would change is that there is only one screw that holds the mounting bracket (that slips into the other half of the mounting bracket on your handlebars) to the bottom of the light. They use only one screw so you can rotate the bracket horizontally if needed to get the light to point exactly straight ahead. This screw came a little loose because of the road vibration, jiggling and slight yanking needed to get the light on and off the bars. No biggy, I justed put medium locktite on the threads and retightened. I am not sure, but I think there may have been the possibility that the screw could have loosened a lot more and either the light falls off or just starts to rattle around

I would prefer they used two screws to attach the bracket to the bottom of the light and maybe move the horizontal adj to the other half of the bracket that is attached to the bars

Dan

14 bike lights (no flashlights - sorry) in three price/performance categories ranging from $120 to $590 are compared at gearreview.com (http://www.gearreview.com/LEDs09_intro.php)

I'd say it's less of a review, and more of a list of a bunch of lights. :-( They vaguely mention beam pattern, but there's no pics, and little really useful information (other than the list of bright bike lights).

there are pics of the beam shot if you follow the links. it's a few clicks away, but they are there.

I've had the Cygolite Trion since last year (road bike). It works great and lasts for hours. I seldom need to use the 'high' mode.

You'll probably never find Magicshine lights there unless Magicshine starts advertising at their site.