anastrophe

Recently I saw a description for a new solar-powered LED light made by a company called Owleye. It also has a USB quick-charge which you can use to charge it off a computer. Does anyone know anything about it? Is it any good? I hate finding out that I don't have any good spare batteries in the middle of a rainstorm.

CliftonGK1

Are those anything like an impact-actuated parachute, or a convertable-top submarine?

I haven't heard anything about them, actually. I'm sure that the idea is good for an area which gets reasonable sun to recharge them, but probably not so much around here (PNW) where we get weeks at a time in the winter when the mid-day sun never reaches a brightness much more than "dusk" levels.

JeffS

Is this a joke?

You don't really expect to get enough solar energy in a rainstorm to power a headlight right?

anastrophe

Hehe, no, no, you charge it *before* it starts raining! I mean like when you're riding, your light dies, you think ok whatever, then it starts to pour, you grab your spare batteries, and find they're dead too. No spare batteries = better convenience + environmentally better.

CliftonGK1

From what I'm seeing, they run about $20.00 and I can't find a spec. on the light output so I imagine it's pretty low. Plus, if you're having to recharge it off a USB when there's no sun to charge it from, you're not really saving any energy use, are you?
While the cost is higher, you might consider a Shimano generator hub and a dyno-powered lamp. ($80 for the hub, $30 for an inexpensive light) and you'll make your own power for it. No batteries at all.

SamHatesCarCltr

https://www.bogolight.com/
my parents bought a couple of these. i was surprised how bright they are. i want to figure out how to mount one on my bike.

Rob_E

or there's this -- https://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-bike-light/

unixpro

Man, those things are huge! There's no way they'd fit on my bars.

unkchunk

What... do you mean like the sun? Nah, never this time of year. Although recently i've found myself using it more and more on the ride home.

mike

That bogolighe looks neat. Find a way to mount it on your handlebars and it could be a winner, especially if it offers enough illumination.

There are several solar battery rechargers available. Some of them are reasonably priced. Of course, you would have to either go through the trouble of fiddling around with the batteries, or re-wire the unit so that you could toggle a switch to run off of the batteries within the unit.

I think that cost has to be a factor because gear on bikes tends to either get ripped off or broken.

Here is a Solar battery recharger that can use most rechargeable batteries. I have never used this unit and cannot attest to how well it works, but it might not be a bad idea to have one of these strapped to your rear carrier as a "fresh" battery supply unit. For purchase, you can go to https://safetyfirstdmk.stores.yahoo.net/solbatchar.html

evblazer

What about one of these for those who have really bad roads to commute on?
"Requires no batteries or bulbs ever. Shake 20 sec. for 30 min. of bright light"

mike

I have seen those and wondered the same thing. However, the Shake-n-See lights that I have seen don't run for 30 minutes on 20 seconds of shaking. If there is a light that actually does that, it would be a no-brainer.

I wonder if typical road riding would supply enough motion to keep the light bright. Anybody try this yet?

knobster

Ever tried one of them? I've got one. They suck big time. The light is a light blue that is hard to see with and the brightness is very low. Neat novelty gift though.

cc_rider

https://www.21wheels.com/owleye_light.html
Owleye looks like a nice product.
But 80 grams

evblazer

Would office lighting or underground parking lighting recharge these to any measurable amount?
That photoshopped in beam looks awesome on the owleye I must have one.

Zero_Enigma

Looks like a nice light if you're touring so you can charge during the day while riding but I'm not sure anyone would want to keep that on the bike while working. It's like screaming 'steal me'. Tho I can see taking it with you to work if you work in a desk job by a window and just leave it out to charge. I wonder how well the unit handles undoor lighting on the charge if you're not working by a window. Obviously if you work non desk job I don't think the item would really suit you unless you had a secure place to place it while you're working that has the sun around.

Nice idea tho.