Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Best daytime strobe headlight for least $$?

I currently use a Performance ViewPoint LED headlight for daytime road bike exercise riding.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes//Product_10052_10551_1030710_-1___

It is OK if you are pointing directly at it, and I KNOW it has prevented drivers from cutting me off. But I'm guessing there are better daytime options. I almost never ride at night, unless I get caught long on a ride. Is there anything else in the $20-$50 price range that has similar footprint/weight, but is brighter and wider view angle?

I also use a PBSF as my taillight/strobe. That thing is so bright, it makes me think I should use a second one as my front strobe.

The FENIX L2D strobes at 200 lumens on "turbo" mode, and is clearly seen even in bright daylight, although runtime on 2 x AA is limited to 1 hour.

It makes your PBSF blinker look like a joke, for real - you can't even see the PBSF in bright daylight, whereas the Fenix still is obvious and hella bright.

The FENIX L2D strobes at 200 lumens on "turbo" mode, and is clearly seen even in bright daylight, although runtime on 2 x AA is limited to 1 hour.

It makes your PBSF blinker look like a joke, for real - you can't even see the PBSF in bright daylight, whereas the Fenix still is obvious and hella bright.

Only 1 hour? I don't think that is practical, but it sounds like it is ridiculously bright!

Only 1 hour? I don't think that is practical, but it sounds like it is ridiculously bright!

It is indeed, on the short side, but if you want to talk about practicality, try using your blinker on high noon with full sun. You'll likely only see it if you're dead-on looking at it - I've seen many riders with such blinkers on at daytime around here in Socal and honestly, they are of NO value whatsoever.

I've also seen Fenix users around here, and it's instantly recognizable, because you instantly see the powerful and fast blink - can't miss it, even at high noon. I always check to see it's a little black flashlight, and sure enough, it is.

If you intend to use it during bright daylight hours, the practicality of the Fenix is WAYYY higher than your light.

If you intend to use it during bright daylight hours, the practicality of the Fenix is WAYYY higher than your light.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. I justify using my PBSF during bright daylight because it is more visible when I'm riding in shadows, temporary cloud cover, the later day portion of my ride, etc. But, as you say, it is not very visible in the brightest light.

Do any of the lower settings on the Fenix offer superior visibility, so as to have a longer battery life?

There are lower FENIX settings, but they won't be as visible during daylight times. The PBSF really is insufficient for a daylight solution - even on an overcast day, if it's between 9AM and 4PM, you'll probably have no visibility advantage from a PBSF over just wearing a colored shirt.

You really do need the 200 lumen power of the FENIX to get noticed during daytime hours. Unfortunately, that doesn't come for free in terms of battery life. LED lights (as used in the Fenix) are pretty much near the highest efficiency power-light conversion that you can possibly get - it's squeezing every last lumen from your battery without wasting it in heat or other energy.

The Dinotte rear-light uses a similar LED and a large battery pack for 2-3 hours of 200 lumen output. Consider this (pricer) option if it's that important to you. IMO though, during daytime hours, hi-vis or colored clothing is all you need - an crazy powered rear light is overkill. During dusk or night when clothing is harder to see, the PBSF is plenty good.

Best bang for the buck is this headlamp, easily mounted on your helmet.. Very similar specs to Princeton Tec EOS.. Only $9.00 and free shipping.. The Flash mode can be used at night around 120 pulses per minutes as opposed to the seizure inducing mode of the fenix lights..

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-Watt-Super-Bright-LED-Flashlight-Headlamp-Head-Lamp_W0QQitemZ220492329027QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item33565df043

Best bang for the buck is this headlamp, easily mounted on your helmet.. Very similar specs to Princeton Tec EOS.. Only $9.00 and free shipping.. The Flash mode can be used at night around 120 pulses per minutes as opposed to the seizure inducing mode of the fenix lights..

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-Watt-Super-Bright-LED-Flashlight-Headlamp-Head-Lamp_W0QQitemZ220492329027QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item33565df043

Good pick for nighttime riding, but I suspect this one will also be really tough to see in daylight situations if the PBSF is being washed out. (OP intends to use it in daylight riding)

Good pick for nighttime riding, but I suspect this one will also be really tough to see in daylight situations if the PBSF is being washed out. (OP intends to use it in daylight riding)

It is just a hair brighter, the Superflash is 1/2 watt and this is a 1 watt luxeon...

Unfortunately, that doesn't come for free in terms of battery life.

I can pack a pound of AA/AAA batteries. :lol:

The FENIX L2D strobes at 200 lumens on "turbo" mode, and is clearly seen even in bright daylight, although runtime on 2 x AA is limited to 1 hour.

It makes your PBSF blinker look like a joke, for real - you can't even see the PBSF in bright daylight, whereas the Fenix still is obvious and hella bright.

I no longer have my Fenix, but the L2D Premium I am pretty sure would run almost 1 hour 45 minutes on strobe. I remember this because my commute was about that long.

This one lasts about 5 hours and is very bright. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16241