Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - How do I see my bike computer at night?

I'm going to be doing a lot of night riding this winter. I have a good headlight, a good taillight, etc. etc. What I lack, is the ability to see my computer while riding. I dont really want to wear a light on my forehead just to see the display. Is there anything out there for this purpose?

Since my night rides are in the winter (no daylight saving time), I carry a small flashlight in my wind jacket. It's my backup should I lose my primary headlight. If I need to see the computer, that's what I use. Some computer have back lighting, but mine doesn't.

I use a Fenix L2D mounted on top of my helmet. It's primarily for seeing the road (trail) but there is enough spill to see the computer as well. I know you mentioned not wanting a light on your forhead, but if I only have one set of batteries they will go in the helmet light way before any of my bar mounted lights because being able to point the light where you need it is very valuable.

http://store.icyclesusa.com/pyramid-bike-computer-nite-light-p254.aspx

Give this a try. I have one but have never used it so I cannot tell you how well it works but at that price if you dont like it you will not be out much cash.

I use a Fenix L2D mounted on top of my helmet. It's primarily for seeing the road (trail) but there is enough spill to see the computer as well. I know you mentioned not wanting a light on your forhead, but if I only have one set of batteries they will go in the helmet light way before any of my bar mounted lights because being able to point the light where you need it is very valuable.

+1

Except I use a Trustfire TR801. Great for looking ahead at curves/corners or spotting deer lurking about as well as checking out speed etc.

How about something like these?

http://www.amazon.com/40-Super-Bright-Finger-Flashlights/dp/B0018LAGZY

I saw these on a blog...the writer bought a batch of these and were handing them out (for free) to unlit walkers, joggers and cyclists along his route.

I've got a Serfas Guppy that I've used on my helmet sometimes. Not much light, but plenty for a computer.

You can try those small and lightweight clip on led light that they sell for caps. Here's one from amazon that weights less than an once. In one of the review, it is only 1.5x1.1/4 in size. Clip it or cable tie it to your helmet. The good thing about having a light of any kind on your helmet is the ability to use as a hand free flashlight when in need of roadside repair.
http://www.amazon.com/Cyclops-CYC-MHC-W-Micro-Mini-Light/dp/B001QCXTBI/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1291576331&sr=1-6



http://store.icyclesusa.com/pyramid-bike-computer-nite-light-p254.aspx

Give this a try. I have one but have never used it so I cannot tell you how well it works but at that price if you dont like it you will not be out much cash.
I like that since it uses common CR2032 batteries and price is right. I wonder if two mounted at each end of the handle bar will light up the whole bar?

My cheap and easy light is one that is 9.00 shipped.. It is only a 1w led, puts out 60 lumens, has 3 modes.. High - Low and Flashing.. The flashing has a nice tempo about 100 pulses per minute.. I normally leave it on flashing mode to get drivers attention.. If you do not want to wait for overseas delivery, any basic led headlamp from Walmart or Target will also do the trick with the velcro straps to hold in place..

You can use either 12 or 18 inch length of velcro to attach to helmet.. There is a small screw on the headlamp, if you tighten this a touch it will make the movement a little stiffer which is better for bike riding, so you do not have to adjust it if it moves on you..

http://cgi.ebay.com/1W-LED-NEW-HEADLAMP-FLASHLIGHT-TORCH-WATERPROOF-BRIGHT-/250552279663?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5614626f

velcro: http://www.rei.com/product/794899

I like to wear a bike cap under my helmet to conserve heat at night, so a cap light works well to see my computer.
I found this on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Base-Ball-Cap-Hat-Visor-5-LED-Clip-On-Flashlight-Light-/220630555257?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item335e9b1a79

Buy a computer with a back light?

easy enough to do with an LCD, I have a backlight LCD
on a Chromatic electronic stringed instrument Tuner

Pick one:

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.900

http://store.icyclesusa.com/pyramid-bike-computer-nite-light-p254.aspx

Give this a try. I have one but have never used it so I cannot tell you how well it works but at that price if you dont like it you will not be out much cash.

I've used the Sigma which mounts via a rubber O-ring instead of a zip tie. It's usually not bright enough where you have some ambient light, but not enough to read your bike computer by. It's alleged to get twice the life (30 v. 15 hours) of the Pyramid so it may not be quite as bright.

http://store.icyclesusa.com/sigma-bike-computer-nitelite-p1161.aspx?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase

Adjust the position of the cyclometer so it falls inside the spill angle of your primary headlight. With both mounted on an extension bar and the cyclometer pushed forward, it is easy to see.

I have a good headlight, a good taillight, etc. etc. What I lack, is the ability to see my computer while riding.

cheap helmet light on flood will do it; It's not at all annoying like a forehead light; plus, you get a little added corner visibility

I've used a basic cateye headlight purchased as an emergency backup mounted to my helmet for this purpose. Totally washed out by my HID headlight, but it serves this purpose quite well. A little unbalanced, perhaps. Lately I haven't been wearing a helmet after reading a good deal on the subject (just a note for clarity; I won't answer any questions or comments on the merits of helmets in this thread, so please don't try to hijack it), so I plan to get a more standard camping headlight to serve in place of the cateye, the strap on which just broke anyway.

Tor

The Knog Nerd 12 has a cool, Indiglo-style backlight...and it's a cool-all-'round cyclocomputer. It's a super clean and way more sano than velcroing lights to your fingers or strapping a reading light on your bars.

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/accessories/gadgets/cycle-computers/1248868022490-hhcozt95dl0z-399-75.jpg

http://store.icyclesusa.com/pyramid-bike-computer-nite-light-p254.aspx

Give this a try. I have one but have never used it so I cannot tell you how well it works but at that price if you dont like it you will not be out much cash.

I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Trailfinder-LED-Headlight-Batteries/dp/B001H49VM6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1291847808&sr=1-1 mounted on my helmet and it's the perfect amount of light for seeing my Cyclecomputer.

http://store.icyclesusa.com/pyramid-bike-computer-nite-light-p254.aspx

Give this a try. I have one but have never used it so I cannot tell you how well it works but at that price if you dont like it you will not be out much cash.


Don't waste your money I had one and it sucks.:notamused::(

http://www.niterider.com/cycle_computers.shtml

or just guess and check when you come up on street lights....

http://www.niterider.com/cycle_computers.shtml

or just guess and check when you come up on street lights....

The Garmin Edge 500 has a backlight which can be set to stay on until you turn it off. I'd guess the other models work that way too.

My cheap and easy light is one that is 9.00 shipped.. It is only a 1w led, puts out 60 lumens, has 3 modes.. High - Low and Flashing.. The flashing has a nice tempo about 100 pulses per minute.. I normally leave it on flashing mode to get drivers attention.. If you do not want to wait for overseas delivery, any basic led headlamp from Walmart or Target will also do the trick with the velcro straps to hold in place..

You can use either 12 or 18 inch length of velcro to attach to helmet.. There is a small screw on the headlamp, if you tighten this a touch it will make the movement a little stiffer which is better for bike riding, so you do not have to adjust it if it moves on you..

http://cgi.ebay.com/1W-LED-NEW-HEADLAMP-FLASHLIGHT-TORCH-WATERPROOF-BRIGHT-/250552279663?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5614626f

velcro: http://www.rei.com/product/794899

I just got one, but I can't get it to turn on. Do you have any suggestions?

I just got one, but I can't get it to turn on. Do you have any suggestions?

are you using nimh cells or alkaline.. I have 3 of these and they all work fine but one of them will not work with nimh rechargeables, I can only use alkalines in one of them. Not sure why, they all look the same but that is what I have experienced.