Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Need inexpensive Front Light WITH strobe

Need inexpensive Front Light WITH Good Quality strobe such as a Fenix using AA if possible.

The STROBE is the part that I loved the best for city commuting. It should be fast, bright and annoying to be seen. I am NOT looking to spend $50.00 at the moment and the P7 multi-mode lights (yes, not AA) seem to have mixed reviews.

I had a Fenix LD20 and it got lost in a crash and am using a Romisen, plus am waiting to decide on a P7 or similar.

Thanks

Rob

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_12395_1_small.jpg
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12395

Most of the P7s have a 10hz strobe - it's a real attention getter, well suited for daytime use. Aim directly ahead. I use it at twilight time too (a very dangerous time of day IMO), but tilt it down a bit. Most of the SOS strobe patterns are too slow. You need the "regular" strobe.

Even the crappy P7s seem to have a good, strong strobe. By crappy I mean potentially any P7 you'd buy from DX. Their ads are inaccurate and misleading and the quality of the products vary wildly. For example, if you get 5 of a given model, I'd expect 1 would be great, 1 would be nearly useless, 3 would be mediocre. Also of the 5 supposedly identical lights you may have lights from 2 or even 3 batches/factories/who knows. The tailcap and heads may not interchange and the graphics may vary. Battery fit may vary too. Or, they all may be identically perfect example of P7s. There's just no way to know till you get them. I've decided the only way to get an "extreme deal" is to order multiples, keep the good ones and return the rest. However I don't know that you can actually get your money back in any reasonable time frame. They love giving you credit, though - cause they have piles of junk they need to move!

If strobe is your primary operating mode, then I have less reservation about recommending DX for a supplier.

I'll add that ShiningBeam.com is getting a new batch of the MG-PLI mce lights soon, and some are supposedly 5 mode with strobe. IMO they're not as good a bike light as a good P7 - most all of the mce's have a doughnut hole in middle of light beam. Good thing about SB is they answer questions and ship stuff pronto. There will be no cryptic messages and indeterminate periods of waiting for stuff like you will certainly get with DX.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=194757

Good luck.

Seeker:
I had purchased a few lights from Shining Beam, one was a Romisen 1 mode works well. The other was an ESE multi mode that stopped working and I tried to return it after 90 days, but they would not. They did offer some kind of credit on a future order which I have not used. The ESE had 5 modes and worked well, then it stopped. It was pretty close to my Fenix.
I understand the P7 issues and would buy a 1 or 2 mode light.

I use a combo.....but I don't ride a lot a night....I use the strobe/flash during the day also

this was not by design as much as it was buy light from performance, then get the romisen.....still thinking about a p7

but it gives me redundancy (two lights), good visibiliy, and total cost of about $40

A Romisen from shinging beam (just off/on) for light http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail

and a viewpoint for flashing strobe http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1030710_-1_20000__22000

I have a Planet Bike Beamer 3 and do use it's FLASHING mode, but that doesn't knock peoples socks off and gets their attention.
A good strobe, which most people hate will get them to notice you. Then again based on how most people walk into traffic without looking its survival of the safest.

I used to be a big fan of the Romisens from SB as a budget light. I still am, but I just got this AA/14500 light from (hate to say it) DX and I was blown away. This is the absolute best deal on DX. It's a Cree, not a P7, but plenty bright. With a 14500 battery it's listed as a 200 lumen, but it's probably an honest 150-175 lumens at least with 14500s, and a little less with 1 AA, but the runtime is longer. The throw is very good for a led light, as good as the larger Romisen, and it still retains a useful amount of spill.

It's listed as 6 modes but that's incorrect. It's user programmable in seconds for 1, 2 or 3 modes with memory. It has a variable steady mode that lets you choose the intensity as it ramps up, variable frequency strobes and 2 pulse beacons, plus the useless SOS, etc. I have mine programmed for low, hi, and medium fast strobe. It also has low discharge protection that you can turn on or off depending on what kind of battery you use. It's HAII or III, depending on who you ask, very water resistant, even moderately waterproof, with double o-rings in the head. The build quality is much better than anything else I've ever gotten from DX and it's cheap enough, about $20, that you can get it, plus a few 14500 batteries and a charger for well under $40.

I really can't say enough good about this light. Sorry to sound like a commercial, but I like it so much that t now replaces one of the two Romisens on my HBs and I may well get another one for use as a head/helmet light. Really worth checking out. So good that it's worth the wait. (not too bad though, 10 days to Florida) DX finally has a real winner with this one. Don't believe me, read the rave reviews. Programming details are also on the site in the discussion area.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16607

Features a CREE XR-E Q5-WC LED emitter- Powered by 1 x 1.2V/1.5V AA or 1 x 14500 battery
- Input voltage range: 0.7V~4.5V
- 6-mode clicky tailcap switch with mode memory: Hi > Mid > Lo > Strobe > SOS > Slow Strobe (This is inaccurate. see above)
- Mode memory returns the flashlights to the previously usage mode when the light is turned on
- 200 lumens brightness (manufacturer rated)
- 900mA current output digitally regulated driver circuitry
- 1-hour estimated runtime (manufacturer rated)
- Coated glass lens with aluminum textured/OP reflector

I just got this AA/14500 light from (hate to say it) DX and I was blown away. This is the absolute best deal on DX. It's a Cree, not a P7, but plenty bright. With a 14500 battery it's listed as a 200 lumen, but it's probably an honest 150-175 lumens at least with 14500s, and a little less with 1 AA, but the runtime is longer. The throw is very good for a led light, as good as the larger Romisen, and it still retains a useful amount of spill.

Your torch sounds very much like an Ultrafire C3 Cree that I bought from DX, this will also run on a 14500 or an AA - again this one is also brighter on a 14500.

This is a great buy:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_1993_1_small.jpg

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1993

:)

The build quality is much better than anything else I've ever gotten from DX and it's cheap enough, about $20, that you can get it, plus a few 14500 batteries and a charger for well under $40.

I really can't say enough good about this light. Sorry to sound like a commercial, but I like it so much that t now replaces one of the two Romisens on my HBs and I may well get another one for use as a head/helmet light. Really worth checking out. So good that it's worth the wait. (not too bad though, 10 days to Florida) DX finally has a real winner with this one. Don't believe me, read the rave reviews. Programming details are also on the site in the discussion area.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16607

Features a CREE XR-E Q5-WC LED emitter- Powered by 1 x 1.2V/1.5V AA or 1 x 14500 battery
- Input voltage range: 0.7V~4.5V
- 6-mode clicky tailcap switch with mode memory: Hi > Mid > Lo > Strobe > SOS > Slow Strobe (This is inaccurate. see above)
- Mode memory returns the flashlights to the previously usage mode when the light is turned on
- 200 lumens brightness (manufacturer rated)
- 900mA current output digitally regulated driver circuitry
- 1-hour estimated runtime (manufacturer rated)
- Coated glass lens with aluminum textured/OP reflector

How much different is the light if I use the AA batteries. Will the strobe be that much weaker output.
Also any idea how long the AA will run on strobe?

Rob

I use planet Bike Blaze, the one watt version. Love it. The AA batteries last a long time. I use it on my commute during the day.

If you are willing to go 18650, there is a guy at CPF selling SolarForce L2 lights for $30, shipped. I have a SolarForce light, and it's great quality, especially for the price. One nice thing about them is that they take a standard P-60 drop-in, which means you can very easily upgrade the LED when better technology comes out. http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=195384

Also check out what ShiningBeam has on offer - http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-By-Batteries-cln-AA/Categories

Need inexpensive Front Light WITH Good Quality strobe such as a Fenix using AA if possible.

The STROBE is the part that I loved the best for city commuting. It should be fast, bright and annoying to be seen. I am NOT looking to spend $50.00 at the moment and the P7 multi-mode lights (yes, not AA) seem to have mixed reviews.

I had a Fenix LD20 and it got lost in a crash and am using a Romisen, plus am waiting to decide on a P7 or similar.

Thanks

Rob

Hi Rob,

If you haven't found a suitable torch yet you might consder this one:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_16181_1_small.jpg

UltraFire C3 Mode-A Cree P4-WC 4-Mode (http://www2.dealextreme.com:8080/details.dx/sku.16181)

:)

Hi Rob,

If you haven't found a suitable torch yet you might consder this one:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_16181_1_small.jpg

UltraFire C3 Mode-A Cree P4-WC 4-Mode (http://www2.dealextreme.com:8080/details.dx/sku.16181)

:)


Thanks, this seems to NOT have a strobe but an SOS.
Am still looking, but will try to wrap it up by weeks end.
Waiting to see if Shining Beam comes out with anything useful.
I'm covered for the moment, but prefer to try to get this done so I can spend more money on other "toys".

Rob

Thanks, this seems to NOT have a strobe but an SOS.
Am still looking, but will try to wrap it up by weeks end.
Waiting to see if Shining Beam comes out with anything useful.
I'm covered for the moment, but prefer to try to get this done so I can spend more money on other "toys".
Rob

Ok, I'll have another look.

Have you considered getting a 18650 powered torch or perhaps a headlight - I think some of those have annoying strobes.

:)

How about a normal blinky, or something like this:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_23038_2_small.jpg

5-LED 3-Mode Flashlight with Bike Mount (http://www2.dealextreme.com:8080/details.dx/sku.23038)

SB sells a 1aa light with strobe.. Pretty inexpensive..

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-59/MF-DA1-Cree-Q5/Detail

I velcro a small Photon Microlight 3 on my handlebars/brake lever.
the microlight 3 is discontinued replaced with the photon freedom,
both Made in the USA. My photon 3 is still on it's orig battery from 2002.
the strobe is used when I'm riding at night to be seen, I don't ride at night much
but it's so light I can carry it all the time in my keychain.

Ok, I'll have another look.

Have you considered getting a 18650 powered torch or perhaps a headlight - I think some of those have annoying strobes.

:)

How about a normal blinky, or something like this:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_23038_2_small.jpg

5-LED 3-Mode Flashlight with Bike Mount (http://www2.dealextreme.com:8080/details.dx/sku.23038)

I'll focus on a 18650 battery run light such as a P7 after this little project. Of course I am loaded with AA's in my drawer but my commuting experience has me convinced that I need a Stobe type mode. Later in the year I will be in need of brighter lights for Brevets and late nght rides far frm city roads.

Thanks for the efforts.

Rob

How much different is the light if I use the AA batteries. Will the strobe be that much weaker output.
Also any idea how long the AA will run on strobe?

Rob

Sorry, i haven't seen this thread in awhile. If you're still looking, I get about an hour on full brightness on one 2700 mah AA. The strobe is programmable for different speeds so it would probably depend on what speed you use. I've never timed it with an AA on strobe. I know I got an easy hour on an AA on the "beacon" mode. Thats a double flash, short pause, double flash, short pause cycle.

With an AA on steady high mode, it seems just as bright as on the 14500 for the first 10 minutes or so, then it levels down a bit. That's on steady bright. I can't really see a whole lot of difference on strobe between the battery, mabye 20%?. Hard to tell without blowing out my retinas, but it's still bright as hell for a "to be seen" light and I'd have no reservations about using an AA with it, especially on strobe mode.

There's a lot of discussion about this light on the DX product page. If you slog through it, you can probably find out a little more accurately how it performs with AA's. I only used them for a few nights before I switched to the 14500's.

Ok, I'll have another look.

Have you considered getting a 18650 powered torch or perhaps a headlight - I think some of those have annoying strobes.

:)

How about a normal blinky, or something like this:

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_23038_2_small.jpg

5-LED 3-Mode Flashlight with Bike Mount (http://www2.dealextreme.com:8080/details.dx/sku.23038)
I ordered a few of those to give to friends and the plastic on the mount was so brittle that they all broke within days of use. The light itself seemed okay, but without a mount they are useless for cycling.

I ordered a few of those to give to friends and the plastic on the mount was so brittle that they all broke within days of use. The light itself seemed okay, but without a mount they are useless for cycling.

Hi ziemas,

I thought the deal we thrashed out with the mods was that you ignore my posts and I ignore your's ?

As I have been doing....