Plow13

so i finally pulled the trigger and order one of these lights along with the handlebar mount!!! i'll be sure to post a review when i get it! Thanks again to varuscelli for all his help in helpin me to select the light

varuscelli

Well, you're welcome.

But I got most of my direction/information from others here on this site and on the CandlePower Forums.

Zero_Enigma was the one who first suggested Fenix to me. Thus, if our lights explode or do something else improbable, we can wave our pitchforks and flaming torches in the air and storm his place...

Zero_Enigma

Thanks for reminding me again to buy a 'laser' *pinky to the mouth* and a 'rocket' mobil *pinky to the mouth* just incase. Then I shall demand *pause* 'one meeeeeeeeeellion dollars'. Muhahahahaha!!

Anyways, ride safe and within your limits. No point impressing the girl when you're road rashed on the ground outside of your skill level.

icedmocha 

I think I'll be ordering one of these as well. They are much cheaper than alternatives. Where did you order from?

varuscelli

I got mine from www.fenix-store.com

dekindy

If you want to helmet mount, how do you determine whether to order a bikeblock or fishblock? I am looking at my helmet vents and trying to determine what angle each block would give me and am not sure how to judge which vent/block to order.

varuscelli

Got a photo of the top of your helmet?

The way my helmet is configured (it's a Bell Variant) it's more suited to a bikeblock. BUT! The bikeblocks are not made to accommodate as relatively much of quick release as the lockblocks are (at least it doesn't seem that way), since with the bikeblock you're dealing with one very long Velcro strip. I think you could just trim down the length of Velcro on the bikeblock and make it more user friendly to attach. I know with my helmet and the way the vents are I can get away with either the bikeblock or the lockblock. But truthfully, I think that both stick up much farther than necessary.

socalrider's solution of the zefal doodad is I think offers more of a low profile. But I'm also seeing people use simple Velcro strips and fat rubber bands in what seems a pretty effective -- and low profile -- manner.

icedmocha 

Are you using the bikeblock off of the cree stores website?

varuscelli

I'm using the ones from www.fenix-store.com

I've personally not settled into anything permanent, though. Still experimenting around with options to see what I like best and what works best for me. I'm not just thrilled with the bikeblocks and helmet light mounts for a couple of reasons, but I can always use them for something else. Ideally (and probably like most everyone else) I want something that's low profile, quick and easy to mount and unmount, and that holds the light as securely as possible.

dekindy

I have the Bell Sweep R or I could take a digital photograph of the top of the helmet.

Plow13

i have the bell sweep r as well...so im kind of interested as in what to use...i just ordered the bike/helmet mount on the fenix site...so i can let you know how i t works when it comes in

varuscelli

I would think on the Bell Sweep R helmets that if you are choosing between the bikeblock and the lockblock, the bikeblock is the seemingly best fit (based on the appearance of the helmet). The tips of the U-joint on both the bikeblocks and the lockblocks are very flexible, but the bikeblocks have a larger "U" to start with so would likely more easily conform to spanning a larger segment of helmet (which looks like the case with the Bell Sweep center-of-helmet area).

I guess I should try and take a few close-up shots of both the bikeblock and lockblock as attached to my own helmet (close up enough to see the details of the straps, etc.). That might be a good visual to add to my "already too many photos" site.

dekindy

I was leaning toward the bikeblock and I am glad to have your opinion. Thanks.

dekindy

Which version did you order?

Plow13

i ordered the Fenix Digital L2D RB100 Black Premium 100 and the TwoFish Lockblocks

dekindy

I am anxious to hear your report. I found the Princeton Tec Switchback 3 on closeout at Colorado Cyclist for $219. I was seriously considering going with 3 of these flashlights until I saw that. I think the price is pretty close to the same for both configurations. Except a replacement battery is over $100. Hopefully the battery will last long enough for technology to advance and get a more modern setup when the battery dies.

john bono

I have both. Whether or not you want to go with the l2d v. a switchback 3 depends on what is more important. 2 L2ds have roughly the same output as one SB3. However, factoring in batteries and charger, 2 l2ds is slightly less expense, and 3 slightly moreso. The fenix lights have nowhere near the battery life of the SB, and SB comes with both car and AC chargers, plus the bar mount for the SB3 is much better than the lockblocks(though there are other options as well). If you don't expect to ride more than two hours past dusk or before dawn, get the fenixs. If you plan on riding well into the night, get the sb3.

varuscelli

I think with the lockblocks you might be able to get it to span that rather long center section on the Bell Sweep R, but it looks like it might be quite a stretch (remember, the lockblocks and bikeblocks are oriented in different directions -- lockblocks for perpendicular, bikeblocks for parallel). If you have any trouble getting the lockblock to go across that center span, then then you might be able to use it a bit off center and slightly to one side of the helmet where the spans between the vents are not so wide. With the lockblock, you have to set it up from the get-go pointing in the correct direction since you can't adjust it much at all once secured into place (it's the same with the bikeblock, but I think the bikeblock is probably going to be easier to set up with the Bell Sweep R). Also, you could slightly modify the rubber U-joints on a lockblock by shaving/cutting a bit of the rubber tips off the bottom U and force it to conform to the helmet shape.

icedmocha 

Ordered the L2d and lockblocks.

Plow13

is it ok to run the flash light in turbo mode during my whole ride? my usual night rides are and hour to 1.5 hours

varuscelli

Personally, I don't think there's any harm in that. Night air, speed of bike -- it makes for a wind-cooled fan effect that I think will not let the light truly overheat. I think the only danger would be *possibly* if you came to a complete stop somewhere and let your lights continue to shine in turbo mode for long stretches of time. In the Fenix instruction manual it warns against extended use of turbo mode "under high ambient temperatures." Unfortunately, they don't define what they consider "high ambient temperatures," so it's left to the user's imagination. I'd imagine that on your average night in most reasonable locations, you're not going to have high ambient temps. AND you're going to be riding, so the relatively cool night air will be even cooler. That's the way I see it, but then again I'm no lighting engineer either.

Zero_Enigma

Iced,

Use coupon code 'preorder10' at Fenix Store for 10% off your order on the items that say pre-order. I know it's past the pre-order stage but the coupon still works and that's about $7 off on the flashlight. That coupon is only good on pre-order items.

For regular items you can use 'cpf8' for the 8% discount on all items even the pre-order items if you missed the pre-order time or the pre-order status has been removed.

icedmocha 

Argh! I ordered this morning and looked for coupons but found none Thanks anyway though

varuscelli

Write 'em and tell 'em you're really distressed about it and they might set you up.

Zero_Enigma

Call them up or write them. If they won't issue you the 10% then go with the guarnteed 8% discount. I tried the 10% coupon a couple days ago out of curiosity and it worked. Technically, they could refuse you the 10% because you did not enter it purchase time but if they had good business sense knowing the goodness of thier products I'm sure they'll give you the 10% or at worst 8% knowing that most poeple that like the lights will buy again for gifts/spare or accessories to make the product more useful/versatile.

If they don't give you any discount tell them CPF will come knocking on thier door and paint all thier lights HOT NEON GLOW IN THE DARK PINK!!