RubeRad

Be sure to pronounce the middle S like an S, not a Z!

This looks pretty cool; a rear blinkie that has lasers that mark a "virtual security lane"



At $30 the price is OK, I won't be getting one but I thought some others might be interested.

link

Note: it doesn't say anything about how long the batteries (2xAAA) will last on a charge.

tcs

Thread #37 about these things.

The novelty might be kinda cute on a night mass group ride; otherwise, worthless.

RubeRad

Oh, well sorry. I have followed the commuting forum for over a year now, and never seen them.

Maybe somebody will offer a stronger version with lasers that can vaporize cars that get too close?

acidfast7

-=(8)=-

I have a blue one. It was less that 30 on Amazon a year ago, about 16.00, and also rechargeable.
As usual, the negative comments come from people who have no experience with them.
Easily the best light Ive ever used. Because its blue, it serves two functions, it gets people to notice you~ you can see them slow to say "wTf", and
I believe it is a factor in my morning commute being so friendly and laid back. Its easy for car ppl to tell Im the guy who isnt acting like a spandex train gang rider.
Dont believe the serious intarwebz riders. Its a great light, especially for the price.

RubeRad

Well technology prices don't go up, they only go down! I just searched Amazon for "rear bike light lasers" and I see many options for as low as $8.49.

And blue (or green or red or white) for $10.81.

fietsbob

This , again

DVC45

I think it is a good idea. I might try it out.

acidfast7

I would consider putting this on a turntable or a blender at a party for some cheap light effects.

As far as a bike-related item ...

skijor

A blender (the kitchen appliance)? To reflect off of the blades?

Only seen them here. I could see where blue might attract more attention, at least around here---cop lights have more blue than red.

himespau 

Aren't cops the only ones allowed to have blue lighting?

RPK79

That's always been my understanding. I've also seen blue lights on snow plows (DOT ones not private).

noglider 

If that's true, it still hinges upon whether they enforce laws on cyclists. Here in the northeast, we rarely get cited for any violations, so the question is not whether it will get you cited, it's whether it makes sense to use.

-=(8)=-

Much better for raves than glo-sticks

Telly

Seen a few around which were totally useless since you needed pitch black darkness to see the laser "path".

Now the following is probably illegal in the states, but it should really REALLY get drivers attention!

fietsbob

I hate it when I see that red/blue flashing light thing behind me..

yea they would use theirs if they saw you Impersonating a Police Officer..

lostarchitect 

Huh. I have seen them on the road a few times, so while I don't have experience using them myself, I have experience as another road user seeing them in action. As far as I can tell, they're basically invisible until you're very close to the other rider. I don't think they're as good as you think they are. They probably look bright from the rider's position, but from behind the result is pretty much nil.

alan s 

If you think a car closing in on you at 30+ mph is going to see those puny lasers, you'll be sorely disappointed. They wouldn't be visible with any ambient light, much less a car headlight. Stick with a regular red LED taillight that flashes or pulses, and is aimed at approaching cars.

RPK79

Using this will likely get you killed by a giant predatory cat.

bbbean 

This!

ItsJustMe

Even if useful, probably only for city cyclists. Almost all of my commute, the cars are approaching at 60+ MPH. By the time they'd even notice that there's something odd there, they've already passed me.

Also, I run enough taillight to probably wash that right out.

-=(8)=-

The red lasers can be seen or not depending on angles of the road. They are not what I am talking about, though. The blue flashing part is as bright as any taillight Ive ever seen. This is just a case of 'serious' people taking this stuff too seriously and knocking it because it didnt cost a lot or would be something they use. I realize this is BF and it would exist if people didnt have divergent opinions, but to say they are invisible or something like that is wrong and misleading to someone who doesnt know any better. Lights get to a certain level of brightness where the human eye cant tell a difference. This light is as bright as any 'serious" bike companies best, and it recharges. If someone is open-minded enough to not fall for the "I need to pay a lot" or "serious bike rider" syndrome, they will have a nice light.

e0richt

I was driving my family to a restaurant a few years back when I was spooked because I saw the "red and blue" lights in the rearview mirror... turned out to be my son's toy ball that would flash just like a cop's lights.

RubeRad

This light also has a regular LED taillight that flashes/pulses. The lasers are a bonus, and are at best helpful, at worst just *****in. Now that I found such cheap prices on Amazon (prolly also on fleabay) I'll probably get a pile of them for everybody in the family.

Leisesturm

Actually, my favorite rear blinky is by Ascent and it is part of a headlight/tailight combo that most LBS's sell for ~14.00. I like it because the mounting clip operates sideways. Vertical hits like the kind most often experienced, don't faze the mount. Other lights, I need to rubber band in place to keep from losing them. I ride in a bike lane when I can, and when I can't, I ride to the right of traffic. I don't need lasers to tell cars how far away from me to ride! They don't need it either. Nearly every rear blinkie thread someone gets all puffed up about white or blue or some other color of "illegal" rear light to coerce the uninitiated into using. I don't rise to the bait. For two reasons. One: legal lights work well enough. Two: My people have a saying: "puss an' dog nuh have de same luck". This is West Indian island patois, which means in effect. You can get away with doing lots of quasi and outright unsanctioned things on the road, and if caught, the most you will deal with is a warning. Others, especially others with different demographics.... not so much. No one ever considers this disparity in outcomes when they get on here to cajole others into wrongdoing. But they should. This is the Internet, not your high school locker-room. Hmmmm... that's not even a good example what with legal de-segregation and what not. How about this: its likely against TOS to argue for the usage of illegal techniques or merchandise in posts. I haven't checked, so this is very much FWIW.

H