Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Planet Bike Superflash and Blaze

I have been looking at rear blinkys, and headlights, and also considering signaling lights although I haven't seen any of those yet that looked effective, ...
So far, from what I've seen, the Blaze 1/2 watt headlight and the superflash rear blinkie look good to me for the money but as you can see, I'm new to biking so I came here for some feedback.
These looked very bright to me, and the battery life is supposed to be up to 100 hours which seems pretty good.
Anyone here use these or have an opinion either way about them?
Thanks much,
~E
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3040.html

Best Tail Light for the cost.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=18592&style_id=225%20PLBSP8&detailName=Planet%20Bike%20Superflash%20Stealth%20Tail%20Light&dept_id=2&deptName=Accessories&sub_id=35&subName=Lights&lprice=19.98&hprice=19.98

Head lights need to be very bright.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m.asp

The superflash is an excellent choice. Not so sure of the Blaze not knowing your needs.

They have almost a legendary status here.

Many worship at the PBSF altar.......

Oh yeah, I just bought some Superflash and Bspoke lights.

My Superflash lights don't 'superflash' :(

I have a superflash taillight and as far as I can tell, you won't need anything more for nighttime riding unless you ride on interstates or something.

As for the blaze headlight, its really only to be seen. If you ride in streetlighted areas, it should be fine; if not, I recommend a flashlight such as this one (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14909) (which I use).

If you really need light, many people on this forum use P7 flashlights like this one (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16091), which I believe are comparable to a car headlight (I don't find that much light necessary).

Many worship at the PBSF altar.......

but it's a false god, it's the Dinotte that truly deserves worship.

but it's a false god, it's the Dinotte that truly deserves worship.

Nah, they are overpriced and overrated.

:)

OP ... in the city I ride exactly the light you mentioned. The super flash is amazing, and the only issue I have is the 1/2 watt Blaze rattles in it's housing, I use rechargeables for both and have no complaints. As was mentioned above if you are in the pitch black, and need your way lit, the Blaze will not suffice.

I have two of the superflashes. I really like them, think highly of them, and recommend them. The only downside I've seen is that you can bump them against something and knock the cover/light part off the mount.

I've got the 1-watt Blaze. It's okay, but definitely not something you want to go riding at high speed with- works fine for my grocery-getter at slow speed. But my rechargeable Niterider puts out lots more light, and it's still not something I'd want to ride 20 mph with.

I have two of the superflashes. I really like them, think highly of them, and recommend them. The only downside I've seen is that you can bump them against something and knock the cover/light part off the mount.

I have three of them.
Cut a narrow strips of a road tube and place them around the center of the light to hold the thing together.

I have two of the superflashes. I really like them, think highly of them, and recommend them. The only downside I've seen is that you can bump them against something and knock the cover/light part off the mount.

I have three of them.
Cut a narrow strips of a road tube and place them around the center of the light to hold the thing together.


Are those contradictory quotes ?

I have one PB SuperFlash on each bike. One of these days I'm going to buy two separate mounting brackets so I can have two the bike I'm riding.

I use a DiNotte 600-L for my headlight. It's overkill but I don't care - We're talking about safety here. The 800-L would be even more so. The more light the merrier if it's dark on your ride.

[quote=Unknown Cyclist;8614047]Are those contradictory quotes ?[/quote

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/IMG_3211.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/502%20Mi%20Tour/IMG_3211.jpg

Hey, I wasn't the one being picky....

wow mine's a year old and I still need a screwdriver to get it apart to swap batteries, nor has it ever come off it's mount

wow mine's a year old and I still need a screwdriver to get it apart to swap batteries, nor has it ever come off it's mount

Mine have never come off.
I use the rubber bands for just in case.
I have everything on the bike double secured.

Mine have never come off.
I use the rubber bands for just in case.
I have everything on the bike double secured.

What is the board thing they are mounted on ?

Greetings all and thank you for your responses.
As I'm a new rider, I'm gonna nab a superflash pretty quick since I don't have anything at all yet for a rear blinky. From there, I'm still looking into the whole headlight issue.
I don't expect to be riding a lot at night really but then, who knows and I would rather be prepared than caught out at night with insufficient light.
I was thinking of getting the blaze just so I can be seen, and then looking into a better light to use in conjunction with it as a headlight.
So if I go with a standard bright flashlight (much cheaper option I'm learning) how do I mount it?
And what are Bspoke lights?
I saw these cute little leds you put on your valve caps and was going to get them just because I like the way they look, not really for safety.
Also, one more question on color, does it really matter what color your lights are?
I mean, does your tail light have to be red?
I thought as long as it's bright enough, white, blue etc, should still be effective. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks again for all your responses.
I have only been riding now for a month or so, but I love it so much that a day without a ride, well... let's just say I hope to have fewer and fewer of them.
Hope to get good enough to commute to and from work although living in NYC, that requires a bit of care.
Longest ride I've done thus far is 14 miles.
Thanks again.
~E
PS: I don't suppose there are such things as flashlights that blink?
I also looked at the LED flares but not sure how to mount that.
pps: just went shopping online to get some more ideas, and found these hallogen lights?
Never saw one in person, are they brighter than LEDs?
and there are LED headlights that have like 50 superbright LEDs in them, but I dont think they blink and I think something that blinks might be better...

What is the board thing they are mounted on ?

Highway Bridge Reflectors.

We had a hurricane last September. The Highway department changed out most of the bridge reflectors and left the old ones on the ground. I picked up some of them. They are High Intensity.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/IMG_3212.jpg



I have it mounted on the back of a rack.
Added the super flashes with Three pieces of tube.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/9000miles002Dinotteone.jpg

Greetings all and thank you for your responses.
As I'm a new rider, I'm gonna nab a superflash pretty quick since I don't have anything at all yet for a rear blinky. From there, I'm still looking into the whole headlight issue.
I don't expect to be riding a lot at night really but then, who knows and I would rather be prepared than caught out at night with insufficient light.
I was thinking of getting the blaze just so I can be seen, and then looking into a better light to use in conjunction with it as a headlight.
So if I go with a standard bright flashlight (much cheaper option I'm learning) how do I mount it?
And what are Bspoke lights?
I saw these cute little leds you put on your valve caps and was going to get them just because I like the way they look, not really for safety.
Also, one more question on color, does it really matter what color your lights are?
I mean, does your tail light have to be red?
I thought as long as it's bright enough, white, blue etc, should still be effective. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks again for all your responses.
I have only been riding now for a month or so, but I love it so much that a day without a ride, well... let's just say I hope to have fewer and fewer of them.
Hope to get good enough to commute to and from work although living in NYC, that requires a bit of care.
Longest ride I've done thus far is 14 miles.
Thanks again.
~E
PS: I don't suppose there are such things as flashlights that blink?
I also looked at the LED flares but not sure how to mount that.
pps: just went shopping online to get some more ideas, and found these hallogen lights?
Never saw one in person, are they brighter than LEDs?
and there are LED headlights that have like 50 superbright LEDs in them, but I dont think they blink and I think something that blinks might be better...

You found an excellent forum to learn about lighting.

Poke around and you will soon have most of your questions answered and you will no doubt create more.

But one thing I do want to comment upon. The OP writes, "I mean, does your tail light have to be red?"

Why would you not go with the standard of the road? You need to follow the rules of your state.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/502%20Mi%20Tour/IMG_3212.jpg

Great find.

I Use the PB superflash stealth, and it is definetly a good taillight. I also have a Mars 3.0 kit I believe. The kit came with a head and taillight. I think I picked mine up at Dick's Sporting goods or something like that. I purchased the later before going with the Superflash. Compared side by side at night about 100 or so feet away the Superflash was definetly brighter (I work at night). I picked up the Superflash because of suggestions by others and I can tell that light apart from others I see.

The headlight with the Mars is only good if you ride on well lit streets and like others said, its more of a be seen type light. The 3.0 taillight should be fine though, mine worked for the year I used it before changing over. I think most people think highly of the taillight considering the price. Headlights are another issue all together though. You'll read alot about the Fenix lights (I have two O-lights). They really are a multi purpose type light though, and not necessarily bike specific. You can buy the twofish lockblocks to mount most of the Fenix flashlights. Check out the Fenix Store for ideas.

Ok, so I'm going to get one of the PBSF, as soon as I can determine the difference between the white one and the orange one :/
As for a headlight, I was thinking of going with this inexpensive one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Super-Bright-76-LED-Bicycle-Bike-Light-Flashlight-L11_W0QQitemZ370114849829QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item370114849829&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1240|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
because with 76 LEDs, it should be brighter than something smaller... emphasis on the "should"...
I've seen the blaze, it looks nice, the blink function is pretty fast and strobelike, but I still think that bigger and brighter might be better?
Has anyone seen one of these before?
I dont think that you always get more when you pay more...
I'm sure I'll look into more lights and blinkies and things later, but for the moment, I just need something to start with.
Thanks again for all of your responses.
I promise to come back with more questions :)

Ok, so I'm going to get one of the PBSF, as soon as I can determine the difference between the white one and the orange one :/

No difference other than their appearance as far as I know.

Regarding the front light you are better off with a flash light like the Fenix L2D (search this forum) or the Princeton Tec EOS. Deal Extreme has some even cheaper flashlight alternatives.
The 76 LED design is very likely garbage.

The bracket on those 76 LED headlights breaks the first time you use it.

Buy a WF606A instead.

Lots more light and quality.

:)

I agree with Unknown on this. I use a pair of WF-606As. They provide plenty of light for my commute on an unlighted wooded park trail. Just one would be adequate but I like the redundancy.

I use the 1 Watt Blaze and Superflash and like them both. The Blaze is fine in the dark as long as you are not out-running the beam. I use scotchtape to provide a bit of extra waterproofing. This also serves to keep the lens from popping off the Superflash, not that I've ever had that problem, but I guess if it's a worry..

I just ordered the pair deal; 1w Blaze and Superflash. I'll let y'all know what I think of the Blaze when I get it on the bike.

The blaze is more a 'be seen' light than a light to see by.

I hope you just want to be seen.

:)

As basically a front mounted white light blinkie, The Blaze, with good batteries will leave spots dancing in front of your eyes if you look right at it. Plenty bright for being seen. Not to be used in the pitch black as a headlight, least not as a primary one, maybe a back up.

edit mine is the 1/2 watt

Well the 1 watt has a better flashing pattern.

the rear Superflash is great I mostly use the blinking mode

I just bought the Blaze 1 watt reg. price is $45 but with my REI 20% coupon and dividends end up paying $25.00

the light output is comparable to the Cateye HL-550 without paying $59

it did not say its water resistant but the switch is rubberized and I like that it only uses 2 AA instead of 4 AA like the cateye mentioned above

I also like the 3 mode choice low, high, strobe. the cateye hl-550 only has 1 mode.

Im planning to get the NiteRider Ultrafazer Max light for $39 anybody has one? is it good ?

My kit came in today, I'm pretty happy with it. For the money, its bright as hell! But there's always room for more light. For the $40 I spent on the Blaze 1w and Superflash kit, I'd say it was money well spent.


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d26/drbubble33/Schwinn%20LeTour/IMG_6851.jpg

Check out (mod edited) then type search word "headlight" or for the next two weeks go directly to (mod edited) This will show you my fork mounting bracket for headlights that I invented.

* I took out he links since you posted pictures.
jaxgtr - BF Mod team