Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Chinese Copy of PBSF Turbo and Blinky

This is a cheap copy of the PBSF Turbo and Blinky. IMO, it is a winner. I got 5 of them off Ebay. For the first two in making an offer from $5.98 with free shipping, I offered $4.50 for 2. That was accepted. I went back and offered $4.00 for 3, that was accepted. BTW, the fastest shipping I have ever got from China, 6 days to my door!!

The copy is red.. I can get 7 of these for the same price as one PBSF Turbo and 6 for the same price as one PBSF Blinky.



http://www.cehoward.net/PBSF-63.jpg

http://www.cehoward.net/PBSF-64.jpg

http://www.cehoward.net/PBSF-69.jpg

http://www.cehoward.net/PBSF-84.jpg

http://www.cehoward.net/PBSF-82.jpg

Why those little weasels - that's why we give them "most favored nation trade" status......

Thank you commie-loving bastard-rich people - may I have another?

But - I digress......

Good to see the beam pattern is the same. I checked out another PBSF clone with a horrible beam pattern some time ago, Sunlite brand.

Why those little weasels - that's why we give them "most favored nation trade" status......

Thank you commie-loving bastard-rich people - may I have another?

But - I digress......


Pardon me, and I know I am slow, but ????????????????????????????

I guess it is good being slow... ;)

Good to see the beam pattern is the same. I checked out another PBSF clone with a horrible beam pattern some time ago, Sunlite brand.

That is what got my attention. First, they copied the design. Ok, I will go for it, I know they are going to turn out to be a piece of junk. But, low and behold, for 1/5 to 1/6th the price, they are almost right there with the original. I had been wanting another SuperFlash, or a Radbot 1000 to outfit my bikes with 2 on the framestays and one in the middle. That would have been pretty expensive with having 9 bikes..These little jewels are just that ticket! ;)

That's a great price for two mounting brackets alone, if you get reasonably functional lights as well, it's a no-brainer! I bought a cheap PBSF copy from XLC, and it's rubbish, the output does not come close to the real thing. I'm tempted to try the eBay cheapos.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BNJpKelgQyA/TYqeMQjqesI/AAAAAAAABSU/-FcwdTSxDXw/s800/xlc_01.jpg

Here's a pair of photos that show a glimpse of the internals. The housings are nearly identical, but you can see that the components on the PCBs are not:

PBSF
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DkiOQrN3-Zg/TYqeNBdY7kI/AAAAAAAABSg/iuZ8wb2gCzM/s800/xlc_07.jpg

XLC copy
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EWYOYAW6S-g/TYqeNHofSVI/AAAAAAAABSk/BFlvBeZq5JY/s800/xlc_06.jpg

Chris, I'm at work, and I have two of the copies on my bike today. I got one on the rear of my helmet and one on the back of the bike. When I saw your post, I took one off and looked at it real close. The one I have is EXACTLY like the XLC. I can even see inside and see the EXACT numbers (4219) (83) (D2) on the circiut board.

However, the ones I have work great. They come close to my PBSF Turbo and it is really hard to see the micro difference.

Here is a sloppy beam shot I took. The PBSF is on the LEFT, and the Copy is on the Right.
http://www.cehoward.net/PBSF-70.jpg

Planet Bike is one of the several importers of the same piece,
Drop by the Taipei Bike Trade show and talk to the manufacturer directly,
they are Business people.. if you order enough units , they will put your name on it.

I looked around some of the UK sites they have different brands
because their importers chose another one.

Here is a YouTube Vid of the cheap copy of the PBSF.. The cheap copy is the same one the XLC is branding..In this youtube vid, you can see how bright it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56l5vDBIjOA

This is a cheap copy of the PBSF Turbo and Blinky. IMO, it is a winner. I got 5 of them off Ebay. For the first two in making an offer from $5.98 with free shipping, I offered $4.50 for 2. That was accepted. I went back and offered $4.00 for 3, that was accepted. BTW, the fastest shipping I have ever got from China, 6 days to my door!!

Do you recall the eBay seller by any chance?

Thanks
Andrew

Do you recall the eBay seller by any chance?

Thanks
Andrew

Here is the link, and from what I see they ship super fast. I got my other 3 today. Making me have 5 of them. Since I have talked about this deal here and on a flashlight forum, the seller's demand has went up. Hence, he is not taking the lower offers anymore. IMO, for the $5.98 it's a deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cycling-Bike-Bicycle-Rear-Light-Bright-3-Red-LED-Safety-Taillight-Lamp-2-Modes-/150800979140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231c7054c4

Here is the link, and from what I see they ship super fast. I got my other 3 today. Making me have 5 of them. Since I have talked about this deal here and on a flashlight forum, the seller's demand has went up. Hence, he is not taking the lower offers anymore. IMO, for the $5.98 it's a deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cycling-Bike-Bicycle-Rear-Light-Bright-3-Red-LED-Safety-Taillight-Lamp-2-Modes-/150800979140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231c7054c4

Thank you.

Andrew

placed an offer for 4.50 - see if they take it.. good to have extra for friends.

placed an offer for 4.50 - see if they take it.. good to have extra for friends.

I have done one for two units at $4.00 each. I suspect a knock back.

Andrew

I have done one for two units at $4.00 each. I suspect a knock back.

Andrew

they countered at 5.50 for a single unit - will give it a try.

they countered at 5.50 for a single unit - will give it a try.

I have been countered at $5.00 each for two units. Order will be placed tonight.

Andrew

Drop by the Taipei Bike Trade show and talk to the manufacturer directly,
they are Business people.. if you order enough units , they will put your name on it.

Is that show still at the end of June - and don't forget - you can save big if you decline unit packaging and buy bags of them with no packing........

placed an offer for 4.50 - see if they take it.. good to have extra for friends.

I like a lot of extras to go on my framestays, helmet and backpack.. His demand has went up, since I blabbed this all over the net. ;) Glad to see others getting a good deal too. ;)

I think he is still taking $5 offers, not anymore below. Maybe his supply has ran out, and waiting for a resupply..

Fingers crossed, and nice find! Got one for the girlfriend so she won't hassle about more bike stuff! Genius!

This morning I offered $4/each for two, they countered at $5/each for two, so I countered at $4.50/each for two and they accepted it.

We'll see how long it takes to get here.

Thanks for the thread by the way.

I got 2 for $5ea a few days ago, marked as shipped on 5/2 & I'll post when it arrives.

Got here Thursday or Friday so 7 days and it's perfect. (the same mushy beam pattern) but for $25 less than a perfect one, it's a STEAL!

Got here Thursday or Friday so 7 days and it's perfect. (the same mushy beam pattern) but for $25 less than a perfect one, it's a STEAL!


What I tell ya!! :D

On just eyeballing the copy and the original, I could say the copy is about 95% as bright as the original. However, the cost is 1/5th or less.

Has stocking stuffer written all over it!

Has stocking stuffer written all over it!

:D

There is another sleeper back light on Ebay too. This baby takes 3 aaa batteries, and my wife claims it is just as bright or brighter then the Superflash. Plus, it has/uses the same mount as the Superflash. Guess what, this rear light goes for $2.99 free shipping and best offer. Being the cheapy that I am, I offer $2.50. I am at work and Ebay is barred, when I get home, I will post a link.

bought one of superflash knockoffs - offered 5.00 for 1 and they took it.. we'll see how it looks when it arrives..

:D

There is another sleeper back light on Ebay too. This baby takes 3 aaa batteries, and my wife claims it is just as bright or brighter then the Superflash. Plus, it has/uses the same mount as the Superflash. Guess what, this rear light goes for $2.99 free shipping and best offer. Being the cheapy that I am, I offer $2.50. I am at work and Ebay is barred, when I get home, I will post a link.\

Will be interested to see how that turns out.

Pic of my Chinese wonder:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hbOW8-bwh9g/T7O1sXiGjgI/AAAAAAAABH8/Av8MeqSVlTA/s720/IMG_20120511_190822.jpg

Here's worst case lighting conditions (severe backlight):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBypXFEBqNA

Got the two I ordered, one now on the bike, like it better than what I had.

light came today - under 9 days for delivery.. pretty good.. What I like - beam pattern very similar to PBSF.. a little smaller in size..Everything came in good working order..

Only thing I don't like.. The clip on the back of the light has very little tension as compared to all my other taillights.. I normally switch lights from bike to bike and just clip on my seatpack, so this might be an issue.. we'll see - heading out for a night ride tonight.

light came today - under 9 days for delivery.. pretty good.. What I like - beam pattern very similar to PBSF.. a little smaller in size..Everything came in good working order..

Only thing I don't like.. The clip on the back of the light has very little tension as compared to all my other taillights.. I normally switch lights from bike to bike and just clip on my seatpack, so this might be an issue.. we'll see - heading out for a night ride tonight.

I have had no issues on switching back and forth.

Let us know how the ride went!! ;)

I saw the Chinese Knock-off on the wall behind the counter at the LBS, and I asked the Proprietor if he knew anything about "a Chinese Knock-off of the Planet Bike Superflash", and he said "NO".

I briefly thought about buying one, BUT I am in the process of adding a 12 volt system to my regular everyday bike. I also have a Sunlite tail light still in it's un-opened package, hanging from a push-pin on my wall.

Progress reports on my rechargeable, lead/acid setup can be found here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/783080-12-Volt-LED-Headlights/page2

I saw the Chinese Knock-off on the wall behind the counter at the LBS, and I asked the Proprietor if he knew anything about "a Chinese Knock-off of the Planet Bike Superflash", and he said "NO".

Trying to figure that one out. You say you saw the copy at the LBS, and then you asked the LBS owner does he know anything about the copies and he states NO?????


I briefly thought about buying one, BUT I am in the process of adding a 12 volt system to my regular everyday bike. I also have a Sunlite tail light still in it's un-opened package, hanging from a push-pin on my wall.

Progress reports on my rechargeable, lead/acid setup can be found here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/783080-12-Volt-LED-Headlights/page2

Anything to do with lead/acid, and only speaking for myself, I don't want any parts of... ;)

On cehowardGS's recommendation I made an offer on a bunch of these. They arrived today.

Hm.

I have three complaints:
(1) The first one I tried it wouldn't close on the AAA batteries. I tried a bunch of times - no go. One side latches, but not the other. I suspect that with some grinding away of the ribs on the inside I might be able to get this to work, but it would be very fiddly and given the seller's terms I'd be inclined to send them back before trying that.
(2) Since I got a bunch I tried a different one. The second one closed fine, except that the thin and rather fragile appearing gasket that is meant to seal both halves doesn't. There's a crack on one side when closed with batteries installed. The fit isn't good. This seems to be a variant on the problem above-interior space too tight.
(3) I compared a PBSF with this one using the same batteries. The brightness in both the blinky and the solid mode is *markedly* less than with the PBSF. The beam pattern is also very different. PBSF: very focused circle; knockoff: two circles partially overlapping at close range. At a distance this is just a much dimmer if wider spread.

I'll try a bunch more with batteries when it is dark tonight, rather than just in the basement, and report.

I guess there may be more variability in these cheapies than with the name brand variety.

Hey 9watts,

Off the wall question - are you on the owwm forum too? Either way, welcome to bikeforums!

yes indeed. small world.
do you post over there?

My handle over there is jps. I haven't been active over there lately, but maybe had 50-ish posts. I did a lot more lurking than posting. I remembered you, though. Didn't you use to have a stack of Atlas table saws in your avatar?

Didn't you use to have a stack of Atlas table saws in your avatar?
Um, yep. And they're still in the basement....

Um, yep. And they're still in the basement....

Then just stay out of the "Classic and Vintage" subforum if you want to avoid accumulating more "iron!" ;) Welcome again. It's a great forum.

Well I have a little more to report on these.
With batteries in place not a single one of the ten I ordered closed tightly enough for the gasket to make contact with both halves of the outer shell, never mind compressing slightly to provide the seal one can assume was the point. One of the ten was shipped without the gasket(!) I did, finally, get the first one, which I couldn't close at all earlier, to work when I tried it again this evening, but the fit was terrible. Looking closely at the lights in the packaging it seems pretty clear that they were assembled crudely. Some of the gaskets were misaligned, pinched in places, and on several little nicks around the place where the instructions suggest inserting a coin to pop the shell open suggest these were either customer rejects or manually assembled with some struggle.
I'm going to try to upload some photos I took of these.

missing gasket:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll113/o9watts/PA310003.jpg

side by side comparison of PBSF (on right) and cheapie. Note gaps next to gasket
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll113/o9watts/PA310005.jpg

more gaps:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll113/o9watts/PA310004.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll113/o9watts/PA310007.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll113/o9watts/PA310001.jpg

even with no batteries some fail to close properly:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll113/o9watts/PA310002.jpg

The one surprise was that when I compared the PBSF with this cheapie outside at night, the cheapie was clearly brighter on the non-blinky setting. I'm far more familiar with head lights and flashlights where illumination is important. But since it is a rear light the point is less to illuminate objects than to be bright/visible by others. On that score I have to say this knockoff holds its own.

Given the crazy cheap price and with the light comparable/or even slightly better than the PBSF I'd like to find a way to use these but have to assume it is pretty crucial to keep water out of these lights.
Any advice about how to handle the fit problem? I will definitely ask about both the fit and the missing gasket.

I'm not eager to swallow return postage to China.

Most people use a rubber band or zip tie to ensure that the light doesn't jump off the mount(s). You could always use a small plastic sandwich bag to cover the light and then use the rubber band to keep it in place.

Actually, come to think of it, people have had issues with the light body separating while riding- the cover, electronics, and batteries would go MIA and leave the other half of the casing still on the mounting bracket- and that's for the PBSF and not necessarily the cheap knock offs.

I am not trying to start a debate.

But every time a cheap copy of an american-made product, is manufactured overseas, it just encourages american companies to resort to, cheap labor and sweatshops, overseas. It also increases the U.S. unemployment rate.

When the American company will pull their head out of their butt and realize a product manufactured for $1 is not worth $30 then I'll give them my money.

But every time a cheap copy of an american-made product, is manufactured overseas,

I despise offshore products as much or more than the next guy and try in most areas of my life to buy a US-made version if one is to be found, even if it costs more, but it was my understanding that in this case the PBSF, and all products in this realm of <$40 bike lights is/are also made in China, but that in this case the name was worth the substantial price difference. Now, of course, I'm discovering that part of the price differential may be in the absence of QC.

no1mad,
I appreciate the note about these coming apart in use. Workarounds with tiny zip lock bags is also not a bad idea. Keep the ideas coming. Anyone else who bought these have any insights? Did any take on water? What was the result?

Most people use a rubber band or zip tie to ensure that the light doesn't jump off the mount(s). You could always use a small plastic sandwich bag to cover the light and then use the rubber band to keep it in place.

Actually, come to think of it, people have had issues with the light body separating while riding- the cover, electronics, and batteries would go MIA and leave the other half of the casing still on the mounting bracket- and that's for the PBSF and not necessarily the cheap knock offs.

I had that happen with a PBSF. Though, to be fair, it had fallen out of where I'd clipped it and hit the road (flying apart on impact) earlier, so it may have already been damaged. Still a bummer to get home and see most of the light had disappeared.

When the American company will pull their head out of their butt and realize a product manufactured for $1 is not worth $30 then I'll give them my money.

But apparently its very acceptable for a company in China to manufacture something for $0.10 and sell it for $3.00 on the Internet. The main reason North American labor costs are so much higher than Chinese labor cost is quite simply because the same working conditions, pay scales and safety (lack of) standards practiced there would be illegal in North America. But I guess child labor, unpaid overtime and dangerous working conditions are much easier to accept when you're the beneficiary and not the victim.

Some industries have addressed their environmental impact and labor cost issues constructively by recovering contaminants at a profit or using process management tools rather than wage cuts to reduce labor costs. Other industries have taken the lazy way out and simply exported their problems.

I try, really hard, to buy domestically produced, and/or used, quality products that are repairable and durable and well designed. This is increasingly difficult to do in some categories. Let's take bike lights--taillights to be more specific. Do you have any specific recommendations for how to source a high quality, made in USA taillight? I'm really curious. How about an LED flashlight? I have used a Streamlight ProTac 2AA for a bike head light, and although the website and product literature claimed made in USA, when I dug further they started to equivocate and backed away from those claims. It is a great light, and I would happily pay more if it were made in the USA but it is hard and in some cases impossible to register that preference if the product in question does not exist.
I'm generally a do it yourself person and will try to make something over buying it - if I can. In the case of LED products, though I understand many people are savvy and have figured out how to assemble their own, this is not something I am going to learn right now. So I'm kind of stuck buying something. We don't own a car so bikes are our primary means of transport. Getting the lighting right is pretty important.

Thoughts appreciated.

Do you have any specific recommendations for how to source a high quality, made in USA taillight?

Dinotte (I believe all models)
Cygolite (REI says the Hotshot is US built, I wouldn't be surprised if most if not all is)

Cygolite stuff is extremely reasonably priced for what you get, and is very tough. PBSF, even the originals and certainly the clones, are disposable pretty much, though PB will replace stuff. Cygolite is very likely to last years.