bhop

I got one of these from my LBS for around $12. The other a week ago from the 99¢ store.. for.. well, 99¢ Can you tell which came from where? Their 6 or 7 functions (different blink patterns) are slightly different, but almost the same. Maybe the mount is what costs 11 bucks, since the 99¢ store version didn't come with one.. hmm..

z415

The $0.99 one is the one that does not have built in reflective ability, i.e. the one on the right in the top pic.

If I am right, I know because I have the top one on the left. If I am not, I am disappointed that I have the top one on the left.

Also, did the cheapo one come with batteries? I know the more expensive ones sometimes do.

Sirrus Rider

+1 I will take the more expansive one that reflects.

Cyclist0383

The problem with cheap blinkies is that they tend to be made of horribly brittle plastic that cracks extremely easily.

CommuterRun

It's been my experience that cheap blinkies are great at conserving battery life. They may or may not turn themselves off with with any bump or shock. Completely unreliable.

Juha

I agree about the reflector, but OP, are you sure you didn't flip them in the middle pic? The CE mark seems real enough. It means the manufacturer has issued a declaration of conformity for the EU (actually, EEA) single market. It would seem like too much work for a 99c product. And stamping the CE on their product without the required paperwork would expose them to all sorts of legal problems, at least if they try to sell the product within the EU.

--J

CliftonGK1

Spend a week riding in PNW winter rain and fog with the $0.99 blinkie and see how it holds up to the 100% humidity after a few hours of exposure every day.
If the guts on it don't corrode after a week, you got your $0.99 worth out of it.

Caspar_s

Also get pics of them opened up - the cheap ones we've had are normally incredibly badly made, whilst the more expensive ones normally had a rubber seal, better springs/clips for the batteries, more support for the led/circuit board.

bent-not-broken

Be prepared to tape or rubber band on the cover or it will go flying after you hit the first big bump. (I know from experience)

Popeyecahn

The cheaper of the 2 is filled with melamine and will kill you... lol

Interestingly the cheaper one has the CE logo and the other doesn't...

bhop

The left, brighter one (without the logo) is actually from the 99¢ store. The materials seem to be the same,(look and feel anyway) the cover on the cheaper one clicks in place exactly the same as the other, it fits tighter in the mount (which I remember actually was a separate purchase) My LBS blinkie has actually bounced out a couple times.

I didn't think about the weather sealing and after opening them up and looking at them, the LBS version does seem to be better in that regard. It has a rubber ring around the edges while the cheapo is a harder abs type plastic ring.

Luckily in So-Cal the weather shouldn't be much of an issue, but the cheapie is going to be my backpack blinkie anyway. I was just amazed at the similarities of these that I thought i'd share pics.

ItsJustMe

The $12 one is a ripoff only in that you didn't go ahead and spend $20 and get a Superflash.

I've owned a few of these types of 5 LED lights and they're all the same - nearly worthless.

Your life is worth $20. Stop screwing around with crap. You'll wind up spending the $20 in replacements anyway, just do it up front and get it over with.

Popeyecahn

Considering that 2 is better than one, I'd be inclined to get several of these cheapie units to augment the main PB superflash unit....

bhop

Eh.. the LED light seems fine to me. It's bright with fresh batteries. I've had it for months, no replacements, and cars seem to see me. What's so special about the Superflash in comparison?

Popeyecahn

Exceptional warranty...?

ItsJustMe

Put one next to your blinkie sometime, on the side of a road, then get in a car and approach it at night. Pretend you're someone talking on your phone and aren't really paying much attention. Maybe there's a strip mall with glaring lights on the other side of the road. For bonus points, maybe you're caught in the rain. Let me know if your life is worth the extra 8 bucks. Apparently you already bought a $12 blinkie, superflashes are only like $20, and anyone who's seen one will tell you that there's NO comparison between that and one of those puny things. I've had a couple of those little things in the past, and probably most people here have.

Personally I went to a Dinotte, which is a $160 taillight, so I may be a bit biased. but the Superflash is, in the opinion of I think the majority of people on this forum, the STARTING point for effective rear lighting.

Actually TWO of them are. I insist on riding with two active lights in the back; you never know when a blinkie is going to dump on you, and you won't know it until you get to your destination and get off the bike.

I'm actually a HUGE fan of cheap electronics. I love to find cheap stuff that works well. But in the case of safety gear for my bike, I gave up on compromise. I take seriously my responsibility to make it home to my family every day. I don't think this is an area that anyone should compromise on unless they seriously can't afford to get the lights that they feel are sufficient in ALL situations they might encounter (fog, rain, dark, morons behind the wheel texting, half asleep drivers, etc).

Cyclist0383

It's extremely bright, and more than that, it's extremely visible due to it's unique flash pattern. The two lights are in completely different leagues.

tekknoschtev

Before I owned a PB Superflash, I would have had this exact sentiment. It took a tough lesson in NOT LOOKING AT THE LIGHT the first time you press the button to realize that the Superflash is in a completely separate league from the majority of rear blinkies.

Not a criticism of what you already have, I just know that from that statement it really seems like you've never used one (again, not necessarily a bad thing) because I'd venture to guess that most people that have used one wouldn't have asked what the difference is.

bhop

I'll have to check one out then. I'm not trying to be a cheap bastård I just haven't seen a Superflash.

Cyclist0383

Do check one out, they are well worth the money.

MrRamonG

LMFAO.... Yeah, don't you think your life is worth at least that? Maybe even more money!! Why stop at the 20$ light, maybe you should fork out the money to be real safe and put your butt in a car!!

nahh

I have a PB Superflash on my bike, and another cheap blinky on my bag. 2 is better than one, but two superflashes are expensive.

2manybikes

Typically 99c stores buy left over unsold lots for less than they even cost to make, or below wholesale. That's not a true reflection of the cost to buy one wholesale. $12 does seem high for retail though. Neither light is very good.
Do try something like the PB Superflash, the New Cateye 1100 etc.....The new lights have much better LED's and are totally different. The technology had changed so much those lights are almost worthless anyway. That's probably why the 99c store has someone else's leftovers. They can't compete with new lights. So they don't sell well.