viewpoint flashpoint rear light
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
viewpoint flashpoint rear light
Anyone use this? I was gonna pick one up but the reviews on performancebikes.com are absolutely horrid.
#2
Senior Member
Just use the Planetbike Superflash like everyone else. There's no competition.
Steve
Steve
#4
Senior Member
With winter moving in I got a Superflash last week. Great light, it's got that aircraft anti-collision flashy light thing going that I love!
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: central ohio
Posts: 1,536
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I use the Viewpoint Flashback. I've had two of these for a year now. I bought them because they were cheap. I have them mounted on my rear rack. I have'nt had any problems with them. I use rechargeable batteries in them and the run time is acceptable to me. Cars see me, and that's all that matters. But if I'd known about the SuperFlash I probably would've bought that.
#6
Sensible shoes.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: St. Paul,MN
Posts: 8,798
Bikes: A few.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As cheap blinkies go, it's the daddy. It's not quite Superflash, but then Superflash isn't quite DiNotte either. In any case, I've run them and thought they delivered pretty good bang for the buck.
#7
Light Makes Right
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Green Mountain, Colorado
Posts: 1,520
Bikes: Gianni Motta Criterium, Dean Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been running one for about 6 months now. No complaints at all. It is screwed to my rack so takes a fair amount of jolting. Being in Colorado, however, it's only been rained on 3 or 4 times!
#8
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
I can't get mine to keep running. Take it apart, remove the batteries, put them back, and it'll work. Turn it off, and it won't come back on.
My Superflashes have worked every time. Best under-$30 light you can buy, I'd say.
My Superflashes have worked every time. Best under-$30 light you can buy, I'd say.
#9
Beefcake the Mighty
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Scumdogia
Posts: 591
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I had one fly of the little mount it comes on when I went over a bump at high speed. Busted into about 10 pieces.
#10
Cycle Dallas
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Land of Gar, TX
Posts: 3,777
Bikes: Dulcinea--2017 Kona Rove & a few others
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
5 Posts
I use three of them on the back of my rack. I've had them for a couple of years now with no problems.
***Disclaimer***
1) I have them screwed into a metal mount, so I'm not relying on the built in clip.
2) All three are wired to a flashlight case, so I never have to pop them open to change the batteries.
Both of these modifications have saved a lot of wear and tear on them. Thus extending their functionality.
***Disclaimer***
1) I have them screwed into a metal mount, so I'm not relying on the built in clip.
2) All three are wired to a flashlight case, so I never have to pop them open to change the batteries.
Both of these modifications have saved a lot of wear and tear on them. Thus extending their functionality.
#11
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,056
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22600 Post(s)
Liked 8,926 Times
in
4,159 Posts
They are adequate especially if you are a cheapskate like me. I have one.
The NightRider one (looks EXACTLY the same) is slightly brighter. Don't pay more than 6 bucks for it.
The NightRider one (looks EXACTLY the same) is slightly brighter. Don't pay more than 6 bucks for it.
Last edited by datlas; 10-29-08 at 02:26 PM.
#12
it's easy if you let it.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: indoors and out.
Posts: 4,124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
As others have said, just get a Superflash. There's nothing better (besides DIY) until you get to the Dinotte price point.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 1,035
Bikes: Gerry Fisher Nirvana, LeMond Buenos Aires
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Happy riding,
André
#14
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I use 2x superflash. One on the bike set to constant, one on my helmet flashing. I always like to have one constant so that there's a reference for drivers to get depth perception from, and I usually set the higher of the two to flash for enhanced visibility.
I used to use a Cateye TL-LD1000 as my "constant" light but the bracket broke a few months back and it's probably sitting in a ditch now.
I used to use a Cateye TL-LD1000 as my "constant" light but the bracket broke a few months back and it's probably sitting in a ditch now.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Bradford Massachusetts
Posts: 62
Bikes: C'Dale - R1000, XR7, Rize3, F600 and a couple others...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I used to have a viewpoint and it fell off my seat bag a couple times and got all banged up, got a superflash so it could mount to my seat stay and still have my seat bag...
In terms of output, no comparison... Superflash wins my a mile, well I guess a 1/2 mile. Although, my first really wet ride and the superflash was acting funky. Dried out OK but not too reassuring...
In terms of output, no comparison... Superflash wins my a mile, well I guess a 1/2 mile. Although, my first really wet ride and the superflash was acting funky. Dried out OK but not too reassuring...
#17
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Mars 3.0 is okay; the new 4.0 might be a competitor to the Superflash, though.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,956
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
The Mars 4.0 that I compared to a SuperFlash was noticably brighter on flashing mode, equivalent on steady mode, and appears to have a larger "hot spot" (a good thing). The seatpost mount of the Mars 4.0 is still that ridiculous worm-drive type, unfortunately.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 2,678
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a ViewPoint Flashpoint High Intensity Taillight its really bright for a AA tail light thats for sure, I dropped on and broke it but for $14.99 I picked up another since it was my fault. I've had a few lights and can say for a AA it is bright. Many other lights that are bright but for the price hard to beat.
__________________
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
#20
Muscle bike design spec
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sterling VA
Posts: 3,688
Bikes: 70 Atala Record Proffesional, 00 Lemond, 08 Kestrel Evoke, 96 Colnago Master Olympic, 01 Colnago Ovalmaster, 76 Raleigh Gran Sport, 03 Fuji World, 86 Paramount, 90 Miyata CF, 09 Ritchey Breakaway CX, Bianchi Trofeo, 12 OutRiderUSA HyperLite
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I've used a couple. They are very bright for the price. After a year they developed a problem - going dim as in dead batteries - even when the batteries are recharged. For a while giving them a whack restored the brightness. At a random interval they'd go dim again. Not good.
I've now switched to Dionette. I have, however, modified it to use an RC battery pack (7.2v) or water bottle battery (6v) because the Dionette does suck power.
I've now switched to Dionette. I have, however, modified it to use an RC battery pack (7.2v) or water bottle battery (6v) because the Dionette does suck power.
__________________
Korval is Ships
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
I have a Mars 3.0 that I found in a parking lot with a broken clip. It was pretty bright so I rigged up a velcro attachement mechanism in place of the clip. Then I looked up reviews. People said they like it but the clip breaks too easily.
#23
Comfortably Numb!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: East Jabip
Posts: 943
Bikes: Jamis Commuter 3.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Another Planet Bike Superflash user and believer here. It's inexpensive and it works great!
https://tinyurl.com/6ldfpd
https://tinyurl.com/6ldfpd
#24
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a gift card to performance and their price on the superflash is $30 (in store) $20 for the flashpoint, and $15 for the mars 3.0.
seems the flashpoint is pretty poorly constructed though.
seems the flashpoint is pretty poorly constructed though.
#25
Just a geek
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NorCal
Posts: 537
Bikes: LHT, Pacer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The mars 3.0 will break, and sooner than later. The spread is great, and it's very bright, but the clip won't hold it in the bracket over bumps. Mine fell off an avg. of 3 times each before breaking the bracket from bouncing on the pavement...all 3 of them.
I then got a TL-1100 and have grown disappointed with it. It's bright, but the up/down beam spread is very narrow and the adjustments are crappy. It ends up being hard or impossible to aim perfectly (on my bikes anyway), combining with the poor optics makes it really hard to make full use of the brightness. I can't imagine it working very well on hills either.
Listen to everyone else, get the Superflash. Very intense and a more than decent spreadin all rear facing directions, easy on batteries too. Stays secure, great mounting options. It really can't be beat in it's class so far IMO.
The Mars 4.0 does look promising though. I was looking for one locally this week, to no avail.
I then got a TL-1100 and have grown disappointed with it. It's bright, but the up/down beam spread is very narrow and the adjustments are crappy. It ends up being hard or impossible to aim perfectly (on my bikes anyway), combining with the poor optics makes it really hard to make full use of the brightness. I can't imagine it working very well on hills either.
Listen to everyone else, get the Superflash. Very intense and a more than decent spreadin all rear facing directions, easy on batteries too. Stays secure, great mounting options. It really can't be beat in it's class so far IMO.
The Mars 4.0 does look promising though. I was looking for one locally this week, to no avail.