Commuting - Great light for commuting

I wanted a light for commuting, that did not necessarily throw a searchlight beam, but was good for twilight times. It had to make ME visible, rather than enable me to see. I watched other very visible commuters, and decided that the light needed to be white, very bright, and flash. Ideally, I also wanted a rechargeable model. My current light was the antithesis of all this, and only seemed to last for about 2 hours on a new set of batteries.

Enter the Planet Bike Blaze 1-watt. Very white light, very bright, has 1/2-watt, 1-watt and flash mode. The flash mode is also a pulse flash, making this light even more obvious to night-blind motorists. I aim it about 5-6 yards ahead of me, and it lights up road-signs half a mile ahead. It has a good lateral dispersion, too. Not rechargeable, but I am now using rechargeable batteries. Has already gone over 2 housr with no sign of failing.

I tried this against all the bike lights at LBS, and it was the brightest. Not sure how it will work in full dark, but looks good so far. Excellent for rain, twilight, fog and various low-light conditions. For full dark, maybe combined with a high-intensity spot?

Ironically, the really bad light I am swapping out... was also a Planet Bike.

I wanted a light for commuting, that did not necessarily throw a searchlight beam, but was good for twilight times. It had to make ME visible, rather than enable me to see. I watched other very visible commuters, and decided that the light needed to be white, very bright, and flash. Ideally, I also wanted a rechargeable model. My current light was the antithesis of all this, and only seemed to last for about 2 hours on a new set of batteries.

Enter the Planet Bike Blaze 1-watt. Very white light, very bright, has 1/2-watt, 1-watt and flash mode. The flash mode is also a pulse flash, making this light even more obvious to night-blind motorists. I aim it about 5-6 yards ahead of me, and it lights up road-signs half a mile ahead. It has a good lateral dispersion, too. Not rechargeable, but I am now using rechargeable batteries. Has already gone over 2 housr with no sign of failing.

I tried this against all the bike lights at LBS, and it was the brightest. Not sure how it will work in full dark, but looks good so far. Excellent for rain, twilight, fog and various low-light conditions. For full dark, maybe combined with a high-intensity spot?

Ironically, the really bad light I am swapping out... was also a Planet Bike.

Yeah, the PB Blaze is a real good LED HL for the money. I've been using Niterider Trailrats for years to great satisfaction. 10w Halogen puts out a pretty intense beam...cars dim their lights when approaching me at night. Had a Cateye Opticube Sport for years that just got stolen. :notamused: Replaced it w/a 'frog' wrap-around that seems to be bright enough for daylight running. I always use an LED as an emergency back-up, but the NRTRs function as my primary lighting source. Have a NR Univesal taillight, too used in combo w/a couple of PB Superflash blinkies. They're great. Reflective sidewals, spoke inserts and hi-vis clothing makes for a stress free commute. Now if we could just do something about the rain...:p

gets tons of reviews on the MEC site
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627107&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1252294155727#tab2

Also they have a 2 watt led light now too
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442630545&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1252294155726

They make a 2-Watt one now? Aww geeeez:notamused: More is ALWAYS better.

I did look at the Niteriders, though. Awesome lights, but because they are made for trail-riding... no flashey function.

what are you running on the back side?

I also have the Blaze and highly recommend it.

It's a "be seen" light tho, nothing more. I have one... Have found the strobe to be very effective with vehicle traffic.

I like my flea.
http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html

I like my flea.
http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html

not questioning you liking the light but the site says:

The lightest, brightest rechargeable cycling light in the world - now with solar and USB charging.

...at 40 lumens? Don't think so. :rolleyes:

gotta say the solar charging is kinda cool though.

Just stick with the PB Blaze that you have. It sounds like it will work just fine for your needs. Just don't forget to have something for the rear as well.

Hm, I have a Magicshine P7 which is wonderful, but my backup light (Nashbar Brilliant II) is a little weak and I could use a better one. I bought a Planet Bike SuperSpot (also a 1 watt) a few years ago, and it's without doubt the most useless waste of plastic I've ever owned. Pitiful beam, light spread all over to the point where there's only enough to see by to go maybe 5-8 MPH safely. This is a SPOT??? The $18 Nashbar is way better.

I do like Planet Bike in general and if they do make a good cheap LED I would get one.

I'd definitely be interested in the 2W version if anyone has any US source for one. It's not even listed on Planet Bike's website. I note it's on back order - maybe this hasn't actually hit the streets yet?

You may want to check your laws. In Minnesota and many other states, a flashing front light is illegal.

my backup light (Nashbar Brilliant II) is a little weak and I could use a better one.

Certainly you are familiar with the PB Superflash and the Dinotte taillights?

Certainly you are familiar with the PB Superflash and the Dinotte taillights?

He was referring to a front, be-seen, flasher.

He was referring to a front, be-seen, flasher.

Ah yes, sorry. :o

You may want to check your laws. In Minnesota and many other states, a flashing front light is illegal.

I don't really think I would care. It may or may not be illegal here, I have never checked. But, I will keep doing it regardless until such time as I actually get a ticket for it. I think most cops are just shocked to see a rider not going ninja. Unless you are otherwise causing some kind of hazard my money is on the cops leaving you alone.

Certainly you are familiar with the PB Superflash and the Dinotte taillights?

The very two lights that I run on back. I also run a PB Protege 9 computer. I was talking about front lights though, and I would like to find a decent $30 backup LED light. Huh, the Blaze is $40. For that kind of money, I agree with other posters, get a P7 from DX. I will probably do that myself. I went with the Magicshine P7 as my primary because it uses 4 18650 lights for a 3 hour runtime (8+ in low mode).

The flashlights with a single 18650 don't run long enough to use as a primary light. My commute is close to an hour in the winter, and a light rated as 30-60 minutes will probalby only run for 20 minutes when it's 0*F out, so I'd probably have to swap lights at least once, maybe twice, during my commute. NO WAY.

Those with two 18650s are too long and clumsy on the handlebar. But in low mode they'd run fine for most commutes and would still put out a bunch more lights than any of the current $40-$50 bike lights, for about the same money, and have the option of kicking up to higher output for a while.

Although, by the time you get a 2 cell P7 ($50), a couple of 18650s ($10) a mount ($5) and a charger ($8), you're up to $70+, and for $20 more you can get the Magicshine and have a nicer total package and twice the runtime, and not have to take the batteries off the bike to charge them.

If you can save up the money and spring for $90 for the MagicShine, you WILL be satisfied and it will last years. I've spent way more than $90 personally buying crappy $20 and $30 lights that I could barely see by. I think in the long run you'll spend less money buying a better system up front.

The very two lights that I run on back.

I thought so, my memory sucks. In fact, for all I know, it was a recommendation by you that clued me in to those two lights. The Dinotte is possibly the best piece of cycling equipment I own based on effectiveness.

what are you running on the back side?

I have a PB blinkie on my seatpost, and I attach another blinkie to my jersey; higher up, easier to see.

I don't really think I would care. It may or may not be illegal here, I have never checked. But, I will keep doing it regardless until such time as I actually get a ticket for it. I think most cops are just shocked to see a rider not going ninja. Unless you are otherwise causing some kind of hazard my money is on the cops leaving you alone.

I understand what you're saying. Just riding down the street, it seems like a petty technicality that cops wouldn't bother with.
However if a cager tangles with me after sundown, I don't want to be saddled with negligence based on a technicality. I'm usually not a safety nanny, but for this situation riding in the dark, legal compliance with a solid beam seems preferable.

They make a 2-Watt one now

strangely I don't see the 2-watt one on PB's website

+1 for the PB Blaze

You may want to check your laws. In Minnesota and many other states, a flashing front light is illegal.

I didn't know that. I use flash at night--it's really eye-catching.
Many other cyclists around here use flashers, too.

If your looking for a reasonably priced rechargeable light, REI has last years model of the NightRider Mini-Newt on closeout for $60 something dollars. The design was changed this year, to include a low battery indicator light. If I know the runtime of a light, lack of battery indicator isn't a deal breaker for me.


not questioning you liking the light but the site says:

The lightest, brightest rechargeable cycling light in the world - now with solar and USB charging.

...at 40 lumens? Don't think so. :rolleyes:

gotta say the solar charging is kinda cool though.

I have a flea and I hate it, the blinky is actually nice little compact blinky, fairly bright and perfect for a helmet. The headlight stinks, I only keep it as an emergency backup.

Blackburn had to come up with a new way of charging the light, because they've gotten a ton of complaints about the original charger design. Their customer service has been excellent about it though.

For the same money, you could get a PB Blaze.


I didn't know that. I use flash at night--it's really eye-catching.
Many other cyclists around here use flashers, too.

I pretty sure the law is only in regards to white lights. If you put an amber lens on the blinking light, it should be OK. Cars have amber lights on the front, that blink when they are used as directionals.

Dinnote actually makes a amber lensed blinky. Which is probably overkill, unless you have disposal income and can afford spending that kind of money on something that is just a "be seen" light.

For the blaze, i see a 1/2 watt and a 1 watt.
But I don't see a 2 watt. Any links?

For the blaze, i see a 1/2 watt and a 1 watt.
But I don't see a 2 watt. Any links?

ebike.com lists a 2 watt on their site, but I couldn't find it.

http://www.ebikestop.com/planet_bike_blaze_1_watt_led_headlight-LT3044.php

...I'm usually not a safety nanny, but for this situation riding in the dark, legal compliance with a solid beam seems preferable.

If you are a "safety nanny" you'd ride with your front light flashing. The difference in driver response is amazing. Now I ride day and night with my front light flashing. Who cares about an out-dated law when it compromises safety. When I think about your reasoning, I'd call it "legal nanny" :thumb:

Check out Bob Mionske's book Bicycling and the Law. The concept of negligence is a legal term that assigns responsibility for damages. You break a law in some states, and the other guy's responsibility for your medical care goes away even if they also broke a law (ie. failure to stop at a red light), and your insurance or your family pays the price of your medical bills, loss of work, etc. In other states, the responsibility is shared. Just depends upon your state's tort laws.

You are right in that the police probably won't make note of the blinky until after a collision. If they know the law, they are likely to document it and it becomes part of the record that determines who pays for what. I think my concept of negligence was completely different until I read Bob's book, and my new understanding affects how I conduct myself as a cyclist and how I teach high school students about their own safety within my cycling class. Even my freestyle biking students have to follow the laws while on the road in my classes because I could be held responsible for their behavior while they are riding with me if I regularly allowed them to break the law.

I know many of them will completely ignore the laws and safety practices I drill into them as soon as they are outside of class. But at least they are aware of situations. Just like them, everybody knows it is your choice whether you use a front blinky or not. And you are right, they are far better than nothing. They may even be more effective than similarly priced lights that don't blink. It's too bad that comparisons of lower priced lights aren't available similar to those that have been done for off road trail riding.

Shimano Dynamo front hub 3 watt, 12 volt bulb and it rocks! Always there never have to worry about batteries.

...They may even be more effective than similarly priced lights that don't blink. It's too bad that comparisons of lower priced lights aren't available...

LOL, I'm running a flashing 9W LED headlight with a 6W helmet light, not exactly "lower priced". I am interested in avioding an accident, not winning the lawsuit after being hit. If I don't get hit, then I don't worry about the legal angle. I've ridden both ways, with my light set on constant and with the headlight flashing. The difference in response to a flashing front light is amazing. Once you do it, you can't go back, it's too dangerous. I've heard flashing front lights are becoming popular on motorcycles and some states have amended their laws to accomdate them.

I won't have a LOT of dawn riding to do but I know I need a light and will always use blinkies for commuting. I'm thinking of looking at a helmet mounted light for future use.

For now I just got a Blackburn Flea combo on Amazon. $25 for the front and rear combo.

I also have a cheap Planet Bike set to use till the Fleas come.

I also have a cheap Planet Bike set to use till the Fleas come.

If you think the Fleas throw any amount of light you're badly mistaken. They're better than nothing, but certainly not very effective.

I'm hoping that with both attached it'll get me where I'm going till the time change gives me more light. Guess we'll see. I bought the set for the same price as just the rear Flea so I'll consider the front a freebie.

For the blaze, i see a 1/2 watt and a 1 watt.
But I don't see a 2 watt. Any links?

Try this one - http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3045.html

Try this one - http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3045.html

Lol - d2create's post date? 09-11-09. Yours? 06-27-10. 9 months have passed - he probably figured it or gave up by now!