Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Best P7 for Night Commuting

i dont know which to get for my night riding. i commute 20-30 miles roundtrip but i want to start riding

the trails at night. which of the p7 family should i get? i believe im going to by 2.

I have an Ultrafire and love it. I would recommend a three mode. High, Low and strobe. Do get some extra batteries.

Also, consider checking out the flashlight used as a tail light that has recently been discussed here.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20333

I have a 2 mode. I like the simplicity of only 2 modes, but I often wish I also had a flashing mode. Zero problems to date with Aurora and MTE.

If you are in the States there are a couple of options that might offer you a bit better QC than DX.

Shining Beam has a high zoot light, but it seems to be out of stock at the moment. http://www.shiningbeam.com

GeoMan has a P7 bike specific light. http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_41&products_id=138



That being said, I won the DX lottery as far as QC is concerned and use an MTE MC-E light.

There are lots of P7 torches, the best advice is to buy one with as few modes as you can get away with. Every time the question of modes comes up the forum is flooded with comments from 5 and 8 mode owners who wish they had bought 2 mode torches.

If you want a longer runtime you can go for a 2 x 18650 P7 torch and although not everyone likes them I greatly appreciate the longer runtime and less frequent battery changes.

There's a review of my Aurora P7 in my signature. :)

It would also be worth having a look at this one:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_25149_7_small.jpg

HA-III SSC P7-C (SXO) 3-Mode 900-Lumen LED Bike Light Set (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25149)

There are lots of P7 torches, the best advice is to buy one with as few modes as you can get away with. Every time the question of modes comes up the forum is flooded with comments from 5 and 8 mode owners who wish they had bought 2 mode torches.

If you want a longer runtime you can go for a 2 x 18650 P7 torch and although not everyone likes them I greatly appreciate the longer runtime and less frequent battery changes.

There's a review of my Aurora P7 in my signature. :)

It would also be worth having a look at this one:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_25149_7_small.jpg

HA-III SSC P7-C (SXO) 3-Mode 900-Lumen LED Bike Light Set (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25149)
That's the same light I linked to from GeoMan. If the OP is in the US the $4 difference in price is more than justified by the longer warranty and speed of shipping from a local supplier who actually will have the item in stock.

That's the same light I linked to from GeoMan. If the OP is in the US the $4 difference in price is more than justified by the longer warranty and speed of shipping from a local supplier who actually will have the item in stock.

Well...I don't know where he is and if he isn't in the US he's much better off buying from DX as the delivery is free.

:D

Well...I don't know where he is and if he isn't in the US he's much better off buying from DX as the delivery is free.

:D

Considering he uses miles it's safe to bet he's in the US.......

yeah, just get a regular P7 plus your favourite choice of handlebar mount, or helmet mount

currently using the MTE P7 8 mode http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060 + this mount http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274

got 2 of them on my bike, but now i got a new bike, so i'll need another set for the new bike.

so i was considering using other mounts for more positions.
so far of the new mounts i like this the most
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.21314
then this
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18889
but i still think the most solid one is the good old fenix mount
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13004

Considering he uses miles it's safe to bet he's in the US.......

Hardly, lots of countries use miles.

We do.

;)

Hardly, lots of countries use miles.

We do.

;)

Jaa, lot's of countries....:rolleyes: Two, one of which also officially uses the metric system. But let's look at exceptions to prove our stupid points........:thumb:

Jaa, lot's of countries....:rolleyes: Two, one of which also officially uses the metric system. But let's look at exceptions to prove our stupid points........:thumb:

I'm not sure what your point is ?

I provided info to the OP that 'might' be useful to him and if it isn't hasn't done anyone any harm.

Can we just leave it at that ?

:)

I'm not sure what your point is ?

I provided info to the OP that 'might' be useful to him and if it isn't hasn't done anyone any harm.

Can we just leave it at that ?

:)

I guess it's your constant shilling for DX whenever there is a light thread, and your refusal to admit that DX does in fact sell some rubbish items and is a far from perfect seller.

I guess it's your constant shilling for DX whenever there is a light thread, and your refusal to admit that DX does in fact sell some rubbish items and is a far from perfect seller.

Actually, you did spot that the OP used 'miles'.

Obviously I'm used to people using 'miles' and thought nothing of it, so well spotted.

I'm not 'shilling' for anyone, I'd just like to see what looks like a promising light get a fair trial :)

Conversely, it is a pity that there are so many people ready to rubbish DX (often people who have bought overpriced tat elsewhere) when, clearly there are a large number of very satisfied customers.

:)

Maybe we could let it go now, or start a new thread ?

Or if you prefer you can just disagree with anything I ever say by PM instead ?

Actually, you did spot that the OP used 'miles'.

Obviously I'm used to people using 'miles' and thought nothing of it, so well spotted.

I'm not 'shilling' for anyone, I'd just like to see what looks like a promising light get a fair trial :)

Conversely, it is a pity that there are so many people ready to rubbish DX (often people who have bought overpriced tat elsewhere) when, clearly there are a large number of very satisfied customers.

:)

Maybe we could let it go now, or start a new thread ?

Or if you prefer you can just disagree with anything I ever say by PM instead ?
Huh? Where have I rubbished DX unfairly? I this very thread I mentioned that I have a good light from them, but the fact remains that it's a gamble when you buy from them. I've had some great stuff from DX and some utter rubbish that was a total waste of money. One must be very careful what they buy from DX, and even then you might not get exactly what you ordered or the quality might have changed from the review that you read. This is well known, and something that you neglect to mention in your DX 'fan boy' posts, and try and discount when it's brought up. You are doing a disservice to unknowing buyers by not being upfront with them. I'll continue to buy things from DX, but I also am well aware of the risks of doing so.

In my experience, DX richly deserves any negative feedback they receive.

I think Ziemas stated it fairly. DX is a crapshoot - you may get a good light, or just some junk - there's no way to predict it or improve your odds.

I'd rather pay more for USA sales, prompt CS communications, and a distribution process that weeds out the junk. A USA dealer could never get away with selling the junk DX sells. They would lose all their profit paying extra shipping to replace the defective goods. Plus no one would buy from them once their reputation for selling junk was established.

DX is counting on a large percentage of it's customers to simply give up and not attempt to recover their loss on a defective item. They do just enough to maintain an appearance of being a legitimate etailer business.

is there a US dealer with equally-capable lights sold by DX, only with a warranty/insurance...?

i would like to spend around the same price.

i have read a few negative reviews but also many positive reviews.

im in limbo.

is there a US dealer with equally-capable lights sold by DX, only with a warranty/insurance...?

i would like to spend around the same price.

i have read a few negative reviews but also many positive reviews.

im in limbo.

Check out post #4.

is there a US dealer with equally-capable lights sold by DX, only with a warranty/insurance...?


As posted by Ziemas... before him and UKC got into a big fight about not much... :D
http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_41&products_id=138

Geoman sells the exact same light, charges 4$ more, you get good customer service judging by his feedback. Free US shipping too. :thumb:

Yep, that would be us!

Thanks!

what is a better light: the magic shine, or a p7?

if a magic shine is equal to a p7 then i would get it.

Magicshine = P7

# Brand: Magicshine
# Model: P7 (MJ-808)
# Emitter Brand/Type: Seoul Semiconductors SSC
# Emitter BIN: P7-C-SXO

is there anyway to see a comparison?

I imagine that the Magicshine and most P7 would give you similar output.. The advantage of using the mS light is that it has multiple modes and a long runtime over a stock P7 flashlight.. Most P7's depending on the Bin number of the led used will give you between 500-700 lumens of actual light.. More than enough for fast riding at night.. For the price and long runtime, the MS light is a good solution for new P7 users.

Most single cell P7 flashlights will only give you 60-90 minutes of runtime..

I imagine that the Magicshine and most P7 would give you similar output.. The advantage of using the mS light is that it has multiple modes and a long runtime over a stock P7 flashlight.. Most P7's depending on the Bin number of the led used will give you between 500-700 lumens of actual light..

It's worth remembering that the output will also depend on the driver, lots of the P7 torches run the LED at a lower current, which reduces the heat output making it easier to manage and increases the runtime and efficiency.

Because there is a large number of P7 torches and a lot of them run the LED at quite modest current, the P7 cycle light is very likely brighter than most of the P7 torches.

:)

the magic shine does not come with a "mid" mode, will this be a problem?

i dont want to be overly bright. just like car head lights. thanks for all the help!

the magic shine does not come with a "mid" mode, will this be a problem?

i dont want to be overly bright. just like car head lights. thanks for all the help!

It should be just fine. I almost never use the mid mode on my MC-E light. One thing though, none of the lights that you are looking at will have a cutout like a car headlight. This means that lot of light will be going up in the air, and not at the ground. This can blind peds, other cyclist, and drivers, so you'll want to point your light downward, and not straight ahead.

what do you recommend for a secondary light: i.e. helmet or another p7 mounted...?

what do you recommend for a secondary light: i.e. helmet or another p7 mounted...?

I use a lower lumen helmet light. It's a Solarforce L2 with a Q5 drop-in, 200+ lumens.

would it possible for you to post a pic of the performance? i know im getting p7/magic shine, but i

cannot decide on which exact ones to choose.

would it possible for you to post a pic of the performance? i know im getting p7/magic shine, but i

cannot decide on which exact ones to choose.

No, it wouldn't be possible, and wouldn't help you anyway.

There are plenty of photos of P7 lights around, but the fact of the matter is you'll have no idea of what you'll get until it's in your hands. That being said, any of them should be bright enough for night commuting. I suspect that you're starting to over-think this.....

probably so...thanks

hmm...ive been comparing lights on candlepowerforums.com and a few other sites, and

now im back the beginning again...

hmm...ive been comparing lights on candlepowerforums.com and a few other sites, and

now im back the beginning again...

You can go on forever looking at lights. I'm happy with this one - http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16500 , but there is no guarantee that the specs haven't changed since I bought mine. Just what's your fear in buying the 'wrong' light?

hmm...ive been comparing lights on candlepowerforums.com and a few other sites, and now im back the beginning again...

It can be very tricky choosing your first P7 torch.

I have one of these:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_14451_3_small.jpg

Aurora AK-P7-3 SSC P7-C 900-Lumen 2-Mode LED Flashlight (2*18650/4*CR123A) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14451)

Which I would readily recommend as it is great, lots of light and amazing runtimes, build quality is very good as well - (please see my signature for a review).

However, a 2 x 18650 torch can be a bit long for some tastes, so maybe the single 18650 version would suit you better:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_15691_2_small.jpg

Aurora AK-P7-4 HA-III SSC P7-C 2-Mode 900-Lumen LED Flashlight (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15691)

There are lots of great P7 torches on DX and if you get close to choosing one you can always start a new thread asking for opinions on the torch you are considering.

:thumb:

Uknown cyclist do you have a review for this: http://www.lighthound.com/XTAR-SSC-P7-LED-18650-Rechargeable-Flashlight--400-lumens_p_2623.html ?

whenever i think im done, i find out more.

Uknown cyclist do you have a review for this: http://www.lighthound.com/XTAR-SSC-P7-LED-18650-Rechargeable-Flashlight--400-lumens_p_2623.html ?

whenever i think im done, i find out more.


I own one of those XTAR P7 lights... Lots of light, around 500 lumens out the front, runtime is a little on the weak side.. You will get 1 hour with 2500 mah batteries, you can kick this up to 80 minutes with the new UF 3000 mah batteries.. Overall a very nice light, very floody which is ideal for riding.. It is the smallest p7 light I own, it is only 3.8 ounces without batteries.. The high mode is great for fast riding but the low mode is such a huge dropoff in output, I am pretty sure it 30% of high mode..

If you are looking for a USA dealer, one of the best P7's I have used is this one..

http://cgi.ebay.com/SSC-P7-LED-Flashlight-900LM-MAX-Tactical-Swat-Torch-Set_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ106987QQihZ026QQitemZ390012442315QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVWQQsalenotsupp orted

They sell as a package.. The light is a little bigger than the XTAR, the light has a slight bluisih tint to it, very pleasing to the eye at night.. There is no cree donut with this light and it puts out equivalent light to the xtar, but it has gradual dimming, rather than a sharp dropoff like most other p7's.. There is about 80-100 minutes of runtime using this model.. One of the best regulated models.. Would not recommend this model for a helmet light, it is 5.5 ounces without batteries.. It is slightly longer than other p7's and has a larger head.. Using this with lockblocks is no problem at all.. Of the handful of P7's this is by far my favorite.. It is a single mode light so no issues with mode switching..

Other than the new aw 2600mah 18650 batteries which I do not have yet I would recommend the UF 3000 18650 batteries.. Longer runtime on all p7 lights I have tried them with, much better the UF or Trustfire 2400/2500 mah and AW 2200 mah batteries.... I have bought 2 sets from this seller, usually 7 day delivery time to California from HK..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ultrafire-Rechargeable-18650-3-7v-3000-Battery-x2-CASE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ40975QQihZ024QQitemZ370201041920QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVWQQsalenotsupp orted

Uknown cyclist do you have a review for this: http://www.lighthound.com/XTAR-SSC-P7-LED-18650-Rechargeable-Flashlight--400-lumens_p_2623.html ?

whenever i think im done, i find out more.

I'm afraid I don't a have a review for it, I'm more enthusiast than expert.

I can't see that you get much more for your money, tbh.

I'm just not convinced that pricey-er torches actually offer any more than some of the more affordable torches.

My Aurora P7 is good value for money and I can't knock the design, finish, performance, reliability, thermal management or how waterproof it is.

Yes, I could spend more on a different torch, made from aluminium, using the same 18650 batteries and the same P7 LED and very likely the same reflector, lens and switch - but unless that torch can provide something my Aurora can't - what's the point ?

I put batteries in it, turn it on and light comes out - every time.

I would recommend buying a torch with the lowest number of modes you need, as frequently on here this subject crops up and always there are people with 5 or 8 mode torches who wish they had bought simpler torches.

:) :thumb:

hmm...ive been comparing lights on candlepowerforums.com and a few other sites, and

now im back the beginning again...

I commute at night - make sure you get 2 of which ever light you choose. Doesn't matter - just get one. I have Aurola, MTE and Trustfire and they've held up for more than a year now.

You may not need 2 lights but at speed, you want to see every pothhole, sand trap and even tiny rock/pebble as they could throw you off. The other reason is the animals. Because you are silent - it really catch them off guard and over last 2 years, these light saved me from running over 4-5 racoons/skunks.

At extreme high speed (25mph+ on my electric) I light up 3 front lights at various downward position (never high enough to blind the drivers - I have 4 front total) and it lights up good 20-30ft in front.

As for the helmet light - I have one (Pheonix l2) but seldom use them. I only use them if I want to look at something specific... but at midnight, there isn't much to look at except some startled animals to the side.