Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - short runtime but easy recheargeble light needed

Hello, this is my first post :-D
my need for a front bike light is:
- very easy to mount and dismount, I have a folding bike and usually i put off the light when folding
- very easy to recharge: i want to go home, take off the light from the bike and put it to recharge, without taking out batteries (but obviously with the possibility to vhange them in a future)
- short runtime: i need two basic modes, an hig mode with a runtime of half an hour to see in completely dark streets, a medium or low mode to be visible in standard streets..

I don't care the short runtime (I use the bike only half an hour maybe in the dark) but I need a very easy light

thank you and excuse me for poor english...
maurizio

The Real Question is,
How much can you spend for the light?

You are limiting yourself greatly by the fact that you are not willing to unscrew a cap to take out batteries to charge them. This takes about 10 seconds and greatly widens the range of lights you have to choose from.

There is nothiing wrong with your english - you did a good job!

What area are you in?

It really is easy to remove batteries for recharge, especially if you use a flashlight type light.

you are right ....is it possible to have a light where taking out batteries is "quick" ? (for example without a screwdriver)
price expected...50 dollars until 70...

There is nothiing wrong with your english - you did a good job!

What area are you in?

It really is easy to remove batteries for recharge, especially if you use a flashlight type light.

oh thank you...I am from Italy
but now I need a good hint also for a charger... :-D

you are right ....is it possible to have a light where taking out batteries is "quick" ? (for example without a screwdriver)
price expected...50 dollars until 70...

Check out this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=435347

With your runtime and light amount requirements you will have lots of lights to choose from. One thing to consider is battery size and type. You should have a rear light too, especially as you're riding on dark streets. I make sure my rear and front lights take same kind of battery (currently AA). Means less hassle when recharging. My inexpensive charger recharges 1-4 batteries at one go, which is enough for my needs, but they all have to be the same size (either 1-4 AAs or 1-4 AAAs, but not 2 AAs and 2 AAAs, for example).

And welcome to the Forums, maurizio!

--J

If you are willing to unscrew a cap (5 seconds) to charge the battery outside the light, this one has the best bang for your buck: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16500
Shipping is free (at least to the US), but very slow.

I have this mount and it works quite well, provided that you don't have really thick handlebars. It should be perfect for a folding bike: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274

If you are willing to unscrew a cap (5 seconds) to charge the battery outside the light, this one has the best bang for your buck: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16500
Shipping is free (at least to the US), but very slow.

UGH !!!!!

8 mode !!!!

No !!!!! Don't buy it !!!!!

Does any cyclist really need 4 strobe modes and SOS? DX has about a dozen 2 mode CREEs for $5 to $10 less than this one.

Does any cyclist really need 4 strobe modes and SOS? DX has about a dozen 2 mode CREEs for $5 to $10 less than this one.

Plenty of nice P7s too (the ones without a silly amount of modes)....

:thumb:

Plenty of nice P7s too (the ones without a silly amount of modes)....

:thumb:

Agreed, a P7 2 mode light will give you super bright high and decent low modes.. You will get 45-60 minutes of runtime on high mode with most p7 lights.. You will have to get 18650 batteries and charger but these most likely will be used in future high power led lights, so it is a good investment..

I've heard that you get about 80 minutes on high from a P7 (1x18650).

I've heard that you get about 80 minutes on high from a P7 (1x18650).

I have several p7's and most get right about 1 hour, some as low as 45 minutes.. The best running p7 I have is the trustfire P7-a2 which gets 80-90 minutes before it drops down to 50% mode..

The run time you get is based on brightness.. The p7 that runs 45 minutes is the brightest, the one that runs the longest is the least bright but still puts out close to 500 lumens..

The Aurora 2 x 18650 P7 I recently bought runs for 5 hrs 43 mins on low (which is still pretty bright) and 2 hrs 16 mins on high.

Both are regulated with no dimming throughout the discharge period.

I reckon the life expectancy of the torch itself is twice that of a single cell 18650 torch.

Mine will still be going strong when your 1 x 18650 has the threads worn out ;)

As good as the P7s are for brightness (and I own one), I am still a FENIX L2D flashlight advocate for everyday commute-type use under 18mph.

The FENIX was last year's "it" lighting solution.
- 2 x AA batteries, 200 lumens for 60-80 mins reliably. This is probably as bright as you can reasonably get without blinding cars. (A P7 will blind oncoming traffic on max mode.)
- Rock-solid construction and reliability
- Mounts with a velcro lockblock ($5) and after you ride, you can remove it in 1 second and slip it into your pocket where you won't even notice it. (The P7 is nearly 2x heavier and bulkier)
- Changing batteries is a complete nonissue, although it's also a non-issue on the P7 once you have a few 18650 batts.

This light is also small enough to mount on your helmet without even noticing the weight. Put one on the bars and one on the helmet, and you've got a great urban solution that's easily comes on/off your bike.

*Alternative cheaper alternatives to the FENIX are the Romisen and some on Shiningbeam.com, and have similar 200ish lumen output for 2 x AA. $20-$25ish per light.

As good as the P7s are for brightness (and I own one), I am still a FENIX L2D flashlight advocate for everyday commute-type use under 18mph.

The FENIX was last year's "it" lighting solution.
- 2 x AA batteries, 200 lumens for 60-80 mins reliably. This is probably as bright as you can reasonably get without blinding cars. (A P7 will blind oncoming traffic on max mode.)
- Rock-solid construction and reliability
- Mounts with a velcro lockblock ($5) and after you ride, you can remove it in 1 second and slip it into your pocket where you won't even notice it. (The P7 is noticeably larger)
- Changing batteries is a complete nonissue, although it's also a non-issue on the P7 once you have a few 18650 batts.

why are you getting such terrible runtimes from you l2d.. I easily get 2 hours+ using duracell 2650 nimh aa batteries..

I probably get 80 mins reliably, and I'm using 2400mA batts that came as a package with my Lacrosse charger. 100mins, unreliably. I've been using 'em day in day out for over a year now, though I probably am on the low end of my batt performance.

Still, 2+hrs without changing batts on an L2D is only the long end of what folks have been getting with them on these forums, although others have been getting that sort of batt life. Regardless, the changeout of batts is so easy, that I don't mind.

ok, i am reading the other threads, and i reformulate the question with some other questions .-D
- is it really necessary not-AA batteries ?
- if AA is ok, what about a good light using AA, with an high mode for completely dark street and medium mode compatible with car streets, with runtime already issued ?
thanks!

I can't believe no one's mentioned this one yet (NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB LED Bike Light):
http://www.rei.com/product/777359

I don't have one, but I imagine if it's charged by USB it's intended to be taken on and off the bike all the time (I do believe it comes with a wall charger, to). It seems like it would fit the bill for you perfectly - intended to be taken on and off the bike, battery and light in one, and "only" $100.

If you didn't have to take it off your bike I'd suggest a Dinotte lith-ion light. Both the light and the battery go on and off easily, but it's still 2 separate pieces, whereas the above NiteRider is the battery and the light in one. The thing I do with the Dinotte is I keep the charger (it's just a electrical plug and a cord that plugs into the battery) right by where I keep my bike, so with the light on the bike I unplug the battery from the light, and into the charger right there.

It's as easy as it could possibly be, although I imagine plenty of other expensive lights could be set up similarly, and it's pretty pricey.

The minewt is a good light but only puts out 110 lumens.. Most P7 lights are putting out in the range of 350-500 lumens.. Even a fenix L2d is putting out twice as much light as the minewt..

My P7 on high is fairly bright (stunningly so, compared to my MiNewt USB) but don't believe the hype, I'm not scaring any cars off the road. Just point it at the ground a little ahead of you and you can see fine without blinding anyone.