Commuting - Good small headlight for early morning rides?

Hey, I've decided to start my mornings with a short 15 mile ride. Its not a commute, but I figured you commuters may know the answer to this as you often have to ride in the dark. I'm looking for a small headlight for early morning rides. It isn't totally dark when I wake up, just not light enough to go solo. here are my requirements (in order)

1)less than $25 (I know this is a small budget...sucks being a student)
2)tool-less removal
3)light
4)small

Thanks for any help!

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10727 (light)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274 (mount)

Get two.
One for back up.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=17094&style_id=225%20setgl7&detailName=Sette%20Glo%20Headlight&dept_id=2&deptName=Accessories&sub_id=35&subName=Lights&lprice=9.98&hprice=9.98

How does that Sette light work 10 wheels? I can't find any reviews anywhere, and I don't want to buy it (even for $10) and have it be crap...

how early in the morning? before dawn?

My planed departure time for these rides is 5:20...

I like my head light
Cat Eye EL220 LED Headlight (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/LS296A24-Cateye%20El220%20Led%20Headlight.aspx?SSAID=176195)

For tail light
ViewPoint Flashpoint High Intensity Taillight (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19647&subcategory_ID=4322)

Both are nice and bright for the price.

lol

When I was reading the thread title two words came to my head. Uke and p7.

is the sun above or below the horizon?

that cree flashlight is what I would use with your limited budget.

the Cree flashlight has somewhat shoddy construction. Better to spend $50 and get the fenix L2 D. flashlight. The fenix is built much better. Just my two cents

Its basically like coming up as I would be leaving. So I don't want to ride with nothing because it will be dark for the first couple miles. The cree flashlight definitely looks like a good deal...how bright would it be though?

Blackburn Flea.

http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html


Or maybe a quality headlamp such as the princeton tec fuel.


http://www.princetontec.com/?q=node/60

The dealextreme lights fail after a few weeks due to poor design. You have to mickeymouse them so the connections between all the anodized threaded parts maintain good electrical contact.

The dealextreme lights fail after a few weeks due to poor design. You have to mickeymouse them so the connections between all the anodized threaded parts maintain good electrical contact.

I've used my P7 since September of last year. It's still my only headlight, and if it broke tomorrow, I'd buy another.

How does that Sette light work 10 wheels? I can't find any reviews anywhere, and I don't want to buy it (even for $10) and have it be crap...

I have use similar lights but not this one.
They were not crap.
The 3 Led head lens makes for a very bright light.
The light has a long run time and comes with batteries.


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You can always return them if you don't like the light.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10727 (light)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274 (mount)

+1, this really is the best option out there. don't waste your time or money with 1w, 5w, platic led lights or that 40lumen blackburn flea things. q5 are throw lights which means they can be seen from far away. its a great blinkie, a since battery last about 3hours flashing. even on soild it does a decent job, not as nice as a p7 for flood, but decent all the same. built quality is good, never flickers with lose battery connection and hasn't broken down yet. really you can't go wrong a with this q5 light

The dealextreme lights fail after a few weeks due to poor design. You have to mickeymouse them so the connections between all the anodized threaded parts maintain good electrical contact.

Three I bought in November 2008 work perfectly. I use them everyday.


http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10727 (light)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274 (mount)


+1, this really is the best option out there. don't waste your time or money with 1w, 5w, platic led lights or that 40lumen blackburn flea things. q5 are throw lights which means they can be seen from far away. its a great blinkie, a since battery last about 3hours flashing. even on soild it does a decent job, not as nice as a p7 for flood, but decent all the same. built quality is good, never flickers with lose battery connection and hasn't broken down yet. really you can't go wrong a with this q5 light

I agree. I think the dealextreme Q5 is the best advice so far.

Hey, I've decided to start my mornings with a short 15 mile ride. Its not a commute, but I figured you commuters may know the answer to this as you often have to ride in the dark. I'm looking for a small headlight for early morning rides. It isn't totally dark when I wake up, just not light enough to go solo. here are my requirements (in order)

1)less than $25 (I know this is a small budget...sucks being a student)
2)tool-less removal
3)light
4)small

Thanks for any help!

Bell 'I-pulse'. $20 at Walmart. It's f-ing bright.

http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-FeaturedPage.jsp?selection=listingDetails&tabId=7&singledept=null&lang=&assetId=41014&imageId=56874&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=220&categoryId=1491&tabId=7

Always have 2 lights or at least extra batteries. I have had rides where 2 of my 3 lights failed. I seem to lose rear blinkies too.

One of my lights is a LED headlamp that I got at Walgreen's for I think under $10. Probably not the greatest for a cyclist, but the headstrap fits under my helmet and it has a nice combination of spread and throw. I like having a light permanently affixed to the handlebars AND something on my head/helmet. I like the flea because it is so light and unobtrusive but they are more expensive.

Also - you can get a reflective mesh safety vest very cheaply which will help you be more visible to cars pointed at you. I also bought a T-shirt with wide reflective strips sewn on (think: street maintenance wear). It is wicking mesh and < $20. Since I ride with a pannier, I don't need pockets in a jersey to carry stuff. The panniers hold a "normal" shirt to wear when I'm off the bike.

I've used my P7 since September of last year. It's still my only headlight, and if it broke tomorrow, I'd buy another.

Gotta say I haven't had any trouble with the pair I purchased either and would also buy another. I'd just be sure to order it long before I needed it. btw, if he does get the Ultrafire, he needs to consider rechargeable AA's doesn't he? That's more money.

The DX cree model I got (non P7) was crap quality, but perfect for this type of application once I got it working. That's all I'm sayin'. There are dozens of models, not all the same. Good luck.

Uke, how many night miles have you done with yours?

Bell iPulse led bike torch. Found in most walmarts and surprisingly bright. I keep mine in my pocket as I work to use as a flashlight. It has steady and blink mode. About $16.00.
Ernest

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Gordo_Ruckus/41644989.jpg

the Cree flashlight has somewhat shoddy construction. Better to spend $50 and get the fenix L2 D. flashlight. The fenix is built much better. Just my two cents

I have a Q5 from DealExtreme, and I'd have to agree. Mine worked OK for about 5 days. Now it changes modes or just switches off every time I hit a pebble in the road. I'm whacking it all the time to try to get it to work. I've messed with it a bit and it's just hopeless.

Actually I'm doing nothing with it. I tossed it in the junk drawer and bought a Dinotte.

look at http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail

it is not powerful as the p7, but seems good quality so far. The service is great and price is good.

you can use an old innertube to mount it (I cobbled up a mount from old parts)

Coleman Max 2AA CREE LED flashlight from Walmart, mounted with an o-ring. About $26 total.

Works very well for me!

lol

When I was reading the thread title two words came to my head. Uke and p7.

Me too.

Here's what I use. It's cheap but fairly bright.

http://www.meritline.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=30278&SEName=5-led-power-beam-headlight-and-5-led-rear-tail-lgiht

look at http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail

it is not powerful as the p7, but seems good quality so far. The service is great and price is good.

you can use an old innertube to mount it (I cobbled up a mount from old parts)

I'll second that one. I have the same light and have been using it almost every day for about 4 months now. I have mine handlebar mounted with at twofish lockblock. I'm going to get another one to mount on the fork. I like that it'll take both AA's and CR123s. Not quite as much throw as a P-7 but it's good up to about 20 mph on all but the darkest roads.

Oh yeah, you won't have to wait a month or two to get it from dealextreme. Shipping is quick and cheap and you might still get a couple bucks off with promo code CPFUSER

look at http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail

it is not powerful as the p7, but seems good quality so far. The service is great and price is good.

you can use an old innertube to mount it (I cobbled up a mount from old parts)

I like that light too and in fact have one. Again though, if he gets this, he will have to include some rechargeable AA's and a charger in his budget.

Bell 'I-pulse'. $20 at Walmart. It's f-ing bright.

http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-FeaturedPage.jsp?selection=listingDetails&tabId=7&singledept=null&lang=&assetId=41014&imageId=56874&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=220&categoryId=1491&tabId=7

Does this light have a good flood, or a bright spot?

I have a Planet Bike light that looks similar, but it only lights up a circle in front of me. I'm looking for a good flood on the light also.


FIN

Does this light have a good flood, or a bright spot?

I have a Planet Bike light that looks similar, but it only lights up a circle in front of me. I'm looking for a good flood on the light also.


FIN

For a 'to be seen' light, it has very decent flood and very decent throw. It gives a star burst effect, so there's also a definite spot of light above and below and to each side. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with it for $20 (or less).

I looked at headlights yesterday and I couldn't find anything at twice the price that was even close to it in brightness. In the darkness, on (rapid) flash, unless you like being blinded and seeing purple floaters, you shouldn't look directly into the light.

Anyways, after my experience yesterday, I bought another one, today.

P. S. I'll try to take some pics of what it does, tonight (if I remember and if it's a moonless night).

O. K., I took pictures, but until I figure out how to turn the flash off on this borrowed camera, you won't be able to see the lighting effect. Sorry.

My p7 (an Aurora with 2 modes - the way to go in my book) cost something like $65 with 4 batteries, a mount and 2 chargers. I highly recommend it. It's amazingly bright. But if you absolutely can't go that high, take a look at the q5s.

PS. I'd buy my p7 again if it failed (not that I expect it to).

I bought a 5 LED front light, and rear red blinkie light off ebay from a place in Hong Kong. Total with shipping included was $4.86. The rear blinkie has 7 different flash patterns to choose from, and the front LED has flash or steady. I originally bought them to comply with local laws and so others could see me. I was not too concerned about actually seeing in the dark. However, I have had to ride into some unlit areas of road, and to my surprise when set to steady, the front light did well enough to keep me out of pot holes and such. Only down side is it takes about 10 days to get here from China.

Say what you will about getting what you pay for and cheap lights are no good, These work perfectly, and I would not hesitate to buy another set. They are always on sale on ebay so they should not be too hard to find.

Get two.
One for back up.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=17094&style_id=225%20setgl7&detailName=Sette%20Glo%20Headlight&dept_id=2&deptName=Accessories&sub_id=35&subName=Lights&lprice=9.98&hprice=9.98
That's the one I have. I love it. Lights up the whole street as your moving along. Those LEDS are pretty cool and it's easy to mount under the bar. Less profile that way. It also makes a handy little flashlight in case you have to do something in the dark.