General Cycling Discussion - Those wonderful blinking headlights!!!

I soon will purchase a blinking headlight. So effective during the day as well as the night for visibility. I was wondering if this light would be as effective on the rear of the bicycle? Since I can spot a blinker say over 300 yards away, it would be vital to be seen by a car prior to passing me with some distance to spare. Certainly more difficult to mount. What are your thoughts?

I found this onehttp://cloud7.lbox.me/images/m/201003/kkjiyg1269912882441.jpgfor cheap at http://www.lightinthebox.com/c/bike-lights_3093 for only $5.99

Course I like these as well: http://www.online-wholesale.net/img/p/m/2-led-3-mode-fog-bicycle-light-red-pair-2-cr2032-61259-1.jpg
These are a little bit easier for rear mountings. Added bonus: Two for the price of one @5.99

It sounds like your thinking about using a headlight for the rear? Even if you could figure out a way to mount it, I don't think it would be a good idea because it would give lots of drivers the impression from a distance that you are going the wrong way, against traffic. Sure most of the time people would figure it out when they get close enough but there's no reason to give them a false impression in the first place and the potential for confusion increases the likelihood of an accident. My two cents is to always use a white light in the front and a red light in the rear. I can't claim to speak for anybody else but I do think most others would agree. Be visible and be predictable.

I can understand the confusion aspect regarding a rear mounted clear blinking light. Perhaps I aught to add both a blinking red and one that is white to the back of my bike?!

Putting a white blinkie on the back will make you very popular when you are riding with other cyclists... just think about how much you enjoy riding into a white blinkie yourself.

I am pretty sure law in the US states White & amber in the front and red in the rear. White lights on the rear will cause you all kinds of problems.

Steady white light in front.

Steady or blinking red light in the back.

In many places ... that's the law.

OP, maybe I'm wrong but those don't look like they'll last
and their light output will be very weak. Better to spend a
bit more with brands that have a good reputation for reliability
and performance. If price is really an issue, try this:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3035.html

Blinky Safety Set


Cute Little Light Set

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/3035.jpg

alternate views
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/3035.jpg http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/nichiablurb.gif


Super bright LEDs provide 220 degrees of visibility for up to 1 mile
Flashing and steady mode
Will clip to just about anything
Ultra compact cases are weatherproof, light weight, and durable
Handlebar bracket, seatpost and seatstay mounts included
Up to 100 hours of run time on (1) CR2032 watch battery (included)

SKU #3035

$17.99

Those run on button type batteries like the red pair of lights on your post.
If you can just spend a bit more, I recommend these, runs on AA/AAA batteries:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3032.html

Beamer 1 Light Set


Our Most Popular Light Set

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/3032.jpg

alternate views
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/3032.jpg http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/nichiablurb.gif

Beamer 1 features:
New 4X brighter Nichia eXtreme V 2.0 LEDs
New beam puts light where you need it
Up to 100 hours of run time on 2 AA batteries (included)
Blinky 3 features:
3 super-bright LEDs and built-in parabolic reflector provides visibility up to 1 mile
Up to 200 hours of run time on 2 AAA batteries(included)

SKU #3032

$34.99

Steady white light in front.

Steady or blinking red light in the back.

In many places ... that's the law.

this is what i use and what i also recommend.

this is what i use and what i also recommend.
+1

Hey there, my friend!

Whenever night riding, I always feel secure when I'm a rolling X-mas tree!


That's what I feel like with these CatEye Products:

These things right here are small, but can either remain lit or can flash continually. They can be seen for over a mile away. Get two. One for each side of your Fredly handlebars!

222789


This one can simply remain on, or blink (on/off), or...... it can vacillate left to <-> right, with the light flashing...(rear mounted)

222790

- Slim :)

PS.

Get everything for less than $40.00

Personally, the only time a strobe head light should be used is pointed forward, during daylight hours, and in high cross traffic areas. They absolutely annoying when viewed straight on at night. I'd invest in some SOLAS reflective material and apply some to rear of your bike and wrap some around your crank arms, to some ankle wraps, or cycling shoe heels.

Steady white light in front.

Steady or blinking red light in the back.

In many places ... that's the law.

I agree asdie from being annoying it could be illeagal. personally I find the flashig red lights more than enough in the rear. if a driver can't see those or actually care about them, a white light is not going to do any better

German made lights are only steady , because of being required, there.

Indiana traffic laws for bikes require a white headlight and a red tail light or red reflector. No mention of flashing versus steady lights that I am aware of.

German made lights are only steady , because of being required, there.

And they are bright.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Lights/IXONIQ.jpg

Those little lights probably aren't as bright as you think they are. Yeah, you can "see" them from a few hundred yards away - when you know they're there and you know where to look for them. You really want a light that's bright enough to hurt your eyes if you hold it and look at it while it's on - in daylight.

IME there are about three red tail lights that do this: Planet Bike Super Flash, Cateye TL-LD1100, and anything by Dinotte. There are probably others, but those are the ones I've seen that I think are bright enough.

I've seen way too many little red blinkies that I could barely see from 50 feet away, but that the cyclist using them thought were sufficient. I know the cyclist is there, I know the light is on, and I can barely see it. When there are no other distracting lights.

Since you list your location as being in Oregon, you should know that Oregon Revised Statute 815.280 requires a white light, visible to 500 feet in the front. And a RED rear reflector or light, visible from 600 feet behind the bicycle. Violation is a class D infraction and carries a $90.00 fine. :bang:

Magic Shine is my choice for headlight, on a steady beam. But on my helmet I have a CatEye that I turn on the strobe mode, so I can flash a car by looking.

Rear, a Planet Bike Blinky on the helmet, and at least one Superflash on the back with a steady red as well. Oh, yes, another blinky on my backpack.

Christmas tree, that's me!

A white light with a strobe mode in front is useful for oncoming traffic that has the high beams on. Going from steady to strobe has occasionally worked for me.

Since you list your location as being in Oregon, you should know that Oregon Revised Statute 815.280 requires a white light, visible to 500 feet in the front. And a RED rear reflector or light, visible from 600 feet behind the bicycle. Violation is a class D infraction and carries a $90.00 fine. :bang:

Hey there PomPilot!

I wouldn't bang my head over some law not being known. Most Americans are not aware of the contents of the constitution, state laws, and laws within their own municipalities.

Banging your head against the wall with regards to this miniscule matter seems to be just a bit over the top, to me...

- Slim :)

Hey there PomPilot!

I wouldn't bang my head over some law not being known. Most Americans are not aware of the contents of the constitution, state laws, and laws within their own municipalities.

Banging your head against the wall with regards to this minuscule matter seems to be just a bit over the top, to me...

- Slim :)

You are volunteering to pay his fines?

Steady white light in front.

Steady or blinking red light in the back.

In many places ... that's the law.

I agree this is the way to go - local/state law here specifies a steady white headlight visible from 500 ft, red rear reflector visible from 50-300ft (plus a blinky red if you want, but reflector is still required). One thing I was wondering is - can anyone think of any glaring problems with making a lower-powered headlight into a red rear blinky (with thin red tape/paint)? I just ordered a minewt 350 for the front since it's pretty dark in the mornings now, but I hate to get rid of my little voyager 2.0. I think it's only around 30 lumens, so that shouldn't be too bright, right? I already have a red blinky but figure a second one couldn't hurt - I'm always paranoid of people not being able to see me from behind.

I agree this is the way to go - local/state law here specifies a steady white headlight visible from 500 ft, red rear reflector visible from 50-300ft (plus a blinky red if you want, but reflector is still required). One thing I was wondering is - can anyone think of any glaring problems with making a lower-powered headlight into a red rear blinky (with thin red tape/paint)? I just ordered a minewt 350 for the front since it's pretty dark in the mornings now, but I hate to get rid of my little voyager 2.0. I think it's only around 30 lumens, so that shouldn't be too bright, right? I already have a red blinky but figure a second one couldn't hurt - I'm always paranoid of people not being able to see me from behind.

The problem with putting red tape on light using LED emitter is not glare; rather the problem is that LEDs only output visible light on certain wavelengths unlike traditional tungsten filament light bulbs which output over a much broader spectrum. Placing a red cover on the front of the light will remove everything but red color from the output and the resulting light will be much dimmer.

Example of white LED output:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/White_LED.png/640px-White_LED.png
Image from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:White_LED.png

Red light is around 620-700 nm range and you can see in the chart above that the output is significantly lower in that example.

I only use flashing white lights during the day and steady white after dark.

I only use flashing white lights during the day and steady white after dark.

+1 - I have a Planet Bike 1/2-watt in front and Super Flash in back, and I don't normally ride at night. I just added some reflective tape to my commuter for additional visibility - I got caught out late a couple of times, and figure it can't hurt, especially from the side.

I don't know for sure, but I started using the front lights after a car turned left in front of me in daylight. Since then, it seems that the cars notice me a lot more.

+1 - I have a Planet Bike 1/2-watt in front and Super Flash in back, and I don't normally ride at night. I just added some reflective tape to my commuter for additional visibility - I got caught out late a couple of times, and figure it can't hurt, especially from the side.

I don't know for sure, but I started using the front lights after a car turned left in front of me in daylight. Since then, it seems that the cars notice me a lot more.

+1 That's what a little strobe is good for, catching the eye of a driver turning left. In the background noise of urban driving the regular beams seem to get lost to oncoming drivers. My sense is they also catch the eye/mirror of parked drivers about to swing open their doors.

+1 - I have a Planet Bike 1/2-watt in front and Super Flash in back, and I don't normally ride at night. I just added some reflective tape to my commuter for additional visibility - I got caught out late a couple of times, and figure it can't hurt, especially from the side.

I don't know for sure, but I started using the front lights after a car turned left in front of me in daylight. Since then, it seems that the cars notice me a lot more.

+1 I've been using the front and rear lights whenever I'm riding because I figured it doesn't hurt. Especially when I'm riding in urban environments where I'm moving constantly between light and shadow. Commute times also tend to mean long shadows because of the sun's low angle.

I use Sanyo Eneloops and it costs around 1/4 cent for the energy to charge my batteries every week for both the front and rear. At that cost, why the heck not. I've already bought the batteries, charger, and lights -- I may as well use the heck out of them and get my money's worth. The batteries are rated for 1000 cycles and charging once a week means roughly 19 years of service.

+1 That's what a little strobe is good for, catching the eye of a driver turning left. In the background noise of urban driving the regular beams seem to get lost to oncoming drivers. My sense is they also catch the eye/mirror of parked drivers about to swing open their doors.


That's my experience, too- from both perspectives. When I'm driving, a LED blinky says "cyclist" to me. If it's on "steady", I need to be closer to determine if it's a cyclist or a motor vehicle. I do wish they'd check their batteries more often- I've been too close to a couple before I've identified them. The riders with minimal lights and black/dark colored jackets just scare me.

That's my experience, too- from both perspectives. When I'm driving, a LED blinky says "cyclist" to me. If it's on "steady", I need to be closer to determine if it's a cyclist or a motor vehicle. I do wish they'd check their batteries more often- I've been too close to a couple before I've identified them. The riders with minimal lights and black/dark colored jackets just scare me.

For whatever reason a lot of people here ride with zero lights and some with only rear lights.

Even on popular bicycle routes I have trouble identifying bicyclists as bicyclists sometimes because their lights are so dim. I even once wondered whether I was staring at something glinting off the moon or a bike. Well, when I got within about 15m, only then could I see the shadowy outline of a person. The blinking light I saw from about maybe 30m - way too close.

A lot of people probably hold their lights out at arms length and look right into it thinking the light is bright not realizing that LEDs are highly directional.

Another scenario is they are unable to afford batteries on a regular basis so they try to get all the usable life out of them. A set of Sanyo Eneloop AAs in my headlamp would probably last about 30 days; a set of AAA Eneloops in my rear blinkie would probably last 2.5 weeks or at best. I don't know how long alkaline batteries will last, but if using alkalines, that could easily run close to $5 a month. Safeway store brand batteries are about $1ea for AA or AAA when not on sale.

Rechargeable batteries are far less expensive in the long run, but the up front cost can be a huge deterrent. Currently on Amazon.com, a Sony charger w/ 4 LSD AA goes for about $23 and 4 Eneloops typically goes for $10, so $33 total. Break even point in in 6 months, but that up front cost can be a big deterrent.

Target probably sells batteries for much less on sale from time to time, but look at some place like San Francisco, and all the Targets are in the suburbs. Too far and pointless to go to unless picking up a bunch of other stuff to offset the cost of going to Target in the first place.

I use Sanyo Eneloops and it costs around 1/4 cent for the energy to charge my batteries every week for both the front and rear. At that cost, why the heck not. I've already bought the batteries, charger, and lights -- I may as well use the heck out of them and get my money's worth. The batteries are rated for 1000 cycles and charging once a week means roughly 19 years of service.

sanyo eneloops are probably the best all around rechargeable batteries (and batteries in general). i use eneloops in pretty much all of my devices and in all of my lights.

My experiences with rechargeables was bad, though it may have been some other issue - the batteries would drop enough that the light would turn off 10 minutes into the ride off a fresh charge.
A bit frustrated with superflashes right now; we got two of the new bright Blaze tail-lights, but got the bad run with the switch that shuts off when you go over a bump. PB gave us some older blinkies and will get us replacements from the next run with non-defective switches, but that won't be until Decemberish.

My experiences with rechargeables was bad, though it may have been some other issue - the batteries would drop enough that the light would turn off 10 minutes into the ride off a fresh charge.

What rechargeables were you using?

Did you try different batteries in the light?

Dinotte, a man told me he saw my rear red blinkie few blocks away,almost half of a mile,in day light.Dinotte.....or nothing else,nothing can touch it.