Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - "econo battery pack setup?"

Hey, I enjoy seeing all the spectacular lighting/lighting system reviews, and would love to spend $200 on a good rechargeable system - but just can't justify the expense. I'm happy enough with Super blinky tail lights and have a good head lamp.

What I need to know right now, is where to find the most durable "battery holders." Like is there something better than the Radio Shack version of a plastic clasp for holding 4 "AA" batteries.

Is there a something better than a better than the old "9volt" cap-style connector?

Any suggestions appreciated. What I want is a slightly more durable battery holder/connector setup.

How about using tagged cells (an individual battery is a cell) ?

What size/type of pack are you considering ?

Some people use power tool packs and chargers.

:)

What size/type of pack are you considering ?The Stella "ah" 120 gets about 2:30 runtime on four "AA"s - I was thinking of buying a "C" battery clip - hoping for about 4:00 hours of run time, for the times I was considering being out late.

I just wanted to know the best way to "beef up" a battery holder, but still be able to change out regular batteries.

I have the Dinotte 200 with the cheap Radio Shack 4xAA holder. I agree the holder is not the best, but it is cheap, and readily available. You can always carry a spare set of batteries in a holder with you. I've dropped a couple of the holders and broke them(but not while riding). Occasionally while riding a battery won't be quite seated in the holder and the light will flicker, or the connector will come loose. Annoying, but easily fixed. I'm interested to see if anyone has any ideas for a better holder.

I question your decision to get the Stella 120. I rode a lot (about 4 hours a week for over a year now) with the 200 and found it just barely good enough. I doubt that a 120 will provide enough light to ride with. Overall I have been happy with the Dinotte.

I doubt that a 120 will provide enough light to ride with. Overall I have been happy with the Dinotte. Yeah, I must have better night vision, because the Stella seems fine to me.

I've noticed I can keep the light aimed almost parallel to the ground and it still "floods" pavement in front of me enough to see. I wonder at just how "geeky" light-powerful people want to get. I remember being annoyed that I could not pick out traffic approaching from the rear when riding with this guy who had a helmet mount Dino light.(behind me)

Cateye has a excellent 5 LED tail light for $19.95! about 3 inces wide and 1/2 tall!

I've got several of these - and the truth is - unless I'm going well over 20mph on a blind decent, there is simply no way I could find an excuse for needing more light. The Stella 120 is slightly brighter than this -and it is supposed to be "that " light....... oh by the way - the light cost me $16 - including a set of three AAs...... ant this is brighter than the Cateye as well, but mostly because of it's "spot style" focus

http://www.energizer.com/SiteCollectionImages/products/lighting/outdoor/large/HD5L330DE-LPENR.jpg

The Stella 120 is slightly brighter than this.....

http://www.energizer.com/SiteCollectionImages/products/lighting/outdoor/large/HD5L330DE-LPENR.jpg

I would say 120 lumens of the Stella is a little more than "slightly" brighter than the headlamp you posted here, which puts out 45. I know there are some variables within the framework of lumen output, but this is almost three times the difference. I wouldn't let your zeal for a bargain cloud your eyesight. :thumb:

Use the cheap holders and just wrap a piece of velcro around it to better hold the batteries.

I would say 120 lumens of the Stella is a little more than "slightly" brighter than the headlamp you posted here, which puts out 45There must be many aspects of the physical world that can't be easily quantified.
but this is almost three times the difference.
Perhaps you'll give the "three times the difference" remark - "three times" more thought!


Use the cheap holders and just wrap a piece of velcro around it to better hold the batteries.Agreed - the whole point is to invest as little time and effort and get as much convenience and performance as possible. I think, I'm set.

Not that I can't appreciate cyclists with big-honkin' lumen lighting setups........

[quote=Richard Cranium;8290233] Perhaps you'll give the "three times the difference" remark - "three times" more thought!

[QUOTE]


How? Are you going to send me both lights so I can compare? ;)

How? Are you going to send me both headlamps so I can compare? ;)

I guess everyone has a different idea of how much is enough.

I'm just putting together a new light and I'll have a total of something over 22W.

No matter how you look at it a 1W headlight is always going to be minimal.

I thought my 1W headlight was pretty good until I bought a 3W. I thought that was pretty good until I used it alongside my WF-606A.

Then I bought a P7.... :lol:

and a HID.....:D

:thumb:

Then I bought a P7....
and a HID.....
yeah - I get it, but I also know if I have light at 30 or 40 feet out -there won't be any situations that I'll out run it.

I see the "big deal" as redundancy, accuracy and interchangeability.

I think the best setups are always run in parallel, use a moveable spot you can aim at motorists for attention and would be so universal that rider could "trade batteries and lamps as necessary."

Universal light mounts, battery holders etc, as well as universal reflective jerseys and reflective tape sets could set a "standard" that would serve to alert motorists that an "adult cyclist" was operating a bicycle lawfully at night and steer clear of it and expect the bicyclist to use roads as a vehicle........

If we could get a production run of 10 million - we could a quality system for everyone who wants one.

I see the "big deal" as redundancy, accuracy and interchangeability

If I have redundancy, I don't really need interchangeability. However it's always possible to carry spare batteries.


I think the best setups are always run in parallel, use a moveable spot you can aim at motorists for attention and would be so universal that rider could "trade batteries and lamps as necessary."

I've got a helmet lamp for use as a movable spot, no need to let go of the bars to move it and it automatically goes where I want it to.


Universal light mounts, battery holders etc, as well as universal reflective jerseys and reflective tape sets could set a "standard" that would serve to alert motorists that an "adult cyclist" was operating a bicycle lawfully at night and steer clear of it and expect the bicyclist to use roads as a vehicle........

Sounds truly, truly, truly appalling. I really have trouble thinking of a worse idea.


If we could get a production run of 10 million - we could a quality system for everyone who wants one.

Well, if you include me you have -1 so far.

I seriously doubt whether any cycling organisations would condone such an awful idea.

btw. I should have some pictures of the HID assembly soon :)