Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Someone decide for me.

So I just go a PrincetonTec Yukon Extreme light for $50. It's decent, but after reading these forums I
'm convinced that I'd be better of with a flashlight.

I'm about as indecisive as they come, and it doesn't help that their are so many configurations, modes models.

So hopefully someone can recommend what they think to be the best configuration (light, mount, etc.) for me:thumb:

I don't do too much night riding, only between my house and friends', 3 miles max. There is an unlit path that is a bit sketchy at times, but other than that its pretty ordinary street riding. It is for my Trek MTB.

Thanks in advance.

Budget ?

Required runtime ?

Here's an inexpensive flashlight that will give you lots of light. The large head on the flashlight gives good throw, and spill isn't bad either. And the light won't break your budget--of course, you'll want to buy a charger, and batteries and mount-but all those may be had cheap off of DX also. Here's a light I use and like: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10301. With flashlight, batteries, charger, and mount, should be right around $50, and have good bright light.

A good (and cheap) place to start would be the Ultrafire WF606A.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14909

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_14909_1.jpg

A mount:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15342

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_15342_1.jpg

and some decent rechargeable AA batteries and charger that you may well have.

I've used this with a lot of success, however it's definitely more of a thrower (not a bad thing if some of your ride is unlit).



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That's the cheap option, alternatively you could go for a 18650 (battery type) powered torch:

Aurora Cree Q5 2-Mode http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10637

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_10637_1.jpg

Batteries: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_5790_1.jpg

and charger: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_1251_1.jpg

Whatever torch you finally decide to buy, avoid anything with more than 2 modes, this forum is full of people complaining after buying 5 or 8 mode torches.

:thumb:

Thanks a lot Unknown Cyclist.

Both of those you recommended look pretty good. Would you say the Aurora Cree is significantly better? I wouldn't mind spending the extra $7 if it is. I would rather get something now that will satisfy my needs, rather than being forced to upgrade further down the road.

Run time is not too big of a deal, my night commute lasts about 30 minutes at most. Under $60 total would be ideal, but I am flexible.

Thanks again.

That's the cheap option, alternatively you could go for a 18650 (battery type) powered torch:

Aurora Cree Q5 2-Mode http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10637



Also. What do you mean when you say 18650, or battery type? How does this differ from the first light, and the other ones.

Thanks a lot Unknown Cyclist.

Both of those you recommended look pretty good. Would you say the Aurora Cree is significantly better? I wouldn't mind spending the extra $7 if it is. I would rather get something now that will satisfy my needs, rather than being forced to upgrade further down the road.

Thanks again.

I have a WF-606A and bought it after reading pretty much everything on here and going by the recommendations.

I don't have the Aurora Cree (I have an Aurora P7) so I can only guess the differences.

The Aurora Cree is most likely shorter and fatter with better run time and/or more light output.

Having said that the WF-606A uses standard batteries you can buy anywhere.

The Aurora requires lithium 18650 batteries - 18mm diameter 65 mm long, much larger than an AA.

If you want lots of light buy a P7 (LED type) torch - runtime will be shorter though.

Also. What do you mean when you say 18650, or battery type? How does this differ from the first light, and the other ones.

You are looking at 2 different types of battery/torch...


1) AA powered - uses standard AA batteries, usually 2 of them. Convenient & cheap.


2) 18650 powered - uses a special lithium battery appr. = to 3 x AA batteries. More power available to give better output and/or runtime. Higher initial cost, but arguably worth it. A big benefit for occasional use is very low self discharge.

ps. Some 18650 torches use a high output LED called a P7, you get a lot more light at the cost of runtime. There are P7 torches that use 2 x 18650 to give good light output and good runtime - but - these can be a bit long for some people's tastes.

:)

You are looking at 2 different types of battery/torch...


1) AA powered - uses standard AA batteries, usually 2 of them. Convenient & cheap.


2) 18650 powered - uses a special lithium battery appr. = to 3 x AA batteries. More power available to give better output and/or runtime. Higher initial cost, but arguably worth it. A big benefit for occasional use is very low self discharge.

ps. Some 18650 torches use a high output LED called a P7, you get a lot more light at the cost of runtime. There are P7 torches that use 2 x 18650 to give good light output and good runtime - but - these can be a bit long for some people's tastes.

:)
Hm i see.

So have to decide between AA vs Rechargeable, and P7 vs non. If the only trade off for the brightness of the P7 is run time, maybe that's what I should get seeing as though my night commutes are never too long.

So I guess I just decided for myself! P7 with a single rechargeable. Any you would recommend? :)

I would spend a little extra now and get an 18650 flashlight.. whether it is a p7 or q5 cree flashlight is your choice.. By getting an 18650 flashlight you will be setting yourself up when you decide to get a higher power light down the line.. That would be the newer MC-E Crees or P7's or something that we have not seen yet, the led technology is advancing very quickly..

Hm i see.

So have to decide between AA vs Rechargeable, and P7 vs non. If the only trade off for the brightness of the P7 is run time, maybe that's what I should get seeing as though my night commutes are never too long.

So I guess I just decided for myself! P7 with a single rechargeable. Any you would recommend? :)

AAs can be rechargeable so it's not really 'AA vs rechargeable' it's more 'lithium vs. nimh' :)

I don't have a 1 x 18650 torch, only a 2 x 18650 Aurora P7 which is splendid.

I'd say it's best to go for a 2 mode and preferably one that will accept protected cells.

I think some single cell P7 torches are unregulated which can be brighter on fresh batteries and still have decent run times.

Best bet is to read some of the other threads and have a look on DX.

:thumb:

I'm sure you'll get more advice shortly.... ;)

Hm i see.

So have to decide between AA vs Rechargeable, and P7 vs non. If the only trade off for the brightness of the P7 is run time, maybe that's what I should get seeing as though my night commutes are never too long.

So I guess I just decided for myself! P7 with a single rechargeable. Any you would recommend? :)

I have the:
Aurora AK-P7-4 HA-III SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight (1*18650) SKU#15691 https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15691
and I'm very pleased with it. It gives me slightly over an hour on one battery, is quite bright, and is light/small enough to use on either your handlebars or your helmet.

Like you, my night commutes are never too long for the flashlight, but I carry a couple spare batteries just in case. I use these batteries: TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue)
SKU#05790 https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790

And I use this handlebar mount: Universal Bicycle Mount for Flashlights and Gadgets (2cm~3cm Diameter Adjustable) SKU#15642 https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15642

You'll also need a charger, but I can't recommend the one I got. I think it's too cheaply made. (SKU#00936 https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936 )

I think you would be very happy with this flashlight.

I know that there is a great deal of discussion and differing viewpoints on the number of modes one should have in a light. I went with a three mode simply because I advocate running the flashing mode during daylight hours.

It never hurts to remind car and truck drivers there are bicyclists on the road.

I have the:
Aurora AK-P7-4 HA-III SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight (1*18650) SKU#15691 https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15691
and I'm very pleased with it. It gives me slightly over an hour on one battery, is quite bright, and is light/small enough to use on either your handlebars or your helmet.

I think you would be very happy with this flashlight.

https://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_15691_1.jpg

+1 :thumb: (I don't have it, but I would buy it)

Thanks to everyone. Just about to make the order based off of the recommendations. Going with the Aurora P7. Sorry to be nitpicky, but I can't decide on the mount and I don't want to wait two weeks for one that ends up being the wrong size or something. I just looked up my handlebars, and I beleive they are 25 mm. Which mount will work or does it not matter?

I have the:
Aurora AK-P7-4 HA-III SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight (1*18650) SKU#15691 https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15691

And I use this handlebar mount: Universal Bicycle Mount for Flashlights and Gadgets (2cm~3cm Diameter Adjustable) SKU#15642 https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15642

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_15642_2_small.jpg
I would say go with that recommendation as that mount works well with my larger 2 x 18650 P7 Aurora.

I've bought and tried all the mounts on DX and that one is very likely your best bet.


Otherwise try the Fenix Mount:
http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_13004_1_small.jpg
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13004
I've got this one and it is good, but takes up a lot of handlebar space.



Don't buy this one:
http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_0792_2_thumb.jpg
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.792
It's sh1t I bought one and threw it away.



I have this one:
http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_15342_1_small.jpg
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15342
And I think it is too small for your torch.

:)