Night Commuting. Best Bike Lights
05-31-09, 01:11 PM
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Night Commuting. Best Bike Lights
i want to start commuting to work (about 20-24 miles roundtrip) but i usually get off around
10:30-11pm.
i need a really good bike light...from my minimal research, AY UP seems the best for the price.
keep in my i am a student working part time.
so...what do you use?
10:30-11pm.
i need a really good bike light...from my minimal research, AY UP seems the best for the price.
keep in my i am a student working part time.
so...what do you use?
05-31-09, 01:27 PM
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I use a cateye cube rear (£30) and a 2 of 21 lED from ebay from cyberport888 for around £3 if you multi buy simular to EBAY Item number: 260416031449
05-31-09, 01:53 PM
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non-rechargable batteries, even in massive bulk packs, quickly add up in price.
so it's best if you get something that runs off of rechargeable batteries.
uke has the right idea if you can wait a while.
so it's best if you get something that runs off of rechargeable batteries.
uke has the right idea if you can wait a while.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
05-31-09, 01:56 PM
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How did you mount these lights? Got any pictures of how they look on your bike?
05-31-09, 02:04 PM
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Can take some shots later. I have a pair of mounts on each bike, so I just move the lights back and forth.
05-31-09, 02:22 PM
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Adventure Lights VIPIR.
05-31-09, 03:32 PM
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05-31-09, 03:42 PM
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05-31-09, 03:45 PM
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05-31-09, 03:45 PM
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Did you have to mod the Ultrafire WF-501B as the comment on the link suggests?
Both are mounted via this: https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274
Can take some shots later. I have a pair of mounts on each bike, so I just move the lights back and forth.
Can take some shots later. I have a pair of mounts on each bike, so I just move the lights back and forth.
05-31-09, 03:50 PM
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i want to start commuting to work (about 20-24 miles roundtrip) but i usually get off around
10:30-11pm.
i need a really good bike light...from my minimal research, AY UP seems the best for the price.
keep in my i am a student working part time.
so...what do you use?
10:30-11pm.
i need a really good bike light...from my minimal research, AY UP seems the best for the price.
keep in my i am a student working part time.
so...what do you use?
05-31-09, 04:00 PM
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rechargeables....already have plenty. Similar run times to the P7 I use in front. I know these lights aren't for everybody. They work well for a 1 hour commute or less.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
05-31-09, 04:01 PM
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Can highly recommend the mount suggested by Uke. I have a different P7 light though but similar. You have to get two batteries and a recharger as well for a P7--you could probably make it on one battery but they are cheap, rechargeable, and it is good to have a backup in case it dies on you during your ride. But these things are super bright on the high setting. I've had cars flash their high beams at me and other bikers scream at me when using the high setting. Now, I run my P7 (a 5 setting one) on medium on the handlebars with a Planet Bike Blaze on my helmet for spot lighting where I turn my head. This combo works great for me. The P7 is really amazing. I show people how it lights up my backyard at night and they are blown away. Look around in the electronics section for some feedback on the P7s. I realize the light, 2 batteries and chargers may be in the $50 to $75 range but it is worth it I think.
05-31-09, 04:21 PM
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Nope.
Last edited by uke; 05-31-09 at 04:24 PM.
05-31-09, 04:21 PM
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This is another thread very similar to yours OP: https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/544250-light-commuting-night.html check it out and you will get some more ideas. Granted on the list I put on that thread you can soon add the Niterider Cherrybomb that I ordered through my LBS.
05-31-09, 04:27 PM
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edit: actually that's a dumb question trying to compare the two. The superflash is likely more practical with it's run time and flashing capabilities. For $10 though, think I'll try one. If I'm lucky, I'll have it before summer is over.
Actually, I won't need it until fall anyway. The longer days of summer are mighty fine.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
Last edited by daredevil; 05-31-09 at 04:43 PM.
05-31-09, 05:45 PM
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Okay, here are the shots. All were taken at 1600x1200, manual, F2.8, exposure time 1/10 (deliberately underexposed to reduce overexposure from the lights), without flash. Backdrop in all cases was a white wall beside a curtained window. My P7 on high was included as a comparison. I used both Superflashes (regular and stealth models) when shooting, but eventually went with the stealth's pictures, as there was no difference between the two. Batteries in the PBSFs are several months old, but both are lightly used, and always in the flash mode. Shots of the Superflash were in steady mode. I swapped the battery from the P7 to the Ultrafire when shooting, and it was freshly charged. All pictures were downscaled to 800x600 for posting here.
The first set were taken at a distance of approximately 1 meter.
Respectively, they show the blank wall, the SF, the Ultrafire, and the P7.
The second set were taken at a distance of approximately 2 meters.
Respectively, they show the blank wall, the Ultrafire, the Ultrafire with the SF one foot to the left, the Ultrafire with the SF two feet to the left, the Ultrafire alone, and the P7.
Here is the gallery view.
Overall, it was no contest. The Ultrafire is far brighter than the Superflash, even taking into account the Superflash being powered by not-new batteries. The SF still has the advantages of being smaller, lighter, having a flash mode, and an ultimately far longer battery life (due to the flash option). The Ultrafire, however, is cheaper, far brighter, and a brilliant option to fill the uncanny valley between the SF and the 140 Dinotte. If I can attach it, it will be my main tail light from now on.
The first set were taken at a distance of approximately 1 meter.
Respectively, they show the blank wall, the SF, the Ultrafire, and the P7.
The second set were taken at a distance of approximately 2 meters.
Respectively, they show the blank wall, the Ultrafire, the Ultrafire with the SF one foot to the left, the Ultrafire with the SF two feet to the left, the Ultrafire alone, and the P7.
Here is the gallery view.
Overall, it was no contest. The Ultrafire is far brighter than the Superflash, even taking into account the Superflash being powered by not-new batteries. The SF still has the advantages of being smaller, lighter, having a flash mode, and an ultimately far longer battery life (due to the flash option). The Ultrafire, however, is cheaper, far brighter, and a brilliant option to fill the uncanny valley between the SF and the 140 Dinotte. If I can attach it, it will be my main tail light from now on.
05-31-09, 09:28 PM
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i was using a 2nd P4 8 mode for my rear, i just put a red layer on top, it works great
does the red one you use have the police strobe (flash?)
i love the 8 mode, i always use them in the police mode setting
i wear with police colours too, and is cool when cars stops by thinking you are after them
06-01-09, 06:55 AM
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Here is another thread to read. Lights under $50. https://www.bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/435347-best-headlights-under-50-thread.html. I used this thread to choose my headlight.
06-01-09, 06:48 PM
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Thanks Uke for supplying the picture reference and Scoatw for the thread. I decided last night to purchase to the Ultrafire K2 red light along with the flashlight mounts and another P7 for the front. Therefore, when my order arrives my new set up will consist of a multitude of combinations:
Front:
2 Fenix O-Lights
2 MTE P7
Rear:
1 PB Superflash Stealth
1 Mars 3.0
1 Ultrafire K2
1 Niterider Cherry Bomb
I hope people will be able to see me
.
Front:
2 Fenix O-Lights
2 MTE P7
Rear:
1 PB Superflash Stealth
1 Mars 3.0
1 Ultrafire K2
1 Niterider Cherry Bomb
I hope people will be able to see me
.
06-01-09, 06:53 PM
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Thanks Uke for supplying the picture reference and Scoatw for the thread. I decided last night to purchase to the Ultrafire K2 red light along with the flashlight mounts and another P7 for the front. Therefore, when my order arrives my new set up will consist of a multitude of combinations:
Front:
2 Fenix O-Lights
2 MTE P7
Rear:
1 PB Superflash Stealth
1 Mars 3.0
1 Ultrafire K2
1 Niterider Cherry Bomb
I hope people will be able to see me.
Front:
2 Fenix O-Lights
2 MTE P7
Rear:
1 PB Superflash Stealth
1 Mars 3.0
1 Ultrafire K2
1 Niterider Cherry Bomb
I hope people will be able to see me
.