Mountain Biking - Lights! Will welcome all advice.

Hi,
I'm new to this site as of this morning. Thanks in advance for your help. I've read all Threads about MTB Night Lights in this forum and am now more confused than ever. I am a simple guy looking for a simple answer ie. I don't want to build, invent, or jury rig a light, I just want to buy the right one. I am looking for the brightest light I can find for under $400.00. I need at least 3 hours of light, compact rechargable battery, preferably waterproof. Can you refer me to the website and product name? Also, if you have a referral for where I can find reasonably priced jerseys and biking clothes on line, please forward that URL as well. Really appreciate you input! Ronnie K.

Hi,
I'm new to this site as of this morning. Thanks in advance for your help. I've read all Threads about MTB Night Lights in this forum and am now more confused than ever. I am a simple guy looking for a simple answer ie. I don't want to build, invent, or jury rig a light, I just want to buy the right one. I am looking for the brightest light I can find for under $400.00. I need at least 3 hours of light, compact rechargable battery, preferably waterproof. Can you refer me to the website and product name? Also, if you have a referral for where I can find reasonably priced jerseys and biking clothes on line, please forward that URL as well. Really appreciate you input! Ronnie K.

www.pricepoint.com
www.jensonusa.com

I just ordered a 900 Lumen (grain of salt) light from Geoman for $84. According to the Light guru's 'round here...it's a pretty decent light, and unbeatable for the money.

I'll report back when I get it tomorrow or Monday.

2 trustfire 801's and an MTE 900 lumen, straps, batteries, shipping and all for $98


1400 %$# Lumens!!!

3 guys ride with me and NONE of them have lights! I ride in the back, light up the whole trail.

www.dealxtreme.com

I think that link is
http://www.dealextreme.com/
I'm waiting on two ultrafires for the bars and the MTE P7 for the helmet.

For $400 I would get one really high powered light for your bars and another for your helmet. I'd recommend the Niterider Minewt X2 Dual for the bars (400 lumens) and the Minewt USB Plus for the helmet.

I just ordered a 900 Lumen (grain of salt) light from Geoman for $84. According to the Light guru's 'round here...it's a pretty decent light, and unbeatable for the money.

I'll report back when I get it tomorrow or Monday.

That the Magicshine light? You going bar or helmet?


I think that link is
http://www.dealextreme.com/
I'm waiting on two ultrafires for the bars and the MTE P7 for the helmet.


2 trustfire 801's and an MTE 900 lumen, straps, batteries, shipping and all for $98


1400 %$# Lumens!!!

3 guys ride with me and NONE of them have lights! I ride in the back, light up the whole trail.

www.dealxtreme.com

From what I see at "1400" lumens you'd get an hour run time, what light level do you need to run to get 3 or more hours? What battery/charging setup are you using and was that included in your $98? How easy is it to use the switches on the flashlights while riding? Do they stay aimed well on rough singletrack?

While I know the flashlights can be an economical way to go, not sure they're ideal for battery run time or charging without further investments/modifications, at least when I was looking at a light to buy last year, so didn't go that route. There are lots of choices out there now, that's for sure. If I were to buy $400 worth I think I'd go with both a bar and helmet mount, and probably use the same system for matching light qualities at least. That Magicshine setup might be a good one, haven't seen any reviews yet, certainly the price is good and doable for well under $400 for a helmet and bar mount setup. Another consideration might be a couple Minewt x.2's, you can probably pick up two standard x.2's for under $300 including a helmet mount kit, or maybe a standard x.2 for the helmet and a dual x.2 on the bars, still doable under $400.

http://amoebalight.blogspot.com/

That the Magicshine light? You going bar or helmet?

I got both mounts, but I usually only run 1 light on the helmet. I figure...I don't need light where my eyes aren't pointing, so helmet is plenty for me. I'm a little skeptical, but the consensus sounds like it's worth the coin.

I got both mounts, but I usually only run 1 light on the helmet. I figure...I don't need light where my eyes aren't pointing, so helmet is plenty for me. I'm a little skeptical, but the consensus sounds like it's worth the coin.

Where do you put the battery when you mount it on the helmet ? Oh and did you get the MagicShine specific Helmet Mount ? How much did it cost you ?

Will be waiting for your MagicShine review.................

for racing, it will be hard to beat http://www.ayup-lights.com/ for run times, lumens, weight, accessory kit/spare batteries, helmet set-up, etc...

i am a fan of dinotte. however, it saddens me to see that they are not changing much. i can't stand battery mounting. oh well, i am probably going to get the ayup lights above for my up-coming 24 hour races even though i have a lot invested in dinotte.

shame

mx

Where do you put the battery when you mount it on the helmet ? Oh and did you get the MagicShine specific Helmet Mount ? How much did it cost you ?

Will be waiting for your MagicShine review.................


According to one of those "light geeks", the MagicShine was brighter than his Dinotte and his other comparable light "combined".


Yah...I got the Magic Shine specific helmet mount for $9.99...I forgot to add that to the equation. Still was cheap though.

I believe the whole thing all together was around $105'ish with Priority Mail delivery.

Just got mine - hasn't been out on a night ride yet, but I have done a comparison with my Fenix and my Dinotte 200L.

Doesn't look greenish at all. If anything it has a warmer yellow tint compared to the two other lights.

No one would be surprised if I said it wasn't really 900 lumens on high. But it does appear to be brighter than the combined beam of my Fenix and the Dinotte - which is all I was looking for really...

BTW for single track riding you'll want a helmet mount light...

According to one of those "light geeks", the MagicShine was brighter than his Dinotte and his other comparable light "combined".


Yah...I got the Magic Shine specific helmet mount for $9.99...I forgot to add that to the equation. Still was cheap though.

I believe the whole thing all together was around $105'ish with Priority Mail delivery.

So where does the battery go when using the helmet mount ? Do you run the cable all the way down to your jersey pocket ? It just seems kind of weird that it would actually go on the helmet also, I mean, I don't wanna electrocute my head or something.............

Here is a link that will answer all your questions.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?599766-LED-lights&highlight=led+lights
And Zeomax this is how I mount my battert on my helmet.http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/ALWAYSFIT/ls294a01.jpg

From what I see at "1400" lumens you'd get an hour run time, what light level do you need to run to get 3 or more hours? What battery/charging setup are you using and was that included in your $98? How easy is it to use the switches on the flashlights while riding? Do they stay aimed well on rough singletrack? .

Yeah runtime will be less but I won't need to run on high. Here's my thought, I buy a few extra AA size batteries and keep them in the camelback. I can run way longer than my bike specific lights and not carry near as much weight. THe magic shine is the same P7 emitter as the helmet light i bought. So a couple extra batteries and I'm good to go, except I got 150-180 lumens coming off the bars to boot for a few bucks more

From what I see at "1400" lumens you'd get an hour run time, what light level do you need to run to get 3 or more hours? What battery/charging setup are you using and was that included in your $98? How easy is it to use the switches on the flashlights while riding? Do they stay aimed well on rough singletrack?

While I know the flashlights can be an economical way to go, not sure they're ideal for battery run time or charging without further investments/modifications, at least when I was looking at a light to buy last year, so didn't go that route. There are lots of choices out there now, that's for sure. If I were to buy $400 worth I think I'd go with both a bar and helmet mount, and probably use the same system for matching light qualities at least. That Magicshine setup might be a good one, haven't seen any reviews yet, certainly the price is good and doable for well under $400 for a helmet and bar mount setup. Another consideration might be a couple Minewt x.2's, you can probably pick up two standard x.2's for under $300 including a helmet mount kit, or maybe a standard x.2 for the helmet and a dual x.2 on the bars, still doable under $400.

Check out the link on post #16 :D

Ok thanks for the pic mystolenbikes.

So, do Dual MagicShines (Helmet + Handlebars) sound like a good idea ?

Ok thanks for the pic mystolenbikes.

So, do Dual MagicShines (Helmet + Handlebars) sound like a good idea ?

Yep it sure does! :D

Yep it sure does! :D

Then that's probably how I'll do it then.

I was out today and darkness caught up to me, I have a handlebar mounted AA powered $30 Planet Bike light. It was like riding blind.

Then that's probably how I'll do it then.

I was out today and darkness caught up to me, I have a handlebar mounted AA powered $30 Planet Bike light. It was like riding blind.
That happened to me too, I had my 3 bulb led hiking headlight with me and it became useless after anything above walking speeds. And that's when I decided to invest in some good lights. :)

I rode again tonight with my jacked bike light and my AAA flashlight. The flashlight put out more light than the bike light after about 20min.

Can't wait to get my new one.

I rode again tonight with my jacked bike light and my AAA flashlight. The flashlight put out more light than the bike light after about 20min.

Can't wait to get my new one.
After these experiences you gonna love the Magicshine :D

Are the MagicShines only available from the Geoman website ?

[QUOTE=bikinfool;10081379]That the Magicshine light? You going bar or helmet?

The MTE is on the bars. Its 900 Lumens and will run 90 minutes. The trustfires will run 2 hours at 250 lumens each. I use the charger that came with it. Trustfires are on helmet. Economical? You are wanting to spend $300 more than me and get 1000 less lumens?

Im missing something. You would look like you were burning a candle riding with me. However, if you need alot of runtime, spend another $12 and get 2 extra batteries.

I just cant see spending $500 on a pound of stuff that has cords and is low lumens.

My take.


Thanks

I got mine from eBay.

Well, the light and bar/helmet question were for Ed.

Lumens aren't everything, and the factory rated potential lumens for a given LED are worth only so much in real life. Your 900 lumen flashlight probably is more like 6-700 from what I've read, likely the Trustfires at 230 each (from an ad I just looked at) are also rated on the high side. Only 1.5-2 hours runtime and then you have to change batteries? What kind of beam? Spot? Flood? How fast can you change lo to hi beam as you start a hairy descent?

I bought a Minewt x.2 last year at a very good price, wanted to check out a packaged LED light; nice light as a package, not crazy about the color or beam pattern or switch, but the run time at between 3-7 hours makes it a good small, compact and reasonably light light to keep in my pack for emergencies these short days, plenty of light for most situations unless I get flooded out by some lumen crazed person. I'd make my own but quality batteries, housing, lens, etc. adds up, too.

For more serious light I have two old Nightsuns I've modified; one is an overvolted MR16 halogen setup that is very bright, the other has MR16 LED bulbs and while not quite as bright, it's runtime is much longer (these sets are good for 3.5-8 hours depending on mix of lo beam/hi beam runtime), these also have the benefit of wired switches I can use with my hands on the bars and both have specific spot and flood bulbs. I'm using updated batteries and chargers with those, too. The Nightsuns stock in their day were the sh*t, but needed a little help to keep up with the competition these days. I'm also experimenting with another overvolted halogen, but a bit smaller (MR11) for a helmet mount.

I also have an LED flashlight, but tend to use it as a flashlight.

Here is a link that will answer all your questions.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?599766-LED-lights&highlight=led+lights
And Zeomax this is how I mount my battert on my helmet.http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/ALWAYSFIT/ls294a01.jpg

That gets awfully heavy, especially if you're getting bounced around on single track. Better is to get an extension cord (NiteRider sells 'em) and either strap it to a camelback strap or stick it in a cycling jersey rear pocket.

[QUOTE=bikinfool;10081379]That the Magicshine light? You going bar or helmet?

The MTE is on the bars. Its 900 Lumens and will run 90 minutes. The trustfires will run 2 hours at 250 lumens each. I use the charger that came with it. Trustfires are on helmet. Economical? You are wanting to spend $300 more than me and get 1000 less lumens?

Im missing something.

Yes, beam pattern. Lumens is only the raw quantity of light coming out of the thing. A tight beam will focus that light on a small area, a flood will spread it out all over the place. Poor optics will have a "hot spot" or two or three which focus a large portion of the light in one small area and throw the rest to the wind.

My NitRider MiNewt I think is rated at 200 lumens but the spot is fairly tight and the optics are good. It's plenty of light to ride. My buddy has a Cygolite rated to 600 lumens but it isn't 3x brighter than mine. It's almost the exact same brightness but his spot is 3x bigger than mine. I think a wide spot is great for handle bar mount and a narrow spot works just fine on a helmet mount where you can direct it.

Well it's official...the Geoman Magic Shine is the brightest light known to man. I just got an email:

"We're thrilled to let you know that a package was shipped to you on
11/30/2009 via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail..."


His lights are so bright, he can see into the future!

Fully agree about getting that damn expensive extension cord from Niterider (no other source I could find) if you're going to use it as a helmet light, putting the battery on my front pack strap gives me quick access to the switch (and makes you look a little alien what with that blue light beaming from your chest :) ).

I have a niterider classic and a "light and motion" Solo ligic mv set up for one bike. I fully intend to take pics of the "flashlight set up" against the old system. I will post them on this forum, not just high output, cause I never run on high, I go for two hours run time so, as the zen master says we'll see I will post pics of high med low with both set ups against each other.Cause in the end I want to see if $100.00 is comparable to $350.00+ in an honest opinion.

Originally Posted by born2bahick
From what I see at "1400" lumens you'd get an hour run time, what light level do you need to run to get 3 or more hours? What battery/charging setup are you using and was that included in your $98? How easy is it to use the switches on the flashlights while riding? Do they stay aimed well on rough singletrack?

While I know the flashlights can be an economical way to go, not sure they're ideal for battery run time or charging without further investments/modifications, at least when I was looking at a light to buy last year, so didn't go that route. There are lots of choices out there now, that's for sure. If I were to buy $400 worth I think I'd go with both a bar and helmet mount, and probably use the same system for matching light qualities at least. That Magicshine setup might be a good one, haven't seen any reviews yet, certainly the price is good and doable for well under $400 for a helmet and bar mount setup. Another consideration might be a couple Minewt x.2's, you can probably pick up two standard x.2's for under $300 including a helmet mount kit, or maybe a standard x.2 for the helmet and a dual x.2 on the bars, still doable under $400.




Check out the link on post #16 :D
Dude your qoute qoutes me wrong, that's biking fools words not mine, From now on qoute your qoutes from the sources. He He

The MagicShine's are great. You can't go wrong for the price. Two light kits, an extra head, y-cable, and a helmet mount cost less than what I paid for my L&M Solo Logic a few years ago and the setup is significantly brighter.

My helmet light is the L&M Solo logic MV, I Will get some comparision pics up on the flashlights VS the old setup. Maybe you could give a comparison pic from the solo logic to the magic shine and Ed and I can get a comparison of the flashlight against the magicshine.
It would give an excellent basis of info on runtime, brightness and cost.

I also bought a...um...900 sumthin lumen...flashlight...$35 thingy. Is that the one you got, B?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12060

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_12060_1.jpg

I think mine's a tad different.